Unfortunately, due to mixing and matching we find ourselves with a flight from the U.S. landing at 11:15 a.m. at Heathrow and Eurostar 1:00 p.m. tickets. Realistically, is there a chance we can make that connection? There is not much we can do about the tickets already purchased.

Sometimes planes actually land early - more and more IME - maybe padding the schedule to make more on time planes - there are so so many variables - long long lines at British Customs seem to be endemic at Heathrow - a cab could take more time than the Tube if traffic is horrendous as IME it often is on the motorway that ends before central London

taking the Heathrow Express - in Paddington in 20 mins could be the only way and then by cab - but even that is a long long shot

I'd try to book a connecting flight from Heathrow to Paris or Brussels - whatever Eurostar city you are going to.

Plus to be guaranteed entry into Eurostar trains you must be thru the turnstile at least 20 mins prior they say - security, etc.

This is almost impossible. Palenque is right the Heathrow Express will get you into Central London quickly but Paddington is NOT near St Pancras. Honestly, I think your biggest problem will be the immigration lines at LHR which are generally long. I'd look at flight options, from LHR.

It will be tight, just on the edge of possible. What day of the week? What airline?
I'd book a driver to be waiting for you on arrival at LHR. A popular service often recommended on this board (including by me) is www.justairports.com. At 26 GBP will actualy cost less than the HEX plus Paddington-St Pancras cab, and saves you the time it would take to get to the train station at LHR, wait for the next departure, then get a cab at Paddington.

"<i>It will be tight, just on the edge of possible</i>" . . . But not very likely.

If there is ANY queue at immigration, or ANY delay w/the bags, or just as likely, ANY wait for a gate - you have a snowball's chance in you know where. And even if things go like clockwork -- the snowball probably has a better chance. It is pretty likely you'll still be at LHR until noon or after w/ almost no way to get to St Pancras in time for advance check in.

I don't think a car service works for this since it will probably be a 40+ minute drive.

HEX won't really work since you'd probably have to queue for a taxi at Paddington.

You'll probably be eating the Eurostar tix. The problem is you won't know IF you get REALLY lucky and make it -- until you are there. And walk up tix (assuming there are seats) are very expensive.

I'd just book a flight to CDG from LHR - and later than 1PM . . . .

UNLESS this is on a Sunday. Traffic would be lighter and your chances improve.

1h45m from landing to be on the train , Subtract 60 minutes for immigration / collecting luggage, Subtract 30 minutes for Eurostar check-in closing

So you have 15 minutes to get from LHR to St Pancras. Chances of doing so - NIL.

Even a 2:00pm train would be pushing it.

Save yourself the stress and FLY from LHR to Paris. Possibly you having to go through immigration, possibly saves you having to collect luggage. Flying from LHR gives you an extra one to two hours to make a transfer and you'd still get into central Paris at the same time

Better still book your ticket to Paris in the first place

<<< Possibly you having to go through immigration >>>

SAVES you having to go through immigration if you can get your luggage checked through

Thank you for your posts. Although it will be a Sunday, you have confirmed my fears. It is sounding like I am stuck and should act now instead of waiting to find out "if" we can make it. I am traveling with my 14 year old son and thought the Eurostar would be a unique option for travel.

The train is just a train going through a long tunnel. It's a very anti-climactic experience. But have you tried contacting Eurostar to see if you can re-schedule the tickets?

I agree with the above post -- I would definitely try to rebook the eurostar reservation. Although it is just a train ride, it is a unique experience and I understand your wanting to share it with your son. After you get out of the chunnel, there is the French countryside, etc to see. I always make sure my seat is facing forwards -- I get carsick being seated backwards. Have a great time.