Best way to travel London to Paris?

My wife and I are leaving in about 3 weeks for our first trip to Europe. We are spending 5 days in Dublin, then heading to London for 5 days and finishing off the trip with 5 days in Paris. We have flights booked from Dublin to London and I was wondering if it is best to fly or take the train? Flight seem to be pretty cheap but I hear the airports are a bit of a nightmare and was wondering if anyone had experienced both flying and taking the train to offer some insight. What are the benefits and drawbacks of each?

Thanks in advance

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Hi superturnip,

The Chunnel Train !! Center city to Center City !!! You can%26#39;t beat it for convenience. No lines, no traffic, no wasting time !!

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To me the Eurostar (train) is the best way to travel to Paris, because the trip is from city center to city center (you will arrive at gare du nord in Paris); it is more comfortable, saves time and money.

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Thanks for the advice. Has anyone tried the standard versus leisure select? If so, is it worth the extra money?

Thanks

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superturnip,

I try to book the cheapest one I can get, providing it%26#39;s at reasonable hours that permit us to enjoy leaving London and entering Paris. I think you lose an hour going to Paris, though.

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Go to www.seat61.com to get all the info needed about the Eurostar and other trains in Europe. You can learn how to pick which seat you want, or what is left over since you%26#39;ve waited until near the time to travel). You will not likely find any bargains on the Eurostar since tickets go up the closer it gets to the date of travel. We always fly to London and take the Eurostar to Paris. Book a standard seat. There%26#39;s not a bad seat on the entire train.

You arrive at Gare du Nord in Paris, a 15-20 Euro taxi ride to any hotel in central Paris. No airport hassles at either end when you travel by train. You%26#39;ll love traveling by Eurostar.

oprah44

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eurostar by far is the best way to travel!

We selected our seats (facing each other one single seat - otherwise you end up facing strangers) and had a great meal.. so easy to walk onto the platform one end and emerge in another country. Heathrow security was awful coming in .. who could be bothered flying when the train is so much more pleasant?

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If you do go Eurostar don%26#39;t forget to try the Champagne Bar at St Pancras - its a great way to start the journey and claims to be the longest such bar in the world.

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St Pancras is a beautiful building, so if you get there a little early, you can ebjoy the view, especially if it is sunny !!

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Re: Leisure Select v Standard

I have been on both and in my opinion the difference is not worth it, although it%26#39;s worth noting that the difference in price does differ depending on the train.

In Leisure select it is generally more peaceful, you get a table and it is generally less busy. You also get a %26#39;meal%26#39; - These meals are certainly worse than airline food (a chicken sausage for brunch anybody? Served with 4 tiny potato wedges and some sloppy souffle/omelette - or on the return journey some water-infused chicken, which wasn%26#39;t even on the menu?!) You do get wine and other drinks offered though and they%26#39;re not stingy.

You do get a little bit more space in the seat, so it%26#39;s down to you to decide whether it%26#39;s worth the extra £30-£100 (depending on train)

I have a friend who went in the Business Premier class for even more money and he got the same menu as me! As far as we could work out the only thing extra he got was to be able to check-in just 10 mins before departure or to use the Business Lounge.

Eurostar is definitely best though - and if you can book in advance and get the £59 return fares it can%26#39;t be beaten for value and ease.

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Another vote for the Eurostar. So much more relaxing than trying to deal with the airport.

For the amount of time you%26#39;ll be on the train, the %26quot;cheap seats%26quot; should be fine. Seats are bigger in leisure select, but in my opinion, not enough to be a %26quot;deal breaker%26quot;.

Nice relaxing way to travel. You%26#39;ll have a great time if you take the train.