Hello, We are planning a trip and will be leaving from Mons Belgium. What is the best way to get from Mons to Calais. I want to take the ferry over and see the Dover Cliffs. Then on to London for a couple of days. We will be there for three nights. Any recommendations for hotels that are near the highlights? Is the London Pass worth the investment? Our departure airport is Luton. What's the best way to get there?
Posted by
San Francisco
15098 posts
Hi, Are you driving from Mons to Calais? If so, see the British military monument in Mons. I am sure the Tourist Office can direct you, that is, if you're interested in the history of the place.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34152 posts
take the First Capital Connect train from Kings Cross Thameslink or various other stations to Luton Airport. If your ticket only says Luton Airport Parkway, the name of the train station you alight at, you will have to buy a bus ticket for the shuttle which takes actually into the airport. If it says Luton Airport it includes the bus. Unlikely London is a very large city and the "highlights" are well spread out. I suggest you consult a good guidebook to London, the sponsor of this site has a very good one, and look at which "highlights" you will be able to see in 2 days - a very short time - think of trying to see all the highlights of Roma in 2 days - and which suggested hotel would best fit your needs. There are many to choose from in the book, in different areas, at different orice points, at different levels of amenities. Mons to Calais will be difficult by train. I can't look at the moment but I am sure it is either Mons-Brussels-Paris-Calais Ville or Mons-Lille-Calais Ville.
Posted by
OP
Santa Maria di Licodia, Sicily, Italy
2 posts
Thanks for the advice. I think the Mons to Calais may be difficult but if we are creative we can figure something out. Otherwise we will head straight to London and do the other at a later date. I appreciate your help.
Posted by
near Ringwood, Hampshire, UK
521 posts
I've been struggling with Mons to Calais for a while this morning. It looks like Mons to Lille Flandres on a Belgian InterCity train, takes an hour, should be about €20 but according to http://www.b-europe.co.uk/Travel/Trains/InterCity-EuroCity it isn't possible to book on line. Direct trains appear to run every couple of hours, or every hour with a change at Tournai. Lille Flandres to Calais Ville is an SNCF TER regional train, €18, runs every 2 hours and takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. Use the journey planner on tgv-europe (which I see has recently changed to http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ ) or Capitaine Train if you have basic French.