transporation from Dover London to Paris France
Sep 19th, 2012, 10:41 AM
#2
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Dover and London are two different cities in England. Does your cruise end in Dover, and then you are going to London before going to Paris? Or are you asking how to get from Dover directly to Paris?
Sep 19th, 2012, 10:49 AM
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From Dover's Eastern Docks take the frequent hydrofoils or slower car ferries over to Calais and then take one of the frequent trains from there to Paris. Easily done - by train you would have to go from Dover back towards London to Ashford International and then hop the Eurostar train to Paris - could be quicker I guess though and cheaper if you score discounted online tickets that must be booked far in advance to get - www.eurostar.com. Lots of trains from Dover Priory station to Ashford/Ashford International - just buy in Dover.
Sep 19th, 2012, 12:56 PM
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Snickles,
The train station in Calais is a short cab ride from the ferry. I don't recall if there are any shuttles, but it is definitely not withing walking distance in the pedestrian unfriendly industrial area between the ferry docks and the train station.
But, you have several options.
1. Do not take the ship's bus to a London airport. The cost, assuming you are not cruising alone,is more than a pre-ordered car will cost you. Probably, the best airport for you to use would be London City. But, if you choose that option, be certain to allow yourself some four hours, at least, to make the trip from Dover to the airport. Traffic can delay one many hours on the way to London. Last July, we arrived at Dover at 5:00 a.m. and the first ship's bus left at 7:00 a.m. Several people on an 11:45 a.m. departure missed their flight despite the trip being scheduled to arrive at LHR by 9;00 a.m.
2. You could take a cab to the ferry docks, get the first available ferry, they seem to leave about every 20 minutes, get to Calais in 90 minutes or so, take a taxi to the train station and get the first available train to Paris, another 90 minutes or so if memory serves. Perhaps a total travel time of about 4.5 hours, plus one hour of time difference.
3. You can go to the International Train Station in Ashford. This can be done with a taxi to the Dover Priory Station and a train to Ashford, or a taxi the 20 minutes to Ashford. In either case there is no need to pre-book the cab. There are only a few EuroStar trains which stop in Ashford, but there is normally one about 10:30 a.m. Be certain to book in advance to get a good price if you choose this route! The train from Ashford will get you in to Paris in about 90 minutes, about 1:00 p.m. because of the time difference. While this option is the most costly, it is the only one that will allow you to have some time that day in Paris and has the fewest luggage transfers.
The train station in Calais is a short cab ride from the ferry. I don't recall if there are any shuttles, but it is definitely not withing walking distance in the pedestrian unfriendly industrial area between the ferry docks and the train station.
But, you have several options.
1. Do not take the ship's bus to a London airport. The cost, assuming you are not cruising alone,is more than a pre-ordered car will cost you. Probably, the best airport for you to use would be London City. But, if you choose that option, be certain to allow yourself some four hours, at least, to make the trip from Dover to the airport. Traffic can delay one many hours on the way to London. Last July, we arrived at Dover at 5:00 a.m. and the first ship's bus left at 7:00 a.m. Several people on an 11:45 a.m. departure missed their flight despite the trip being scheduled to arrive at LHR by 9;00 a.m.
2. You could take a cab to the ferry docks, get the first available ferry, they seem to leave about every 20 minutes, get to Calais in 90 minutes or so, take a taxi to the train station and get the first available train to Paris, another 90 minutes or so if memory serves. Perhaps a total travel time of about 4.5 hours, plus one hour of time difference.
3. You can go to the International Train Station in Ashford. This can be done with a taxi to the Dover Priory Station and a train to Ashford, or a taxi the 20 minutes to Ashford. In either case there is no need to pre-book the cab. There are only a few EuroStar trains which stop in Ashford, but there is normally one about 10:30 a.m. Be certain to book in advance to get a good price if you choose this route! The train from Ashford will get you in to Paris in about 90 minutes, about 1:00 p.m. because of the time difference. While this option is the most costly, it is the only one that will allow you to have some time that day in Paris and has the fewest luggage transfers.
Sep 19th, 2012, 12:57 PM
#12
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Unless hydrofoils got better in recent years, it's a horrible noisy crowded way to go. The ferry is great, and Eurostar is pretty darn good too. But not too terribly romantic. With the ferry you can take a train from Calais or Bologne to Paris. Takes longer than Eurostar from London but it's a nice trip and it's a short walk to the train station - or it was. I believe Eurostar stops early in France if I recall correctly. Maybe someone will know how that works.
Sep 19th, 2012, 01:14 PM
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The man-in-seat-61 website gives an excellent summary of travel for cross channel foot passengers between Dover and Paris http://www.seat61.com/London-Paris-f...m#.UFovtI5psWw
But it's not the most efficient way - you will need to catch a ferry (there are no hovercraft or hydrofoil these days) from Dover Eastern Docks to Calais (90 mins).
Then a shuttle bus from the ferry terminal to Calais Ville station, and to quote the website "Coming from Calais, you normally take a local train from Calais Ville station to Boulogne and change there onto an express from Boulogne to Paris Gare du Nord. There are relatively few trains between Calais or Boulogne and Paris…"
Easier is a frequent train from Dover Priory station to Ashford (towards London) about 30 mins and £10 - you can buy tickets on the day http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
At Ashford catch the Eurostar direct to Paris - book in advance for the cheapest fares http://tinyurl.com/cbj3vn2
But it's not the most efficient way - you will need to catch a ferry (there are no hovercraft or hydrofoil these days) from Dover Eastern Docks to Calais (90 mins).
Then a shuttle bus from the ferry terminal to Calais Ville station, and to quote the website "Coming from Calais, you normally take a local train from Calais Ville station to Boulogne and change there onto an express from Boulogne to Paris Gare du Nord. There are relatively few trains between Calais or Boulogne and Paris…"
Easier is a frequent train from Dover Priory station to Ashford (towards London) about 30 mins and £10 - you can buy tickets on the day http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
At Ashford catch the Eurostar direct to Paris - book in advance for the cheapest fares http://tinyurl.com/cbj3vn2
Sep 19th, 2012, 01:29 PM
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Train in....? Is there a train station close. And which train?
This is the first time I have been to Europe so please help with details.>
In addition to www.seat61.com recommended above check out these other two equally informative sites IMO - www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.
And I am not sure if the Ashford-Eurostar route may not be cheaper all in all and definitely quicker by a lot than the boat to Calais - transfer to Calais-Ville station and ticket to Paris - some really cheap Eurostar tickets can be booked if done really early at www.eurostar.com - could well be cheapest and quickest way if you book early to get the limited in number deep discounted fares.
This is the first time I have been to Europe so please help with details.>
In addition to www.seat61.com recommended above check out these other two equally informative sites IMO - www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.
And I am not sure if the Ashford-Eurostar route may not be cheaper all in all and definitely quicker by a lot than the boat to Calais - transfer to Calais-Ville station and ticket to Paris - some really cheap Eurostar tickets can be booked if done really early at www.eurostar.com - could well be cheapest and quickest way if you book early to get the limited in number deep discounted fares.
Sep 19th, 2012, 05:15 PM
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Before you make a decision - how are you with motion sickness? The ferries across the channel can be fine or can be hell (to those with motion sickness). And you won;t know how rough the channel is until the day you get there. (Assume you are OK since getting off a cruise - but you never know. I have friends who cruised and the husband had dreadful motion sickness - dosed himself with dramamine the whole time.)
If you have not problem with motion sickness I would do the ferry/train from Calais, if you do I would backtrack towards London and pick up a Eurostar through the train tunnel.
If you have not problem with motion sickness I would do the ferry/train from Calais, if you do I would backtrack towards London and pick up a Eurostar through the train tunnel.
Sep 19th, 2012, 05:30 PM
#16
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I decided I would go by Eurostar. Can someone help me with the best way to get around UK. I am flying in Heathrow and wanting to go to the heart of London for 2 days. then I will go to Dover to catch the cruise. I will return back to Dover and want to take the Euro to Paris for 3 days and head back to Heathrow airport. It seems you mention Eurostar...do I use this for all my transportation? Any idea where is stay in Heart of London so we can see the tower etc? Also in Paris ...close to Eiffle Tower....Looking for something reasonable. we have 3 in our party...Thanks for you help
Sep 19th, 2012, 10:38 PM
#17
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Where is your hotel in London? That will determine what transport is best from heathrow. Do a search above for London hotels, there are tonnes of threads about it. You need to give us a budget for us to make recommendations. You will likely need to use the tube to get around to see what you want as no hotel is close to all the sites because London is so huge. Info can be found here www.tfl.gov.uk
To get to Dover you need to take the train from charing cross I believe. You can get times, prices and details here www.nationalrail.co.uk
Instructions are above to get from Dover to ashford to get the Eurostar, book your Eurostar tickets here as far in advance as you can to get the best price www.eurostar.com
As for getting to heathrow...is there any way to extend your ticket to fly from Paris to London? That would be the simplest, easiest way to do it.
To get to Dover you need to take the train from charing cross I believe. You can get times, prices and details here www.nationalrail.co.uk
Instructions are above to get from Dover to ashford to get the Eurostar, book your Eurostar tickets here as far in advance as you can to get the best price www.eurostar.com
As for getting to heathrow...is there any way to extend your ticket to fly from Paris to London? That would be the simplest, easiest way to do it.
Sep 20th, 2012, 12:16 AM
#18
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There are only three trains a day from Ashford to Paris, the earliest of which is effectively impossible to connect to from Dover.
The fastest trains from Dover to London St Pancras take only 30 mins longer than trains to Ashford - though they add £20 to the Dover-Paris journey cost compared to Ashford. Both they and trains from St Pancras run hourly. Remember you need to allow at least 30 mins at Ashford or St Pancras for checking in
It makes no sense whatsoever to get a train from Paris to London to get a flight from Heathrow. It's much quicker, a great deal less hassle and usually cheaper to fly, either direct from Paris to your home destination, or if that's not possible, from Paris to Heathrow.
The fastest trains from Dover to London St Pancras take only 30 mins longer than trains to Ashford - though they add £20 to the Dover-Paris journey cost compared to Ashford. Both they and trains from St Pancras run hourly. Remember you need to allow at least 30 mins at Ashford or St Pancras for checking in
It makes no sense whatsoever to get a train from Paris to London to get a flight from Heathrow. It's much quicker, a great deal less hassle and usually cheaper to fly, either direct from Paris to your home destination, or if that's not possible, from Paris to Heathrow.
Sep 20th, 2012, 12:21 AM
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For clarity: Going to London St Pancras (for trains to Paris) from Dover via London Charing Cross adds at least 90 minutes to the journey time compared to the direct trains from Dover to St Pancras, and most of the day save next to nothing.
Sep 20th, 2012, 12:21 AM
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... or can you not fly home direct from Paris and so save the time. trouble and expense of returning to Heathrow.
Depending on how far ahead we're talking here and even if you've already booked return flights through Heathrow do not dismiss the thought of changing the return leg - it will incur a cost but potentially no greater than the cost of returning to LHR from Paris - and will enable definitely save the hassle factor and extend the time you can spend on vacation (and minimize the time given over to travel).
Dr D.
Depending on how far ahead we're talking here and even if you've already booked return flights through Heathrow do not dismiss the thought of changing the return leg - it will incur a cost but potentially no greater than the cost of returning to LHR from Paris - and will enable definitely save the hassle factor and extend the time you can spend on vacation (and minimize the time given over to travel).
Dr D.
