We want to take the chunnel to Paris for a day trip. What is the best way to make this trip? We are staying in the Paddington area, so we need to make arrangements to get to the Waterloo Station. We are considering the full day excursion, which includes the train and day tour of Paris. Just not sure this is the best way to do this trip. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

Its a very long day trip the train ride is 3-4 hours each way and you have a time change ,

Sorry, but the ride on the Eurostar isns't anything like 3-4 hours - more like 45 minutes.

The ride is actually almost exactly 3 hrs. You lose one hr. going to Paris, and of course, gain an hr. returning to London.

<BR>45 minutes ride on the eurostar???????? <BR> <BR>Do they recently installed rockets on it?

About 25 minutes actually through the Channel tunnel, around 3 hours Waterloo International to Paris Gare Nord.

I have taken the Eurostar several times and it takes about three hours. The 5:15 am train from Waterloo gets you to Paris for just after 9:15 am (1 hour time difference); the last train back is at about 8:30 pm which gets into Waterloo at about 10:30 pm. I would recommend the earliest train so you can get the most out of the day. <BR> <BR>It is a great way to travel, far less stressful than flying and must faster (if you take into account the travel time to and from the airports)! I do think, however, you should consider staying in Paris at least one night .... <BR> <BR>Check out the following web-site - if you want to "go it alone", you can book your ticket on-line and pick it up at Waterloo (recommended). Getting from Paddington to Waterloo is easy (one line change) but if you take the early train, you should take a taxi (no traffic problems at that time of the morning) if later, then be prepared for rush-hour congestion on the underground and grid-lock on the streets. <BR> <BR>http://www.eurostar.com/cgi-bin/eurostar/login_en.jsp <BR> <BR>

I've taken the Eurostar too - both ways (London-Paris, Paris-London) for just a day trip. It does take 3 hours - perhaps a bit longer. Leave on the first train, come back on the last. You can just take the tube/metro both ways as well (or a cab). The signage is marked very well. You can buy your tickets here (via the internet even!) before you leave. You must have reservations for this train. I agree with the other posters - this is definitely a great way to travel. Seeing the different countryside is pretty cool (first time I had ever seen white cows was on the Eurostar!). Have a great time.

Dianne, my brother and I did a day trip (Saturday) to Paris on the Eurostar. <BR>We left on the earliest train and came back on the latest. We had a great time. Ate our way from Gare du Nord, visited the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, had coffee on Ile St-Louis, snails in a little restaurant on the Champs Elysees, we had a fabulous day. Go for it. Yes it was brief, but what a city.... I am back there in July for 3 heavenly nights... <BR> <BR> <BR>

You will find the cheapest fares for a one day excursion trip to be available on the weekend. In January we purchased tickets for 70 pounds round trip. Sometimes they have promotional fares, with limited availability.

My wife and I did the one day tour of Paris via the Eurostar last March. The trip was set up through British Shrinkers and included a two hour bus tour of Paris, which covered all of the major sights. We did split off from the group when they went to the Lourve for a two hour tour. We just did not think you could do the Lourve justice in two hours. However we had a wonderful afternoon, walking the Seine and taking a cab to an artist colony.

Why not do at least an overnight in Paris? We did that when traveling from Madrid to Toledo. Left the bulk of our luggage at the hotel in Madrid and just took a small backpack with toiletries and a change of clothes to Toledo. Fun light way to travel. <BR>

Question for Kimberley-did you walk to those sights (Eiffel, Louve, Notre Dame, etc.) or take the metro? We have 4 days (3 1/2 when you consider arriving, getting the hotel, checking in, etc. and we've never been there before)so I want to make the best use of our time. Your day sounds wonderful! <BR>Just wanted get an idea of how many sights you can get to by walking. <BR>Thanks for any info. <BR>Patti

Patti: <BR> <BR>You can get almost everywhere in Paris by walking. Combining it with the Metro when you're tired of walking makes visiting the city pretty easy. Sometimes, depending where you are and where you're trying to go to - walking is even faster than going on the metro! Bon Voyage.

Dianne, <BR> <BR>If you will be travelling before the end of March, you may be able to get tickets at a special Winter promotional rate of $78 roundtrip Paris-London (visa-versa)for second class seats. My sister and I are going to Paris in March , and we booked through an 800 number which I do not have on hand right now. We got the tickets for $78 round trip. If you want to travel first class, which includes a meal, the special promo rate is $130 round trip. After booking, they will airborne your tickets to you. <BR> <BR>Enjoy! <BR> <BR>Diane

Patti, yes we did walk... we did catch the Metro to the Eiffel Tower though. <BR>Andrew and I took pictures of each other standing in the middle of the Champs Elysee with the Arc de triomphe in the background! Hair raising but FUN! <BR>It was one of the best days I have had travelling.

Thank you for all the helpful suggestions, especially to you Kinerley, you make it sound like it's possible to have this one, wonderful day in Paris.

I am buying a Eurostar ticket and the website lists the price at $79 for the Return Leisure fare. Is this the total price or are there hidden fees? The terms and conditions say the tickets are subject to fees but I would like to know for sure what the total price is. Whew! Thanks. BTW, I am in the States so I am sure there's a fee tacked on for that.

To the poster concerning "hidden" fees. If you are purchasing online at the Eurostar U.S. site, the fees are really hidden, but I believe they involve a $5 fee to reserve your seat (true of Thalys tickets on that site too) and an $8 charge to send your tickets to you via an express courier-type service. Btw, I believe this Eurostar day-trip special ends March 31 (travel) and that your tickets must be locked in by March 15.

OOOOPS! I meant NOT really hidden. You'll see them on the online order form. http://www.raileurope.com/us/