Best way to travel from London to Calais

The closest the Eurostar will get you is Lille, which isn't very close. The most direct way from London is to get a train to Dover (you can get a fast train direct from St Pancras station) and then the ferry to Calais.

See my comments on your other thread about the very, very limited ferry option, meaning that Eurostar to Lille then back track to Calais is the most practicable option

ah, I asked you on your other post how you were going from London to Calais.

Now I see you have broken your trip in two.

You're staying one night and then going to Calais to turn around to London - is that right? In one day?

OK. That's quite a day. You've been told how difficult foot passenger is by ferry on that route, and in your other post you've been told how you need to get to Lille to cross by train.

Can you give a little more information about exactly what you want to accomplish?

Is this crossing related to your question last September about trains from Calais to Paris?

This is not all in a single day trip. I have a group tour ending in London, then a 2nd group tour beginning in London the following week. As I've been to London several times, I'd like to spend time in Calais for several days and yes back to London to begin my 2nd tour. If I am understanding your info, I can take Eurostar from London to Lille then train to Calais and just reverse the process on my return to London. Using Eurostar or regular trains? Thanks so much for any advise.

If I am understanding your info, I can take Eurostar from London to Lille then train to Calais and just reverse the process on my return to London. Using Eurostar or regular trains?

Correct. Eurostar London to Lille and normal train Lille to Calais. There certainly are things to do in Calais (like the Lace and War Museums), but I have an open mind on whether I would possibly prefer several days in Boulogne (another port half an hour or so down the coast, it too used to have cross channel car ferries) or maybe even Lille with day trips out from there. Personally I think Boulogne is a more attractive town.

But others who know that part of France way better than me will have ideas on that score.

Thanks for the info. But definitely has to be Calais. I've wanted to see and ride on the Calais Dragon for years. I've travaled all over France but could never fit in Calais. Now I can. Thanks again.