London to Paris day trip

Do you mean an issue with your ETA? If so, no. The ETA will work for any number of trips during the period it's valid, as long as you don't outstay the length of time you are allowed to stay here.

If you're there for 3 months, I would strongly suggest making it at least a one or two night visit to Paris. It really makes little sense to spend almost 5 hours on a train, in addition to the 75 minutes you have to be there beforehand. You will only have a few hours in your favorite city. Why not spend a few nights there; or at least one night? Yes, you would have to get lodging but IMO, it would be worth it.

With regards to the ETIAS, it still has not been officially approved yet, but if it is (forecast is mid-2025) then you would have to apply for the ETIAS before you left. Your ETA to the UK should not be affected by the trip, as it is good for one year.

I hope this is not using the Eurostar. If you are indeed staying in Tunbridge Wells. It will take you 5 hours to get to Paris, and another 5 hours to get back. You will have to get a train to London, then tube to St Pancras arriving at least 1 hour before your departure of the Eurostar. Return you will have to be at Nord 1 hour before departure. That does not give you much time in Paris with 10 to 11 hours travel time.

Why not take a 3 day break and spend a little time in your favorite city in the world.

John, thank you! Before I knew about the ETA, and thought I’d need a visa, people on Reddit said there could be an issue because of Schengen (?), and that the UK would need proof that I was going to return

I feel so much better, lol

Thanks again!

Mardee, you’re right - I think an overnight stay or maybe 2 is warranted. The idea of not really being able to enjoy a leisurely dinner before I’d have to head back is killing me, lol

ETIAS?

So I may have to apply again?

Thank you so much!

Sam, I’d be doing this from London- I’m staying there for a week at the end of my stay

Yes, it would be Eurostar

I think now that I can’t justify anything less than an overnight, maybe 2 nights…

I’ll have to cut Highclere and either Oxford or Cambridge day trips, but Paris is worth it

Thank you !!!! I have recurring dreams that I’m in Paris, so my subconscious is telling me to GO!

ETIAS is the Schengen equivalent of the UK's ETA. At the moment no launching date has been announced so there is no way to tell if you need to apply for one.

I also agree that you should not do a day trip to Paris, that is too much travel in one day, spend at least one night in Paris.

Badger, the ETA is needed for extended stays, though - not typical vacations

I’m not familiar with Schengen - is that some kind of policy that doesn’t visitors to go from one country to another? It makes me wonder if I should hold off on booking anything, though waiting will be more expensive

I’m going to try and do 2 nights if possible

Thank you!!

The ETA is needed for any visit, no matter if it's just a daytrip from Paris.

The Schengen Treaty abolished border checks between several European countries that now act as a single block for immigration purposes with a common visa policy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area

Right, I have the ETA for UK…so now I may need an EITAS to get into France?

The website says that it should go into effect 6 months after EES, which is..?

But regardless, since I’d be going to Paris in June, and EITAS is likely to be in effect by then….would you hold off on buying train ticket or booking hotel room? I booked my UK accommodation before applying for ETA because I felt if I waited a month until November 27, many cottages would be booked up. I’d like to reseve ASAP for cheaper rates, and I don’t think I’d have any issues

Thank you!!!

I booked 2 nights at the Hotel Saint-Louis en L’Isle …so excited!

Thank you!!!

"regardless, since I’d be going to Paris in June, and EITAS is likely to be in effect by then….would you hold off on buying train ticket or booking hotel room?"

There's no reason to hold off. ETIAS will be a quick process just like ETA. FYI ETA is not a visa, it's what you need if you are traveling from a visa waiver country. If you do have a visa, you don't need an ETA. If you don't have a visa, you will require an ETA for any length of travel, including airside transit.

EES is the EU Entry and Exit System.

ETIAS if and when it ever comes in will be just like ETA for the UK. ETIAS will be good for all the Schengen area which is a group of countries in Europe who allow free travel once in the Schengen area.

With the turmoil in French government I would expect yet another delay with ETIAS.

Don't worry about it. When and if it comes there will be plenty of warning and it will be as easy as ETA.

If you were from another country and visiting the USA there is a system just like these for people visiting the US. Except it is harder and much more expensive.

Once you have your ETA from the UK it is valid for all your entries to the UK for 2 years.

Simon, thanks!

I didn’t hold off, and I’m glad - the ETA process was incredibly quick & easy, so like you said, I’m sure this one will be as well.

Hotel done, I can book my train

Nigel - thank you so much! I tend to worry, so I feel much better!