My group and I have purchased eurostar trains for a day trip to paris. We are staying in Crowborough. Our trains leave London St-Pancras station at 5:40am and return at 22:39 the same day. I'm wondering what is the best way to get to the train station from Crowborough during those hours? We have vehicles but don't want to drive in the city. It doesn't look like the train from Crowborough leaves that early. Any suggestions?
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
You would struggle to get to St Pancras for 4.40/5am (enough time to get through security) even if you were staying in central London, but from Crowborough?! Why have you booked such an early train, knowing where you are staying?
You don’t want to be driving and parking in central London.
Does your train stop at Ebbsfleet, as you could drive there and park for the day? Other than that, you will have to stay in central London for a night or change your outward bound train.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14818 posts
You'll also have to go thru airport style security for the Eurostar (in both directions) so you can't just rock up to the platform like you will in Crowborough. I usually try to get there an hour ahead of time but am not sure about that hour of the morning - I'd say at least 45 minutes for security and boarding.
I agree, I'd probably pop for a room near St Pancras and walk over there are 430.
Posted by
Paris
10285 posts
You're going to need to stay overnight near St Pancras to get a train that early.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
According to the Eurostar timetable here: https://content-static.eurostar.com/documents/427437_Timetables%20Core%20destination_Issue%2081_UK%20EN.PDF
The 05:40 from St Pancras is the first train of the day and stops at Ebbsfleet at 05:58 and Ashford at 06:24 (arrive Paris 09:17 French time). The 22:39 stops as well (Paris 21:13, Ebbsfleet, 22:18, St Pancras 22:39).
Since you have access to vehicles, I would drive to Ebbsfleet, which will be quicker than driving into London. First check the train does stop at Ebbsfleet on your date, and check with Eurostar that you can to the station change.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33992 posts
The 21:13 from Paris, the train you want to return on, also stops at Ebbsfleet at 22:18.
I hope the driver of your car can sleep on the train, because that is one long day you have planned and (s)he has all those other lives to think about.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thank you all for the advice. I'm going to look into getting on/off the train at Ebbsfleet instead of St. Pancras station. From what I can tell online that seems like a good solution. I'm waiting to hear back from Eurostar to confirm.
Our group is used to very long days and we will be switching out drivers during the trips.