Is it less expensive to book train tickets for the English Channel from London to Paris in London or should I purchase them while still in the US? Any advice would be great.

www.eurostar.com

TH<BR><BR>In general, you are better off booking with Eurostar in London rather than the US agent (Rail Europe). In this day of the internet, you can go right to the web site which channel gave you and pay the same price you would pay as if you were in London....<BR><BR>What you have to be careful of, and i don't know if this is still true, once upon a time when you went to Eurostar.com they asked you what country you were resident in and as soon as you indicated USA, you were re-directed to the Rail Europe sight.<BR><BR>Rail Europe's prices are higher, more restrictive and to book they add on a $15 charge to send you the tickets.<BR><BR>Booking through Eurostar directly, either by phone or by internet at their web site, there are no surcharges for them to either post (the British term) the tickets to you or if there isn't enough time to pick up the tickets at Waterloo.<BR><BR>It is advantageous, in most cases especially during peak periods, to book in advance as many of the cheapest fares, much like airline fares, are capacity controlled. And just like airline fares, you sometimes need a Saturday night stayover to get the cheapest fares but all the different fares and restrictions are explained very clearly on the web site.<BR><BR>Hope that helps.

I think Eurostar is owned by the French, British and Belgian railways. RailEurope is owned by the French Railways.

Someone posted this a while ago, so I don't know if it still holds true. But a lady indicated that you saved around .. I think $30.00 US if you CALLED Eurostar directly, rather then booking online. We are going in Feb and was wondering if this was still the case.

'Just booked two RT tix London-Paris on Eurostar.<BR><BR>I bought them at Eurostar.com. 64Euros each way per person. We'll pick up the tickets at Waterloo. Apparently, there are machines into which you insert the credit card used to purchase and then the tix are dispensed. 'Sounds pretty easy!<BR><BR>I hate RailEurope.com! I have been trying to book this chunnel trip in early March 03 for months, but their website says that the &quot;schedule has not been updated that far in the future&quot;. <BR><BR>'Problem is that by the time RailEurope's schedule is &quot;updated&quot; the 65 day advance purchase fares will not be available.