Is it necessary or recommended to reserve or purchase tickets from London to Paris via the Chunnel? If so what is the recommended method for doing this.
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
805 posts
Eurostar. Rail Europe is a travel agent that tacks on an extra fee in most cases.
Posted by
Ardmore, PA, US
225 posts
You may also want to check the cost difference between logging on as a US citizen versus a UK or French citizen. The cost in GBP or Euros including the exchange may be less than for the same trip when paying in dollars.
Posted by
OP
Long Beach, CA, USA
6 posts
Thanks again for the information. I am all booked and ready.
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
805 posts
You have to purchase them ahead of time. All trains are reserved and can frequently sell out during the busier months of the year. Purchase them at Eurostar's website.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
The earlier you book the lower the price. You can also telephone; the UK number is on the website, and you then pick up the tickets at St. Pancras Station. BTW, some people get their knickers in a knot over the word "chunnel", so use "Eurostar". Anyway, chunnel has an ugly sound to it.
Posted by
OP
Long Beach, CA, USA
6 posts
Thanks for the info I will do.
Posted by
OP
Long Beach, CA, USA
6 posts
One more question. Which of the websites below should I use.
Posted by
OP
Long Beach, CA, USA
6 posts
Thanks again for the information. I am all booked and ready.
Posted by
Salt Lake City
4 posts
I have a question on this same subject. I am planning on taking the Eurostar from Paris to London and am about to make my reservation. However, I notice that slightly discounted tickets are available to Railpass holders. My question is if you buy a ticket using the Railpass discount do you then have to use one of your Railpass days to travel on the Eurostar? Thanks.
Ivan
Posted by
Ardmore, PA, US
225 posts
The Eurostar travel doesn't count as a travel day, but the pass must be valid on the day you use the Eurostar.
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
I buy my passes thru the Rick Steves website; see "Railpasses" above. There is a charge for sending you the hardcopy of the tix, but if you order more than one pass it all comes at the same time for the same fee. And along with your tix you get a coupon for a discount on RS products plus a few other extras. Service is fast, efficient, and accurate in my experience. BTW, the earlier you buy your "chunnel" tix, the better the price. If you know your dates, buy as soon as possible.
Posted by
London, UK
286 posts
Simply saying Eurostar is the way to go. I've never heard the word 'chunnel' from a Brit.
They say 'tunnel' when referring to the passenger car train through the channel.
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL, USA
264 posts
"Chunnel" is simply the AMERICAN abbreviation for Channel Tunnel. (It's common usage here, and elsewhere)
From wikipedia.com......
The Channel Tunnel (French: Le tunnel sous la Manche), also known as CHUNNEL or EUROTUNNEL, is a 50.5-kilometre (31.4 mi) undersea rail tunnel linking the United Kingdom and France, running beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover, connecting Folkestone, Kent in England to Coquelles near Calais in northern France.
Isn't it wonderful!!!!!!!!!! HA!
Posted by
Manchester
495 posts
I wouldn't say "Chunnel" is originally American - the name was pushed heavily in the UK when it was still being built. I did many a school report on the "Chunnel." It's just a silly sounding name, so it never really caught on.
The only "problem" you may have using that name in the UK is that anyone in their mid-20s or younger might never have heard the term and so not know what you are asking!