Which is the best way of getting to Disneyland Paris? A big part of planning a Disneyland Paris holiday is figuring out how you’re going to get there. You could opt for the quickest or easiest journey. Or you might prefer to go for the cheapest option. There really isn’t one journey that is better than the others as there are many variables which affect the cost, journey time, etc. Book your transport as soon as possible, though, as the prices go up the closer you get to your departure date.
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You have several options:
- Eurostar passenger train from London
- Fly from any airport with flights to Charles de Gaulle or Orly airports in Paris
- Eurotunnel with your car, then drive to Disneyland Paris
- Ferry with your car, then drive to Disneyland Paris
- Overnight Flixbus coach from a multitude of departure points
- Book a trip for a set number of days/nights with a coach company
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Eurostar to Disneyland Paris
If you live in the South-East of England, the Eurostar from London St. Pancras International Station is most definitely the quickest option for travelling to Disneyland Paris. Sadly, there is no longer a service that goes straight to Disneyland Paris, so you will need to change in Lille for an overland train to Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy or change at Paris Gare du Nord for a Metro (underground) train to Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy. This is the station right outside the Parks and Disney Village. If Eurostar do a Flash Sale, this is one of the cheapest ways of getting to Paris. Book the tickets as soon as the sale starts as prices start to go up before the Flash Sale has finished.
Journey Time from London St. Pancras International Station
- 3 – 4 hours including overland train if changing at Lille Station
- 3½ hours including Metro (underground) train if changing at Paris Gare du Nord
Pros of taking the Eurostar
- Quickest journey time from London
- Three levels of class on the train depending on your budget and requirements
- Breakfast or a light meal included with certain class tickets
- Food and drink available to buy on the train
- Luggage included in the ticket price
- If staying in a Disney hotel or Disney Partner hotel, Disneyland Paris Luggage Service will deliver your luggage to your hotel whilst you go to the Parks on the day you arrive, and to the station on the day you depart (surcharge applies)
Cons of Taking the Eurostar
- Expensive for big families unless you buy tickets in a Flash Sale
- Cost of travel to and from London
- Cost of overnight accommodation in London before and/or after your holiday if you want to travel early or return late
- Cost of meals in London if staying overnight
Flying to Disneyland Paris
Flying is a popular way of travelling to Disneyland Paris, and is the most convenient way of getting there for those living far from London or the South Coast. Several airlines sell relatively cheap flights from many airports in the UK and Ireland to Charles de Gaulle and Orly Airports. Then, hop on the Disney Magical Shuttle or take an overland train straight to Disneyland Paris. Magical Shuttles from Charles de Gaulle Airport go to the Parks, Disney hotels and Disney Partner hotels. Magical Shuttles from Orly Airport only go to the Disney hotels and Disney Partner hotels. There is also a Private Magic Shuttle service available for up to 8 people which goes from either airport to the Parks, Disney hotels and Disney Partner hotels.
Journey Time from UK Airports
| Route | Flight Time | Magical Shuttle to Disneyland Paris |
| London – Paris | 1 hour 20 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Belfast – Paris | 1 hour 45 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Birmingham – Paris | 1 hour 20 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Edinburgh – Paris | 1 hour 50 minutes | 45 minutes |
Remember to add 2 -3 hours for check-in and customs with each journey.
Pros of Flying
- Most convenient if living far from London or South Coast of UK
- Short journey time
- Magical Shuttle transfers from airport to Disneyland Paris (surcharge applies)
- If staying in a Disney hotel or Disney Partner hotel, Disneyland Paris Luggage Service will deliver your luggage to your hotel whilst you go to the Parks on the day you arrive, and to the airport on the day you depart (surcharge applies)
Cons of Flying
- Expensive for big families
- Cost of travel to and from UK or Irish airport
- Cost of overnight accommodation near airport before and/or after your holiday if you want to travel early or return late
- Cost of meals if staying overnight before/after holiday
- Cost of luggage if taking more than hand luggage
- Cost of Magical Shuttle each way (Adult 24 Euros Child 3-11 years 11 Euros Group booking for 5 – 8 people 96 Euros)
- Cost of Private Magical Shuttle each way (Up to 4 people from 117 Euros Up to 8 people from 149 Euros)
Eurotunnel to Disneyland Paris
For many families, taking their car on the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais, and then driving to Disneyland will be the best option. This does involve a long journey, but has the benefit of costing the same regardless of the number of people going. Families can also take as much luggage as they can fit in their car/roofbox/trailer plus bikes if staying at Villages Nature Paris. Break the journey up by staying overnight in Folkestone or Arras, France so you can arrive at Disneyland Paris nice and early and make the most of your first day in the Parks.
Journey Time From Folkestone
| Route | Crossing Time | Onward Distance to Disneyland Paris | Onward Journey Time to Disneyland Paris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folkestone – Calais | 35 minutes | 203 miles | 3¾ hours |
Remember to allow 1 – 2 hours for check-in and boarding at Eurotunnel. Driving time will vary depending on the time of day.
Pros of Taking the Eurotunnel
- Pay for Eurotunnel with Tesco Clubcard points
- Cost is per car rather than per person
- No limit on luggage
- Least hassle option with small children
- Car recommended for stays at Davy Crockett Ranch and Villages Nature Paris
- Take your own bikes if staying at Villages Nature Paris
- Free parking at Disney/Disney Partner hotels and Parks
- Roads in France are generally maintained better than those in the UK
Cons of Taking the Eurotunnel
- Cost of fuel
- Cost of international breakdown cover
- Cost of road tolls
- Cost of overnight accommodation in Folkestone or France before and/or after your holiday if you want to arrive early or leave late
- Cost of meals if staying overnight before/after holiday
- Eurotunnel can be unreliable with loading cars onto their booked train in UK and France
Ferry to Disneyland Paris
Families wanting to take their car also have the option of taking a ferry, and then driving to Disneyland Paris. Although the Eurotunnel is the faster choice, taking a ferry gives you the advantage of being able to travel to France from eight locations in England and Ireland. Bookings at most Disney and Disney Partner accommodation includes tickets to the Parks on the day you arrive, so consider staying overnight in France after your ferry journey. Then, you can arrive at Disneyland Paris as early as possible and not waste that first day in the Parks.
Journey Time from UK Ports
| Route | Crossing Time | Onward Distance to Disneyland Paris | Onward Journey Time to Disneyland Paris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cork – Roscoff | from 14 hour night crossing | 368 miles | 6 hours |
| Dover – Calais | 1½ hours | 210 miles | 3½ hours |
| Dover – Dunkirk | 2 hours | 195 miles | 3½ hours |
| Folkestone to Calais | 1½ hours | 210 miles | 3½ hours |
| Newhaven – Dieppe | 4 hours | 168 miles | 3¼ hours |
| Plymouth – Roscoff | from 5½ hours | 368 miles | 6 hours |
| Poole – Cherbourg | 4½ hours | 256 miles | 4¾ hours |
| Portsmouth – Caen | 5¾ hours | 183 miles – if choosing Google Maps route that avoids Paris ULEZ zone | 3¾ hours |
| Portsmouth – Cherbourg | from 4¾ hours | 256 miles | 4¾ hours |
| Portsmouth – Le Havre | from 6 hours | 153 miles | 3¼ hours |
| Portsmouth – St. Malo | from 10 hours | 280 miles | 4¾ hours |
| Rosslare – Cherbourg | from 16½ hour night crossing | 256 miles | 4¾ hours |
Remember to allow 1 – 2 hours for check-in and boarding the ferry. Driving times will vary depending on the time of day.
Pros of Taking the Ferry
- Multiple departure ports in UK
- No limit on luggage
- Car needed for stays at Davy Crockett Ranch and Villages Nature Paris
- Take your own bikes if staying at Villages Nature Paris
- Free parking at Disney/Disney Partner hotels and Parks
- Option to take an overnight ferry
- Roads in France are generally maintained better than those in the UK
Cons of Taking the Ferry
- Cost of fuel
- Cost of international breakdown cover
- Cost of road tolls
- Cost of overnight accommodation near ferry port or in France before and/or after your holiday if you want to arrive early or leave late
- Cost of meals if staying overnight before/after holiday
- Ferries may be cancelled in extreme weather
Overnight Flixbus Coach to Disneyland Paris
Unless you’re lucky enough to bag Eurostar Flash Sale tickets, Flixbus is the cheapest way of travelling to Disneyland Paris from London. Flixbus operates coaches that leave London Victoria Coach Station in the evening, and deposit you right outside the Parks the next morning. If you’re not local to London, catch a Flixbus coach at one of the many departure points in England, Scotland or Wales to London Victoria before boarding the coach to Disneyland Paris.
The majority of Flixbus coaches use the Eurotunnel, and you will not be able to get off the coach until the end of your journey. Occasionally, a coach will use a ferry, and you will have to disembark at this point. Despite the enticing price tag, consider seriously whether you really want to spend all night on a coach with seats that barely recline. It might sound like an adventure, but you could spend the first day of your holiday feeling exhausted. If getting to Disneyland Paris as cheaply as possible is your thing, go for it. But maybe read a few of the reviews first . . .
Journey Time
- Roughly 10 hours from London Victoria Coach Station
Pros of Taking a Flixbus Coach
- One of the cheapest ways to get to Disneyland Paris from London
- Connecting coaches from many departure points
- Luggage is included in ticket price
- Journey ends (and return journey starts) right outside the Parks and Disney Village
- Free Wi-Fi on coach
- Toilet on coach
Cons of Taking a Flixbus Coach
- Dubious level of comfort when you need to sleep
- Long journey, particularly if you need to take a connecting coach to London
- Possibly arrive a couple of hours before the Parks open
- Coaches occasionally get cancelled or have destination altered after booking
Coach Travel with Phoenix Adventures Ltd
Several companies offer coach travel to Disneyland Paris. This is a convenient way to travel, particularly if you don’t want to drive. Pick-up points are found all over the UK. Some of the Phoenix Adventures coaches travel overnight, and have a full sized bed on board for each person. You’ll have to disembark when you get to the ferry, but this does look like a very civilised way to travel. Accommodation and Park tickets need to be bought separately.
Journey Time
- This depends on which pick-up point you get on at. Journey time between Calais and Disneyland Paris is 3½ hours.
Pros of Using Phoenix Adventures Ltd
- Convenient if you live close to a pick-up point
- Comfortable beds and armchairs on overnight coaches
- Ferry crossing included in the price
- Coach drops off and picks up at Disneyland Paris coach park
- Free shuttle bus between coach park and Disney hotels/Disney Partner hotels
Cons of Using Phoenix Adventures Ltd
- Limited date options
- Trips are for a set number of days/nights
Which is the Best Way for Big Families to Get to Disneyland Paris?
There is no easy answer to this question. It really depends on where you live and how big your budget is. For families living near London, the Eurostar/Metro route is a good option, although not necessarily the cheapest and does involve changing trains in France. For families living further afield, I would think that flying would be your best bet. As we live in the South-East, we have always taken the Eurotunnel from Folkestone, and stayed at the Holiday Inn in Arras en route so we could arrive at Disneyland Paris early and get the most out of our first day at the Parks. This is the cheapest option for us as we pay for the Eurotunnel with Tesco Clubcard points.
So, for big families in the South-East, taking the Eurotunnel and then driving to Disneyland Paris is probably the best option if you don’t mind all that driving. If booking your accommodation on the Disneyland Paris website, you are able to include transport, but check out the prices of booking transport independently to make sure you’re getting the best price.
Useful Resources When Driving in France
All distances have been taken from Google Maps. Journey times will vary depending on the time/day you travel and any unforeseen events such as accidents or roadworks. Whether you opt for planes, trains or ferries, remember to allow 1-2 hours for check-in and boarding each way.
Many countries are bringing in more and more ULEZ zones, which can make journeys difficult if your big old family car is non-compliant. Even cars that are compliant have to be registered to be allowed in these zones. This all gets pretty complicated, so it’s best to just avoid the relevant areas. Google Maps will often take you straight through a ULEZ zone without offering an alternative route, so make adjustments to your route before you set off if necessary. Visit drive2.city for up-to-date information on ULEZ zones in the UK and the rest of Europe.
