We are spending one night in Lille France on our way via train to London. Is it necessary to buy train tix ahead of time from Lille to London or is it easy to buy at train station? Thanks.
Posted by
Penzance
168 posts
You will pay much more if you buy walk up fares.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
7158 posts
You will need to take the Eurostar. There will probably be availability on the day, but you will certainly pay a high premium for doing that. Buying in advance can result in significant savings. Go to their website and look at the price of tickets for tomorrow's trains. Now check the price for trains on the same day of the week 3 or 4 months from now. See the difference?
And dont forget that you will need to have an ETA for entry into the UK
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8680 posts
These dynamically priced tickets are calculated like airfares. So you can also save money by not traveling on trains most popular with business-people. Don't forget to allow about 90 minutes (NON-negotiable) early arrival (i.e. with tickets in hand) for customs and immigration before any Eurostar product involving England, in either direction.
Lille is a nice visit. Note it has two, almost adjacent, big train stations.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
11434 posts
When we did this we bought our tickets well in advance for the best price.
Posted by
Somerset, UK
43 posts
At the moment walk up fares are £205, fares in advance start at £38
Posted by
Wengen
3798 posts
You need to book in advance. However one advantage of Lille Europe is that you do not need to be there 90 minutes in advance. The number of people boarding there is much less than in Paris, so the queues are shorter and move faster. 40 minutes is thus enough.
Posted by
London, England
363 posts
As others have said, remember to go to Lille Europe station, which is for Eurostar and other high-speed trains, and not the slightly more central Lille Flandres station, which is for local trains and a few high-speed services between Paris and Lille only.
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
36624 posts
Eurostar are showing 60 minutes (30 Eurostar Premier) for journeys Lille to London. You'll have security, French/Schengen exit border control then UK Border Force then a wait and then the walk to the train.
If you cut it too fine you won't travel.
WengenK is allergic to what they see as long connections and militant against Eurostar procedures. Some tourists may not want to risk cutting it so close.
Posted by
OP
42 posts
Thank you to everyone who answered my query!! I will make those reservations tonight!!!!
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
13416 posts
Do not forget to get your UK ETA..
Check your ticket for the recommended arrival time at the station.
https://www.eurostar.com/us-en/travel-info/your-trip/check-in