Trains Are Cool

Experiencing the Eurostar

During a recent conversation with my sister-in-law, she said her friend was trying to decide if she should travel from London to Paris by plane or train. I was asked for my opinion.

I remember decades ago hearing the first rumblings about a tunnel to be built under the English Channel that would connect England and France. It even had a cute name – the Chunnel (channel + tunnel). Opening in 1994, it took another 15 years for me to take my first ride on the Eurostar, but it was well worth the wait. In April, the Eurostar opened its newest route – London to Amsterdam – and it’s a ride I can’t wait to go back and try for myself.

Train vs. Plane

I know a flight can technically be shorter, and sometimes a cheaper option than the Eurostar, but there are enough other reasons that I tell people I prefer this train to a plane.

I have only allotted myself so much patience. As an East Coast American, who normally travels coach, getting to Europe has means I’ve already used most of my patience allowance for airplanes and airports getting to my destination, and I need to save the rest for the flight home. For instance, if you’re going in and out of London, Heathrow has additional security measures, which includes a second check of tickets and passports at your departure gate whether you are starting from or connecting through the airport. If you want to leave that area at any point, including using the restroom, you need to leave your passport with security.

Shorter lines. Of course, there is needed security to get through for the Eurostar as well. And you’ll need to do a quick trip through customs/border control too. In my experiences, the lines are much shorter for the train because you are dealing with passengers from just one or two trains at a time vs. thousands of passengers getting to their flights at the airports. Bonus! You can keep that drink you brought with you to the train station. No issues with taking liquids through train security.

Trains are more walkable. You may decide you want to stay in your seat to relax, look out the window at the quickly passing countryside, or use the free WIFI, but you have options. Walk to the café car to pick up a meal or snack, or just up and down the car where your seats are. And there’s no turbulence that can keep you buckled in the whole trip.

City Center to City Center. Leaving from London? You can catch the Eurostar at St. Pancras station,  which celebrates its 150^th anniversary this year. It really is a gorgeous station with plenty of shopping if that’s your thing. Hop on the train and in 2 hours and 16 minutes you could be arriving at the Gare du Nord in Paris, for instance, where you’re just about 2 miles from Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, etc. That’s better than spending more time in taxis or long train rides to and from the airport.

Choose your Adventure

Both times I’ve taken the Eurostar it’s been for a day trip. My husband and I start out early in the morning for a delicious morsel of a city on the Continent, while leaving our suitcases back in London. When we went to Paris, we booked a small package that came with a Metro card and ticket to a Seine River cruise. For last year’s day trip to Brussels we decided to book with one of the sightseeing bus tours to get an idea of a city neither of us had been to previously. We have fond memories of each trip, whether witnessing my husband’s first view of the Eiffel Tower as we walked along the Seine, or our visit to the European Union in Brussels. If a day trip seems too much for you, here are few thoughts on other itineraries:

Do an overnight. Still want to keep your main base in London? Or maybe you are staying in Brussels but want to visit London? Consider keeping your hotel room in your base city, as well as your heavier bags, and stay over in another city. It gives you a little more time to explore and there’s no need to rush back the next day.

Keep heading east. The Eurostar is at its core just another mode of transportation. But with a 2-bag allowance, and it’s speed, why not experience something new when traveling to your next destination?  Isn’t that what exploring is all about?

Go to Disney. Never having been to Disneyland Paris, I have no opinion on the park itself. But if it’s on your list, or you have kids with you, it seems easy to take the Eurostar from London to the park. We saw enough tired but happy kids getting off the train back in St. Pancras to know they made some good memories. And the Eurostar website states that kids under 4 travel for free.

Visit a few other cities. Looking for a few other places to explore? Lille, France and Rotterdam, Netherlands are also options for direct routes from London. With Rotterdam being close to a four-hour trip, you might consider at least an overnight.

Look for the Deals

The more I blog, the more you will see I save where I can when traveling. I paid a lot less for the train tickets to Brussels this time for a few reasons. Those include competition with cheap airline tickets and that the Eurostar being a decade older meant the novelty has somewhat worn off for the locals. Do your research, and if you do have room in your schedule, play with a few different dates to leave and/or come back on. I did that for Brussels and it was more than enough to pay for our city tour bus.

Some final tips

Remember your passport! As mentioned previously, you are going through security and that also includes a passport check. Don’t leave it at the hotel thinking there are no borders in Europe.

Check your time and your currency. Keep in mind that there is an hour time difference between London and the Continent. Also remember that Great Britain uses the pound while the countries the Eurostar connects you to use the Euro. For me, credit cards and ATMs are my first two choices.

Spotty WIFI. Free WIFI is great, but don’t be too dependent on it for any needs you have that day in your destination city. When I was last on the Eurostar the WIFI was spotty at best.

Research Amsterdam before you go. It isn’t direct back to London, so you will have to go through security/border in Brussels.

Watch out for strikes. It’s not unusual for worker strikes to develop and as I write this it looks like one in France could affect the Eurostar for the next few months. This isn’t something restricted to the rail system. In fact, my first ferry ride years ago from England to France ended up being from England to Belgium instead due to a ferry strike.

Most of all, enjoy the ride! The biggest mistake we made on our first Eurostar trip was getting a train out so early that we slept the whole way to Paris. For me, seeing the little reminders that I’ve entered a new country, such as changing languages on signs, just makes me anticipate the next stop more.

If you have a preference for train or plane, let me know! Would love to hear your thoughts!