Avoiding running around Europe...literally

Crisi, I very much doubt that two hours would be enough time to get from LHR to St. Pancras to connect with the EuroStar. Keep in mind that you MUST check-in at least 30-minutes prior to departure, and you'll also need time to go through airport-style security and clear French Passport control. It may be feasible, but not something I'd ever try. A U.S. Passport is all you'll need in terms of documentation. It will be stamped at your first point of entry. I assume you're not planning on staying longer than 90 days? Happy travels!

I wouldn't risk a 2 hour window since we've stood in line at passport control at Heathrow for nearly that long. Whenever we do as you've stated, we always allow at least 4 hours, sometimes more. Last spring we came from Istanbul on an unfamiliar carrier so we allowed 5 hours and used nearly all of that time due to weather and passport control. We purchase the cheapest tickets at 120 days prior to our travel date so missing our Eurostar time slot means a couple hundred pounds to get on the Eurostar when buying tickets the date of travel. St Pancras station is quite comfortable with many amenities so spending a couple hours waiting is not at all stressful. Unless you have a fixed appointment in Paris, give yourself at least 4-5 hours, just in case.

You do mean 2 hours after you get on the Underground, right? You have already landed, reclaimed your baggage, visited the Border Agency and had your passport scrutinized, been granted entry, and made it through Customs and avoided the temptations of Duty Free as you go next to their shop. You've located the Underground, bought your ticket or charged your Oyster and you are now on the platform just about to jump onto the train which has just arrived? The Underground, if all goes well and there are no delays, takes just about one hour. It may take you 15 minutes to get up to street level at Kings Cross St Pancras, then into St Pancras, and find the Eurostar check in queue. You MUST check in a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure or you will not be permitted to travel on that service and if your ticket is non-changeable it will be worthless, and you will be buying full-price tickets for the next service that has space for you, if any. Waiting in the queue to check in is not a valid excuse. If your ticket is not through the machine before the cut-off that's bad news. So, if all the above is in order and nobody is in the check in queue you might just make it. What will you do if your plane is late?

The title of your thread is Avoiding running around Europe...literally. Isn't that exactly what you are doing? Arriving at an airport dashing into the city before drawing breath and disappearing into another transportation method to take a train to another country? If that's not running around Europe...literally, what is?

1. Why are you flying into Heathrow when you want to go to Paris? Fly to DeGaulle. 2. Are you asking if 2 hrs is enough because you want to buy train tickets for a specific time - 2 hrs after scheduled arrival in London? What are the chances that the trans-Atlantic flight will be 1 hr late, giving you only 1 hr, not enough time, to get to St. Pancras? Seems like a better idea to spend some days in London and then go to Paris when you know you can make the train time.

I'm afraid this won't work at all. One can usually count on one hour from the time the plane lands before one has actually deplaned, cleared immigration, collected baggage, and walked out the front door off the airport. That does not come close (even if the plan arrives on time) to giving you the time to find the transport to St Pancras, make the voyage, find your way in the station, and check in and go through immigration again, all with at least 30 minutes remaining before train departure time. Unless you have a Star Trek-type teleporter, this isn't feasible.

A few times I have landed at LHR at 7am, and arrived at KingsCross/St Pancras about 9 am via the Tube. It can take longer. I never take the Eurostar to Paris the same day but stay at a hotel in the St Pancras area overnight. Sometimes passport control at LHR takes a long time, and other delays can occur. So, I would allow at least 4 hours from the time the plane lands until taking a Eurostar train. As mentioned, you must check in at St Pancras at least 30 min in advance of the train's scheduled departure. The Tube (Underground) will get you to KingsCross/St Pancras in about an hour once you board. There may be a long walk to arrive at the Tube station at LHR, depending on which terminal you're using. At the KingsCross station it is a short walk to the St Pancras station and the entrance to the Eurostar part of the station. There is a shopping mall within that station, so you may buy breakfast or some food for the train. There is also a Boots for toiletries,etc and a M&S. Once you are within the security-controlled Eurostar area, there are a couple of places to buy snacks and other things. There is a desk where they sell tickets for the Paris Metro. With Metro tickets in your pocket, you will be ready to go straight to the Metro at Gare du Nord (down the escalator in the station).

I think the key word here is risk. You may be able to make it, if everything goes just right. The risk, however, is a worthless prepurchased ticket plus the cost of a full-price ticket to Paris. I'd give yourself more time and risk wasting a couple of hours during which you may have been able to keep moving. If it were me, I'd plan a few days in London before making the leg to Paris. Your passport (plus a credit card and ATM card for cash) is all you need for normal tourist trips. To work or stay longer than the visa-free period, you need to apply for a visa ahead of time.

thanks to all for the replies. Good information to know before booking my train ticket! happy trails!
-crisi