alternative to the Chunnel?
 

I heard there is another way to get from Paris to London via a hydro---'something'. Has anyone heard of this? Is it recommended as an alternative to the underwater train?

Hi Laura.<BR>Here is the UK website for the Hovercat:<BR>http://www.hoverspeed.com<BR>and a picture of the hoverspeed. There are 3 boats (see them on the website)<BR>http://www.hoverspeed.com/pop_up/fleet_seacat74.htm<BR>This is really only suitable if you have a car. Assuming you do?

Laura, as well as the seacats (which are twin hull fast crafts (not hovercrafts, hovercrafts were stopped a while ago), there are also ferries. The ferries usually take about an hour and a half, compared with 55 mins on the seacat. There is though a new Sea France ferry called the &quot;Rodin&quot; which is faster and takes about an hour. It is also a lovely ship more like a mini cruise liner compared to the other (old and not nice) Sea France ferries. There are lots of people on board the ferries and the seacat who do not have cars and go on as foot passengers. There are good connections to the ferry ports for people without cars, and many people do this as it is much cheaper.<BR>www.seafrance.com<BR>www.posl.co.uk

What in the name of Mike is the Chunnel?<BR>

Who is Mike?

Laura,<BR><BR>as another option to the &quot;underwater train&quot; you could try the hydro balloon, I think that may be what you are referring to? The hydro balloon (hydrogen filled hot air balloon, as the short name suggests) takes off on the hour from Londons Big Ben and lands approximately one hour later on the Eiffel Tower, you then just need another few minutes to make your way down from the top of the tower and you are there in central Paris, quick and easy and does not involve going underwater!

ttt

Hi Laura,<BR>Are you freaked about travelling under water? It's only about 7 minutes! And we couldn't even see the sea before we went under. It felt just like a regular tunnel. This method is so much more efficient than the boat; please reconsider.<BR>

I would not recommend taking the 'over sea' options if you can take the Shuttle (assuming you have a car to take over). Chunnel is not a widly used word anymore. <BR><BR>If you do not have a car etc, then take the eurostar, much easier directly from one city to the other, no airport hassle.