From Paris to Ghent & vice versa (by train, bus and car)

Do you need to know how to get from Paris to Ghent, Belgium? Or would you rather travel from Ghent to Paris? Coming to Ghent from Paris is a great idea and it won’t even take you that long.

Ghent is a stunning city with a great mix between fairytale old and student hipster, while Paris doesn’t need much of an explanation. This world-famous city will leave you craving for more.

Any Paris – Ghent transport is pretty straightforward, whether you choose to drive or go from Paris to Ghent by train or bus.

We’ll discuss each option so you can pick the one that is right for you!

How to get from Paris to Ghent

Best option

If you are looking for the best way to travel from Paris to Ghent, we recommend catching the train.

Paris to Ghent train time is about 2 hours. You should take the Eurostar from Paris to Brussels-South (90min) and then catch a regular intercity train from Brussels to Ghent (30min). Prices vary greatly depending on the time of booking. Click here to check prices for your train ticket!

However, taking the bus is a very close second and this would be the most budget-friendly option. The trip will take 4h30, but it’s a direct connection and will only cost you only €15 for a single ticket if you book far enough ahead! Book your bus ticket here.

Option 1: Paris – Ghent by car

Driving from Paris to the North of Belgium is fast and not overly complicated. If you want to have the comfort and flexibility of your own car, driving would definitely be a smart choice.

The distance from Paris to Ghent is 297 km which should take you a little over 3 hours with regular traffic. The drive is pretty straightforward, as you only have to take the A1 in the direction of Lille and Roubaix and take the connecting highway E17 in the direction of Antwerp once you cross into Belgium. About 30 minutes after entering the country, you’ll find the Ghent city centre highway exit after which it’s only 10 more minutes to the historical centre.

Don’t forget that busy traffic is a common issue in Belgium. Overall, the usual problematic zones are the highways around Brussels and Antwerp, so if you’re driving the E17 between Kortrijk and Ghent you might get lucky and avoid being stuck. However, even the E17 can get crowded when you get in the vicinity of Ghent, so make sure to calculate that into your schedule if you’re driving during rush hours.

If you don’t have a free parking space included in your accommodation, it might be a good idea to leave your car at one of the 7 park + ride parking zones. These free car parks on the edge of Ghent allow you to drop your car close to the highways and use public transport to get into the city. Keep in mind that these car parks are not secured/guarded (however, we’ve never had any issues). Read more about the different Park&Ride areas here.

Option 2: Train Paris – Ghent

If you’re planning a Paris to Ghent day trip or longer getaway, covering the distance by train is a great choice. Travelling by train is pretty convenient in Belgium, so even if you would like to visit more destinations, there’s no need to bring the car.

First things first: there is no direct train from Paris to Ghent. You always have to switch trains in Brussels. If you would like a direct connection, check out the bus option below.

The Eurostar train from Paris to Ghent leaves at Paris Nord train station and will bring you to Brussels South Station (Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel Zuid) in 90 minutes. There are about 20 connections a day*, so you’re sure to find one at a time that suits you. The earliest train leaves Paris at 7.25h while the latest one is at 20.25h.

For the second leg of your journey, there is a direct Brussels – Ghent train to Gent-St-Pieters four times an hour that takes about 25 minutes. There is no direct train to Gent Dampoort. However, there are connections between Gent-Sint-Pieters and Gent Dampoort every 5 minutes. Other options are to walk into the centre (30 minutes) or take tram #1 in front of the station (in the direction of Wommelgem)**.

Ghent has 2 train stations, with Gent-Sint-Pieters being the main hub but about 2,5km outside the city centre, while Gent-Dampoort is a lot smaller but a fairly short walking distance from all the main sights.

If you would like to take the train from Ghent to Paris, all the same connections apply, just the other way around.

**The cheapest bus/tram ticket is € 1,5 (when you buy a 10-card in the app). You can download the app here. You can’t buy a ticket directly in the bus (use a ticket store, sms or the app instead).

The Paris to Ghent train connection will cost you between €84 and €196 for a single ticket on the Eurostar, while a return is €167 to €206. Booking more in advance will save you money, so check prices and availability here.

Brussels to Ghent will be €9 for a single ticket, while a retour is €18 . If you’re under 26, a single ticket is €6,8 and a retour € 13,2. For every paying adult, 4 children under 12 travel for free. Should you travel during the weekend (from friday at 7PM to sunday), you can buy a retour ticket at the reduced price of €10. It is convenient to book your train ticket online. Click here to book your tickets.

Option 3: Bus Paris – Ghent

Flixbus offers a direct connection if you’re coming from Paris and want to go to Ghent. It will take you 4h35 to reach Belgium’s hidden secret. Unfortunately, there is only one bus a day (at 9 AM) and ONLY from Friday until Monday. If you would like to arrive during the week, you can catch the Flixbus from Paris to Brussels. Afterwards, just hop on the intercity train from Brussels to Ghent, it only takes 30 minutes!

When you book a Flixbus ticket, you can bring a carry-on bag and one 20kg piece of luggage free of charge. There are additional costs if you want to check-in additional or special luggage.

A Paris to Ghent bus ticket with Flixbus will cost you between €15 and €30. There’s no discount for booking a return trip. You can book your tickets here.

Option 4: Paris to Ghent by taxi

A taxi from Paris to Ghent will definitely be the most expensive way to travel. However, if you do not wish to come by car and prefer to have a private means of transport, a taxi or private transport company might be the best choice for you. Also, if you wish to visit more than one destination on a short time frame, a private transfer is a good option.

A 4-person standard car will cost you about €507 for this trip, while an 8-person minivan is €684. Click here to book your private transfer.

How to get from Ghent to Paris

If you’d like to take this trip the other way around, the same options as above are available.

For travellers with their own car or a rental, driving from Ghent to Paris is pretty straightforward. The distance from Ghent to Paris is 297 km and should take you about 3 hours in regular traffic. If you prefer private transport but don’t want to drive yourself, you could travel by taxi. This will cost you € 507 for a regular car (4p) or €684 for a minivan (8p). Click here to book your private transport.

The third and best option is to take the Ghent to Paris train. The trip will take about 2 hours, but you’ll have to switch trains in Brussels South Station. First, take the intercity train from Gent-St-Pieters to Brussels South (Bruxelles Midi/Brussel Zuid), this should take about 30 minutes and costs €9. Then, catch the Eurostar from Brussels South that will bring you to Paris Nord in 90 minutes (prices vary greatly bus range between €84-196. Click here to book your ticket Ghent to Brussels and here for your Eurostar ticket to Paris.

The last option is to take the bus from Ghent to Paris. However, the Flixbus Ghent to Paris will take quite a bit longer than the train(4h35 to 7h30) and you might have to switch buses in Antwerp. It would be more convenient to take the train to Brussels (€9, 30 min) and catch the Flixbus over there – unless you don’t mind spending more time on the bus in favour of keeping the budget down. The bus costs €15 to €35, depending on the day and time of your trip. Plan your trip here.

Frequently Asked Questions  

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Final words

When deciding on your way of transportation between Paris and Ghent, consider your preferences. Do you like to reach your destination as quickly as possible or would it be nice to be able to stop along the way? Is the budget important or do you not mind spending a little extra for more comfort?

Although travelling by car is easy and convenient, parking in the cities can be quite a hassle. If you don’t need the freedom of your own car, we’d recommend taking the train from Ghent to Paris or vice versa. Trains in Belgium are convenient, fast and not overly expensive. The connections between Paris and Brussels and Brussels and Ghent are very frequent and easy to take.

If you’re looking for a good budget option, take the bus. It will take a little longer, but it’s very easy.

If you prefer your own transport and don’t mind spending a little extra, hiring a private driver or taxi is a good idea. Especially for people travelling in a bigger group, this might be an interesting option.

No matter which option you utilise, you’ll be sure to have an amazing time during your Paris to Ghent daytrip!