Hi, does someone know for sure? My confirmation e-mail says to allow 30 minutes, but I may not have that much time on my hands. I want to know what the absolute minimum required amount of time is.

From my experience last year, it looks to be 10 or 15 minutes. Present yourself there and you're locked out.

Anyone know for sure?

Thanks.

Hi op,

Do you mean that on your vacation you will not be able to spare as much as 15 min?

Slow down and stop to pick the roses.

Oh ira, how could it be a vacation, if I'm flying to London and then taking the train to Paris (and back) for a long weekend?

My vacations are never vacations.

But then, really, I'm asking the question because I really want to be prepared. I've alloted three hours between Heathrow and Waterloo this time, but I want to take the tube if I can. If my flight is delayed, I need to think about whether I should switch to a plan B (like Heathrow Express).

I learned that every minute counts.

Some of you may remember that I undertook a similar excursion last time. I alloted two hours for my connection. My flight was delayed for a half hour. I got on a Heathrow express that left at 12:15. I was supposed to make a 13:09 train, which I missed when my cab was stuck in traffic. (I made one last valiant attempt via tube at Bond Street -- and I arrived and printed everything out when it was... 13:09.)

So, yes, this time I want to be doubly sure as to when Eurostar will close its checkin.

You'll note that I wasn't terribly aggressive this time. I could have alloted 2.5 hours for the connection, but I didn't.

So, ira, I've already spared myself 30 minutes to pick up some roses. (Maybe I'll squeeze in a museum? )

Hi op,

>..how could it be a vacation, if I'm flying to London and then taking the train to Paris (and back) for a long weekend?<

Oh, now you want to make me jealous?

Isn't that what every poster on this forum tries to do (to make someone else jealous)?

"I'm better and smarter, and I know where the best macaron in Paris is."

I'm just joking.

I'm serious about my question though (as I explained in my long-winded fashion, I asked it for a reason). But I guess I should call Eurostar to be sure.

Ok, this is what the website says:

"The check-in time for Eurostar is 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure if you are already in possesion of your tickets or 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure if you still need to collect your tickets.

The only exceptions are for Premium First, Business First and Standard flexi tickets, which have a 10 minute check in time prior to the scheduled departure of the train."

However, practically I don't think this is what happens, but I'll keep this in mind. I don't think that they lock you out if you get there 29 minutes before your train leaves, but I'm quite sure there is an absolute cutoff (unlike other trains).

In the meantime if someone knows what the absolute cutoff time is, do let me know.

Thanks.

We went Waterloo - Paris in May
and were meeting my in-laws. They
were coming in from Heathrow and we
were nervous about them making the
tight connection (they are both in
late 70's). We were told 20 minutes
was the lastest they would let anyone
through the security checkpoint.
We were preparing for ticket exchanging...
Fortunately they made it with 10 minutes
to spare! Don't know if Paris - London
rules would be different. We went
through French customs.

Actually I was more concerned about London -> Paris. But I won't have that much time either for Paris -> London. (I think that the first Metro train will get me into Gare du Nord at 5:48 for a 6:26 train. I could oversleep, etc.)