paris by eurostar or alternative? advice thanks

yorks808

Hiya,
We are thinking of going to Paris by eurostar from london st pancras. Departing on 25th or 26th of july, returning on 28th/29th july. Whats the cheapest fares available please? Are there any offers online or promo codes about at the moment? Thanks

signol

The cheapest book in advance fare is £69 each, however only 2 weeks in advance you may be lucky to get that price.
If money saving is the aim, the cheapest way to Paris is Eurolines

signol

unsure

There are lots of good package deals with hotel and train which can offer very good vlaue. Direct line (1 below) is offering £50 off Eurostar packages as "today's special offer". Euostar's own site (link 2) claims packages from £99 - but I couldn't fine those! And link 3 is worth a peek too. But there are many others which your favourite search engine can point yo towards. I know when my brother used to travel regulalry to Brussels he found that the Eurostar deals were chepaer than the best price he could get on separate train and hotel bookings.

http://www.directline-citybreaks.co.uk/Eurostar-City-Breaks-Search?source=google&gclid=CMvBiaTt_akCFcRO4QodNHeSxw

http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/latest_deals.jsp

http://www.short-breaks.com/paris

yorks808

Thanks for your replies! The eurostar advance return for £69 seems to have sold out, cheapest for 4 adults is about £815 return for all of us! Eurolines takes quite a bit of time doesnt it like? We'd already have accomm in Paris through staying at friends place but getting there seems to be an issue lols. How easy is it to travel using the eurotunnel or ferry crossings?

signol

aheetun wrote: »

How easy is it to travel using the eurotunnel or ferry crossings?

You mean to drive? Very easy.
Buy a ticket online in advance.
Turn up at Eurotunnel or ferry port, you can stop at the "terminal" or go straight on to the queue for the boat. If you arrive too early you are advised to park and visit the terminal. When time, drive onto ship or train. If you're on the train, you stay in your car, or on a ship go upstairs to the main decks where there are cafes, shops, outside areas. On arrival, return to car and drive off straight onto motorway...

To drive, there are a few additional regulations. eg. you need to have a warning triangle and first aid kit in the car (check for others: http://www.brittany-internet.com/BrittanyNews/DrivingFrance/tabid/155/Default.aspx )

Do your friends in Paris have a parking space? If not, parking is a nightmare there.

The main roads to Paris are tolled, or have toll sections, but are very good roads, and empty. Don't speed, as on some roads you take a ticket on entry and pay at the toll booth on the off slip road, depending on how far you've driven. They can calculate your speed from these times...

signol

yorks808

Sounds easy enough like but ya have to buy an extra insurance cover dont you? And how much does petrol cost there?-is it as expensive as it is here?

Thanks for your describing, signol

signol

Most motor insurance policies include Europe cover as standard - I know mine does (Direct Line). Breakdown cover would also be needed, though not expensive.
Petrol in France used to be very cheap compared to the UK, but the gap has closed, it's now about the same price as here.

signol

iceburn

signol wrote: »

Do your friends in Paris have a parking space? If not, parking is a nightmare there.

The main roads to Paris are tolled, or have toll sections, but are very good roads, and empty. Don't speed, as on some roads you take a ticket on entry and pay at the toll booth on the off slip road, depending on how far you've driven. They can calculate your speed from these times...

signol

Think for parking his friend can get him discount rate on street parking as a guest of theirs. Not certain through. But interesting about using the booths as cheap speed cameras. Didn't occur to me about that. Also make sure you don't have radar on your car. Just having it on car is illegal.

On question about car insurance. All car insurance have basic insurance included. But this is lower than what we class as basic. So might be worth paying the small premium if don't have full eu cover to be extended onto your policy. About fuel diseals is about 10% less expensive, unleaded is 15 % more expensive and LPG (GPL) around Calais is similar price, half way to Paris it is 20% cheaper and in Paris about the same.

unsure

Agree with signol,
Le Shuttle (car onto train) is very easy and the terminals at both ends are easier, calmer and more efficient than ferry ports. We went last month and the return fare was £99. We've pretty much given up using the ferries for short crossings in favour of the tunnel ( no "bad crossings" and you come out straight onto the motorway rather than negotiating Calais. Crosisng prices are comaparable but tunnel is just so much easier all round in my view). In France, petrol is almost exactly the same price but diesel is still cheaper. Long distance driving in France is easy onthe pay roads (keep change close by for tolls!). However, driving in Paris is a bit of a nightmare and driving the ring road (Peripherique) is an experience from which some never recover! Might be wise to check with your friend how manageable they consider the journey as it will depend on where exactly they are located.
Check your insurance cover with your provder and upgrade if necessary. Bringing your own vehicle also means you might be able to stock up on wine etc to bring back, a definite plus!
For road directions in F rance we've found www.viamichelin.com to be very useful and reliable.

HTH have fun!

yorks808

Thanks ever so much for your replies! Its defo been a great help! After post #9 's post of experience I think against taking the family car I reckon. It may save quite a bit I think??
Just searched for going over on the P&O ferry as a foot passenger, it costs like £59 return, is that reasonable like? Then possibly taking the train from Calais to Paris? That may work out cheaper than Eurostar will it?

signol

This page:
http://www.seat61.com/London-Paris-ferry.htm
Shows how to get to Paris using ferries as a foot passenger.

signol