Am I reading Eurostar rates correctly?
 

In looking at Eurostar rates, I'm wondering if I'm looking at something wrong. Of course, the rates for June 1 are not posted yet, but... am I correct in understanding that the rate for May is currently 210# (appx. $392) per person to go one way from London to Paris? (Appx. $776. round trip.)

Wow.

Surely that can't be right. We did a tour of London from Paris, via Eurostar, in '99 and the entire cost was less than $150 per person.

One way tickets are almost always more expensive than 1/2 of the round-trip fare (so doubling the 1-way is not a good indicator of round trip price). Sometimes, buying a round-trip ticket may even be cheaper than the 1-way ticket.

Are you looking at 1st class tickets? And for what days of the week? Sometimes you can get weekend specials for advance purchases.

Sure it could be - for first class on a special date when all advance tickets are sold out. But that is unusual. Normally it is cheaper to buy a round trip ticket than one way and 2nd class is of course cheaper.

Plan on about $90 give or take depending on how far ahead you book, how long you stay, special promotions, etc.

You must be looking at Premium class ..I get 60 GBP/RT when I look it up.

Eurostar is a con, why anyone would want to go on a train is beyond me. Fly, pick up frequent flyer miles.

Obviously not everyone agrees, after all Eurostar is still in operation. Yes check in is easier, everything more convenient, but often costly for sensible times!

Take it by all means, but perhaps you should fly!

In theory you are right - but when you add inn the costs of transfers to/from the airport and the extra taxes on airline tickets Eurostar almost alwasy comes out about the same or only a tiny bit more. So when you factor in the convenience of city centre to city center, Eurostar is better for many travelers. There are some exceptions of course . . .

hi Katiebug,

1st, let me tell you a well known secret....never try to book a eurostar from london to paris or from paris to london as a one way trip...the rates are terrible.....even if you do not plan on using the return, always book like you are. (do not ask me why, I think it has to do more with the fact that most one ways are considered open for any date and refundable).

I just checked the eurostar site. I am coming up with completely different figures. I put in leisure and the dates May 3rd and May 10th as the return and this is what I got.

Open ended, no set date refundable 1st class 207 pds each way. (I am ignoring premium for this)

14-21 day in advance non refundable (no saturday night stay required on the 21 day advance) 69.50 pds each way 1st class, 29.50 or 39.50 each way for standard class.

the total round trip for these leisure 14-21 day in advance bookings would be 1st class, 139 pds, and standard are two rates 59 or 79 pds.

as you can see, booking the round trip will save you considerably even if you never use the return. to the tune of 100's of pds.

what site are you trying to book thru?Are you using a third party to price this?

If so, try to eurostar.com site direct.

erinb

Hi all: I'm using the Eurostar site, 1st class (if I can get decent rates), will be traveling on a Tuesday (June 1). I *am* wanting the specific date, and would prefer to leave around 7:00ish a.m. Maybe I'm just not understanding the info they're giving me.

erinb: I'm not sure I understood your 4th paragraph. I didn't see an option to choose:

**14-21 day in advance non refundable** (no saturday night stay required on the 21 day advance) 69.50 pds each way 1st class.

Thanks for your help, everyone. It's nice to figure this out *before* making a mistake.

By the way, not that we'll take it, but what is "Premium Class?" I know about first class.

I still think Eurostar will be more expensive than a flight.

Look at the prices BMI is offering for LHR - CDG. There are some cheap tickets there. Admittedly you have to get to LHR (cheapest by tube) and then you have to get from CDG to your hotel (cheapest is RER + metro).

But for Eurostar, if you aren't staying near Waterloo Station, you still have to get to there, so there's that transport time. Once you arrive at Gare du Nord, you still have the transport expense (cheapest by metro) to get to your Paris hotel.

The flight probably does take a little longer when all is said and done.

BTW, where is anyone finding rates for May on Eurostar? I checked the Eurostar.com web site a day or two ago, and only found fares through March (or possibly April).

KatieBug - I booked my ticket through raileurope.com and paid $164 U.S. dollars. One way ticket. First Class.

I also was confused when I went to Eurostar.com. For the same ticket it kept coming up $315 U.S. dollars for one way, same train, car, etc. I am traveling May18th from London to Paris. Good luck.

Madison: Thanks so much for the info on raileurope.com. I got the same rate as you & was pleased to be able to book this far in advance. Very easy site, and in $ as opposed to pounds.

Katiebug - I am glad I could be of some help to you. I know I was shocked when I saw some of those other prices. My feeling is the earlier we can book we are guaranteed the time we want to depart and arrive. The early morning trains fill up fast. Have a great trip