Eurostar vs. Flights between Paris and London
Mar 28th, 2016, 05:51 PM
#21
Mar 28th, 2016, 05:51 PM
#22
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The London end of the Eurostar is in an enclosed shopping center. And the area outside of the check in gates is just a venerable as the areas before the check in counters at an airport. So in that regard, risk would be about the same. No one is really checking but there is security around the entrances to the mall and assume some TV camera that were not obvious.
The comments are snarky simply because they have nothing to contribute but they think they are witty and clever. Just ignore them.
The comments are snarky simply because they have nothing to contribute but they think they are witty and clever. Just ignore them.
Mar 28th, 2016, 07:34 PM
#24
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Personally, I found the Eurostar safer in terms of security. I flew in to CDG last August from Rome and underwent no security checks at all. A week later I took the Eurostar to London and had to go through full security checkpoints, which I found reassuring given how many people were at the station to also go to London. And you leave from the city centre and arrive in the city centre - easy! And it's a comfortable and enjoyable journey. Win-win on the Eurostar.
Mar 28th, 2016, 08:23 PM
#25
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Big Russ what a load of baloney. Your country itelligence had information pre 9/11 and muffed that up good,so States is just as likely to miss terrorists.
Op train is better for kids, anf absolutely bring a picnic onboard.
Op train is better for kids, anf absolutely bring a picnic onboard.
Mar 28th, 2016, 11:35 PM
#26
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RT2015 - difference is that between Rome and CDG there is no passport control, as they are both Schengen countries. There is still a security check for bags and suitcases. It's just that they don't check your passport.
From London to Paris there is passport control from the UK and French authorities, and the usual checks for luggage - though there are no restrictions on liquids, as there are for air travel.
Between London and Paris I would always go for the Eurostar.
From London to Paris there is passport control from the UK and French authorities, and the usual checks for luggage - though there are no restrictions on liquids, as there are for air travel.
Between London and Paris I would always go for the Eurostar.
Mar 29th, 2016, 04:37 AM
#28
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Eurostar no contest; for speed, convenience, and probably price. (Buy tix early for best price.)
Kids will love the trip...can more easily stretch their legs.
...all this assumes your places of residence are not within a few minutes of the two airports.
NOTE: We've taken a day-trip to Paris from London on the Eurostar (in the days when it ran from Waterloo). I'd never even consider doing that by plane.
ssander
Kids will love the trip...can more easily stretch their legs.
...all this assumes your places of residence are not within a few minutes of the two airports.
NOTE: We've taken a day-trip to Paris from London on the Eurostar (in the days when it ran from Waterloo). I'd never even consider doing that by plane.
ssander
Mar 29th, 2016, 07:47 AM
#29
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<<Big Russ what a load of baloney. Your country itelligence had information pre 9/11 and muffed that up good,so States is just as likely to miss terrorists.>>
Ah, the ignorance of Europeans about the 9-11 attacks rears its head. Usual nonsense.
Read The Looming Tower - it's available on Amazon so the clue you need can be purchased.
Ah, the ignorance of Europeans about the 9-11 attacks rears its head. Usual nonsense.
Read The Looming Tower - it's available on Amazon so the clue you need can be purchased.
Mar 29th, 2016, 08:05 AM
#30
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Take the Eurostar. It will be so convenient with kids, no having to have to head out to the airport, the long check in, and then from the airport into the city. You will be city center to city center.
I loved taking the Eurostar and really would never go from Paris to London, or reverse, any other way. You will love it.
As for safety? It's as safe or more than anything can be these days. I hope you love Europe.
I loved taking the Eurostar and really would never go from Paris to London, or reverse, any other way. You will love it.
As for safety? It's as safe or more than anything can be these days. I hope you love Europe.
Mar 29th, 2016, 09:55 AM
#31
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PalenQ -
Do not know where you got the term "fodorgarchs" but it is really stupid and you can;t imagine how much I want you to stop using it. Pick Fodorites or Fodorers or whatever - but your term makes us all sound as if we are evil inhabitants of some weird forest.>
The term Fodorgarch is not pejorative or should not be and what term is better than that to name the relatively small number of veteran Fodorites (like me) who kind of control or try to control the site - oligarchy _ Fodor's = Fodorgarch and there are many good Fodorgarchs - just means the Old Guard who exert control thru various ways over the site and often it seems verbally abuse new-time posters posting innocent but often clueless questions (not the OP however).
Do not know where you got the term "fodorgarchs" but it is really stupid and you can;t imagine how much I want you to stop using it. Pick Fodorites or Fodorers or whatever - but your term makes us all sound as if we are evil inhabitants of some weird forest.>
The term Fodorgarch is not pejorative or should not be and what term is better than that to name the relatively small number of veteran Fodorites (like me) who kind of control or try to control the site - oligarchy _ Fodor's = Fodorgarch and there are many good Fodorgarchs - just means the Old Guard who exert control thru various ways over the site and often it seems verbally abuse new-time posters posting innocent but often clueless questions (not the OP however).
Mar 29th, 2016, 11:16 AM
#32
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Another one for Eurostar. St. Pancras is an interesting station and the children will find the train far more fun than being trapped in a plane seat.
It wouldn't surprise me if security took a bit longer than usual, but I bet that the airport will take longer and be more intrusive.
It wouldn't surprise me if security took a bit longer than usual, but I bet that the airport will take longer and be more intrusive.
Mar 29th, 2016, 01:43 PM
#33
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We like to get a table, gives us a bit more room and the grandkids love having the table to play cards, and so on. You can choose your seats after you make your reservation.
And, make your reservation as soon as you get your dates firmed up. The prices go up considerably the closer you get to your travel date. Purchase directly from Eurostar http://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/trains, using your credit card. It is a very user-friendly website.
Before making your reservation, it is well worthwhile to take the time and look at the seat61 website http://www.seat61.com/London-to-Pari...m#.Vvr0_032bct, great info such as:
◾If you have small children, book seats in cars 1 or 18 (standard class) in an original Eurostar as these are near the baby-changing room, and are at each end of the train so have less people walking through them to the bar. These cars have lots of bays of 4 seats (with or without a table, your choice), which are much better for families than face-to-back airline-style seating. In the e300 & e320 trains most toilets have baby-changing tables.
◾All Eurostar tickets include a specific reserved seat. Initially you'll be allocated seats. After buying a Eurostar ticket you can go to the Eurostar website and click the Manage a Booking link at the top. Enter your booking reference & surname and it will let you change your seats by selecting specific seats from a numbered seat plan. See tips on picking the best seats below.
And, make your reservation as soon as you get your dates firmed up. The prices go up considerably the closer you get to your travel date. Purchase directly from Eurostar http://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/trains, using your credit card. It is a very user-friendly website.
Before making your reservation, it is well worthwhile to take the time and look at the seat61 website http://www.seat61.com/London-to-Pari...m#.Vvr0_032bct, great info such as:
◾If you have small children, book seats in cars 1 or 18 (standard class) in an original Eurostar as these are near the baby-changing room, and are at each end of the train so have less people walking through them to the bar. These cars have lots of bays of 4 seats (with or without a table, your choice), which are much better for families than face-to-back airline-style seating. In the e300 & e320 trains most toilets have baby-changing tables.
◾All Eurostar tickets include a specific reserved seat. Initially you'll be allocated seats. After buying a Eurostar ticket you can go to the Eurostar website and click the Manage a Booking link at the top. Enter your booking reference & surname and it will let you change your seats by selecting specific seats from a numbered seat plan. See tips on picking the best seats below.
Mar 29th, 2016, 01:46 PM
#34
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Not a safety issue but luggage carts aren't plentiful at Gare du Nord. Hope you won't be overloaded with bags and kids. I think I've seen baggage handlers but if you're going to need extra help, plan in extra time to track it down once you get to the station.
At the London end, there are more carts, I THINK they take 1 £ coins or 2€ coins but can't remember as I haven't needed one in awhile.
Take your own juice, snacks, they're expensive on the train.
City center to city center, nothing beats Eurostar.
At the London end, there are more carts, I THINK they take 1 £ coins or 2€ coins but can't remember as I haven't needed one in awhile.
Take your own juice, snacks, they're expensive on the train.
City center to city center, nothing beats Eurostar.
Mar 29th, 2016, 01:48 PM
#35
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You can also change seats if empty ones remain after Eurostar take off - but on trains that may stop in Calais-Frethun or Lille Europa check to make sure the seat will not be reserved after those stations.
But I've moved around a lot of times - being fairly tall the seats in Standard class are a bit too tight for my comfort- and actually when perusing fares look at First Class too as sometimes the cheapest remaining first class ticket may not be that much more than the cheapest remaining standard (2nd) class ticket and there is IME a world of difference in seat size and comfort - especially with kids - lots more chances of getting that vaunted table in between seats.
I think Tuesday thru Thursday is more slack on Eurostars so you may have a better chance at a lower fare.
But I've moved around a lot of times - being fairly tall the seats in Standard class are a bit too tight for my comfort- and actually when perusing fares look at First Class too as sometimes the cheapest remaining first class ticket may not be that much more than the cheapest remaining standard (2nd) class ticket and there is IME a world of difference in seat size and comfort - especially with kids - lots more chances of getting that vaunted table in between seats.
I think Tuesday thru Thursday is more slack on Eurostars so you may have a better chance at a lower fare.
Mar 30th, 2016, 01:22 PM
#37
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Probably less than 10% people fly to london rather than ride Eurostar (people chosing to fly are connecting). Because it is quicker (city to city), cheaper, more convenient (no airport transfer) and more reliable (especially to LHR very congested with usual delays).
Mar 30th, 2016, 01:47 PM
#38
It's not as low at 10% for flying but Eurostar definitely has more than 50% of the market now.
Just for the record the lowest fare in euros from Paris to London is 39 euros. I'm not sure what the lowest fare is in the other direction.
Just for the record the lowest fare in euros from Paris to London is 39 euros. I'm not sure what the lowest fare is in the other direction.
Mar 30th, 2016, 01:48 PM
#39
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and more green - environmentally friendly than air travel, one of the worst polluters per flight of any kind of transportation. and on the train you see the European countryside in between London and Paris - flying you see nearly nothing but clouds many times - getting from pt A to pt B by land is part of seeing Europe.
Mar 30th, 2016, 01:57 PM
#40
Don't expect any 'scenery' on the Eurostar route. A teensy bit of Kent w/ if you look REALLY fast you <i>might</i> see an oast house in the distance. Otherwise the route is very fast, pretty comfortable, reasonably inexpensive . . . but the scenery - meh
