Windsor to St. Pancras by car

The transition to driving on the left is not that hard and people worry too much about it. Nevertheless, driving through central London to St Pancras would be a bit of a challange--even a lot of non-Londoner Brits wouldn't do it. The problem is the weight of traffic and need for frequent driving decisions means all those things you'd do almost instinctively driving on the right now need longer decision time because everything is coming from an unfamiliar angle. Add to that some big and busy roundabouts where lane discipline is important and I think it's too much stress. Leave driving to places outside the big cities.

Definitely don't drive in to St Pancras. I'm not sure you really need a car at all, certainly not to drive you just from Windsor to Heathrow. The Eurostar is a nice way to travel as a family of four but given the proximity of Windsor to Heathrow I would only opt for it if it says a good deal of money. This is a holiday week in the uk and you may find both train and flights more expensive. You wont get to appreciate any of what London has to offer just by taking the train in and out so come back another time and enjoy it properly!

Are you picking up the car prior to visiting the castle or after? If prior, what time and where will you park? You need to account for walking to and from the car and include those timings in your schedule.

The route from WIndsor to St. Pancras is relatively straight forward if you take the M4 route but as soon as you hit the A4/A320 that's when things can become problematic. I've crawled along this route on many occasions and traffic can be a nightmare. Central London is not the place to familiarise yourself with driving in the UK. It's not simply the volume of traffic but everything combined, narrow roads, poor signage, buses pulling out into your path as well as cyclists, moped riders et al, endless traffic lights and pedestrian crossings coupled with so many people who walk out into the road without looking. Dealing with all this requires your complete attention, trying to do this whilst attempting to navigate is very difficult and frustrating.

I think the timings are fine, certainly doable on a Thursday however it won't be stress free!

You will be in Europe, so everything, good or bad will be a European experience!

I worked in London for years and there is no way that I would consider driving in central London these days - far too much aggressive traffic that will not let you out plus the hassle of the congestion charge.

If you are west of London, in Windsor, I would look to return the car to Heathrow and fly, which would be the least stressful of your options and will probably take less time as the tube to St Pancras, an hour for security then the Eurostar. Buy air tickets asap as prices only head in one direction.

There's a video on Youtube of someone who has just filled up their car at a petrol station and is returning the hire car to Sixt at St Pancras, don't know what time of day this is (maybe early morning) but traffic looks very light. it will give you an idea of what you're letting yourself in for!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11Tomc2evqo

I don't see any mention of the "congestion charge" for driving in London.

Congestion charge won't apply on the corridor road of Euston Road (A40) but Greg must not venture off it or he must pay the Charge by midnight the next day or substantial fines will accrue.

Greg, I think your timing is tight. NO WAY I WOULD DRIVE THIS. Too much stress and too much risk.

According to the Eurostar timetable here: https://content-static.eurostar.com/documents/UK_timetable.pdf there is no "2:30 train", the nearest is 14:22, arriving 17:47 (just within your limit, you have to allow for the 1 hour time difference).
For Eurostar you MUST be through the ticket barrier 30 minutes before, 45 recommended, say 13:35. But you need to allow for walking through the station to get to the ticket barrier (following signs, not taking any wrong turnings), ~10 minutes.

How long does it take to return a hire car? 30 minutes minimum, possibly more. So if arriving by car you need to be at St Pancras before 13:00. Drive from Windsor: 1 hour in the early hours of the morning, Could be 2 hours plus midday. Leave Windsor ~11:00. This does not give you much time to visit the castle.

My suggestion: Drop the car off in Windsor before visiting the castle, or the night before if you are staying the night in Windsor. Then take the train Windsor - Paddington - (tube) St Pancras. According to http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ Depart Windsor & Eton Central 11:59, arrive London St Pancras International 12:58.

That youtube must have been very early in the morning, possibly a Sunday or Saturday.

I've never seen such light traffic there.

All,

Thanks for your insight. We're now swaying towards just getting on the plane in Heathrow. Would love to do Eurostar, but it's more important not to infringe on "Castle Time" at Windsor and get to Paris early enough for the Orsay (open late on Thursdays). Thanks again,

Greg, when you calculate your time flying from Heathrow to Paris, be sure to allow for:

• Handing in the car, getting from the car hire office to the terminal (Shuttle bus?)
• Minimum check-in time.
• Flight (~1 hour)
• De-planeing, walking through terminal, immigration (10-50 minutes) at the Paris airport.
• Getting a train (or taxi) into Paris
• 1 hour time difference

By the time you add all that up, you may find flying is not any faster than taking the Eurostar.
Either way, taking in a major sight like Windsor castle, AND a major sight in Paris on the same day may not be possible.

As others have said, forget driving to St Pancras.

Personally, while it seems out of the way, the Eurostar might actually be easier than flying. As Chris pointed out times comparing the two there is one of thing that might be more helpful.

If you fly, upon arriving in Paris you will have to wait to go through immigration then take some sort of transport in Paris itself. With Eurostar, immigration is taken care of in London and you end the journey in the heart of the city. You just get off the train and go on with your day. Additionally, the train is more comfortable and you will get to see some English and French countryside. With a plane, you will see clouds.

The tube from Heathrow to St Pancras (Kings Cross) is easy and since you are getting on at the begnning of the journey you should get seats. If this is too much, you could pay more and take the Heathrow Express into London and then hop a cab to St Pancras. I estimate that will cost about $100 more for the entire family than taking the tube