We used the Eurostar for a short trip to Paris and loved it. We were able to find a decent leisure first class fare (conditions, of course, and 7 day advance purchase,) which means we traveled from downtown to downtown very quickly, and had a meal with a personal bottle of wine en route. I'd certainly recommend it over flying - you save valuable time not having to travel to and from airports, deal with airport security, etc. etc. (You will have to show docs and go through security for Eurostar too, of course, but it is much faster than almost any airport I've been through.)

I think RailEurope.com is the "official" US site for Eurostar etc. tickets, and I am pretty sure we did not use them (maybe railpass.com, or possibly another site - I believe we picked up the tickets at the station. It has been a bit over a year, so I have released those particular brain cells from storage duty.:D)

[QUOTE=JDiver]
I think RailEurope.com is the "official" US site for Eurostar etc.


I have found in the past that the "Official" sites for USA travellers in Europe charges more than the EU sites. This is many times due to the actual ticket that they offer. http://www.eurostar.com/dynamic/index.jsp

Exactly. I've purchase tickets at much better rates and picked them up in LON, AMS, BRU...

Um, I suspect that Helsinki Flyer may have been posting tongue-in-cheek? ;)

I used the Rick Steves website to get my Eurostar tix last November. There's a great chart of all the fare types, and some are as low as $90 r/t.

http://www.ricksteves.com/rail/eurostar.htm

[QUOTE=Mr MCO]Going into www.eurostar.com as American never gives me www.raileurope.com, perhaps it's a geographical location thing.

Anyhiw, ALWAYS check Eurostar prices in a number of different currencies because for a given date/time there may be cheaper tickets available under one currency.

You can change currencies by closing the Eurostar window, deleting the Eurostar cookies from your temporraty files & renter the Eurostar website.

I've edited my post accordingly.

The only time I flew from LHR to CDG was because I was at a conference at a hotel near Heathrow immediately before my flight. On arrival, I had to trek around the CGD, find the stop for the bus to take me from the airport building to the train station, find out how to buy a train ticket, take the train into Gard du Nord (standing up all the way as it was rush hour) and the queue to take the taxi (long queue).

Eurostar would have taken me direct to Gard du Nord for the taxi (and associated queue). I could have taken the metro but I have my reasons not to do so when I am on my own.

In terms of hassle, the train is a whole lot easier especially if you are not fluent in French.

I dont care if the fare is more. For such a short trip, you want the quickest journey with the least hassle.

$94 Rt
 

I paid $94 RT for a same-day return from London to Paris, but the tickets were booked about 3 months in advance on the Eurostar website and retrieved at Waterloo from a machine. It was a fantastic trip because I also selected a hotel in London within about 1500 feet of the train station.

Prices are typically higher when purchased closer to date of travel.

Besides, flying is boring.

The Western approach to LCY, taking you in a grand loop over South London, then right along the river, with wonderful views from the Houses of Parliament all the way along past Tower Bridge... Then, just before Canary Wharf, you start the LCY plummet, waving to the people in the tower block boardrooms on the way down.

One of the best views of London I know!

But I do agree that the train is easier.

Another vote for the Eurostar, despite the fact that this is Flyertalk :o , but you can get lounge access with Amex Plat ;) I took the Eurostar twice on Paris vacations for a quick trip to London and I can recommend it. The price you quote is rather high, I'd try to find a lower price.

Perhaps you should re-read the OP's post. He said:

"Any advice on how to do a quick trip to Paris, and the easiest/cheapest way to do it? Also, are the airports directly in Paris, or out of the city?" Clearly, he was not looking to do a mileage run since he was looking to for "quick" and "easiest/cheapest." ALL of the OTHER posters were trying to be helpful.

I still don't think Helsinki Flyer was being serious! :D

The approach to LHR from the east (if sitting on the RHS) is pretty spectacular as well - all the sights of London in 30 seconds