Expert: Alun Hill MCIJ - 3/31/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello! I am traveling around Europe next month.. we have already bought our Eurail passes and I believe that there is a discount when using Eurail with Eurostar (since the UK is not included in the Eurail ticket), I was wonder if you knew what that discount would be for May and if it's best to get Eurostar tickets while in the US or once we are overseas... oh and if I could get them in another country (since I will be arriving in Madrid and then heading to Paris and then to London)?
Oh and also when leaving London do you going to Amsterdam from London to Lillie or from London to Brussels is most cost effective?
Thank you!

ANSWER: Hi - you need what's called a "Passholder" ticket which is Euros 75 single, Euros 150 return (round trip), whatever month you travel.

Oddly, Eurostar fares are the same to Lille or Brussels (or Paris for that matter!), so this is the amount you will pay - and changing at Brussels is best - I did it myself only last Wednesday!

You cannot buy the ticket in advance, but unless you're travelling on a Friday afternoon / evening or early on a Monday morning, you'll not have a problem getting a seat and ticket (there's no standing on Eurostar!), so just buy the ticket when you get to Paris Gare Du Nord ("Paris North Station").

A couple of points, which you may know - do keep a careful watch on your belongings in Madrid (sadly), but don't let that spoil your visit to a lovely city, please.

And when you arrive in London (having travelled at 186 mph all the way from Paris to the Tunnel, slowed to "only" 98 mph through the tunnel and then back to 186mph all the way to London (phew!), do take a moment to look around the railway cathedral that is London St Pancras station.

It was nearly pulled down a few years ago, but has been lovingly, no expense spared, restored just a few weeks ago - and is glorious!

And do get an Oystercard as soon as you arrive in London - it greatly reduces travel costs here!

Ooh, and if you need help on a hotel - or anything else, just ask me please, won't you!

Have a lovely time - Eurail is great fun and great value!

Alun Hill MCIJ
http://www.IndependentTravelWriter.com



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well since you offered.. i think that we are only spending about 2 days in London and would like to go to Stonehendge, I was looking at the special site visit thing.. lol! and was wondering if it's worth the 30 extra euros on a tour, compared to the normal standing behind a fence thing.. (oh and you wouldn't know anything about traveling in greece, would you?)

Answer
Happy to help!

Stonehenge is odd ... when you get there, most people find it a little disappointing, to be honest. It's in a field beside a very busy road, and you don't really get that close.

The "fence" is a rope, once you're inside, but you really don't get the scale of the stones form the road.

I've taken visitors many times, and they've been glad they've seen it, but have wondered if they could have spent their time better elsewhere!

That said, I think it's very impressive - especially when you wonder about the logistics of it!

(Incidentally, Stonehenge is very much in the new today, as some new excavation work is starting - see the BBC site at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7322753.stm)

So, DO go by all means - and do definitely take the tour bus - it's much more fun and you'll learn a lot more - but take the tour which includes Bath - a real hidden gem of an English city, and one I promise you'll enjoy - it's lovely! http://visitbath.co.uk/

If you're looking for a good but cheap hotel in London, try base2stay (http://www.base2stay.com) - check the reviews page - it's where I always stay, but book early as there's only 67 rooms - and they're the best value in London. (It's on The Piccadilly line of the London Underground from Eurostar at St Pancras).

Strangely, I've never been to Greece, but was offered a Press trip to Athens earlier today, so can't help you there (yet!).

Does this help, please - and do ask more - you're very welcome!

Alun Hill MCIJ
http://www.IndependentTravelWriter.com