After a two week transatlantic crossing and a week plus in Vernazza, Florence and Milan, two couples (best friends for over 40 years) want to take the scenic trip via train from Milan to GB utilizing the Eurostar train. Yes, we understand that a flight is shorter and less expensive...however, one does not see the country side views that a 11 hour train ride provides.
That being said, how best should we book ahead from the states with train reservations?
Does the Eurostar make a stop at Ashford? If so, does anyone have a B&B recommendation at that stop?
Our plan is to go to Bath for a minimum of three days before renting a car and touring GB for three weeks but realize that attempting to continue there after the long train ride from Milan would be nuts for 75 year olds.
By the way, this trip starts from Ft. Lauderdale on Princess March 27, 2026
Thoughts anyone?
Posted by
Queens, NYC
567 posts
Does the Eurostar make a stop at Ashford? If so, does anyone have a B&B recommendation at that stop?
There is a station at Ashford, but there have been no Eurostar trains stopping there since 2020 and there will be no trains stopping there (or at Ebbsfleet) in all of 2024 -- it is not yet known whether it will resume stopping there in 2025 or 2026.
Crossing the Alps is certainly scenic, but I would set your scenery expectations low for the Eurostar (Paris to London) leg of the trip. Most of the trip is unremarkable flat farmland, and the part underneath the English Channel is just whizzing through a tunnel in the dark. The Eurostar and the Channel Tunnel are a marvel of engineering, but the scenery is not the spectacular part of it.
Posted by
Singapore
489 posts
Just to be clear, the Eurostar runs from Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras. It does not run from Milan, and it currently does not stop at Ashford or anywhere else. You board in Paris, and get off in central London. You can the the train from London Victoria to Ashford if you wish. You can take the TGV from Milan to Paris - Man in Seat 61 has some excellent guidance on this - https://www.seat61.com/Italy.htm
Once in Bath, what are your plans? I note you're hiring a car - depending on where you're going, train may be easier.
I agree with Alex that the Eurostar trip is not scenic, but I find it far more relaxing than flying.
Posted by
Preston UK
1067 posts
Mark Smith, the Man in Seat 61, offers no less than 5 different routes from Milan to London, plus another 3 routes to elsewhere in the UK using ferries rather than the Eurostar and another two from Venice to London, including the wonderful but fantastically expensive Venice Simplon Orient Express.
If you opt for a route using Eurostar bear in mind that you need to arrive at the Gare du Nord in Paris well in advance of the departure time to deal with UK immigration, which is done as you board the train - probably 90 minutes.
Posted by
Green Bay
20803 posts
If you want to see mountain scenery, it will be more like 14 hours. You will want to specify via Goeschenen for the leg between Milan and Zurich. Otherwise you will be routed through the Gotthard Base Tunnel which goes completely under those Alps. As such, better make it a 2-day trip.
And train planning sites give 100 minutes from Gare de Lyon to Gare du Nord for the Eurostar and that is probably not enough given the 90 minute minimum check in time for the Eurostar, so make that 160 minutes for safety sake.