Eurostar London to Paris
 

How exciting is it to take the Eurostar from London to Paris?

Thin

Exciting? Well, it is a famous and fast train, pretty much the same as any other modern speeder. But the tunnel part is, after all, a hole in the ground and pitch black out the windows. I think the word "novelty" would better describe the experience.

Is it a glamorous experience?

Thin

Depends. Not for me. I found the experience of taking the train with the car funnier. Except for the lWC's.

It’s exciting to know that Paris is on the other end.

Not glamorous or exciting at all, just a comfortable train. If you go first class you can also enjoy the lounge at St Pancras.

There is probably just a little excitement the very first time, but less and less. I remember in the early months, the driver would even announce "we are about to enter the tunnel" but there are no announcements now. I think that a lot of people are amazed that upon arriving in Paris, one just walks off the train and into the city with no formalities, since immigration control was done in London and nobody is worried about customs. I am not sure if this will change when the UK leaves the European Union.

<<Is it a glamorous experience? >>

Hardly. Think Amtrak, with French/English subtitles.

IF we ever use it again, (doubtfully, after our recent experience with my husband's lost phone and poor customer service - see my recent thread, if interested), I'd definitely go first class. It was way too cramped in the 2nd class seats. Then again, Thin, I would imagine that first class goes without saying.

I would not call it exciting and certainly not glamorous. It's just a train ride, and one that spends a fair bit of time in darkness in a tunnel, which always creeps me out.

It's really nice to exit the damn thing in Paris, though.

St Pancras is nice, and sometimes there's this guy playing the piano there

It does NOT turn you into either Bacall or Hiller so forget that LOL.

I have found it rather boring, and not always comfortable in second class, but it's a lot more convenient than flying unless you are already at the airport. You can read all about it, and watch a video, here:

https://www.seat61.com/London-to-Paris-by-train.htm

The champagne bar at St Pancras and le Train Bleu restaurant at Gare du Gord are the high points for me, though there are a couple of brasserie types across the entrance to GdN and breakfast at Kings Cross (next to StP) is a good experience under the new roof. The train.... is clean.

Bilbo, I was unaware that the Train Bleu had been moved from Gare de Lyon to Gare du Nord and yet I go there every day.

Train bleu is a place to drink a (very expensive) glass of beer, but not to eat. Better go to places like 'la biche au bois' 100 m from there, typical french and good food and great afforedable wine (côte rôtie for about 40 € per bottle, a bargain).

I think it's evocative if one likes mysteries - PBS' The Tunnel comes to mind.
Also, who hasn't seen a film where someone like Matt Damon receives a ticket to ride and then finds his new passport secreted under the seat?
So, it is exciting to me but I don't travel enough to be jaded.

I'd like to claim the recovery from a migraine for this fauxpas... but no, just memory lapse. I might also suggest L'Ardoise G at GdeN but someone just claimed that ardoise was just the name of the board they write the menu on....... I'd still recommend l'A G as a fine restaurant though some praise the Terminus Nord.

The Terminus Nord is quite good and an authentic classic. The new Etoile du Nord by Thierry Marx inside the station is also perhaps worthy of note.

Yes standard class seats are rather cramped though they are rolling out new wider trains - and first class very plush - even meal served as part of ticket price - nothing in 2nd class. Sometimes first class is not that much more than 2nd class depending on what discounted tickets are still available when booking. First class also gets lounge use as stated above and priority boarding.

The journey is short just over 2 hours. For most people not worth the difference in price. Agree if little difference in price, go for 1st class but I've seldom seen 2nd class prices competive with 1st class. IMO silly to pay for meal especially on a train when you'll have much better options in Paris.Save your money for more important things.