oliverandharry

We plan to take the Eurostar from Brussels in early June and while I can't confirm the timing since we are still out of the 120 day purchase date, this train seems to arrive in Ashford at 15.33. Is it generally on time? We must connect with the Avis office in the terminal which closes by 6 pm. Only Avis allows a one way hire with a drop at LGW. Would you risk this tight of a connection? The only alternative is to stay a night in Ashford, then pick up the car the next day, which isn't very attractive to us. Those who know this connection and the Ashford terminal, suggestions very welcome. Thanks!

oliverandharry

Sorry, meant to say that the train arrives at 17:33!

janisj

well --even if the Eurostar is 99.9% on time, that won't help if there is a problem the day you travel. 27 minutes does not give you much leeway. Isn't there an earlier train you could book?

hetismij2

The problem for oliveandharry is that that is the only direct train to Ashford from Brussels.

That is very tight timing. I have no idea how punctual they are though.
Ashford is not a wildly exciting place to stay it is true but it might be safer to book a hotel and set off the following morning and be sure of things. If your train is late and Avis is closed you then have the problem of finding a hotel and sorting things out with Avis in the morning - with the added expense involved and the chance that they have let your car go.

oliverandharry

Yes, you have both outlined the problem! I would much rather be down the road at the lovely B&B in Kent, than in Ashford. Perhaps the solution is to ring up Avis at the Ashford terminal - that train comes in every day and perhaps they will know. Thanks to you both.

greg

There are many many earlier trains to Ashford if you are willing to change trains at Ebbsfleet, Paris Nord, Lille etc.

flanneruk

The one Ashford International car hire office is a pretty underemployed place: just about the only thing it does is issue paperwork to passengers arriving from Paris or Brussels and there are all of three such trains a day before 1800.

There's no way of knowing whether your train will be late: Eurostar is currently claiming 95% of its trains arrive less than 15 minutes late. It takes a max of 5 mins from the train to the ticket offices at Ashford. I don't use Eurostar often, but I've never once got a Eurostar that arrived at London or Ashford within 20 minutes of its scheduled time (though I'm sure my limited experience is untypical)

I'd imagine the Avis office would stay open to wait for a train running a bit late, but only Avis can confirm this for you.

The only alternative, if Ashford really matters,is to get an earlier train to Ebbsfleet (of which there are several direct a day, and a fair number as well that require changing at Lille).The ONLY daily train to Ashford from Lille is the one from Brussels that arrives at 1733. There are then half hourly trains, taking 20 minutes, back to Ashford. You MUST have a separate ticket from Ebbsfleet to Ashford: you almost certainly need to buy that Ebbsfleet-Ashford ticket separately, but there is no need to do so in advance.

The practicalities at Ebbsfleet mean you have to exit the controlled international area to get to the Ashford train, and it's easy to get a new ticket while doing so. The operator of Ebbsfleet-Ashford trains charges a penalty fare if you get on a train without a valid ticket.

oliverandharry

Thought I would report back - in case this helps someone else. Avis (the Dover location which serves Ashford)will send the driver, and they will wait ("oh, yes, we meet that train all the time")and only if it is considerably late will there be a 'call-out' charge. So we can move on to our B&B and not stay in Ashford. Makes the case for dealing with a major rental co!