The best way of getting from London to Paris is on Eurostar, the direct train service whose new terminal at London's St Pancras is due to open on 14th November 2007
Paris is getting closer all the time. Next month it'll be even closer to me, when the new Eurostar terminal moves from Waterloo in south London to its new home at St Pancras station, on the northern edge of the city centre. Journey times will be cut to a little over two hours thanks to the new high-speed train link from London to the Channel Tunnel.
Amazingly the journey time from my nearest mainline station, Huntingdon, to the centre of Paris will be just 4 hours 10 minutes. The Huntingdon trains arrive in London at King's Cross station, which is right next door to St Pancras.
Taking the Eurostar has always been my favourite way of getting to Paris. Indeed, it's the only way I've traveled to Paris for several years now, and I've forgotten the extra nuisance of getting from the airport into the city centre. By taking the train you go right into the city centre, at the Paris Gare du Nord station. Within a minute or two of stepping onto the platform you're either buying Metro tickets are queuing for a taxi. Or even heading for the brasserie opposite the station for a welcoming steak frites and a glass of Cotes du Rhone.
I even enjoy traveling when I know I'm going to Paris by train. It's the best way to travel, easily. I hate airports. I can just about tolerate flights if I've got a good book, it's not too noisy and there's something to drink. But train travel – it's the most civilised way to go.
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Read my piece about the new times and prices for Eurostar trains to Paris from many British cities by clicking here.
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