I'm going on a cruise next summer out of Dover, then want to take Eurostar to Paris afterwards. I've found on Eurostars website that you can go out of Ashford to Paris and not have to return all the way back to London to catch the Eurostar. But when I try to price point to point tickets from Dover to Ashford it doesn't work says there's an error. I was able to price tickets London to Dover no problem. Britrail shows there's trains that go that route why can't I get a price. I just want to confirm that the train really goes from Dover to Ashford so I can connect up to the Eurostar. Help! Any suggestions on how to get this info?
Posted by
Freedonia
16075 posts
In Europe, the rail companies only publish their schedules about 2-3 months in advance. So, you won't see anything for next summer. Your best bet is to put in the schedule for this summer to get an idea.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
According to the Journey Planner at www.nationalrail.co.uk, the first train from Dover Priory (DVP) to Ashford International (AFK) departs at 07:32 and arrives at 08:03. There is hourly service throughout the day with all trains departing at 32 minutes past the hour. The fare is 8.60 GBP.
Posted by
OP
Fort Collins
2 posts
I did put in this summers schedule to get an idea and it wouldn't give me any info.
Thanks Tim I used that website but couldn't get a price only the times. Maybe because mine is set to U.S. dollars but that shouldn't matter.
Guess I"ll wait till it gets closer to plan out the train aspect just wanted to know if it went that way so I could plan accordingly.
Posted by
Tempe, AZ, USA
1266 posts
Julie - Doing what Frank II recommended, looks like about a 30 minute train ride from Dover to Ashford International.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
You're welcome, Julie.
Are you aware that most Eurostar trains do not stop at Ashford? Your only choices for Ashford-Paris depart at 07:25 (but not on Sundays), 10:55, and 16:55.
You might be better off taking a ferry from Dover to Calais and regular trains (regional and/or TGVs) from Calais to Paris. You'll have a lot more choices for departure times. See the timetables at www.bahn.de. Click on the drop-down flag menu for English. After you get summary timetables for Calais-Paris, click on the arrow to the left of each departure time to see the connecting points.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
619 posts
The line between Dover and Folkestone, which then goes on to Ashford International, is closed for most of August. It runs in tunnel in places, and improvements are being made to accommodate new trains which will be introduced in December. At the same time, the whole timetable will be recast, so any times you may see now will be different next year.
The new trains will be much faster, and will use the same lines as the Eurostar to travel between Ashford International and St Pancras.
Although the times will be different, the current one-way fare of £8.60 between Dover and Ashford will probably be little different.
There are currently two trains per hour between Dover and Ashford for most of the day, but early morning trains may be more frequent.
You can find out more about the new services at www.southeasternrailway.co.uk.