Will be taking it mid-September (London to Paris) and have heard elsewhere that security and/or border checks take an hour or more. Have also heard that it's mostly France and Britain trying to piss each other off, which seems to be working.
So, any recent experience?
Merci
Stop listening. France and Britain have been sniping at each other for centuries and still managed to fight world wars on the same side. St-Pancras was very busy on a Sunday a month ago but the staff expedited the lines and held the train 10 minutes or so to let all aboard. Such stuff happens on the rail systems on both sides of the channel and has nothing to do with politics.
For that, wait for the next Eurcup soccer championship, next year, and ignore the Brexit war of words.
Um, no. You do need to be there at least an hour early. But that's because everyone needs to clear thru security (very like airport security) plus UK exit Passport Control and France entry Passport Control. It's been that way for years. It's got nothing to do with pissing anybody off.
there were occasions 6 months ago where it was taking longer - but that was industrial action bu French customs, not anything political.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” Mark Twain
Couldn’t resist the quote in response to the France Britain comment.
Have a great trip.
I travelled by Eurostar from Paris to London in June, arrived almost an hour before departure, and barely got on the train in time despite being a fairly-seasoned traveller - they were trying to get people on earlier trains through the formalities faster and I think I got lost in the shuffle somehow. Seemed to be a mixture of large numbers of people travelling and insufficient number of French security check and emigration staff on duty.
We've done London to Paris (two years ago) and Paris to London (in May).
I suggest getting to St. Pancros at least an hour and a half early. Be aware that they don't let you into the platform area and through customs more than an hour or so departure. The station is well worth the visit.
How much luggage will you be taking? Where will you be staying in Paris? The hardest part of the London to Paris trip is getting a taxi. Gare du Nord is in the heart of the city and there's little room for taxis. You and everyone else on the train will be trying to get one. They can only allow two or three taxis at a time at the taxi station. It took us 45 minutes in the queue. Plan accordingly. If you don't have much luggage and are familiar with the Metro (or just adventurous), you can use it to get to your location.
