bozama

Wne I travelled Eurostar first time, I was given a seat in the first class car, but not first class treatment( no free food etc.) as they were only using the first class car for extra seating. On my return I sat in a " regular" car. I saw very little difference I was equally comfy. . I also think that just as on airlines, the free booze is usaully crap so I never pay more to get a ticket that includes " free drinks" since the ticket usaully costs ten times more then the cheap booze.

People spend 15 dollars on a glass of chamapane as a celebatory treat.

bozama

I would not spend over 1000 dollars to go from LOndon to Paris. Fly cheaper.
I also think you can find much better prices, but, perhaps you have left it too late, I found best rates are available between 60-89 days out, also travel on tues, wed, or thurs. during non rush hours. Also sat . overnight stay. If only going one way play with dates onsite, you can probaly find something cheaper, but, as I said, last minute is not so lucky.

dawnnoelm

Boz - I am not going till December of 08...plenty of time I think ;-).

I will spend a few hundred more just to train... I hate, I mean HATE to fly...

cammci

So a one way London to Paris on the standard ticket was 98.00, but a roundtrip was 77.00 (plugged in late June for a reference). If I do purchase RT and not use the 2nd 1/2, Eurostar won't bill me the difference? If so, that's a good tip.

BTilke

No, Eurostar and Thalys don't care that you toss the unused portion of your ticket.

Leslie28

I can't ever seem to get the r/t fare to be lower than the one way fare, regardless of dates. I put in r/t and select going from Paris to London in the morning and back in the evening, but I get $52 going over, $77 coming back and a total of $129. What am I doing wrong? Thanks.

PalenQ

<will spend a few hundred more just to train... I hate, I mean HATE to fly... >

no reason to pay hundreds more to take train if you book the Eurostar well i advance - add to plane costs the expense of getting to and from the airports as well.

I just don't see why you think you'll spend hundreds $s more taking the train?

dawnnoelm

Boz suggested that I fly - I was saying even if it is more money to train I will take the train. I have no idea which will be least expensive. Plus - I felt when we were in Europe for the first time last year that the train was a huge part of the "experience" for us.

janisj

Don't worry - even IF a flight is less expensive than your train fare - it is usually a false economy. By the time you add the very expensive train (or "schleppy" via tube) journey out to the airport, the extra security, advance check in,etc - the train almost always works out better and often cheaper.

This of course assumes one is leaving from central London or Paris.

dawnnoelm

janisj - it is well worth it for me to fly as little as possible. I seriously hate it. I take drugs, and just try to cope. It has gotten worse and worse with age.

Our trip to Europe in June/July of 07 was a flight NIGHTMARE. I think it was a cruel cruel joke on me.

We flew from LAX to DFW and were to fly to Paris. I opted for AA because I wanted miles and sometimes we can upgrade due to dh's status. (rock star and all that LOL just kidding) The flight was late from LAX and our flight was still there to go to Paris but they opted to give away our seats - next time they could get us on a flight? Tuesday (This was a Thursday)... well, after a very long and horrid time we ended up on a flight to Chile (yes you read that right) - flew all night - spent the day in Chile and flew to Paris from Chile on Airfrance.

I was a literal mess. It is one reason I want to go back to Paris. I felt like we were so exhausted upon arrival after all that travel (It was 9 hours or so to Chile - the day in the airport and then if I recall a good 12-14 hours to Paris from Chile)... we were all a MESS. Honestly the kids (10 and 13 at the time) did better then dh and I did.

PalenQ

For tourists i think the train trip is part of the experience

first slicing thru the Garden of England - rural Kent with its unique oast houses that cure hops - and pastoral countryside then under the Chunnel and thru rural Flanders in France with the signature French countryside blowing by at speeds of up to nearly 190 mph and then the anticipatory entrance to Paris with the Sacre Coeur serving as a beacon of that city

Air travel means mundane airport stuff - good for frequent travelers perhaps but tourists could consider the London-Paris train ride a part of their trip - a lovely unique for most part IMO

dawnnoelm

PalenQ we see this very much the same. I found our train travel to be one of the highlights of our trip.

dfr4848

dawn - I totally agree. We've taken the Eurostar several times and enjoy it each time. Very relaxing and worth every penny. Nice to actually see scenery and what's not to like about sitting back and drinking a glass of wine while the French countryside glides by at 300km/hr!!