Forum Topic

train or air

My wife spotted an amazing offer from the TGV in France - £8.00 return from Paris to any place in France, so we are off to Hendaye for £16.00.  Good, or what?  BUTFirst get to Paris - so I checked with Raileurope (who made the offer) for Eurostar to Paris.  £88.00 return - blimey!  And starting at 6.30 am.I checked with Eurostar - £59.00 return at a civilised hour!!  Why the difference?  That's cheaper than budget airline.In future we will attempt to travel by train whenever possible for environmental reasons, but price for price there's not much price difference as the trains scrap with the airlines for business.  And with usual delays at airports, security etc, the time difference is marginal.

William Hosking ● 6894d7 Comments

"What's going to happen to the Eurostar check-in facilities and the specially-constructed platforms at Waterloo?"Good question.  No answers yet, as far as I know.

Richard Jennings ● 6893d

Thanks for the info, Neill.What's going to happen to the Eurostar check-in facilities and the specially-constructed platforms at Waterloo?

Edward Noel ● 6893d

No, they are all going to St Pancras.  It should cut a good half hour off the travel time, as you won't have to trundle through South London anymore. Eurostar will use the new high speed line via stratford instead.Mind you,  I'm not sure about using the H&C line to get to St Pancras - It might take as long as the trip to Paris!

Neill Young ● 6893d

"It will be even better for Hammersmith residents from late next year, as you'll be able to get the Hammersmith & City direct to St Pancras when Eurostar moves there from Waterloo."I agree with William and Andrew: much prefer trains to planes for short journeys - more comfortable, more convenient, less damaging to the environment.However, there's one thing I don't understand about Andrew's statement above. Is Eurostar really going to move all its services from Waterloo, or will there be trains from St Pancras IN ADDITION to Waterloo next year?

Edward Noel ● 6893d

That's good news!  I spoke to Raileurope in the meantime to find out why the discrepancy.  They gave me the same fare as Eurostar - but I had contacted the USA branch in error the first time.

William Hosking ● 6894d

I've needed to spend a few days working in Liverpool a couple of times in the last month and I've used the train (many of my colleagues choose to fly from Heathrow to Manchester).My last 2 trips were £37 each way, First Class, including a very decent cooked breakfast and all the tea you can drink.  Add to that power sockets for laptops / mobile and it's a winner.....arrived on-time too !  Much more enjoyable than flying.Andrew

Andrew Broadbent ● 6894d

I agree William, with Eurostar's £59 return fare, there's no point in going by air.  It will be even better for Hammersmith residents from late next year, as you'll be able to get the Hammersmith & City direct to St Pancras when Eurostar moves there from Waterloo.

Richard Jennings ● 6894d