My sister and I are booked on a river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel March 29-April 5, 2026 (Easter Sunday). Our plan is to arrive In Amsterdam several days before sailing. I realize it is more time and cost effective to book direct air flights, but taking the Eurostar through the tunnel is one of her long-held travel goals. She's more adventurous than I am, and I've had some wonderful travel experiences as a result, so I just sort of roll with it.
I'm seeking advice on two aspects of this trip. First, which direction do you advise we take the Eurostar: From London Heathrow Airport to Amsterdam (our current preference) or from Basel to London Heathrow? I want to minimize the number of transfers and the effort spent moving luggage. I wouldn't say money is no object, but age (78) and health circumstances dictate that I can't do all the things I used to be able to do for myself when I travel. I want to be prudent, not frugal.
Second, please provide advice about transferring between London Heathrow or Basel docks to the Eurostar train station. We are not taking the cruises flights, so we are on our own to get from our Amsterdam hotel to the cruise port, which won't be known until closer to the embarkation date. In Basil, the cruise line will provide transport to the airport, but not the train station. An added wrinkle, we're flying out of two different airports (east coast/west coast), so we'll try to arrange similar arrival/departure flight times, but need to allow time for delays.
My research suggests that in England the reasonable choices between Heathrow and the Eurostar include:
1. A taxi, more direct and more expensive (~$90 US).
2. Public train/bus transport, more transfers, potential issues with luggage, least expensive.
3. The Eurostar Express, less expensive than 1 and more expensive, with fewer transfers and fewer potential luggage issues than 2.
In Basel, it seems a taxi between the dock and the train station would be preferable to public transit, if we decide on Eurostar from Basel to Heathrow.
We're open to any other ideas or advice on this trip. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
6600 posts
I hope your sister finds that the hassle of transfers, plus the cost of time and money just to ride the Eurostar is worth it. The Eurostar trains are really no different than any other high speed train in Europe, except for the few minutes when you are in the tunnel under the Channel. And you can't take the Eurostar from Heathrow. You have to get to St Pancras station in London first. Nor can you take the Eurostar to Heathrow from Basel. You would need to take one of the high speed trains to Paris, then transfer to the Eurostar to London. Then get from London to Heathrow.
Of the 2, going from London to Amsterdam will be easier and direct. Are you really sure you want to do that on your arrival day, especially since it appears that you will be arriving on separate flights? What happens if one or both of you are delayed long enough to miss the train? You need to allow at least 4 hours from your later planned arrival time before the departure of the Eurostar. I'd give serious consideration to staying in London overnight at a hotel near St Pancras, and leaving early the next morning.
If you can find a taxi that will get you to St Pancras from Heathrow for $90, then more power to you. However if either of you are unable to handle your own luggage, then that is what you will need. Or a car service. If you can manage your luggage, the Picadilly Underground line goes all the way to Kings Cross, which is attached to St Pancras station. It starts at Heathrow, so getting a seat should be no problem,. I've no idea what the Eurostar Express is. Did you mean the Heathrow Express? It would require a transfer at Paddington station to an underground line to get to Kings Cross.
I would also hope that you wouldn't be needlessly returning to London to fly home if you have already taken the train to Amsterdam. It would be easier, faster, and cheaper if you book multicity flight tickets into London and home from Switzerland .
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1388 posts
Are you flying into AND out of London or into OR out of London? Because Eurostar only goes to Amsterdam from London. From Basel, you would need to take a train to Gare de Lyon in Paris, then transfer to Gare du Nord for the Eurostar. So flying into London makes the most sense. Since the cruise company will take you to the airport from Basel, then I guess fly to London, then home?
I couldn't find anything about the Eurostar Express, which I assume is a bus? I'll leave it to the London experts to recommend a way to get to St. Pancras from Heathrow, but it sounds like you'd be a lot more comfortable with a taxi.
Make sure you have sufficient time between your arrival in London and your Eurostar departure (honestly, overnight would be my recommendation) to allow for flight delays, traffic getting from the airport and the 90-minute check-in time for Eurostar.
I appreciate that folks want to take a whole lot of luggage on a cruise (I was once asked if I was moving to Europe because my bag was so big!), but you will have to schlep your luggage onto and off of the train, so it's best to make it manageable.
Posted by
Paris
11003 posts
I think by 3. Eurostar Exoress, the OP really means Heathrow Express.
They are talking, I think, about the difference between taking the Picadilly Line in from the airport or taking the Heathrow Exress.
Posted by
Reston VA
477 posts
My sister and I are booked on a river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel March 29-April 5, 2026 (Easter Sunday). Our plan is to arrive In Amsterdam several days before sailing. I realize it is more time and cost effective to book direct air flights, but taking the Eurostar through the tunnel is one of her long-held travel goals. She's more adventurous than I am, and I've had some wonderful travel experiences as a result, so I just sort of roll with it.
I think this sounds like a real adventure, and it is great you two can share it. I tend to travel to see and do new things, so even when it seems "weird" to others, a twist on normal (easy) travel makes sense to me. I wouldn't do this sort of thing every time, but if she's been wanting to make the train trip, this seems like a reasonable time for her (and you) to do it.
I'd encourage, regardless, a good review (and maybe 2nd review) of both of your luggage amounts. It makes no sense to tote around more than you need regardless of your age or health circumstances. Packing light(er) is the way to go on this trip.
Enjoy the adventures.
Posted by
Lake District, England
10503 posts
By the Eurostar Express in London, I assume you mean the Heathrow Express. You could do an Option 3a - Heathrow Express to Paddington, then taxi forward to St Pancras.
But yes, the better option would be to go to St Pancras on arrival day, stay in a reasonably priced hotel at St Pancras then a morning Eurostar to Amsterdam next day.
Being prudent but not frugal you can actually buy an Advance Ticket for Heathrow Express next March for £10 each. It allows you to use any HE train that day.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you all so much for the useful advice.
Yes, I did mean the Heathrow Express. Sorry for the confusion. And I agree, staying overnight prior to the train trip is a good idea, as well as taking the Express + a cab.
Point of clarification: I got the estimate on a taxi ride this morning from taxis.booking.com that is supposed to be fixed price. Is there a reason to be doubtful about that site?
I appreciate the time and effort each of you spent responding to my questions. Thank you.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Forgot to add, yes we are only planning to take the train in one direction, probably London to Amsterdam. Our flights home will either originate in Basel or Zurich (depending on schedules) and everything I've looked at so far requires a change of planes at Heathrow. But that won't require any connecting transport. Time to do some more searching. Thanks again.
Posted by
Lake District, England
10503 posts
I don't know which state you are from but Zurich has flights on AA to Philadelphia, Delta to JFK and Swiss to Chicago, LAX, Dulles, SFO and JFK.
Aer Lingus, changing at Dublin is another option, there will be others.
$90 feels a little bit cheap for a taxi from Heathrow to Central London, if it's an actual black cab. That's about £70. It may be a minicab. Can't immediately find the website.
If you want to splurge maybe an established private car service might be better, it will probably cost more but I just see a bit of an uneasy feeling with that quote.
I was looking at Basel to London by train. For a decent travel time it has to be via Paris, with the attendant inter station transfer.
If you can fly back not London on an open jaw ticket you will avoid the high UK departure taxes, so may get a better fare.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
We may well end up with 2 different departing cities; doable because the cruise line will take us to either Basel or Zurich. My sister goes to Boston; I go to Ontario, California, which has very few direct flights from anywhere. I like to avoid Dallas Fort Worth, New York, LAX and Atlanta. Leaning toward flights that fly NS from England to Phoenix. Not ready to book flights yet, just exploring possible itineraries.
I'll keep looking. Thanks for your ideas.