London to Paris by train, or would you prefer flying?

in travel •  7 years ago  (edited)


If I have to compare using the train rather than flying to Paris, personally, using the train tops it as it have more advantages. Obviously, fear of flying comes into consideration but i will not include it in my list.

Accessibility

It's location. Any major city will have it's station at the city centre. In Europe, the continent is very compact. Anyone need not fly to access neighbouring countries. The necessity of a train station at the city centres provided the need of the people for its' accessibility. In London alone, there are 4 major train stations that cater for commuters going to and from London, to nearby airports and King's Cross St. Pancras is where Eurostar can be accessed when going to Western Europe. Considering the length of time a person needs to prepare in going to airports, the minimum time to be at the airport prior to the actual time of flight, using the train requires less time consumed. A train passenger on international travel only need to be checked-in by 30 minutes before departure, compared to an hour for short flights.

Convenience

Have anyone used the Eurostar before? The chair is huge right? Spacious and comfortable? And legroom? These are just the perks with no extra cost. Spaces between the chairs have about a foot in between. Overall, carriages are spaciously arranged in that it only have less passengers so there's no feeling of being cramped in one's chair.


Now, with group travel. A group of 4 can stay together, facing each other with a wide table in between. Opposite the aisle can further accomodate another 2 people. How cool is that? A bit extra of payment is also possible to be together in one compartment. This is more preferable personally as a group of friends or a family travelling together.

Toilets are very much availabe so convenience for the passengers were well thought off. It doesn't have that feeling you get when the plane dips down suddenly or when it's rough outside. Blissfully comfortable I should say. 

Less delay

In a few occasions that I have used the train in going to France, there haven't been any delay at all. There is still a possiblity though so I can't truly rule it out. For one reason to another.


No immigration upon reaching the destination

Am sure, most have watched and seen Jason Bourne getting off his train without passing through the immigration? That's exactly how it is. Passports or ID's are only needed on checking in.

No Ear ache

Does anyone suffer this when flying? It can be very painful that turns people off. A friend of mine and her family from Milan used the train once when going to London just to avoid flying, but the length of their travel totally zoned me off. But this is another story and Milan is a bit far for train travel going to England. 

Cons

The length of time to travel by train may seemed longer, but consider the time to prepare plus the minimum check-in time, add them together plus the flight is almost the same time, more or less. But consider one's comfort in using the train, CAN FLYING BEAT IT? Yes, when flying first class.

The fare is almost the same, although a cheaper flight is possible when booked long way before the flight. This applies to those airlines that do short-haul, examples are Ryanair, Easyjet, etc.

A taster...

A street scene in Monmarté today October 1st, 2017.

Music and dancing in la Rue Mouffetard.

Want to take the train with me to Paris?? Allonsy!!



All images are mine, taken with my Samsung Galaxy S7.


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I have to say it depends where you want to go in Paris too lol. Central Paris it is better to use train but in case you want to go in other cities or outside Paris like suburb then might be the flight.
Then in the train you don't have any restriction on luggage which is cool =)
I use to do it a lot when I was leaving in London and I use to juggle between the 2 haha

No i only use the train to Paris from London..the rest are flights. Very accessible.
Although there are restrictions with luggages when flying. I do use ryanair and easyjet, dunno what's gonna happen post brexit.
London to Paris via eurostar is the best still though. Got a list to go to in France..and fly.

I'm French so let me know if you need any advice haha. I'm from Nice, hope you've been there =)

Yeah! Nice is awesome..Aix en Provence hopefully next. You're in NZ you said?

I'm indeed, traveling around. I have 2 months left in New Zealand then I'm going to New Caledonia to spend the Christmas. And you where are you now?

I live in UK..so France is just over there lolsss

Cool =). I use to live in London. Is It where you are?

Ouais. Where in London did you stay? Or did you have college here??

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As a first time traveler anywhere in Europe, the train would offer a more relaxed and "viewable" trip. There is much countyside and sightseeing to be had on the ground versus in the air. It's the train for me!

You can travel around Europe with no flying involve, there is an intercity ticket. Great for groups too.

A sightseeing from your window is cool..get the intercity ticket, a different city everyday or every few days. Just dont be late. The train will only stop for 3 minutes in the platform. In some places, there's standing only in some compartments.

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@immarojas thanks for the travel tips! How many hours does it take one to get from St Pancras to France via Eurostar? That seat you got looks so comfy btw.

To Paris was barely 2 hours..non-stop sya. Disneyland will take 4 hrs. PAris to Lourdes also takes 4 hrs.

@immarojas, aha,you can already be a tour guide :)

Yeah! I've taken peeps ke Padre Pio, Lourdes and Fatima. I can also do itinerary if that's what they want.
I hate group tours.

I would take that train, it's so clean lola :)

Yeah..i wish there's a socket to charge thu :)

powerbank and spare batteries lola :P
we learned that the hard way in hk dati, we were at victoria peak and zero battery on all cameras and phones.

My friend got powerbank..local trains in London got sockets for commuters kc.

cool, how many hours was the trip?

Barely 2 hrs..let u a mes in discord lola. Sorry.

Don't know never been in a plane. But i probably choose a train over a plane also. Looks more comfi in a train and must likely you will see much more of you surroundings.

Well..you can really see a lot from the train. Amsterdam to Ermelo before was awesome, all fields and cows. Great countryside.

Thanks, this is a very informative post, hope one day I can travel to London or Paris too! :)

You're welcome. This is very crucial and i forgot, using the train, people can have as much luggage that they can carry themselves with no worry with the cost.

Yes I want to take the train to Paris with you!!
Hubby wont fly which sucks because I would so love to honeymoon in Paris and I do love trains, it would be so fun to train it to another country.

Maybe I can leave him at home and we just go together?

Let's go momi @bearone! You might want to do the Euro-tour via Euro-rail..i heard it's amazing. Or even just around France, let's go to Monet and Cezanne's!!

That sounds amazing lola! I so want to go! Do you think we'll be forgiven if we did Europe and not Phils first? :D I think maybe we should go to Phils first ;)

We're talking about honeymoon here?

I too, would prefer train over planes. It's more convenient as well especially that you'll save effort from immigrations and such. Kailan kaya ako mkakapunta ng London and Paris. Haha ☹️❤

One day ate, access to these places are much better now. Group tours are ok but bitin in some places..but mas madali gets ng visa. Europe by train is much better.

I'm crossing my fingers. Hehe 🤞🏻❤ I think group tours is okay for first timers para iwas ligaw hehe

Kung sabagay..it helps to do a bit of research of a place.

This is very true... And its even economical and affords you the option of touring and seeing nice cities in between those cities...

You have really done a great job by compiling this and snapping those pictures...

Nice job

Thank you! Trains do have intercity tickets so yes..No issues with luggages too, oh i forgot that lolsss

pauwi daan k d2?
6 hours lng lol

Nag-wave ako..nakita mo ko? Train is the way to go minsan..esp. those who love shopping, carry as much as you can!

ndi e .. kulit mo

uu pag d mo trip mag drive
dali daan k d2 ?
Thalis - nga lang tatakbo pko schiphol nun
wag n nga mdami k p pti bitbit kung sashopping k jan
pabili ko champ bag :) byad sbd o ha :D

kulit hahahha joke lng .. ingat jan
mapanghi pa rin at mdami p rin .. alam mo n kakalat kalat s daan?

Mapanghi yes..cant be avoided. Stayed again in Le Marais.

I am jealous....what a treat :-)

Pretty much :)