Full English breakfast in London, followed by lunch at a Parisian cafe. This feat is achievable when clients travel between England and France via the high-speed Eurostar train.
During a recent journey, I realized just how surprisingly quick and easy it is to travel between these two iconic European cities -- that is, if they're made aware of check-in processes, passport regulations and what to expect onboard the train itself.
Visitors will depart London via St. Pancras International Station in London, which was an experience in and of itself.
Centrally located and easily accessible by the London Underground, the station features dramatic Gothic Revival architecture and a soaring pointed-arch glass roof that has helped make it a London landmark.
Eurostar recommends passengers arrive 75 minutes before the train's departure if traveling in Standard class or Eurostar Plus, and 45 minutes for Premier, but I'd recommend that travelers get there even earlier to soak up the atmosphere of the station. Check-in closes 30 minutes prior to departure for Standard and Eurostar Plus tickets, and 15 minutes prior for Premier.
Two glasses of sparkling wine at Searcys inside St. Pancras International Station. Photo Credit: Scott Harbeck
St. Pancras is filled with shops, dining and public art installations, not to mention a communal piano, which is nearly always being played by passersby. My wife and I happily whiled away the time before our departure at the Searcys Champagne Bar on the upper floor, where the menu fittingly features both English and French sparking wines.
Unlike most European rail journeys, Eurostar passengers going between London and Paris complete check-in procedures before boarding, including a ticket check, baggage screening and both U.K. and French passport controls.
Baggage allowance is very generous, with two bags plus one piece of hand luggage allowed for Standard and Eurostar Plus tickets and three bags and one piece of hand luggage for Premiere. There is no weight limit, though passengers must be able to carry bags on and off the train themselves.
I traveled in Eurostar Plus, a step up from Standard. There is a little more space, the seats are more comfortable and a light meal with drinks is included.
If clients opt for Eurostar Standard, there's included WiFi and access to the onboard Eurostar Cafe (with food and drinks available for purchase), while Eurostar Premier offers an elevated dining experience and additional perks, including access to lounges and priority ticket gates. For a special trip, I'd certainly recommend Plus or Premier.
A meal served in Eurostar Plus class. Photo Credit: Eurostar/Koray Firat
Before long, our meal was served. I cracked open a British craft beer as we entered the Channel Tunnel (or the "Chunnel," as it's affectionately known). Opened in 1994, the Channel Tunnel is a marvel of engineering that created a direct rail link between Britain and Continental Europe.
What's it like to travel beneath the English Channel? Pretty uneventful, actually. One moment you're gazing out at the English countryside, the next the windows go dark, and around 20 minutes later you're back in daylight, where the scenes feel more, well, French. If passengers take a quick nap, they might just miss it altogether.
A little over two hours after departing, we were gliding into Paris Gare du Nord station. Like its London counterpart, Gare du Nord is a hub of connections served by multiple Paris Metro and Reseau Express Regional lines.
As the train pulled in, I caught a glimpse of the wedding cake-like Sacre-Coeur Basilica rising above the rooftops of Montmartre, a fitting finale.
Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Paris. Photo Credit: Eurostar/John Adrian
One of Eurostar's biggest advantages is that it delivers travelers into the heart of Paris, rather than an airport outside the city. Step outside Gare du Nord and you're immediately immersed in quintessentially Parisian scenes, beginning with Brasserie Terminus Nord across the street, where travelers have been enjoying classic French cuisine in a striking Art Deco and Art Nouveau setting since 1925.
While folks who opt to fly are waiting at the baggage claim, Eurostar passengers are already off exploring.
One-way fares from London to Paris start at $55 for Eurostar Standard, $98 for Eurostar Plus and $343 for Eurostar Premier. Eurostar is commissionable through Rail Europe, and clients traveling with a Eurail pass receive discounted passholder fares.