coxbox

Hi going to Oxford end of May(from San Diego).. looking for the best way to then get to Paris for a few days(train..plane etc.. back to London?).. then thinking of??? going south? any ideas??? thank you....

ira

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PalenQ

Train may be the cheapest way and fastest. Oxford to London 45 mins or so then transfer to Kings Cross for Eurostar train to Paris (about two hours) (in May Eurostar will be using new high-speed line into Kings X instead of slower current route into Waterloo) - but to get cheapest fares on Eurostar you should reserve far in advance as these trains are now taking a large percentage of all travelers between London and Paris - knocking air travel on this route down.

But again the limited number of cheap tickets should be reserved far in advance. Can reserve 9 months in advance in US - not sure on www.eurostar.com for prices in pounds.

check both www.eurostar.com for prices in pounds and also U.S. sources like www.raileurope.com as sometimes one can be cheaper and at other times the other. In US cheapest return fares start at $120 - can be cheaper at times on www.eurostar.com. But US fares include handling fee ($15) and thru RE mailing fee ($18 i think) fees not charged on eurostar.com. I always suggest calling BETS (800-441-2387; www.budgeteuropetravel.com) for U.S. fares and actually talk to someone who will do a manual search as www.raileurope.com often doesn't have the cheapest fares displayed for some reason. And BETS also doesn't charge RE's $18 mailing fee. In any case if you just show up you could pay literally $100 or more so early bird gets the worm here.

If going Paris - Riviera or Provence and back look at France Railpass, which for full fare tickets would be better than the tickets.... but investigate www.voyages-sncf.com, the French railways web site where, 60 days before train, PREM fares can be possible - but do as soon as they come on because they can disappear quickly - this would be the cheapest way but are non-refundable, non-changeable whereas the pass can be used anytime on any train, subject however to mandatory reservation requirements and availability.

kaneda

Get a coach (express bus) to central London and get a Eurostar train from Waterloo to the Gare du Nord in the centre of Paris :
http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisur.../terminals.jsp

You can fly or go by high speed train south, which when you take away all the hassle involved in flying can be quicker than by plane and certainly more scenic :

http://www.internationalrail.com/eur...FQrSXgod6ljxFQ

http://www.raileurope.co.uk/sncf/?so...FSPkXgodHT6BJg

nanabee

We did a similar trip itinerary a few years ago. We drove a car from Paris to the south of France - which I don't recommend!!

sheila

what's the purpose of your trip? How long to you have to do the post Paris bit? What do you like doing/seeing?

PalenQ

Kaneda <Get a coach (express bus) to central London and get a Eurostar train from Waterloo to the Gare du Nord>

agree bus is viable but after Nov the Eurostar will be leaving from Kings X and not Waterloo and the OP is going next May

coxbox

we are going to Oxford for my husband to give a talk..so the plan is to have a day in London beofre the talk,time to adjust...we have been to London so after Oxford would like to go somewhere else.. thinking Scotland will be too cold etc.. so picked France .. and south.. this is end of May early June...we like museums..SHOPPING..(ok me) eating great a must!!! we are very active.. early 50's... but do like to take it easy and go from one place sometimes.. Did Italy once with changind cities every day(or so it seemed) too much!!!

PalenQ

get train schedules and prices at www.nationalrail.co.uk - a panoply of fares with a myriad of conditions so study well to save bucks.

And i always find the train more comfy than the most comfy buses and promises to be on time - buses can get caught in London's abysmal traffic jams.

PalenQ

As for Eurostar tickets try to chose a mid week day for best chance of booking the cheapest fares. On Fri and weekends you often have to pay much much more.