PalenQ

see janisj and RM67- even Brits called it the Chunnel (rich's post above) and actually the Chunnel name was conjured up by a British newspaper and became popular in Britain before Americans mimicked it.

So what if virtually no one in the UK uses the term today - this forum is dominated by Americans who are more likely than not IME of reading posts for years to, if a novice traveler, use the name Chuunel and I cannot believe janis or nytraveler or RM has never heard or seen this term used.

And again I always say Eurostar a k a Chunnel or vice versa because I am talking to largely American audience and many of them do call it the Chunnel - that is a FACT and why RailEurope blares CHUNNEL TICKETS in their headline post. Duh - ain't that enough proof - why would RE use a term no one knows but rather they use a term most likely everyone knows.

Who is being pendantic is is pa moi but some folks who claim no one used the word Chunnel when in fact many Americans do and many Brits once did (rich's post) as well.

Well I guess you guys got way to much time on your hands to repeatedly raise a red flag at the mere mention of Chunnel.

RM67

Not nearly as much time as you with your five paragraph rebuttal.

Oh, and I think you mean 'pas'.

bdsbeautyblog

FWIW you can get an even earlier train than 7.43...I took the 7.13 from Paris to London last Friday morning

KL467

For guidebooks, I use Rick Steves' and/or DK and find them both very helpful.

PalenQ

Those early trains can book up early because of business folk who do day trips on business and want to ghet the earliest start.

jamikins

They may have called it the Chunnel while it was being built but people in London don't call it that now. I can't remember ever hearing it referred to as that in the 6 years I have lived in London...

Anyways...I believe you can actually book your tickets up to 120 days in advance and that is going to get you the best price, so as soon as you can book it!

chartley

I can never understand the enthusiasm of Palenque (and others) to call something by a name which has gone out of use. Still, if Americans want to do it, it must be right.

I also think it unlikely that business travellers would buy their Eurostar tickets long in advance. For most of them, a trip from London to Paris would be much the same as a trip from London to Manchester, something to be arranged at short notice.

The regular passengers who probably do book their tickets long in advance are those who work in either London or Paris but go back to their homes in the other country at weekends.

While I would not recommend it, we did once arrive at Brussels late on a train from Cologne, and made our connection onto the Eurostar in 15 minutes. I am sure it helped that we were travelling on EU passports - U.S. and other passengers would have to complete landing cards and have immigration checks.

PalenQ

Technically you can be denied boarding I believe if you are not thru the gates 20 minute prior but it makes sense that they if lines are short let you slide.

janisj

Chartley: >>Still, if Americans want to do it, it must be right.<< Americans <i>don't</i> . . . PQ does . . . (he gives all of us a bad name)

PalenQ

janis dear are you completely deaf - many Americans call it that - why does RailEurope use it in their headline for tickets for trains under the Channel Tunnel Rail LInk?

and you are fond of telling Americans to 'collect your car' someplace - now no American uses that British term - we said pick up your car - OK you wish to put on airs and pass as British but I think you are the pot calling the kettle black in that regard!

janisj

PQ . . . I use 'collect', and 'hire' and 'self catering' and countless other 'British-isms', NOT because I am putting on airs. I do it because THOSE are the terms used in the country they are visiting. I actually try to <i><blue>help</i></blue> people . . . .

ssander

Right now -- booking for October 10 (3 months in advance and not on a weekend) -- the French Eursotar site RT is €88 ($115) on an early (dep 7:38 am, arr 9:00 am) and late (dep 8:01 pm, arr 11:22 pm) train...a very good price. On the British site it is even better... 71 GBP ($107). Not sure if there are any handling fees on either of these sites.

NOTE: Same trip on Rail Europe is $120 (plus a handling fee of about $18 or so, I think)...a premium of nearly 29% over the UK price (unless there is extra handling there).

When I did this in May 2005, the UK site had no handling fee...we picked up the paper tickets (no print-at-home then) at the Station (Waterloo then), and you could pick them up in advance if you wanted to. Maybe someone can let us know what the procedure is now. The price then was $94 RT, so if the 71 GBP ($107) price is correct, it really hasn't gone up much since then.

Certainly worth booking early on the best website.

SS

PalenQ

PQ . . . I use 'collect', and 'hire' and 'self catering' and countless other 'British-isms', NOT because I am putting on airs. I do it because THOSE are the terms used in the country they are visiting.>

same with me and Chunnel because I am talking to an American audience and wish to make sure they know what Eurostar trains are - they are what most call Chunnel trains - I am still shocked that you have never heard the word Chunnel or read it here from Americans - so so many posts have used it - and you know that. This is much ado about nothing yet you always drag it up - wonder why? Hhhhhhmmmmm? Why?

PalenQ

The name "Eurostar" BTW was trademarked by Fiat (or some Italian company that made the first Eurostar Italia trains - first high-speed Italian trains and subsequently licensed the term to the operators of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link to use - so Eurostar is really an Italian name - at least when I was researching a travel article I was writing about the Chunnel that is what I dug up.

WeisserTee

Leaving aside the discussion about the Chunnel (a name we have never used except in jest), doing a day trip from Paris to London is very easy and enjoyable providing there isn't some weird drama to screw up the plans -- strikes, accidents, bizarre weather, etc. September should be a fairly reliable time to go (when we lived in the UK, DH made more than 100 trips on Eurostar for business and I made several dozen for business and leisure and had trips disrupted for all the reasons I listed above).

Having done many day trips with Eurostar (but going the opposite direction), a few bits of advice:
you will probably have a great day but it is also a long day. The day before, don't overexert youself and go to bed early. Unless the forecast is guaranteed sunny, take a small folding umbrella in case of rain.

Don't try to see everything. Pick one or two things that most interest you and then just relax and soak up the atmosphere. Wander some side streets if you have time.

Your energy may flag in late afternoon -- so find a place to relax with an afternoon tea -- not too formal -- I recommend the Wolseley on Piccadilly, across from the Ritz Hotel. The Wolseley's tea is good, not too expensive, not stuffy and the lively atmosphere should perk up your energy level. Reservations absolutely essential. Ask for a seat in the inner horseshoe. http://www.thewolseley.com/afternoon-tea

If that doesn't appeal, a big thumb's up to the Tomtom Coffee House in Belgravia. Great coffee, cool atmosphere. Closes at 5 pm. http://www.tomtom.co.uk/About/AboutCoffee.aspx

One of my favorite places for lunch or an alternative to the Wolseley for tea, centrally locaded but often the beaten tourist trail, is Sotheby's auction house. http://www.sothebys.com/en/inside/se.../overview.html

You will probably want to hit a pub. They weren't my scene, so other Fodorites will give you plenty of great recs, I'm sure.

Snooze on the train on the way home and have a bit of a sleep-in next morning.

Enjoy!