I%26#39;m certain that this topic has been discussed many times before, but the most recent post I found was about 2 yrs old.
Anyway, I%26#39;m trying to decide on taking the Eurostar to London vs. flying. We depart Europe for home via Heathrow (had to do it this way to use miles). So we%26#39;re looking for one-way transport from Paris to London.
In pricing out our options, it looks like there%26#39;s only a $30 difference between the two. Two one-way tixs via British Airways (CDG-LHR) is $179. Two roundtrip tixs via Eurostar is $209 (have to book rt to get best fare) So what would you do?
More info: in Paris, we%26#39;re staying in the Latin Quarter, near the St. Michel Metro. And note that although we wouldn%26#39;t have to deal with the xfer to %26amp; hassles of traveling out of CDG, we%26#39;d have to tackle getting to our hotel hear Heathrow once we got into London. Flying via BA would put us right into Heathrow, and just minutes from our hotel.
Wonder which is more challenging- xfer to and traveling out of CDG in Paris, or having to make our way to the Heathrow area upon arrival at Waterloo station in London.
So that%26#39;s the dilemma. Any advice?
|||
oops- forgot to say THANKS in advance for your help!
|||
If the question were just city center to city center, I would always opt for the train (speed, and comfort, etc.).
What you may need to do is find out (sorry, it%26#39;s been quite some time I don%26#39;t recall) how easy it is to get from Waterloo station to the underground line that goes directly to Heathrow. I took it several years ago, and it was great - it literally went right into the terminal and I just got off and walked to the check in counter. I would suggest asking that question on the London forum - i.e., how easy or difficult to get from Waterloo station to Heathrow, and see what advice you get.
|||
I can%26#39;t comment on flying from Paris to London, but we did take the Eurostar from Paris to London a couple of years ago. Taxi from the Latin Quarter to Gare du Nord is probably 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic. We travelled at the end of October and I don%26#39;t recall having any particular difficulty going through security checkpoints and checking in at the train station. You will no doubt have to alot for some time to check in at CDG. Disembarking at Waterloo was relatively easy. There is a taxi stand out front that moves pretty fluidly. Taxi from Waterloo to Heathrow will probably take 45-50 minutes. Time estimates are based on our personal experiences.
Here%26#39;s a plus I just thought of. If you take ES, you can keep all of your luggage with you. You do not need to check anything in, so there%26#39;s no waiting around the carousel.
|||
I think you will find eurostar easier.
As has been said you can keep all your luggage with you(and keep an eye on it). Check in is at least 30mins before departure and usually starts about 50/55 mins before departure.
They will not let you on if you go beyond the 30mins.
It is a very easy and relaxing journey and the transfer to Heathrow on the upgraded underground line is around 35mins and takes you right into the airport terminal.
Hope this helps
Neal
|||
Went on the Eurostar 3 weeks ago and prefer it to flying. We walked straight in to the Eursostar area 40 minutes nefore departure, got our tickets printed out at the collection point, zipped straight through security and customs and were in the depature area within 5 minutes. Seating area was adequate and comfy onboard, stretched the legs and went to the buffet area for tea and biscuits and was in Paris before I could read my magazine. My luggage was safe and secure though I was able to peer round and check it from time to time and upon arrival we collected it with no fuss (maybe a little crowding near the luggage and doors) and we outside the station within minutes and right there in the centre of Paris.
I will go this way again, quick, no fuss and competitive prices.
|||
Having had my 6 pm-ish BA flight to London to Paris cancelled a few years ago and having to wait 3 hours for the next flight available, I have sworn off flights London-Paris and since taking the Eurostar have never questioned that decision.
|||
Many THANKS for all your advice!
It looks like the way to go is via Eurostar! The price difference is really a wash. I mean, i%26#39;m not going to sweat it for $30. But saving time and angst is worth it to us.
A followup question. In order to get this fare on Eurostar, i had to book a rt trip. Is there any concern that I%26#39;ll only be using the outbound ticket? Will they %26quot;know%26quot; that I didn%26#39;t use the return trip and therefore charge my credit card an additional fee? Note that the type of tixs I would buy are: Standard non Flexi Compulsory return. Ticket non-exchangeable, non-refundable (copied %26amp; pasted from the itinerary page on sncf). Didn%26#39;t see any other info about terms.
THANKS again!
|||
I would not worry about it - everyone routinely books %26quot;return%26quot; tickets and uses only the first segment. I seriously doubt they even track whether the return part is used, since on most trains your ticket is merely punched, not scanned or collected.
|||
People have many reasons for not being able to use a return.
Don%26#39;t worry about that.
Neal
|||
Many THANKS!
I checked out the other Eurostar thread, and found out some good info there (going thru Eurostar US), that now allows me to book a one-way ticket for roughly the same price as the BA ticket. no need for a RT ticket to get a good price.
No comments:
Post a Comment