Train - London/Paris/London
 

I need to make roundtrip train reservations between London and Paris. I did a Google search and came up with www.eurostar.com and www.chunnel.com. Which company is the more reputable one? Eurostar looks like a better site. Can anyone advise or give an opinion? thanks!

Eurostar is the only game in town for passenger trains between London and Paris.

If this is part of a larger trip, please let us know as it might make better sense to fly open-jaw/multi-city, rather than in and out of one city.

Eurostar is the official company, so use that. Its not even called the Chunnel, so I'd stay away from any site that uses that terminology.

For general information on trains in Europe consult the Man in seat 61:
http://www.seat61.com/London-to-Pari...m#.VkEIn_mvEiI

As far as I know, the eurostar.com site is owned by the train company, the "official site", the one I use. Book as early as you can for the best price, on sale 180 days in advance.

The oracle: http://www.seat61.com/London-to-Pari...rain.htm#Fares

There are first and second class discounted tickets and at times first class may not be that much more than the cheapest available 2nd class ticket - IME first class is a whole lot nicer than 2nd or standard class on Eurostar trains - much more than on average trains in Europe and you get a full meal with unlimited drinks last time I took first class - including booze like Champagne - so if the difference is not much go for first class.

For a look at the difference between classes and general info yes the oracle now is www.seat61.com but these other sites I like for general info like the difference between classes - www.ricksteves.comand www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

Sometimes after boarding you'll find in 2nd class all seats occupied are together yet other seats may be empty - if the train is non-stop like some you can safely go sit in those empty seats and spread out - or after the last stop - usually at Lille you can of course do so - I also sometimes go sit in the bar/cafe car to stretch my legs.

and yes only book thru www.eurostar.com - the official site - tickets are e-tickets I think. and don't forget to check in at least 30 minutes or so or whatever it says on the conditions and factor this into you schedule.

They used to call it the Chunnel more in the early days, as I recall. Maybe they got that website then and just kept it.

But you can tell that isn't the train company, in fact, it's a website belonging to Raileurope just to sell Eurostar tickets. Never heard of it before, but that's what it is. So they probably mark up the price, they are an online travel agent, so to speak, for European rail tickets.

Chunnel is a term popular with Americans but one that Brits particular disdain even though it was apparently coined by a British rag years ago - thus RailEurope uses the term because it is what many if not most naive novice traveler Yanks call it. I kind of like the name too and used to use it but the kind of weird approbation of Limeys on this forum caused me to stop using it for fear of bringing of a tide of criticism. Sp please use Eurostar in the future, on this forum even though it is dominated by Americans!

I believe calliing San Francisco 'Frisco' grates on residents of that city almost as much as 'Chunnel' does for us Brits.

We all know the London-Paris high-speed train is called 'Eurostar' and the Channel Tunnel itself is only 20 minutes of the 2h20 journey.

'Eurostar' is now a household name here as much as 'British Airways' or 'Hoover' so when someone asks about the Chunnel Train it's as if they must have been living on Pluto for the last 20 years. Or at least on the other side of a 3,000 mile wide stretch of water... ;0)

I think we should have some sort of Fodors swear box for 'chunnel'. A pound in every time...

Sorry - but I have never heard it called the Chunnel past the pre-construction days - when t was just a gleam in the eye. Although I have notice that PalenQ seems to be addicted to it.

There is only one train, the Eurostar - and you should use the official site - as far in advance as possible - to get the best prices on tickets. Be aware that ticket price can be very different for different trains on the same day - so do check early or later trains if they fit your schedule.

>>Chunnel is a term popular with Americans . . .<<

It ain't. Just a <i>certain type</i> of American.

>> . . . but one that Brits particular disdain <<

As does anyone else w/ any sense.

>>Although I have notice that PalenQ seems to be addicted to it.<<

It is the paint talking. He has no control . . . >)

>>so when someone asks about the Chunnel Train it's as if they must have been living on Pluto for the last 20 years.<<

The definitive authority on all things train (and PQ's idol) has spoken. Let's hope this settles things. (but I doubt it ;) )

There goes PalQ publicizing his own rubbish again.

Americans don't call it the Chunnel. Nor does anyone else in general. The train is Eurostar, it travels through the Channel Tunnel.

I debunked this a year ago.

Jayzeezus.

And the answer to the OP, as noted above, is buy on the eurostar.com site.

I believe calliing San Francisco 'Frisco' grates on residents of that city almost as much as 'Chunnel' does for us Brits.>>

well it doesn't grate with me, possibly because I lived near it when it was being built, but I recognise that I'm in a minority here. Still, nothing wrong with that.

the serious point is that as with so many websites, the official one is usually best. finding it is the trick!

Although I have notice that PalenQ seems to be addicted to it.>

I'm in withdrawal as explained above have quit using it out of fears the like of BIGRuss and others excoriating me. Good-bye Chunnel - have not used it in a while in context only in discussions like this.

Thank you all! I will be making reservations on the Eurostar website! Appreciate the information!

I often call it chunnel - but I attached the name to the train on which you put your car.
But I'm no Brit nor US so does it count ?

pariswat - you call it what you like, and be damned.

I confess that I did not even bother to read the numerous dissertations about "Chunnel" vs any other nomenclature for the train that connects France to England. Why bother?

To book tickets, go to http://eurostar.voyages-sncf.com/ then search for the dates, times, etc. If your credit card is not accepted, then use this site https://www.captaintrain.com/ - it's the same thing.

If you want to be sure where your seats are located, which is the closest wagon to the exit, any other useful info etc, go to this site http://www.seat61.com/

Any other last minute run-thoughs, Google YouTube for step-by-step video tutorials.

It is really not complicated to book train travel in Europe.
Try to make sure you get direct trips, no "correspondances".
2nd class is just as good as 1st class for short trips, no need to pay extra.

Nobody is available to help with luggage, so make sure that everyone can carry their own stuff. Also understand that trains are not secure and thefts do occur, so everyone must keep an eye on their valuables at all times.

That's all you need to know.

Americans don't call it the Chunnel. Nor does anyone else in general. The train is Eurostar, it travels through the Channel Tunnel.

I debunked this a year ago.>

bunk - why then does RailEurope use it as chunnel.com if no one uses it - they use it because it is so used - duh don't have to be neurological brain surgeon to figure that out!

Nuff said - jennymary has all she needs to know.

Not sure if fuzz has ever taken the Eurostar train or at least if he/she did they did not compare first vs second class on this train = a world of difference - much more than on typical European trains from priority boarding/deboarding to much much larger seats and a full meal comp - and again if the discounted 2nd class ticket is at all within the best available 2nd class ticket go for first class - the meal itself if worth a lot.