My husband and I will be visiting the Christmas markets in Colmar and then plan on going to London. I originally thought about taking the Eurostar from Paris to London, but now I am wondering if it would be easier to fly from Basel or Strasbourg to London?
If I do choose to fly, are there any airline recommendations for this short flight? Also, which airport in London should I fly into? Our London hotel is located near the British Museum.
Thank you very much for your help!
There are no direct flights between London and Strasbourg, but EasyJet flies between Gatwick and Basel and if you are flying before 18 December, flights are very cheap. EasyJet have no weight restrictions on hand luggage.
All the London airports will involve taking the Underground or a train into the city centre. BA fly Basel - Heathrow but I prefer EasyJet and Gatwick.
Taking the train to Paris then the Eurostar will take much longer and cost significantly more.
Christine, You can do it by train, I've done it. It takes a whole day and unless you book very early will be more expensive.
Strasbourg airports has no flights to the UK. Basel has multiple options, and with the competition is relatively cheap:
I would choose Easyjet, and just pick the most convenient flight for time of day and cost. Not much difference in the transport to London between Luton and Gatwick. It is the same train that goes Luton - central London - Gatwick.
Thank you, @Jennifer and @Chris F for your suggestions.
I checked on Easy Jet from Basel -> Gatwick and there is a flight that leaves Basel at 16:55 and arrives in Gatwick at 17:30 for the standard ticket of CHF 41.70. Looks like I could take a .46 min. train from Colmar to Basel SBB and then a shuttle bus to BSL. (Once I arrive at Gatwick, I will need to figure out the easiest transportation from airport to my hotel. Any suggestions?)
Another option is the Man in Seat 61 recommends: Strasbourg ► London (via Lille) This option involves taking the TGV from Strasbourg leaving at 14:59 and arriving in Lille at 17:57. Then catching the Eurostar in Lille at 18:35 and arriving in London St Pancras at 19:13. I can then walk from the St. Pancras station to my hotel. If I buy this ticket now the price is $65usd.
Any recommendations on those two options or any other ideas?
The bus from Basel station to the airport and then the train from Gatwick to St Pancras will probably make the flight route more expensive overall.
Good point, @Philip, about the flight ending up costing more money once I add on the other transportation. I agree with you.
Now that I know that there isn't any real savings and it seems like the overall travel time is not a huge difference, I wondering which option is easiest?
I have a bias against flights, but the rail route Colmar-Strasbourg-Lille-London will involve only two changes, both of which are within the same station, whereas to fly via Basel-Gatwick will involve three which are a bit more complicated.
Note that there is an airport style check-in for the Eurostar at Lille, so make sure you have at least 45 and preferably 60 minutes between trains.
Philip, thanks for the info on trains. I delved into further research on Seat61. I have been toying with a similar trip/itinerary for years and was always in a quandary about the best way to travel. I also prefer train to plane.
Thank you, Philip, for your help.
Now, the only glitch is that there is a 38 min. change with the train option via Lille (TGV from Strasbourg leaving at 14:59 and arriving in Lille at 17:57. Then catching the Eurostar in Lille at 18:35 and arriving in London St Pancras at 19:13).
Is this layover too short for a Eurostar train even if we don't have to change stations? Seems like my only other train option is to go through Paris?
Or take the train via Strasbourg to Frankfurt and fly from there.
If Seat 61 recommends those trains you should have time to connect. Their webmaster is the expert.
Seat 61 does feature that particular connection. Elsewhere he mentions 40 minutes. I thought there were earlier trains to Lille as well. Ah, I see they all require at least one change.
Yes, Debbie, I read that same info on Seat 61 about the 40 min change time for Eurostar.
I agree, Phillip, that Seat 61 is an expert. Therefore, this morning, I emailed Seat 61 and he sent me back this message: It's a through booking, Eurostar will still check you in 15 min before departure if there's a delay, and rebook you if there's a longer delay.
I am going to book this ticket. Any recommendation on which booking site I should use for a through ticket? I was hoping to go directly through Eurostar, but the site doesn't seem to be taking the Strasbourg to London route.
