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.

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

eheheh

first class vs second : a question of choice. I don't remember about Eurostar, been awhile, but on Thalys for example I actually prefer second than first.

To go to London, I take the 'machin' on rails that goes under the water. With my car, so at least we are among ourselves. Just remember not to use the battery....

And who really calls San Francisco "Frisco"? Wasn't that a 1950s thing? We've called it San Fran when we've not called it something derogatory.

PalenQ - Oh, how little you know about me - I've used both options for Eurostar, several times over.

Frankly, a little extra leg room, a cold plate of airplane food and half a bottle of cheap wine wasn't worth it for me. It's only a 2H20 trip - I'd much rather enjoy my own bottle of decent wine and a sandwich, and prefer to stay disconnected, read and relax, instead of pounding a keyboard during the trip.

But that's just me.

OK - fuzz - two people can experience the same thing and think very differently - to me there is a big difference to you very little - I always go 2nd class because of cost but have gone first class a few times for the experience - being rather tall I find 2nd class seats have not much leg room and often lots of empty seats vs a packed second class - but note what I said - if the price is not much different go first class and sometimes with the fare structure of discounted tickets first class can be not much more - my meals have been much better than airline fare.

Again both are right in our perceptions and the more viewpoints the better.

I'm getting to know you better and in your short sojourn here so far have always seemed to give excellent advice - but again IME to say there is very little difference between classes on Chunnel trains is just not my take - and again I usually go 2nd class because I'm on a low low budget - if I were paying $200-300 a night for hotels as many do and $100/day for restaurants as many do then I'd not scrimp on train travel even for a few hour ride.

Weird thing - on everything but train travel folks here do not do the cheapest hotels or restaurants etc but with trains even a penny cheaper is recommended. Weird to me - for the trip of a lifetime splurge a bit and go first class - luggage for one thing is easier to stow.

But again that is my take and I should respect your take as well - again more views the better for anyone making an educated choice - it just seems on Fodors only the cheapest is recommended for rail and there is no mention of first class and its possible benefits.

Weird!

Just remember not to use the battery....>

I'm clueless about this, please splain! Merci au revoir!

Everyone to his taste PQ

People spend their money on things they choose. no prob with that.

This reminded me, first day to buy my ticket for the spring, 1 way, 2 cl, $63 US. Not bad. "Premier" might have been nice but at $156, I'll pick up a sandwich & coffee at the station.

Depending on the time of year one travels from Paris to London, this will make an enormous difference in whether or not the 1st class wagons are jam-packed and will provide the blissful experience one hopes for.

During the yearly sales, for example, I would absolutely avoid first class, because people bringing back multiple suitcases full of expensive merchandise are afraid to stow them in the luggage racks for fear that they will "go missing", and instead insist on keeping them in the aisles, under the tables, on the seats...

During holidays and important matches, when the 2nd class seats are all sold out, the 1st class ambiance degenerates very quickly and isn't worth bothering with, in my experience.

It may interest some people to know that Eurostar is upgrading its 'fleet', with new trains coming into service in 'late' 2015. The trains look really good from the outside :) and there is free wi-fi for the whole journey.
I would reiterate the recommendation to book only through Eurostar.com for tickets.
I use the Eurostar at a dozen times a year and I wouldn't bother with First Class for such a short journey. Just avoid Coach #1 as this is often the 'family' coach, complete with screaming infants and squabbling youngsters.

PQ,
When traveling with my own car on the train, I did the mistake of letting everyone use electrical equipment plugged into the battery sockets.

The car did start and left the train, but we stopped very soon after and my battery was completely drained...
Luckily I always have cables and somebody helped me restart the car.

Blanche de Bruges

That is the kind of adivec I like !

Same applies to Thalys : you have between coaches 6 and 7 two compartments of 8 seats separated from the rest of the train.

They are the last seats to be attributed so are often less crowded. Very confortable.

That's where I travel 99% of the time, regardless of where I've been given a seat.

Seriously, that Chunnel.com site rings alarm bells. The design is weird and it has links to swimming or flying the "Chunnel". I suspect that it is a trap for the naive

I usually don't bother with first class on the Eurostar. But sometimes if you're last minute, the price difference is not that much, so we book first. You have more space and a meal and drinks, but also the lounge at the station. At St Pancras it's nice to be able to get some drinks and newspapers. The waiting area is often very full.

Neither the Eurostar nor the Eurotunnel websites (for the shuttle, the car service) mention the word Chunnel.

Yes Swim the Chunnel as MissPrism points out on that site - well it is free anyway but that use of the Chunnel is really weird.

It's the sort of website that makes you think your paint is out of date

didn't know paint went bad - glossy paint that is?

Yes a site where I could not find out anything about who I was booking thru - I'd always use the official site - www.eurostar.com for sure - lowest possible fares, no booking fee - e-tickets.

Buying Eurostar tix 5-6-month out (for early May) you can get a RT ticket for $105...which is a great price IMHO.

ssander

ssander - that price could be even better come May if the dollar turns the other way - one reason to buy early too if you think currency rates may change - you are guaranteed a great fare which could be even better by then (but which if you waited until later may not even be available.)