modglila

What is the best way to get to Paris from Lond?

modglila

I don't know what happened to the other letters! Getting from London to Paris is what I want to do.

Robespierre

I always take the Eurostar. From city center to city center, it's faster than flying, and there's no standing in queues to check in, to be cleared by security, to wait to board and taxi out and take off. No crowding for overhead space, no being squeezed in a seat that's too small for a Hobbit, and no weather or ATC delays.

MelJ

IMHO, taking the Eurostar. Why? The airfare and train costs are pretty much the same (usually), but taking the train you go from center city to center city, rather than airport to airport. You save time and don't have to hassle with the expense of getting from London to Heathrow and from CDG into Paris.

MelJ

Robes, we must have posted at the same time!

modglila

When I search the Eurostar Web site, I get a nonflexible rate of $168 for two people or a semiflexible rate of $404 for two people. Does that sound right? Do you purchase your tickets once you are there? Or, do you get them from home? How do you know if it is city center? It says London St. Pancras and Paris Nord. I didn't see an option to pick anything else.

dmlove

Both London St. Pancras and Paris Nord are in their respective "downtowns". The point is you don't have to get from an outlying airport to downtown, because you're already there! There is no choice - the Eurostar uses only those two stations.

modglila

Okay, got it and understand the convenience of the city center argument. I can get them once I'm there though, right?

Robespierre

Buy your tickets as far in advance as you can. The prices go up and up as departure date approaches.

If a contest between the relative advantages of train and plane were held, it would be [some large number] to zero.

alanRow

<<< I can get them once I'm there though, right? >>>

You can - but you'd be paying the $404 or even more.

Just like airlines, booking in advance saves LOTS of money - and you can pick up the tickets when you get to London. Just if you do it on the day of travel allow extra time "just in case" the machines don't work or there's a queue

Scootoir

Do reserve ahead both for price and the departure time you prefer. It really is the best way to go--so much more relaxing than air travel.

dfr4848

As others have suggested, this is no contest IMO. Definitely Eurostar - convenient, easy, nice, very comfortable and MUCH less hassle than flying. And yes, definitely buy in advance to get the better price.

PalenQ

Yes the early bird gets the worm - can save bundles by buying early - can book up to nine months ahead thru RailEurope in U.S. and somewhat less i think thru eurostar.com - for fares in Pounds.

$168 for two people is to me an outstanding fare - but always check both sources - U.S. if an American and eurostar.com for prices in Pounds - there is often little correlation between the two and one can be cheaper or more expensive for the same train so always IMO check both. www.raileurope.com is one U.S. site but complaints about that are that they don't always display the cheapest fares or may e-mail back that the fare displayed is higher.I always recommend www.budgeteuropetravel.com for any Eurostar fare in U.S. - a RailEurope agent but great personal and expert service IME and a lower mailing fee i believe for this type of order. But be sure to check eurostar.com as well. And yes book early - but cheapest fares are typically not changeable not refundable. If a senior over 59 or youth under 26 then one-way senior or youth fares can be even cheaper and do allow a change of train up until time of the train in Europe - so much better conditions if flexibility is required.

Robespierre

I searched and searched for a good price - the best I could manage was €77 r/t by declaring myself French.

Am I correct in assuming that the $84 is a one-way?

Cholmondley_Warner

I searched and searched for a good price - the best I could manage was €77 r/t by declaring myself French.>>>>

That's an excellent price. Grab it.

PalenQ

77 euro vs $84 - don't they teach math at that posh Winchester Prep School?

77 euro seems like uh $115?

hop on the $86 fare IMO

Robespierre

I don't know where you learned maths, but at Winchester, 168 divided by two is 84.

I asked if the $84 was one-way or round-trip. If modglila needs a round-trip, €77 is a better fare.

PalenQ

I'm not sure at Winchester posh Prep 168 divided by 2 is $84.

PalenQ

Not familiar with the official Norwegian Railways site but perhaps you can book on it?

anyway if buying in Bergen it always helps to have printed out the train info - train number, etc. to hand the clerk

http://www.nsb.no/home/

veeolette

Both times I have traveled between London and Paris I have taken the Eurostar. It's quick, easy, and the scenery is beautiful. Take a book, chat up the people sitting around you, grab a bite in the "dining car", and enjoy the ride. Downtown to downtown and the "tube / metro" is right there to take you on to your hotel. Three hours - not much time out of one's life for a little relaxation.