We are participating in two consecutive Rick Steves' tours - Paris then London. Our Paris tour ends September 8, our London tour begins September 9. We had planned on taking the train from Paris Gare du Nord to London St. Pancreas but the trains will not be operating those days due to engineering repairs. Would anyone have personal experience with a tour guide/company that would take us from Paris to London with possibly making stops along the way and possibly overnight? Thank you.
Posted by
Folsom
2734 posts
No Eurostar? Bummer. I’m confused by your post-stops along the way, overnight? You only have one day. Take a cheap flight. There are multiple carriers. We have had good luck with EasyJet as long as you know their rules.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I see that those travel dates are not currently for sale on Eurostar, but have not seen confirmation that this is due to engineering work and whether it's really expected to last the two full days. If not, trains could open for sale later. Do you still have the news link?
Without the Eurostar, flying is the simplest option; see www.skyscanner.com and consider the closer-in London City Airport, but avoid the further-out Beauvais airport, which RyanAir calls "Paris."
http://www.seaviewferries.co.uk/ is a good place to see the ferry options from the coast of France but you'd need a train on each end.
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1864 posts
If you can figure out a way to get to Calais, it is fun to take the ferry and see the White Cliffs of Dover. When we did this, we had to take a cab from Dover ferryport to the Dover train station, but it was only about a mile so the fare was reasonable. It would be an ugly walk- use a cab.
I am sure flying is cheaper and/or more convenient, but seeing those cliffs was important for me.
Posted by
OP
houston
3 posts
Rick Steves Europe - thank you for your reply. I actually called the Eurostar offices and they are the ones that told me about the closure. I will definitely keep checking as things could change. I will check into the seaviewferries.co.uk and, if workable, a way other than train to get there. Thank you.
Cynthia - I agree with you - flying is cheaper and more convenient but seeing things I might not otherwise see is always the preferred option. Thank you.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14759 posts
I'd recommend you head directly for London on Sept 8 so you are in place for that tour the day before it starts.
I've done 8 RS tours and discovered early on that I wanted to arrive at least the night before. On every tour I've taken I think there have been people who arrived late or even missed the first full tour day (Day 2) due to transportation issues. On my 21 Day Best of Europe tour a couple missed the Welcome session and first dinner as they were flying from London to Amsterdam and there were severe delays on their London flight departure (can't remember if it was weather or what), so I'd not try to work in some other intermediate stop between Paris and London.
I've felt so bad reading the threads for people trying to get to the start of their tours in May in France and having to organize transport on a strike day. I have noted that most are trying to travel on the day the tour starts.
If Eurostar is not running that day then many will be booking flights so the earlier you do it the better your price is going to be.
Posted by
OP
houston
3 posts
Pam - good points. We would not like to be late or even miss the first get together with the tour. Thank you.
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1864 posts
Laura,
I believe P & O ferries are the only ferry crossing that takes foot passengers, if you are considering the traditional way of crossing the channel.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
I know what I would do.. and that is pay 84 us dollars for a eurostar trip to london on the evening of the 7th.. the last one leaves at 9:10 PM.. arriving in London at 10.40.
I know.. you dont want to give up that last hotel night.. however.. its nice to arrive in london a day before your tour starts , and flying really is a lot more hassle.. you have to commute to airport ( about an hour) , arriving an hour and a half at least before flight.. then the flight ( think it was about an hour.. but not sure) then when you arrive in London its the same deal.. commute into city, time and money again.. so flying will take longer than eurostar from door to door.. Eurostar it city center to city center.
Posted by
Florida
341 posts
EasyJet has a flight on Sept 8 at 1700 to Gatwick. Current price 77Euro with no hold luggage added. Next day an earlier flight is a little less expensive
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14759 posts
I see Pat's point about the Eurostar BUT I'd not want to miss the Farewell Dinner on the Best of Paris tour which would be the night of the 7th, right? You'd need to be at the train station an hour ahead of departure which would likely put you in the middle of the farewell dinner.
I DO like to take the Eurostar between these 2 cities but with the engineering works that's not going to be possible on either of the days you have available.