Flying Into Gatwick Then On to Paris???

[JHUNTGOLF]

We're on the 7/25/08 Carnival Splendor. Because the airfare is so much, we want to make the most use of our time in Europe. An option being discussed is to fly into Gatwick from Atlanta and then heading off to Paris for one or two days and then back to London for a couple nights before the cruise begins. Is this a doable option especially considering that we'll be hauling around more than normal luggage because of the cruise? What train would you take from Gatwick (or would you have to travel first to a train station in London) to get to Paris? How much would it cost and how long would it take? Any help or advice would be most appreciated. Thanks.

 

John

[HeinBloed]

We're on the 7/25/08 Carnival Splendor. Because the airfare is so much, we want to make the most use of our time in Europe. An option being discussed is to fly into Gatwick from Atlanta and then heading off to Paris for one or two days and then back to London for a couple nights before the cruise begins. Is this a doable option especially considering that we'll be hauling around more than normal luggage because of the cruise? What train would you take from Gatwick (or would you have to travel first to a train station in London) to get to Paris? How much would it cost and how long would it take? Any help or advice would be most appreciated. Thanks.

 

John

 

 

Here are prices and connections:

 

From Gatwick to London St. Pancras. At the moment it shows King's Cross but service will move in December 2007 to St. Pancras.

 

http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/Main.php?iCmsPageId=77

 

and as you are planning for 2008

from London St. Pancras to Paris:

 

http://www.eurostar.com/dynamic/_SvBoExpressBookingTerm?_TMS=1187164635469&_DLG=SvBoExpressBookingTerm&_LANG=UK&_AGENCY=ESTAR&lang=UK&country=US&VT=EB

 

Have a look on this map:

 

http://stpancras.eurostar.com/en-gb/your-journey/flash

 

(Go to Central London)

 

if you can manage yourself...

 

Another option would be the coach

 

from Gatwick South to London Victoria

from London Victoria to Paris

 

Check here for schedule and prices:

 

http://www.nationalexpress.com

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[Globaliser]

What train would you take from Gatwick (or would you have to travel first to a train station in London) to get to Paris? How much would it cost and how long would it take?

Gatwick to Paris is not easy with a lot of luggage. There are currently no flights from Gatwick to Paris. You would have to transfer to Heathrow by road. Alternatively, you could go into central London by train to connect to the Eurostar to Paris - but you would have to go to Victoria by train and then get across town to St Pancras by taxi or Tube to get the Eurostar.

 

Frankly, IMHO this hassle is not worth it for one or two days in Paris. You'll waste almost a whole day of your holiday just travelling from London to Paris and back. Better to spend it seeing more of London. Paris has so much to offer that it is not worth rushing a trip just to say that you have set foot in it. You'll be exhausted.

[HeinBloed]

but you would have to go to Victoria by train and then get across town to St Pancras by taxi or Tube to get the Eurostar.

 

Why should he go to Victoria first?

 

He is travelling in 2008 when First moved its service to St. Pancras anyway and he can take First Capital Connect (former Thameslink) from Gatwick to St. Pancras?

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[Globaliser]

... he can take First Capital Connect (former Thameslink) from Gatwick to St. Pancras?

Sorry, you are right. I had forgotten about the new Thameslink station (or whatever they will call it).

[JHUNTGOLF]

HeinBloed & Globaliser,

 

Thank you so much for your extremely valuable responses to my questions. You have definitely given us a number of reasons to rethink what we want to do. After looking at the various links HeinBloed provided, it just seems like we would be spending the better part of the day getting through customs at Gatwick, taking a train to London, and then taking the Eurostar to Paris before getting on another subway or taxi to get to a Paris hotel. And this is assuming that the plane lands in Gatwick at 9:00am or so. I really think we're down to two choices: (1) fly into Paris, tour Paris, Eurostar to London, tour London, take cruise from Dover, and fly out of Gatwick or (2) forget going to Paris and just fly into Gatwick, tour London, take cruise from Dover, and fly out of Gatwick. We'll probably make up our minds in the next month or so when we have the first opportunity to book our roundtrip airfare. Thanks again for the great assistance you both provided.

 

John

[Globaliser]

I really think we're down to two choices: (1) fly into Paris, tour Paris, Eurostar to London, tour London, take cruise from Dover, and fly out of Gatwick or (2) forget going to Paris and just fly into Gatwick, tour London, take cruise from Dover, and fly out of Gatwick.

I agree with this analysis.

 

Personally, I would recommend leaving Paris for another time, unless you will never get back to Europe. This would probably give you more flight options, too. But if you opt for (1), there is one idea which you shouldn't rule out: fly to Heathrow and connect straight to Paris from there, then fly back to the US from Gatwick. You may have more choices of trans-Atlantic airline if you do that; otherwise you're likely to be restricting yourself to US carriers.

[JHUNTGOLF]

I agree with this analysis.

 

Personally, I would recommend leaving Paris for another time, unless you will never get back to Europe. This would probably give you more flight options, too. But if you opt for (1), there is one idea which you shouldn't rule out: fly to Heathrow and connect straight to Paris from there, then fly back to the US from Gatwick. You may have more choices of trans-Atlantic airline if you do that; otherwise you're likely to be restricting yourself to US carriers.

 

Thanks for the additional idea. We'll add it to the mix and see what decision makes the most sense. Thanks again.

 

John