‘I arrived in Paris in just over two hours’ (Image: MEN)
As summer approaches and a plethora of destinations are within reach from the UK, it’s tempting to dream about booking a spontaneous city break for the weekend.
Yet, if your sights are set on Paris, Amsterdam or Brussels, the Eurostar offers a speedy alternative, and in my opinion, a superior mode of transport compared to flying.
Embarking on a three-day trip to Paris, I was initially apprehensive about my train journey to the French capital.
Overcrowded carriages with passengers forced to sit on the floor, or travellers dealing with last-minute timetable changes, strikes or cancellations are all too common experiences in the UK.
But how did the Eurostar fare in comparison, and how did this international rail service stack up against taking a short flight?
The Eurostar service takes just over two hours from St Pancras to Paris Gare Du Nord (Image: Sunday Mirror)
I decided to put it to the test, catching the service from London St Pancras to Gare Du Nord and returning to the UK a few days later, reports the Manchester Evening News. I didn’t miss anything about flying – except perhaps sipping a glass of fizz in the departure lounge while watching other planes take off – and instead found the entire experience remarkably stress-free and more convenient.
Arriving at London St Pancras almost two hours before my 8.01 train, I expected to be greeted with winding queues at security. One huge selling point was that I knew I wouldn’t have to suffer the anxiety of whether I had met or exceeded my luggage allowance.
Gone was the dread I feel at the airport watching my suitcase mount the scales in anticipation that I will have to pull out my wallet to pay for the extra kilogram, as there is no limit to the amount of luggage you wish to take with you.
The Eurostar from London St Pancras (Image: Getty Images)
Upon arrival, there were only about 100 or so people queuing to go through security, similar to what travellers go through at the airport, however a plentiful amount of separate security gates, all amply staffed, meant the process was seamless. I had momentarily panicked that I might not be allowed any liquids above 100ml or that they would need to be in a sealed plastic bag, but neither turned out to be the case.
I was through within no more than 20 minutes, giving me time to sit in the lounge while we waited to be called to the platform.
It felt surprisingly quiet. There was no mad rush to board the train, and when I eventually arrived beside the 16-carriage service after being called, staff members were helpfully waiting at almost every door should I have needed any assistance finding my seat.
There was ample space for luggage, and I found myself seated at a table in the aisle, in an exceptionally comfortable seat with plenty of plug sockets. The entire boarding process was serene, a stark contrast to the hurried rush onto a crammed plane with minimal legroom and the dreaded struggle to squeeze your bag into the overhead locker above your seat.
The interior was brightly lit, clean and spacious, featuring large luggage racks at both ends of each carriage and seating arranged in pairs or groups of four around a table. There were no flight attendants instructing us to fasten our seatbelts, nor any safety demonstrations.
It felt as familiar as taking a train anywhere else in the UK. Punctual to the minute, the service departed from London St Pancras at exactly 8.01. I was able to read a book and finish some work effortlessly, with regular announcements informing passengers of the journey’s duration.
Granted, I was seated in the premier carriage, which also offered a full continental breakfast, but a walk through the other carriages revealed them to be just as relaxed and comfortable.
The Eurostar from London to Paris takes just over two hours (Image: Getty Images)
The train then sped off, with electronic screens in the aisle displaying the service’s speed in km per hour as we headed towards the English Channel tunnel. I had anticipated a much longer period of eerie darkness as we passed through the tunnel, but it seemed to last only a few minutes before we emerged on the other side.
The remainder of the journey was filled with snacking, drinking and web browsing. However, the free WiFi was so slow and unreliable that it was almost pointless.
I arrived in Paris just over two hours later, without the usual fatigue from long airport waits and cramped plane seats. There were no passport control queues or lengthy baggage delays – I simply disembarked on the platform and was ready to explore the city.
It felt as familiar and comfortable as boarding a train anywhere in the UK, except now I was in a different country. It was smooth, fast and convenient.
However, this convenience can sometimes be more expensive than anticipated, especially when compared to budget airlines like EasyJet or Ryanair if they have a good deal. The cost can range from £70 to £90 for a return ticket per person, depending on when you travel, but without the added stress of paying for luggage and with more frequent services.
It’s worth mentioning that you do miss out on duty-free shopping, but for me, the time and effort saved made for a much better travel experience. Plus, Eurostar trains are significantly more eco-friendly than flights, boasting a 95 per cent lower carbon footprint.
The Eurostar website’s hidden costs calculator conveniently illustrates how this mode of transport can save you money on taxi or train transfers to the airport, luggage, seat selection and so forth. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my Eurostar journey and would always choose this method for future trips to Paris.
I only wish I could board a super fast train to any global destination and enjoy the same privilege.
Fares to Paris start at £39 each (Image: MEN)
Prices for a trip to Paris from London start at £39 per person for standard seating, £70 for standard premier and £275 for business premier. Upon our arrival at Paris Gare du Nord station, we hailed a taxi to our hotel. Despite the traffic, the journey took around 40 minutes.
It was a convenient way to reach our accommodation, with a long queue of taxis waiting for us upon our arrival. Alternatively, the Metro is another handy option, taking approximately 30 minutes.
Are you planning a trip to Paris for the Olympics?
So far, Eurostar has sold 415,000 tickets for travel to the Games across its network. The company is preparing to welcome over 2,000 Olympic and Paralympic athletes on board, with an estimated two million customers expected to travel to the games between July and September this year.
Eurostar has announced plans to increase the frequency of its services and add extra staff in stations to accommodate the anticipated influx of customers travelling on the network ahead of the Olympic Games, which commence on July 26.
Eurostar services typically operate every 30 minutes to an hour during peak times on most days, providing travellers with a variety of options that suit their schedules. Midweek sees between 17 and 19 services, with slightly fewer running on weekends.
Passengers are advised to check online and book ahead for their preferred time slot. In light of the upcoming Olympics, Eurostar has revealed plans to increase its services between London and Paris, adding up to eight more trains on peak Olympic days compared to the current schedule.
The Mayfair Townhouse (Image: Supplied)
Where to stay the night before
If you’re planning to catch one of the early morning Eurostar trains from St Pancras, it might be wise to consider staying overnight in central London. I had to catch my train just after 8am, but living in Manchester meant I wouldn’t have made it on time otherwise.
For those residing outside of the capital, the travel time to London must be taken into account – for instance, an Avanti West Coast service from Manchester Piccadilly takes approximately two hours.
I was fortunate enough to spend the night at the Mayfair Townhouse before my journey. Located just a short walk from Green Park tube station and near some of the city’s top-rated restaurants and bars, this five-star hotel offered a comfortable and luxurious stay, ensuring I was well-rested for my early start.
I was truly treated like a celebrity… what a fantastic start to my Parisian adventure. A friendly doorman greeted me with a smile, took care of my heavy luggage, and showed me to my luxurious deluxe en-suite room.
The king-sized bed provided the perfect sanctuary for a good night’s sleep before my early 5am wake-up call. I enjoyed a solitary dinner at the Dandy Bar, which was not overly crowded – and was promptly served a delightful cocktail and presented with an extensive menu of main courses or lighter bar snacks.
They even provided me with a breakfast box, packed with fresh pastries, fruit and coffee to fuel what I anticipated would be a hectic morning.