To want to get Eurostar instead of flying to Paris

[Vernatts123]

DW and I are in a heated argument over this.

August Bank holiday break away in Paris Friday morning to Monday evening. 4 adults, one under 3.

Both agree we need to drive down to London from Birmingham as more economical than the train for this many people. (Birmingham flights too expensive) .
Eurostar works out £260 each, maximises time spent in Paris on Friday and Monday. We can park at family in London and get the tube to St Pancras.

Flights that cost 350 each to maximise time, hand luggage only so likely more than this once luggage included. £80 minimum parking fee at Heathrow.

DW is being pushed by other adults to fly because that’s what they are used to doing. I really don’t like flying, and working in the environment sector I appreciate the impact of short haul flights for carbon emissions.

its got now to the point where DW is calling me aggressive for pointing out basic financial difference and timings.

Of course you should get the Eurostar. You'll arrive in central Paris and not CDG or Orly. Also let them know that in august there may be spikes or planned works on the RER B line that mean that you'll have to get a taxi into PAris from the airport.

I spent four years in a long distance relationship between Paris and London and I don't think I flew once. Eurostar is way more convenient. The only reason to contemplate flying would be if it was a lot cheaper, including taking into account the 12 euro per person each way train fare or equivalent taxi fare for four people to/from the airport.

I thought you were going to say the eurostar was more expensive and that was the dilemma.

So the train is cheaper, more direct and more convenient. What's the argument?!

Flying really doesn’t save any time.

We drive.

I would take the Eurostar in a heartbeat! In fact the only reason I'd ever fly to a city destination would be time/price (and often having to be there stupidly early to check in/having to travel into the city makes flying the poorer option even if the flight is short).

You're going to have to travel in from CDG to Gare du Nord anyway presumably so factor in that extra travel time - why wouldn't you go via a method that would take you directly into the city?

eurostar is much nicer - and once you're there, you're there, no titting about disembarking and sitting in taxis

Eurostar is quicker and cheaper.

Is this some kind of advert for the Eurostar? What kind of adult makes sub par travel choices based on what other people are doing?

I don't think you will find a single person who regularly travels between London and Paris who will tell you to fly instead of train! Honestly it would be madness.

Remind her that if you take the train you don't have to worry about liquids and 100ml and all that nonsense and you can bring back lovely bottles of wine no problem.

Eurostar is fab.

Eurostar is amazing, so convenient. No airport rammed before a bank holiday weekend with pissed up pre drinkers and huge queues. Just a nice St Pancras trip to M&S food for snacks and a train journey, ending up right in the centre of town. Glorious.

I’m going to Paris next weekend and the thought of flying over Eurostar didn’t even occur to me.

Eurostar much easier. You could all travel separately- the other couple flying and you and DW on the Eurostar, and meet up in Paris.

Or just drive? That would be even cheaper still.

I can’t see what the case would be for flying, am I missing something? Train is obvious:
-Saves £90 pp
-Saves on parking
-Arrives into central Paris
-Maximises time as don’t need to be there as early
-Easier with the under 3 as they can walk around, go the buffet car for a snack
-No liquid faff at security
-Environmentally better

Your wife sounds unhinged if she’s calling you aggressive for pointing all that out.

Agree with everyone else.

Also there is a special train ticket you can purchase if you have a Eurostar ticket which is a cheap fare to/from any other UK station. Look at seat61.com for details.

And of perfume - I'd strongly recommend a trip to Fragonard for their gorgeous soaps and perfumes if you can squeeze one in.

If the others want to fly then let them crack on with that. I would book myself and partner on the Eurostar, arrive much earlier than the others and use the money I had saved on a lovely lunch with wine, whilst I waited for them to catch up and join us. Eurostar = no brainer.

I would do train from Birmingham. Where are you going to park in London? It is very expensive.

Not unless you're staying somewhere in Paris with free parking.

Eurostar is the obvious choice but you don’t need us to tell you that, you need to convince them. What’s their argument for flying?

Eurostar is the obvious choice. I've lived in France and Belgium and only ever flown once - when a fire put the trains out of action. No luggage restrictions, more space, delivered to the centre of Paris and better for the environment.

I would do this tbh. They're all adults? Just say you'll meet them there. You just say you want to take the cheaper, quicker, more environmentally friendly option where you don't have to faff about with liquids or pay extra to bring a bag with you, but they're free to do differently if they choose.

I much much prefer the train. I'd only fly (reluctantly) if it was significantly cheaper.

You couldn’t pay me to fly to Paris: it’s expensive, inconvenient, airport is a schlep and terrible for the environment. It’s v v unreasonable to fly that distance when there is an alternative