Bob

Hi all!<BR><BR>The missses and I are taking our first trip tp London soon (8 days), and we were wondering if anyone had ever taken the Eurostar train from London to Paris for a day trip? If so, what's the deal with the train? How long does it take each way? How much is it? etc?<BR><BR>Thanks for any help you can provide!<BR><BR>~Bob

Kristen

Hi Bob -<BR><BR>Did it a few years ago. To the best of my memory, the trip is about 3 hrs each way. We had to leave very early from London and then returned very late. On my return trip, I did not have a reserved seat and basically ended up sitting in a jump seat with the luggage. (This was my fault for last minute reservations!)<BR><BR>Paris was a gigantic blur, and I was pretty exhausted to enjoy it properly. I had been there before on a previous trip, and only took the Eurostar for novelty's sake since Paris seemed so close. However, if you've never been to Paris before, it's probably not the best idea unless you're just dying to see one or two major attractions. Your time will probably be better spent taking easier day trips from London, or perhaps giving up one of those nights in London to spend one or two in Paris.

Ronda

My sister went to London last year and decided to take daytrips in England instead of going part of the time to Paris as I advised. She regreted her decision.<BR><BR>Lop some of those days off London and head to Paris! I love London, but Paris is not to be missed.

My

8 days in London is a short time and a long time. Is there plenty to do, yes, but London can wear you out, making you a little lethargic (sp?). Please make time to get out of the city. Paris is a great side trip, but at least stay overnight. Consider spending 3 days in Paris and 2 in London on both ends?? At least take some day trips out of London.

oui oui

Bob, You can probably get sameday roundtrip for under $150, maybe about the same for staying over. Sometimes there are even cheaper deals.<BR><BR>Many people do this round trip for buisness, so it's not that gruelling. It's 3 hours travel time but you lose an hour into Paris and gain and hour into London because of the time change.<BR><BR>I've done it for a long lunch and a little shopping. Especially if you've never been to Paris, I'd say go for it!

elvira

I've done the daytrip both ways (Paris for a day, London for a day). The trip takes 3 hours, but France is one hour ahead of of England, so you arrive FOUR hours after you depart. On the return to London, you arrive TWO hours after you depart. The train is very comfortable, and the three hours on board give you a chance to nap, read, write postcards, sort out itineraries, etc. If you take a 7am train, you arrive in Paris at 11am (remember the time difference) which gives you time to visit a couple of sights, eat lunch, shop...now the decision has to be made. If you take an 9pm train back to London, you arrive at 11pm, which isn't bad at all. It will allow you to eat a nice dinner in Paris, or spend more time sightseeing and grab a quick meal at a cafe. You could also buy takeout food and eat on the train. As an alternative, you could travel first class, and get breakfast and dinner on the train.<BR><BR>Here's the site for schedules and fares from London - looks like there's a fare sale ending 8/25 so check it out NOW<BR>http://www.eurostar.co.uk/index.html

Amy

I did the daytrip on Eurostar on my first (and only) trip to London. I was less than impressed with London, and this was a welcome break. It is a long day, but I just suggest you don't bite off too much. We visted only Notre Dame, the Louvre (just hit the highlights in about 2 hours), Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe. Eiffel Tower was just too far off to try to conquer on the same day, so we walked the Seine in the sunshine and enjoyed a late lunch. I will warn you though, it will only wet your appetite for more, I've been back to Paris 3 times since (still haven't satisfied the urge!) and will probably never head back to London. I say do it!

Bill Fleites

Bob,<BR>I have been to London once and really loved the city and all the wonderful sites. I specially liked the National Gallery, Westminster Abbey, and the not to be missed Tower. I've been to Paris quite a few times because it is my favorite city in Europe bar none. So if I had 8 full days in London I would split my time 50-50 between the two. Although four days is not enough for either of these wonderful cities, it is enough to see some of the magnificent highlights each has to offer.