To drive or not to drive in the UK

Ok, I'll bite, despite suspicions that this might be a prank.

A quick look on google maps shows that it is 212 miles/3 hours, 52 minutes from Liverpool to London. On a short trip to Paris, you want to leave, get to the airport, fly to Liverpool, find the car rental and learn to drive on the left side, drive 4 hours to London, go to a museum, and go back?

I know you've spent money on the plane tix, but you need to cancel that crazy ride. If you can't get your money back, cancel anyway. You will lose much more than money-you'll lose valuable time. If you are determined to go to the Tate Modern, go by Eurostar directly into London.

Wouldn't taking the train be cheaper, faster and easier?

Thanks for the feedback! I suppose it does sound a little quirky to try to do so much in a short period of time. I am not usually so impulsive but the Ryanair price was great! Is it cheaper to buy tickets in France for the Eurostar vs. what we pay online?

Thanks again for the insight...

Hi Wendy,
Ryanair also fly from Paris to Bournemouth UK, which is a lot closer to London (2 hours by rail) than Liverpool. If you're determined to make the journey, you could probably change your Ryanair tickets (for a fee).

But it's still a bit of a mad journey. Don't forget that Ryanair usually fly to airports that are often a fair distance from the city center.

And also driving times in the UK are often longer than you would estimate in the US (because roads are not always so direct and traffic congestion is a real problem).

Admire your spirit though!

To leave Paris for a whole day when you have such a short time there is something that needs reconsidering. The Tate Modern is interesting but not THAT interesting, really. Think about going to the modern art gallery at the Pompidou in Paris instead and save the Tate for another time.

As for Eurostar tickets, I think it is probably too late to get bargain tickets either on line or in France at this point.

Wendy - It is not my place to tell you how to spend your time and money. If you wanted to take a "day trip" from Paris to St. Petersburg because that would make you happy - by all means go for it!

I will just let you know that in many ways is the type of production you will be going for.

Remember your "quick jaunt" will include

1. Time/cost to get to airport in paris
2. Check in time / boarding time in paris
3. Any plane delays in paris
4. Flight time
5. Immigration
6. Getting to the rental car company
7. Paying for rental car
8. Paying for petrol in rental car
9. Time to drive 200+ Miles on unfamiliar roads
10. Finding parking at tube
11. Getting into london on the tube. Remember it is not 5 minutes on tube from the outskirts of the city
12. Paying for tube / paying for parking
13. Time to get over to the southbank
14. Time to walk from tube stop to Tate Modern
15. Return all the way back to paris (if quick jaunt is a roundtrip)

Have fun if the Tate Modern is something you have always wanted to do. But do remember that you will be giving up one of your 6 or 7 Paris days for this!

okay...perhaps living in the tri-state area has made me jaded on traveling from state to state....
This had the makings of an exciting adventure however; I don't want us to be overwhelmed by the process...So, it sounds like our options are:
1. cancel the trip
2. re-schedule with Ryanair with a different destination
3. Pay the going rate for EuroStar
4. Take the trip along with the bus,train,tube and continue to reflect on the meaning of family:-)

Am I missing any other options...Thanks everyone...

I suggest you take a look at a map, measure the miles between Liverpool and London and then change your plans.

Most experienced travelers will tell you that your trip just doesn't make sense. Paris to London is NOT a day trip.

Paris to London via the Eurostar certainly IS a doable day trip. It's less than a 3 hour journey. Rick's Paris guidebook has an entire chapter dedicated to doing this day trip efficiently.

or you could go to the Liverpool Tate and the other museums/art galleries in Liverpool? just a suggestion

Caroline, great idea !

Wendy - If the tickets were truly inexpensive and the goal was to see the Tate Modern I would look to just take the Eurostar. Especially if the we is 1 or 2 people. As Michael mentioned above that is a very doable day trip.

Wendy,

To add to the other comments, the idea to take a day trip from Paris to London via Liverpool is absurd, especially at this time of the year. You didn't say whether you've driven in the UK previously, but if this is your first time the conditions will probably not be "ideal" in the winter.

In my experience, it always seems to take longer to drive between locations in the UK than it does at home. The trip you're proposing is NOT a good idea for a "day trip".

I believe you have two choices:

a.) Cancel your RyanAir flights and chalk up the non-refundable fares to "experience". Spend your time and enjoy Paris. There's LOTS to see and many other Galleries you can visit. Save the Tate Modern for a future visit.

b.) Cancel your RyanAir flights and take the EuroStar to London, as that is achievable as a day trip. At this time of year, you'll probably be paying a "premium" price, so be sure your budget can handle that. Get reservations early, as it could be busy! As I recall, the ES uses St. Pancras station, so check out the Tube maps before you go so that you have a clear idea on the route.

Depending on how long you visit the Tate Modern, you might be able to fit in a visit to the Tower or other sites as well? I find that with the size and number of floors in the Tate, it takes quite a while to see everything. Be sure to check the Net or Rick's books for the opening / closing hours of the Tate (just to make sure they're not closed for the holidays or something).

Happy travels!

Hello Travelers, Thanks for the valuable feedback and....we are going to take the trip to London via a combination of the plane, bus (Mega) and trains. Your feedback on the driving option was an eye opener for this assertive Mom hence we are not driving:-). The trip is going to be both busy and memorable....

Happy holidays!

Wendy