Connecting from Eurostar to train from Paddington

You need to be checked in to the Eurostar 30 minutes before departure for security and passport checks, 45 would be better. So you should rethink your schedule. But is the time shown include this required process?

Sam---the OP is going the other direction, from St. Pancras to Paddington. Check-in time for the Eurostar is irrelevant.

According to https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey the journey takes about 11 minutes next Saturday afternoon.

At Paddington you will arrive via the Hammersmith and City/Circle line at the 'wrong' end of the mainline station for the main station facilities (Bishops Road). However, it does have the benefit of step-free access from the platform rather than three sets of stairs to negotiate (or the road outside) if you arrived at the front of the station (Praed Street) on the Circle/District. There are a limited number of ticket machines at this back entrance to the main line station and you can access the main line platforms from an overbridge.

Although it does not directly affect your journey as the Bakerloo line station at Paddington is closed expect more people to be using the other lines as an alternative.

If the Eurostar train is late, if loco2 has sold you the correct types of connecting ticket (CIV) then there should be no issue with getting on a later train. If you have in effect two separate tickets then it is more discretionary. If you have a ticket from London International (CIV) to Neath note that this includes the cost of the underground journey.

I have done that journey, and allowing 55 minutes would be outside my comfort level.

However, the big question is what type of ticket you will have. If your ticket is valid on any train that Saturday, then I would plan on getting the earlier train, and take the later one if I were delayed for any reason. I would not worry too much about which train you have a seat reservation for, unless there are a number of you travelling and you want to sit together.

What a wonderfully helpful forum we have here! Thank you to everyone for your responses. But I must apologize because it seems I misunderstood the information on the Loco2.com site. One of their support staff got back to me very promptly with this message:

55 minutes is the estimated transfer time between St Pancras and Paddington. This is based on information provided to us from the National Rail enquiries database, which we query to determine the arrival and departure time. However, as per the timetable you selected, you have 2 hours, 6 minutes to change trains.
I'm sorry if the format of our booking confirmation introduced any doubt. We're int he process of redesigning them so I'll pass that feedback onto our design team to see if we can make it more clear. <<

So all is well (as long as the Eurostar runs close to schedule).. And a special thankyou to Marco because I didn't know that the the CIV ticket from London International (CIV) to Neath includes the underground fare. I hadn't seen that mentioned on either the Loco2.com site or "Man in Seat 61" ( it may be there but, if so, not very evident).

If you've not bought tickets yet or if you can change your tickets, the highest lowest numbered coach (car #1) arrives at the head of the train in London on the Paris to London route. You can beat the crowd departing the Eurostar by booking your seat in one of those coaches and get to Paddington quicker, if that is still an issue with the 2hour, 6 minute connection time. Check out the seating plan for the Eurostar if traveling facing forward is preferred since some seats are facing to the rear, depending on the coach.

That the CIV fare includes the Underground transfer is mentioned on the Man in Seat 61 site in this page http://www.seat61.com/UKconnections.htm

"Advantage 3: They include the Underground to St Pancras: If you arrive at one of the other London terminal stations and need the Underground to reach St Pancras, tickets to London International include the Underground."

Worded as a trip in the opposite direction.

They may not work in the barriers - if not ask for assistance.

Eurostar tends to be pretty punctual, I never worry about it, but things can happen and trains can't just go around any obstacles that may get in the way, especially if it involves that 23 mile long tunnel.

Generally there's no problem.

I can't see how the Underground can do that journey in 11 minutes. I've generally found that most times allowing 3 minutes for every station gives a pretty good estimate to work with.

Euston Square
Great Portland Street
Baker Street
Edgware Road
Paddington

is 5 stops - I'd allow 15 minutes.

Maybe a bit more because there is often a change of driver at Edgware, and sometimes a few minutes there.

Emma, do you think it can be done in 11?

Another thing to consider is that you are doing your trip on a Saturday. The Underground regularly has engineering works on weekends, and often the top half of the Circle line suffers due to that. It is worth checking if you will be affected on the day you are traveling. On the TfL website.

If you do have over 2 hours you could also hop on a number 205 bus which will take you slower but more scenically between the two stations.

George: as it happens the seat that came up on my booking is in Coach 1, so that's good.

Marco: I missed that mention on Seat 61, but Loco2.com support confirms:

And yes, CIV tickets do include travel on the London Underground. The ‘�' symbol on your ticket denotes that it is eligible for one journey across London by Underground/DLR services. See Understanding CIV for a sample ticket.
You're right, it ought to be mentioned when you buy the tickets - probably best included in the ticket terms. I'll suggest that addition to the rail operator.

Nigel: yes, I had heard that there is sometimes engineering work on the Underground on weekends; I won't be able to check on the day, as I'll be travelling from early morning, but I'll remember the 505 bus if I have enough time and there are Circle line problems. Is the Hammersmith Line less likely to be affected?

It is a cross symbol, not a question mark.

It is the 205, not 505.

No they share the same track.

You can check several weeks ahead, often 12.

The northern part of the circle at suffers problems at Baker Street because of the flat junction with the Met, and signalling etc at Edgware Road although the latter seems to have reduced somewhat with the teacupping of the Circle line.

Thanks for the corrections, Nigel, and for checking ahead for me, Emma.

"Teacupping" is a new word for me, Marco: care to explain?