From London to Paris

[luvscruising2007]

Does anyone know if it is possible to book a tour from London to Paris for a one day trip? We will be in London pre-cruise. I hate to go all that way and not see Paris. Our cruise will be stopping in LeHavre but we want to see the Normandy Beaches that day. Any suggestions for making the most of our time.:confused:

[Albert Ross]

Catch the high speed train direct from centre of London to centre of Paris.

http://www.eurostar.com/dynamic/index.jsp will give you train times and prices. Beleive it now takes around 2 1/2 hrs on the train. Incredible. Don't forget to hold you breath as you go through the tunnel.....

[Alsacienne]

And please remember that French time is ONE HOUR AHEAD of English time ... I think it might be doable but it will be one hell of a rush ......

[cruzcat]

Does anyone know if it is possible to book a tour from London to Paris for a one day trip? We will be in London pre-cruise. I hate to go all that way and not see Paris. Our cruise will be stopping in LeHavre but we want to see the Normandy Beaches that day. Any suggestions for making the most of our time.:confused:

 

My friends & I are on the Independence in September and will be in London three nights pre-cruise. We decided to take the EuroStar to Paris on one of our days. If you leave at one of the earliest morning departures and return to London on one of the later departures you can have a good eight hours to see Paris. You won't be able to see everything, but you can see the highlights and have time for a nice lunch. You can book your tickets online. There is also a Seine water taxi that takes you around to some of the tourist areas. Go for it!

[BOOKNEXTCRUISE]

My DH and I just got back from London. We booked the 1 day Paris trip with Golden tours they picked us up from our hotel and brought us to the eurostar, they also had a guide with us for the day in Paris, we had a great time!! I would be happy to answer any questions.:)

[WatchHill]

Last September we were in London and booked a Paris tour through Premium Tours. We were picked up at our hotel, taken to the Waterloo Station [different station now and shorter travel time], and had first class travel to Paris. This included a city highlight tour, champagne & wine lunch on the Eiffel Tower, barge ride on the Seine, and then we went to the Louvre. We had a late train back to London, great meal and plenty of wine during the return trip.

 

Darcy

[hulamoon]

Does anyone remember what the Edurostar cost? Was is about $250?

 

Thanks

[Globaliser]

Does anyone know if it is possible to book a tour from London to Paris for a one day trip? We will be in London pre-cruise. I hate to go all that way and not see Paris.

The main thing to bear in mind is that this is really hard work. It's like going to New York for a pre-cruise stay, and deciding to do a day trip to Washington, just because "it's close by".

 

If you allow for the time it will take to get you from hotel to St Pancras, check-in time at St Pancras, the time to get from Gare du Nord to your first stop in Paris, and then all those things in reverse, the travel between London and Paris will eat up about 7 to 8 hours of your day, before you've really seen a single thing in Paris.

 

When you're staying in London, where you really could spend a month and still not have seen everything, why bother with wasting 7-8 hours of your precious sightseeing time sitting on a train? Spend that time seeing more od London, and give Paris her own trip. She deserves much more than a few hours' grazing - in fact, a month all for herself.

Does anyone remember what the Edurostar cost? Was is about $250?

You should be able to get a standard class return ticket starting from about $120, subject as always to availability.

[PhilbeachTraveller]

We did a day trip to Paris on Eurostar very recently and it was wonderful. Took the first available train at 7:55 and arrived about 10.30 local time. We had a full day, and managed to squeeze in the Seine river tour. You certainly can't see everything, but if you plan in advance you can see the highlights. Caught the 9 pm train back.

There is a special price of £59 return but they sell out very quickly so you have to be slightly flexible with dates and book as early as possible.

[Jacques O]

There is a special price of £59 return but they sell out very quickly so you have to be slightly flexible with dates and book as early as possible.

 

 

Hello!

 

They did even advertise a return from Paris/ London for 65 euros this summer..... but there are very few seat for that price.

www.eurostar.com

 

I had to cancel two trips to London (and that include taking a cruise from Southampton), because even booked 8 weeks in advance, the cheapest I could get (for my schedule) was 200 euros (which is twice what we paid two years ago, within the same notice).

 

The eurostar tariff system is similar to that of an airline.

 

Now, don't expect to get a "cheap" day trip on a week-day! They used to do that for £50, for week-end days only.... but that was at the end of last century, I'm afraid.

May be, if you travel on Saturday or Sunday, you might be able to get a good price....

 

If you do decide to travel, though, I think it's worth it. Paris, compared to London, is quite small and not as spead over. You could buy a one-day pass for the public transport (which is no bad). Don't expect to see Le Louvre, le Musée d'orsay when you are there, though.

But walking on the River Sein bank is a lovely ; you can also take the 'bateau mouche', that is the excursion ship that sail up and down the seine (lenght of trip : about one hour), and it's really nice (basically, departure are by the Eiffel tower (and on the opposite bank). There are commentaries in many languages.

 

Good luck !

 

i'll be happy to give you any extra information about the World's most romantic city!

 

Jacques O, Paris.

[Bramcruiser]

We're doing a one-dayer from London to Paris in October. Just remember - you cannot see everything in one day so decide on just a few of what you REALLY MUST see and go from there.

 

As others suggest, we are taking a very early morning Eurostar train from London to Paris and returning in the late evening. We're blowing the budget big time by going first class (meals included) but it can be done cheaper in standard and cheaper fares are available the further in advance that you book. We will likely be exhausted by the time we return but this is for some people a once in a lifetime event so it may or may not be worth it to you.

 

There are hop on hop off buses, the metro (subway) and various other methods of getting around Paris. We bought one day travel cards for the Paris metro and train services. We're armed with a map of Paris and the transit system. We do have lunch reservations and have plans to see the Louvre Museum (got our tickets already so we can get priority access when we show up) in the afternoon. I wouldn't necessarily recommend the Louvre on such a short visit but they are opened for extended hours into the evenings on Wednesday and it just happens to be on a Wednesday that we are going to Paris. I figure 5 hours is better than 2 or 3. Thus, it worked out well for us. We're thinking of a quick trip to the Eiffel Tower in the morning when we arrive but beware as the line ups can be huge at peak times.

 

Its all doable but you have to be very flexible, it will be expensive no matter which way you do it, you won't see much other than a few items on your list and you will be very tired at the end of it all. However, for us, we decided it was well worth it and something we might be talking about years down the road. I would only recommend a fast day trip if you feel you have the stamina and are not worried about how much its going to cost you.

 

David

Who's looking forward to his day in Paris

[Bramcruiser]

why bother with wasting 7-8 hours of your precious sightseeing time sitting on a train?

 

That argument won't work with me. :D I love trains and actually am looking forward to the Eurostar more than the day in Paris. Don't get me wrong - I'd love to see Paris but we're only doing the one day trip on the wish of my significant other who never asks to see stuff when I book vacations so I knew this day trip was of some importance in the household. I see the chance to ride the Eurostar as the added bonus for me.

 

But overall I agree. London is a wonderful city to be enjoyed on its own if you are short for time. We were there for 5 days last year and still hadn't seen everything. I am sure Paris is much the same which is why I was hesitant about the day trip but we are doing it nevertheless. Crazy, yes. Poor - even more so. Paris - Ohh la la!:)

 

David

[scottbee]

Does anyone know if it is possible to book a tour from London to Paris for a one day trip? We will be in London pre-cruise. I hate to go all that way and not see Paris. Our cruise will be stopping in LeHavre but we want to see the Normandy Beaches that day. Any suggestions for making the most of our time.:confused:

 

I'm making a bit of an assumption here, but you probably don't want to return to London, but instead to Southampton, right?

 

How about flying back from CDG/Paris to SOU/Southampton? SOU airport is about 7 miles from the cruise terminal, which will save you a few hours of going into London again

[skisteamboat]

Here's a tour with Viator for around $300 including train fare. I have used them for many tours and all have been good. http://www.viator.com/tours/London/Rail-Tour-to-Paris-from-London-by-Eurostar/d737-3858EE034_037

 

Cheers

[agabbymama]

Hello!

 

They did even advertise a return from Paris/ London for 65 euros this summer..... but there are very few seat for that price.

www.eurostar.com

 

I had to cancel two trips to London (and that include taking a cruise from Southampton), because even booked 8 weeks in advance, the cheapest I could get (for my schedule) was 200 euros (which is twice what we paid two years ago, within the same notice).

 

The eurostar tariff system is similar to that of an airline.

 

Now, don't expect to get a "cheap" day trip on a week-day! They used to do that for £50, for week-end days only.... but that was at the end of last century, I'm afraid.

May be, if you travel on Saturday or Sunday, you might be able to get a good price....

 

If you do decide to travel, though, I think it's worth it. Paris, compared to London, is quite small and not as spead over. You could buy a one-day pass for the public transport (which is no bad). Don't expect to see Le Louvre, le Musée d'orsay when you are there, though.

But walking on the River Sein bank is a lovely ; you can also take the 'bateau mouche', that is the excursion ship that sail up and down the seine (lenght of trip : about one hour), and it's really nice (basically, departure are by the Eiffel tower (and on the opposite bank). There are commentaries in many languages.

 

Good luck !

 

i'll be happy to give you any extra information about the World's most romantic city!

 

Jacques O, Paris.

 

Jacques O, Paris

 

I plan on taking the Air France bus from CDG to Gare de Lyon, to store my luggage, then taking the Batobus. Is this what you called the "bateau mouche", as there is a stop across the river from Gare de Lyon.

 

http://www.batobus.com/english/index.htm

[whogo]

Does anyone know if it is possible to book a tour from London to Paris for a one day trip? We will be in London pre-cruise. I hate to go all that way and not see Paris. Our cruise will be stopping in LeHavre but we want to see the Normandy Beaches that day. Any suggestions for making the most of our time.:confused:

Tours may not run every day. There may be senior or other discounts available.

Escorted, £175 http://www.evanevanstours.co.uk/paris-escorted.htm

Unescorted, £140.00 http://www.evanevanstours.co.uk/paris-unescorted.htm

Champagne day trip £185 http://www.premiumtours.co.uk/tours/details.asp?iProductID=172

Escorted, £169 http://www.premiumtours.co.uk/tours/details.asp?iProductID=12

Unescorted, £99 http://www.goldentours.co.uk/discoverparisatyourleisureromanticparis/

Unescorte, £134 http://www.goldentours.co.uk/daytriptoparisfreeeasy/

Escorted, £169 http://www.goldentours.co.uk/fullyescorteddaytripsimplyparis/

Escorted w/Versailles, £199 http://www.goldentours.co.uk/escorteddaytripthesplendourofparis/

[twoatsea]

Thanks for all of this good info. I went to the Eurostar site & did not find any such specials. Do I go somewhere else? Interested in 1 adult, 2 seniors, London to Paris RT, either Nov. 3 or 4, 2008, 5am-17:00.

 

Also, at that time of year, thoughts on available seats, or is it recommended that we must buy ahead of time. Prefer the inflexible tickets (much cheaper), & prefer not to buy them until we know we are really going.

 

Once arrive at Paris Nord (is that an airport or the train station?), how get into Paris, cost, how long take & how often run? Safe to assume the return time is about the same?

 

Found 2 HoHo companies; don't know which is the best; anyone know? http://www.pariscityrama.com/en/paris/visit_all_paris

 

http://www.viator.com/tours/Paris/Paris-City-Hop-on-Hop-off-Tour/d479-2916PAR

 

Thanks

[agabbymama]

Thanks for all of this good info. I went to the Eurostar site & did not find any such specials. Do I go somewhere else? Interested in 1 adult, 2 seniors, London to Paris RT, either Nov. 3 or 4, 2008, 5am-17:00.

 

Also, at that time of year, thoughts on available seats, or is it recommended that we must buy ahead of time. Prefer the inflexible tickets (much cheaper), & prefer not to buy them until we know we are really going.

 

Once arrive at Paris Nord (is that an airport or the train station?), how get into Paris, cost, how long take & how often run? Safe to assume the return time is about the same?

 

Found 2 HoHo companies; don't know which is the best; anyone know? http://www.pariscityrama.com/en/paris/visit_all_paris

 

http://www.viator.com/tours/Paris/Paris-City-Hop-on-Hop-off-Tour/d479-2916PAR

 

Thanks

 

Actually www.viator.com is only a booking agent. You may actually end up on the pariscityrama bus, you won't know until you book, then the name of the provider will be on your voucher.

[Dragster13]

i'll be happy to give you any extra information about the World's most romantic city!

 

Jacques O, Paris.

 

We will be coming to Paris in June 2009 To Chares DeGaule and will be staying near the Champ de Mars station. Would it be appropriate to take the Metro with our luggage to the Hotel or is it better to take a cab?

 

Same thing goes when we leave, we will be leaving for London by the Euro Train from Gare Du Nord.

 

I have looked at the routes for the Metro and it seems straight forward to get from one point to another.

[Globaliser]

Also, at that time of year, thoughts on available seats, or is it recommended that we must buy ahead of time. Prefer the inflexible tickets (much cheaper), & prefer not to buy them until we know we are really going.

 

Once arrive at Paris Nord (is that an airport or the train station?), how get into Paris, cost, how long take & how often run? Safe to assume the return time is about the same?

Generally, the cheaper tickets do sell out earlier.

 

"Paris Nord" is used as shorthand for "Paris Gare du Nord". It's the railway station where the Eurostar terminates. It's reasonably central, and you can easily get into the Metro system from here, or just jump into a cab.

[luvscruising2007]

Such great information. I'm just getting back to this thread and now I am overwhelmed with the info you have provided. The stamina issue is of concern as my DH will be 77 and is not able to walk quickly. I may have to re-think this option. The cost may indeed be a factor. I will continue to research and figure out the best way to see Paris. It may be that we will just have to book another vacation.

Thanks everyone. Jane