Getting to Disneyland Paris from Birmingham by train means two separate journeys. First, you travel around 120 miles to London St Pancras International. From there, you take the Eurostar. There’s no longer a direct Eurostar to Disneyland Paris, so you’ll change trains, usually at Lille, onto a French high-speed TGV to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy, the station opposite the park gates.
For families, that first leg is often the most stressful part of the day: suitcases, pushchairs, tired children and a fixed Eurostar check-in time. This guide explains how the whole trip works and why many families take a pre-booked taxi to St Pancras. It also covers how to time the journey, and the other ways to reach Disneyland Paris from the Midlands.
Disneyland Paris from Birmingham at a glance
| Stage | What happens | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham to St Pancras | Taxi, or train to Euston and a short walk | Around 2.5 to 3 hours by road; about 1 hour 20 minutes on the fastest trains to Euston |
| Eurostar check-in | Security, passport control and boarding | Arrive up to 90 minutes before departure at busy times |
| St Pancras to Lille | Eurostar | About 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Lille to Disneyland Paris | TGV to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy | Around 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes |
These times are typical. Traffic, train timetables and border queues all vary, so allow a generous margin at every stage.
How the Eurostar journey to Disneyland Paris works
No direct Eurostar from London
Eurostar ran direct trains from London to Disneyland Paris for many years, but the service was withdrawn in 2023. Eurostar confirms that it isn’t currently running a direct service between London and Disneyland Paris, so you’ll travel via Lille or Paris instead.
Changing at Lille
For most families, Lille is the easier option. You take the Eurostar from St Pancras to Lille Europe, then a TGV from the same station to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy. When you book on the Eurostar website, choose Disneyland Paris (Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy) as your destination and pick the option with one change. That way, both trains sit on a single booking.
Changing in Paris
The alternative is to take the Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, then local RER trains across the city to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy. It’s usually slower and means busier trains and more stairs, which can be hard work with luggage and pushchairs.
Arriving at the park
Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy station sits directly opposite the Disneyland Paris park gates, next to Disney Village. If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, check whether it offers a luggage service or a shuttle bus from the station.
Getting from Birmingham to St Pancras
By taxi
A pre-booked taxi collects you from your front door and drops you at St Pancras International, ready for check-in. There’s no need to carry suitcases through New Street, change at Euston or walk between stations with children. The journey usually takes around two and a half to three hours, depending on traffic and where you start.
By train
Avanti West Coast runs trains from Birmingham New Street to London Euston, and the fastest take around 1 hour 20 minutes. From Euston, St Pancras is a short walk or one stop on the Underground. However, you’ll still need to get to New Street with your luggage, and manage the change in London with children.
Which suits your family?
| The train suits you if… | A taxi suits you if… |
|---|---|
| You live near New Street and are travelling light | You have young children, pushchairs or lots of luggage |
| There are only one or two of you | You’re travelling as a family of four or more |
| Your Eurostar leaves late morning or afternoon | Your Eurostar leaves early in the morning |
| You don’t mind changing stations in London | You’d rather go door to door |
For larger families, the taxi fare can be close to the cost of several rail tickets, especially if you’re booking close to the date.
Planning your taxi to St Pancras
Working back from your Eurostar time
Start with your Eurostar departure time and the check-in advice on your booking. Disneyland Paris’s own travel team advises arriving at the station at least 90 minutes before departure, especially at busy times. Then add the drive, plus a buffer for traffic on the M40 and in central London. We’ll suggest a pickup time when you book.
Border checks and the Entry/Exit System
The EU’s Entry/Exit System for non-EU travellers, including British passport holders, now operates at St Pancras. The first time you travel under the system, you may need to register your fingerprints and a photo at the border. This can add time, especially during school holidays, so allow the time Eurostar recommends.
Early departures
Many families choose an early Eurostar to make the most of their first day at the park. An early train can mean leaving the Midlands in the middle of the night. Our guide to late-night and early-morning taxis explains how these bookings work.
Arriving at St Pancras
Taxis drop off at the designated areas around St Pancras International. On the day, your driver will use the most practical drop-off point for the Eurostar entrance. From there, follow the signs to Eurostar check-in.
If you’d like a fixed price for the journey to St Pancras, you can get a quote online for the outbound trip, the return or both.
London charges on the way to St Pancras
ULEZ
St Pancras is inside London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, which covers all of Greater London. Vehicles that don’t meet the emissions standards pay a daily charge.
Congestion Charge
St Pancras sits just north of Euston Road, which marks the edge of the central Congestion Charge zone. Depending on the route, a journey to the station doesn’t usually need to enter the charging zone. With a fixed fare, the route your driver takes doesn’t change what you pay. Our guide to fixed-price and metered taxis explains why that matters on long journeys.
Coming home from Disneyland Paris
Planning the return
The return journey is the same in reverse: a TGV from Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy to Lille, then the Eurostar to St Pancras. Allow plenty of time at Lille, because Eurostar check-in and border controls take place there, before you board.
Your pickup at St Pancras
After a few days at the parks, the children will be tired and the bags will be heavier. A pre-booked pickup at St Pancras means you can walk off the Eurostar and head straight to your taxi. Share your Eurostar train number when you book, and keep your phone switched on so your driver can reach you if needed.
If your train is delayed
Eurostar delays do happen, particularly if a connection runs late. If your arrival time changes, message us as soon as you know, and we’ll adjust your pickup.
Other ways to get to Disneyland Paris from the Midlands
Flying from Birmingham
You can fly from Birmingham Airport to Paris and travel on to Disneyland Paris from there. Paris Charles de Gaulle has its own TGV station, which connects to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy. Flying can be quicker for some families, but you’ll need to allow for airport check-in, baggage and the onward transfer in France. Our Birmingham Airport transfers cover the journey to and from BHX.
Driving via the Channel Tunnel or ferry
Some families drive to Folkestone for the Eurotunnel, or to Dover for the ferry, and then drive on through France. That gives you a car for the whole trip, but it means a long drive on both sides of the Channel.
Comparing your options
| Option | Works well for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi to St Pancras and Eurostar | Families who want to avoid flying and airport queues | Changing trains in Lille |
| Train to Euston and Eurostar | Small groups travelling light | Managing luggage between stations in London |
| Flying from Birmingham | Families who prefer to fly | Airport check-in and the onward transfer in France |
| Driving via the Channel | Families who want their own car | Long drives and tolls in France |
Packing for the Eurostar
Luggage allowance
Eurostar’s luggage allowance is more generous than many airlines’. Standard tickets have typically allowed two large suitcases plus one small bag per person, and pushchairs can travel too. Check the current allowance for your ticket type before you pack, as the rules can change.
No liquid limits
Unlike on a flight, there’s no limit on liquids in your Eurostar hand luggage, which makes packing drinks, snacks and toiletries for children easier. Your bags still go through a security scanner at St Pancras, so leave time for it.
Families and groups
Choosing the right vehicle
For families and groups of up to seven, the Mercedes V-Class keeps everyone in one vehicle, with room for suitcases and pushchairs. For two or three passengers with lighter luggage, the Mercedes E-Class is comfortable on the motorway. Child seats are available on request, so tell us the children’s ages when you book.
Travelling with grandparents
Many Disneyland Paris trips include grandparents. If anyone in your group has limited mobility, a door-to-door taxi avoids the stairs and long walks at railway stations. Tell us about any wheelchair or mobility aid, including its size, so we can confirm it fits.
What to tell us when you book
- Your pickup address in Birmingham or the Midlands
- Your Eurostar departure time and train number
- The number of adults and children, and the children’s ages
- How many suitcases, pushchairs or other bulky items you’re bringing
- Your return Eurostar details, if you’d like a pickup at St Pancras
- A mobile number that will work in the UK on your return
We collect from homes across the region, including through our Birmingham taxi service, and from Solihull, Coventry and Wolverhampton. Our coverage area page lists every town we serve. If you’d rather take the train to London, our guide to getting a taxi from Birmingham New Street explains how station pickups and drop-offs work.
Book your taxi to St Pancras
NET Airport Transfers runs pre-booked, fixed-price taxis from Birmingham and the Midlands to London St Pancras International for the Eurostar, and back again when you return. Tell us your Eurostar times, passenger numbers and luggage, and we’ll plan both journeys for you. Book your St Pancras taxi online, or contact us for larger family groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a direct Eurostar to Disneyland Paris from London?
No. Eurostar withdrew the direct London to Disneyland Paris service in 2023. Families now travel via Lille, changing to a TGV, or via Paris Gare du Nord and the RER.
How long does it take to get from Birmingham to Disneyland Paris?
Allow around two and a half to three hours by road to St Pancras, plus check-in time, then roughly two and a half to three hours by Eurostar and TGV via Lille. Timings vary with traffic and train times.
How early should I arrive at St Pancras for the Eurostar?
Check the advice on your booking. Disneyland Paris's travel team recommends arriving at least 90 minutes before departure, especially at busy times.
Is it better to fly or take the Eurostar to Disneyland Paris?
It depends on your family. The Eurostar avoids airport security queues and has more generous luggage rules, while flying from Birmingham can suit families who'd rather not travel to London first.
How do I get from Birmingham to St Pancras?
Take a pre-booked taxi door to door, or a train from New Street to London Euston followed by a short walk or Underground ride to St Pancras.
Can a taxi take a family and luggage to St Pancras?
Yes. The Mercedes V-Class seats up to seven passengers with room for luggage and pushchairs. Tell us how many bags you're bringing when you book.
