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.

I have found it rather boring, and not always comfortable in second class>

2nd class seats on Chunnel Trains on older Eurostar trains more cramped than usual European trains (newer ones are much nicer) and if tall or mobility challenged or not on a low budget see how much more one of the two types of first class is and if you can afford it even for a 2-hour trip could be well worth for some folks. But especially on newer trains that are taking over the fleet 2nd class is perfectly fine for most and it is a short trip.

https://www.seat61.com/London-to-Par...sses_explained

Thin... you've never done the Eurostar? thought you'd done everything -:)
Anyhow, it's a short ride but I'd still go first class. We had to because my husband had a back problem and needed wheelchair boarding. This was a few years ago, but the first class lounge was serving wine at 9 in the morning. -:) I think we had a pleasant meal on board....and we certainly had the best assistance in getting on and off the train.
If your claustrophobic, take an eyeshade and go to sleep.

Took Eurostar to Paris two weeks ago, we were in Standard Premier class. It's just a train. You see some industrial scenery in England, then it's dark for awhile, then you see pretty farm land in France. St. Pancras is a really nice train station. We were served either an ice cold piece of quiche and wine or beer if you want it, or cold salmon. Then we were delayed for 69 minutes due to train traffic entering Paris. At Gare du Nord, which is not the least bit glamorous or nice, there was a 45 minute taxi line in the cold rain. So, not the least bit fun.

Using Eurostar is always an 'event'.

St Pancras station is magnificent, dashing across England and then France at up to 300km/h (186mph) is pretty exhilarating, the Channel Tunnel is a great engineering feat even if actually being inside it is just like any other tunnel only longer. The scenery in Kent and Northern France is nice but not spectacular.

So yes it IS an experience, unlike flying, and it's less hassle and quicker than flying. Though having done it now so many times since 1994, when I was one of the guinea-pigs on a pre-public service test run to Brussels, it's a familiar journey, usually now the first leg of a longer trip into mainland Europe, or a ride to a business event/meeting in Paris or Brussels.

No, I've not done the Eurostar. I have taken the old Boat-Train from Paris to London.

Have been to St Pancras Station plenty of times.
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Keith and I were going to do London Paris around Christmas but have decided to just fly to Paris.

I was just in London two weeks ago to visit Aunt Pat and Aunt Judith. I really don't want to wander around in the cold and damp of December London.

​​​​​​Paris is so beautiful at Christmas.

Thin

Thin, let me know if you fancy a get together.

Only done it twice (but have taken several fast trains in Spain)...once as a day trip that was only exciting in the sense that it was our first time on a fast train, and a day trip to Paris seemed really cool.
The French farmland was interesting -- seeing a different-looking churches in each small town. Dozed off in the tunnel...nothing to see.

Other than that, it's just a train ride.

Since it's only about 2:20, I would only buy first class if the price difference was really small. And remember to buy your tickets as early as you can to get great prices.

My opinion: We Americans tend to get excited about fast trains (not having any here). But that's just our provincialism. We do actually have a fast train...the Acela...on the New York-Philadelphia-Washington line. BUT...the tracks are not suitable for high-speed running (and probably never will be), so it can never really run as fast it it is capable of going...The trip between Philadelphia and New York is only about 20% faster than a regular train.

ssander

Well the trip is rather scenic in Kent, the 'Garden of England' and the Chunnel is a trip to go thru too but northern France is rather hohum for France, having a lot of industrial blight. But if only train you will take yes the high-speed aspect will be a treat - for about 5 minutes.

It's exciting in as much as you are travelling under the sea - so maybe something to tick off the bucket list if you've never done it before. There are three classes on Eurostar - and whilst the middle one used to offer a pretty decent meal included in the price, it's now not much more than a snack. Personally I really don't like the new trains - I find the seats uncomfortable and they are so tall the carriage feels somewhat claustrophobic. This is offset by unecessarily harsh lighting. The wifi still doesn't work.

All that said, it's super- convenient and stress free compared with flying and St Pancras is quite smart, some decent shopping (Chanel boutique etc) plus the champagne bar.

I think there is a difference in 'excitement' factor if you are a first-time foreign tourist or a jaded local who rides it all the time. I've ridden it dozens of times and though entering the Channel Tunnel was always a mild thrill i was always glad to get out of the tunnel - figuring it was a top terrorist threat. And 1nd class in the old trains was really uncomfy compared to European trains 2nd class - especially for someone tall or big or both - that being they said because before new Chantel Tunnel Rail Link was opened in Kent Eurostar trains had to go on regular tracks to London and the trains had to be thinner than normal since the tracks under bridges were closer together than on the Continent. So I think newer trains may be better though RM67 says no really. I splurged for first class once and it was a world of difference with a really nice meal with wine or Champagne too. Was just one type of first class then but seats were so so much bigger.

But, OP is not taking Eurostar anyway but others can benefit from this discussion.

There is no first and second class. It's standard, standard premier and business premier

right I mentioned that in post way above- I should have said consider standard premier over standard.