Eurostar from london - paris?
Aug 26th 2009, 6:09 pm
#16
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 373
Re: Eurostar from london - paris?
So what's the point of Waterloo International now then?
If I recall, there is some new station somewhere in Essex, near Lakeside I think. It's got some odd name, that I do know. Has the move to Kings Cross been to enable travel to this new station, whereas on the other route it would not have been possible?
One of the reasons I'd never taken the Eurostar from Waterloo was that it was a bit of a pain. I'd have to get the train up to Waterloo East, change to Waterloo International. Seemed more direct to simply cut out the middle bit and drive down to Ashford.
If I recall, there is some new station somewhere in Essex, near Lakeside I think. It's got some odd name, that I do know. Has the move to Kings Cross been to enable travel to this new station, whereas on the other route it would not have been possible?
One of the reasons I'd never taken the Eurostar from Waterloo was that it was a bit of a pain. I'd have to get the train up to Waterloo East, change to Waterloo International. Seemed more direct to simply cut out the middle bit and drive down to Ashford.
Waterloo is still used for domestic services, and the old international platforms have been or are being converted back to domestic use. It's mainly used for trains to the South West, including commuter routes to South West London, I believe.
The new station is Ebbsfleet in Kent, near to Bluewater. Not all trains stop there, but it has a pretty regular service and is easily accessible by car from the M25 via the M2/A2. Fewer trains now stop at Ashford, but that could still be a good option, depending where you are starting from and whether you plan to get to the UK station by car or train.
I've used Eurostar several times, always from Ashford rather than the London terminus. Sometimes there are some cheap deals available - I used to be able to get the Friday evening train to Paris for £49 return, or upgrade to business class for a further £50.
Aug 27th 2009, 12:31 pm
#17
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,159
Re: Eurostar from london - paris?
I have done this trip lots of times. I enjoy it more than flying, its so relaxed and the service is excellent, is you are on buisness class. Try to up grade if you can, the basic seats, are basic.
Aug 27th 2009, 2:19 pm
#18
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,015
Re: Eurostar from london - paris?
The journey in the basic seats is more interesting if you are sitting behind a couple having a big row about kids (his, hers and theirs) and stuff like that and the wife ends up crying!!
