vabarone

My daughter will be meeting me in London to go on to Paris....looking for the easiest way to make that trip? She'll be flying into LHR, can we get a train or bus from there? Is it better to take a short flight to Paris? Is the train station more centrally located than the airport? Neither of us speak French so I want to make it as easy as possible.

janisj

Well, since your are leaving from the UK -- French shouldn't be an issue. (But not to worry - you'll be fine in Paris too)

No -you cannot get a train or bus from Heathrow to Paris. But you can get a train from St Pancras station on the other side of London to the center of Paris, or you can fly from LHR to CDG.

She is flying into LHR . . . But where are you coming from? That could make a big difference re the best mode of transport.

denisea

I would take the Eurostar from Paris to London. I believe it leaves from St Pancras. There would be no language issue at all for you. Your daughter could get a cab to the station.

However, if you can get an inexpensive flight to Paris from Heathrow, no reason not to do it. One advantage to the train is that once you get to Paris, on the train, you're in Paris. For a flIght, it's a little more hassle to get into the city than the train. If you can fly into Orly, you will be closer than CDG.

janisj

>><i>Your daughter could get a cab to the station</i><<

Not a good idea - it would be VERY expensive. Either a pre-booked car service (half the cost of a taxi) or the tube (a tiny fraction the cost of either a car service or a taxi).

But before we know if the Eurostar makes sense, where will you be when your daughter is at LHR?

alanRow

Eurostar makes sense if you are starting in central London, if you are starting at Heathrow then flying makes sense. If you are starting somewhere else then tell us.

vabarone

I'll go to LHR to meet my daughter...so that will be the starting point. Is the train ride scenic? Looks like it would cost about the same either way. Just want it to be easy.

janisj

If you are meeting your daughter at the airport, taking the train makes next to no sense. Where are you traveling from to meet her at LHR? It might make sense to meet her elsewhere.

But from the little you've given us to work with, just book a flight from LHR to CDG.

StCirq

<< Is the train ride scenic?>> Well since most of it is underwater in a tunnel, no, not terribly scenic.

janisj

actually most of it is not underwater/in a tunnel. Most of the route is on the surface. But it still is not very scenic. Some bits of green English countryside, and a lot of flat France.

willit

It is probably because, as I male, I never fully grew up, but I loved the rail trip - seeing the countryside woosh past at 180mph was quite exhilarating.

janisj

willit: Oh, I love the Eurostar as well. But I wouldn't take if I was out at LHR. If I was in London or anywhere w/i reasonable rail connections of St Pancras, its a no brainer IMO.

But apparently the OP is traveling out to LHR to meet her daughter so traveling across London to catch the train just adds more hassle.

denisea

Agree if OP is definitely headed to Heathrow, no reason to travel back to St Pancras for the Eurostar.

vabarone

Yes. I'll definitely be meeting her at the airport. Sounds like theres no point in the train unless we are leaving from central London. Not sure what other info you'd need... "But from the little you've given us to work with, just book a flight from LHR to CDG."

janisj

"<i>Not sure what other info you'd need...</i>"

WHERE are you traveling <u>from</u> to meet your daughter? Are you flying in too? Or are you already somewhere in the UK and have to make your way to LHR (which might be a hassle in itself)? Or, are you in central London? Or someplace else? The answer could make a big difference.

But if it is set that you are going to LHR from <i>someplace</i>, then fly to Paris.

PalenQ

.looking for the easiest way to make that trip?>

then by all means fly from Heathrow to Paris - getting out of the airport, taking the metro or whatever to St Pancras is a hassle - you are asking easiest - by all means fly.

vabarone

done. my daughter will fly direct to Paris and I'll take the short flight myself to meet her there. now to find a hotel oy!!

ssander

<<my daughter will fly direct to Paris and I'll take the short flight myself to meet her there.>>

I am so confused...

You still haven't told us where you are coming from.

Does the above quote mean you will meet her at LHR and fly on the same plane?

Or are you going to fly a different plane from a different UK airport) to the same Paris airport (and at roughly the same time)?

I think what some of us are wondering is, would it be easier for you to take the Eurostar to Gare du Nord and meet your daughter there, which might be more convenient if she is flying to CDG. This might be better if you are beginning your journey near St Pancras station.

SS