Best train Edinburgh to Paris

Daytime trains from Edinburgh to London are operated by East Coast trains. They arrive at King's Cross which is so close to St Pancras International that they are served by the same Underground station, King's Cross/St Pancras. The Eurostar is the only train that goes from London to Paris. There is a mandatory 30-minute check-in deadline, but it's wise to be at St Pancras International 60 minutes ahead of your departure time because of having to go through passport control and security. An hour and a half for your connection should work just fine. Book Edinburgh-London well in advance (up to 12 weeks) on the East Coast site to get the cheapest discount fare. Book London-Paris well in advance (up to 120 days) on the Eurostar site to get the cheapest discount fare. I just checked easyjet.com and found fares as low as £35.00 in June. If you decide to fly, book ASAP. The longer you wait, the higher the fare.

I'm assuming the arriving station for your Edinburgh train is Euston. If so it's only two blocks away from St Pancras where you catch the Chunnel train to Paris. So it's more than enough time to catch the Chunnel train. Have you checked with Easyjet.com? They have direct service from Edinburgh to CDG. In this case I would fly to Paris, instead of chunneling it. By booking in advance you should be able to get airfare at around $80.

It is not clear just how this jaunt will come together. I don't want to assume which method you will employ. There are three commonly used train routes from Edinburgh to London, and many less common. Using the overnight Caledonian Sleeper you would come into Euston, and you would arrive at Euston if you took the Virgin Train route down the West Coast Main Line. If you use the East Coast Main Line on East Coast trains you would arrive at Kings Cross which is only feet away from the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras, either over the road or using the tunnel. Booking any of those and then going to Eurostar and booking your super fast train to Paris is like buying a plane ticket to a city in Europe and then separately buying a connecting flight on a different airline. If everything goes well there will be no problem. But what if your inbound flight is late, or even diverted? Your ticket on the second airline will not be worth the paper it is printed on. Same thing with these trains. So if your train to London is late or diverted (it happens) unless you have full fare Eurostar tickets you will be faced with paying new full fare tickets for the trip to France. Or you will be forced to leave loads of time between the two trains "just in case". There is a way out ("whew", I hear you say). An easy one. Just as you would book both flights from one airline and they will get you there no matter what, you can book both train trips from the UK train company from Edinburgh. I haven't checked what specials Virgin are offering, but have a look at what East Coast are doing in terms of joint tickets. a bit more to follow ...

Through fares can be fairly reasonable. You didn't say when you were going, nor if you were going to return, but based on random dates of the 11th December out and 13th December back, for all of you it can be done for this table: Edinburgh to London Kings Cross Standard Non flexible 2 x Adult (@ £16.50) 1 x Child (5+) (@ £8.25) 1 x Youth (under 16) (@ £8.25) London St Pancras to Paris Nord Standard Non flexible 2 x Adult (@ £34.50) 1 x Child (@ £24.50) 1 x Youth (12-25 only) (@ £33.00) Paris Nord to London St Pancras Standard Non flexible 2 x Adult (@ £34.50) 1 x Child (@ £24.50) 1 x Youth (12-25 only) (@ £33.00) London Kings Cross to Edinburgh Standard Non flexible 2 x Adult (@ £29.20) 1 x Child (5+) (@ £14.60)
1 x Youth (under 16) (@ £14.60)

You can also book through tickets from Edinburgh to Paris with Eurostar. This should mean that if your train from Edinburgh is late that Eurostar will let you take the next train at no extra cost. That would be better than buying separate tickets with different companies.

Thank you for your assistance. I will add a few more details as this might help to narrow down my best options.
** We will be travelling one way from Edinburgh to Paris on Tuesday July 9, 2013. I have checked with EasyJet already, entered in all my criteria and figured out the total cost as $412.00 USD. (No Canadian dollar option, but close enough). I could not find from the site what your carry-on allowance was.(if there even is one?) We will be travelling only with backpacks (40-55 Litre) each roughly, so in case we have to check those bags in, I added that cost as well. Including the seat ion cost of $5.00 each. I don't care to have my girls on the other side of the plane with strangers. So, if we go with the train, and I book both legs of the journey, whether it is with East Coast or Eurostar, do they guarantee continuation of the journey if there is a delay with the first half into London and the second half is missed?? Anyone know for sure?? Should I call directly to double check?? This is my biggest concern. Do the prices change much season to season if you book far enough out?? Just to use as a comparison between flying and train travel? We have all our apartments booked for our trip, just trying to figure out all the travel logistics now! Whew! Thanks everyone, I really appreciate any and all help you can provide! Canada has virtually ONE long distance rail line, so I am new to this!

Tania, There are no airport-type restrictions on liquids (AFAIK), but they do have restrictions on "cutting implements" as I recall. Check this list on the EuroStar website: http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/travel_information/before_you_go/prohibited_items.jsp Cheers!

Tania, I'd highly recommend having a look at the excellent Man in Seat 61 website, as there's good information there on the options from Edinburgh to Paris via EuroStar. I travelled that route last year and as Keith mentioned, if you buy the "International" ticket you'll be covered if you miss your connection to the EuroStar. The trip from Edinburgh to London via East Coast Rail is very easy, with some interesting scenery. As the others have mentioned, it's an easy walk from Kings Cross to St. Pancras, and you'll enter the EuroStar Terminal through a shopping mall. I'd also recommend arriving at least 45-60 minutes prior to your EuroStar departure, as you'll have to go through airport-style security and also clear French Passport control. You'll wait on the lower floor and then move up to track level when your departure is announced. There are a few small food bars in the waiting area, or you can buy some sandwiches in the mall before you go through security (I bought a great Baguette at Pret e Manger). I'd have to check my trip notes, but as I recall it's possible to allow more "layover" time in London by choosing appropriate departure times of both the train from Edinburgh and the EuroStar (that's what I did). Happy travels!

Regarding your (and mine) concern, following the link in my above message you find: Extra reassurance Your through-ticket ensures you a place on the next available train, should you miss your outbound Eurostar service due to delays or cancellations to your East Coast train. The same applies to your return by East Coast services, if there are delays or cancellations to your Eurostar train. The trick is the use of the "through-ticket". 120 days out is the key. Using an example of 22 January, there is an 8:30 train from Edinburgh which using your family ages can be done for £193.50 through fare. 1H39 layover connection gives plenty of time and no worry about missing the Eurostar. Time to pick up lunch at any of the dozens of foot places in either Kings Cross or St Pancras. If you need help selekting what to do for lunch there, just ask. You'd be on the 14:31 arriving at Gare du Nord at 17:47.

Thank you very much Gentlemen! This is absolutley wonderful! I really appreciate all your reassurances. We will definatley be purchasing a through-fare ticket. I checked the East Coast line website and was not able to enter Paris as a final destination, therefore, I believe I will be booking through Eurostar. @Ken, Thanks for the food tips and as always wonderful advice Ken, it will be nice to grab a bite to eat and snacks before heading out on the second leg. Is there any liquids carry-on restrictions that you are aware of. Just off the top of your head? I can check the site as well. @Nigel, Thank you very much for all your help. Since we all have varying tastes when it comes to meals, I will definatley be in touch if you don't mind before we travel as to your offer of assistance. The extra checking for me is very much appreciated. You are wonderfully helpful! Once again, I thank you! You have helped alleviate a major concern for me. I have spent uncountable hours infront of this computer, planning out our trip to Europe! Very much appreciated!! Cheers!! Tania

Tania, to put in Paris on the East Coast website you need to not use the main page. Use the link I gave before, repeated here as http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/special-offers/standard-live-pages/european-travel/ and use the form just to the right of the Eifel Tower photo. London to Paris is the default, change London to Edinburgh, and put in the date you will travel. It will give back an error screen that tells you exactly which day the tickets for your journey will go on sale. Then click the calendar icon and put in a date which has been released, pop in the ages of the kiddos and poof up it will come.... I'm so glad we helped...

Tania:
Edingburgh to London is a long haul @ 400 miles. London to Paris is almost 300 miles. The fares on EasyJet.com are between 47-58 pounds each for your date. That's very reasonable as you'd get an extra day in Paris and not be so beat once you get there. The only downside is EasyJet's carry on luggage policies. They're very strict.

If your issue is timing, and your budget is not tight as a drum, might you consider taking the Edinburgh/London leg of the trip the day before and spend the night before in London.