Britain/United Kingdom/England/Travel options London to Paris

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Expert: - 5/22/2011


Question
In Sept. our family group of 4 adults plan to fly to London for 4 or 5 days touring and then onto Paris. I checked out the Eurostar train which seems to be quite expensive for a 2 1/2 hour trip and I am wondering if you might have info re other travel options, ie.other trains, buses,etc.

Answer
Hi - thank you for your question.

There are no other trains between the 2 countries, as the Eurostar runs at high speed (200mph) through a tunnel between the UK and France.

The single fare can be as low as £39 - I can see many tickets at this price for Monday 5th September, for example, so I wonder if you saw these fares or were perhaps looking at Business class options - which start at approx £260.

Please see http://www.Eurostar.com
It may be that you have spoken with a local travel agent, of course, and they have quoted a higher fare - for higher commission!

There is a coach service, but this takes almost a full day - 8am to 4.30pm, for example with http://www.Eurolines.co.uk with fares starting at about £45 per person.

Please also note that France is one hour ahead of the UK, so you "lose" an hour travelling there.

Do let me have more details and I'll be happy to help further.

Alun Hill, MCIJ

Britain/United Kingdom/England

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Alun Hill MCIJ

Expertise

As a full time, UK based, travel journalist, I travel almost constantly around the whole of the UK, searching out restaurants, hotels and "must see" places. Visitors for both business and pleasure are welcome to ask questions. I almost always travel by public transport, so questions on rail, air and coach / bus travel are also very welcome. I also regularly write about and use the "Eurostar" rail service between London and Continental Europe - which uses a tunnel under the English Channel - so I am able to help with any questions there, too.

Experience

I'm a full time, UK based, travel journalist. I travel almost constantly around the whole of the UK, searching out restaurants, hotels and "must see" places for my readers. I have been writing about, filming and reporting from UK tourism destinations for over 12 years. I cover both "business" and "pleasure" trips for my readers.

Organizations
I am a member of the "Chartered Institute of Journalists" (the world's oldest professional body for journalists), the "British Association of Journalists" and "The International Travel Writers Alliance". I hold a full UK Press Card, issued by the Metropolitan Police at Scotland Yard, London.

Publications
National and local press in UK. Local and National TV in the UK and Europe (Germany, Hungary), reporting on travel and tourism in the UK.

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