Travelling on Eurostar tomorrow - advice please.

[HPFA]

Managed to pick a great day to travel to Paris tomorrow - Tube strike and then a big day of demonstrations in Paris itself!

Our Eurostar is 11.30 so we really need to be at King's Cross by 10 at the latest - travelling from Oxford so arriving at Paddington station.

Anyway on the Tube strike I think our options are:

1.Walk from Paddington to Kings Cross - 2.6 miles - we have light wheelie suitcases and would try and allow enough time to stop for a break in the middle maybe. Ironically my partner is keen on this option and I'm worried because he's really not all that fit (I regularly walk two miles to work so I should be OK myself)

2.Take a bus from Paddington - I believe it's the 18 stopping at Euston Square? Assuming this will be very slow and crowded.

3.Take the Elizabeth line to Farringdon and then a Thameslink to Kings Cross - sounds a little complicated and don't know if our cross London rail tickets will work on Thameslink - which I've never used.

4.Take the Elizabeth line to Tottenham Court Road and then walk to Kings Cross which apparently is about a mile - however checking on Twitter it seems some trains are not stopping at TCR even though they're supposed to.

Obviously I'm expecting the transport to be very crowded but not sure whether it will be "uncomfortable" or "unbearable"

Any advice very gratefully received!

In those circumstances I’d get a cab

Thameslink was not that crowded yesterday. We use it all the time. I think walking 2 miles with a case on a warm day sounds horrible. I;ve had to do similar in the past and it really isn’t a good way to travel across London. If you cross rail tickets won’t work on Thameslink just tap a credit card.

Definitely get a taxi

I'd get a cab or walk if you can. Buses and trains will be so busy, even trying to fit small cases on.

I do love the Eurostar. Enjoy!

And the French are always demonstrating something imo :)

I'd get the Elizabeth Line. Both TCR and Farringdon are within half an hour's walk of KX. The Thameslink is very easy if you'd rather not walk and you can use contactless if your tickets don't cover it.

Don't get a cab if you can help it- traffic is crazy with the tube strike so they will be thin in the ground and take ages.

Where to you have to get to once you arrive at Gare du Nord?

1 is less stressful than 3 & 4 as it’s pretty much a straight road. You can have a coffee stop on the way and a rest on the Eurostar.

Porte de Bagnolet. At the moment the Paris Metro is not supposed to be striking - and it would now be illegal for them to do so I think.

Of course we don't know what will be happening with blocks and demos.

Used Thameslink for the first time a few months ago and it was quiet and easy. Nothing to worry about. I would pick 3 or 4. If your Elizabeth line train doesn't stop at TCR, could you then get off at Russell Square, which I think is as near or nearer to walk to Kings X anyway?

I think the Elizabeth line doesn't stop at Russell Square?

Yeah there will be « service minimum » on the metro so some will be running.
the thing is that some stations and changes might be shut by the prefecture de police and to get to Porte de Bagnolet you need to change at République - which might be complicated ats it’s a rallying point.

So you’re probably better doing metro 4 and changing at reaumur to line 3 than trying the slightly shorter 5 then with with a change at république.

Porte de Bagnolet is also a rallying point so don’t wear black.

Tenon hospital is near Porte de Bagnolet too (between Porte de Bagnolet and Gambetta) so avoid the hospital exit when you get to Porte de Bagnolet.

Oh and make sure you have some euro cash as a lot of people are talking about refusing cards tomorrow.

I've been on the Lizzie Line this morning from Paddington to Liverpool Street, got into Paddington about 930 - it took a little longer than usual to get down onto the platforms (which are right by the main station platforms) as they're managing people down the escalators to ensure no platfrom crowding, but once on the platform, the trains are running normally and my train was pretty quiet. And it stopped at all stations.

I'd probably walk from TCR to KXSP. It's no more than 30 mins even with a wheely case.

Thank you very much - I'd already seen the warning about Republique so was thinking the Reaumur exchange would be best.

I notice there's also a strike on the 18th which was also in prospect as a travel day - we opted for returning on the 17th in the end,

Yes, we have cash. The hotel's paid in advance and we should have Metro tickets still loaded from the last trip.

Do not get a cab. The roads are gridlocked at the moment! I know someone who took over an hour to cross town yesterday morning.
Get the Elizabeth line, it will be rammed but just go to one of the ends and you should get on. Get off at either TCR or Farringdon and walk. The walk from Farringdon to KX is pretty straightforward and similar distance to TCR. You should be fine

Many thanks for all the great advice - not the first time I've asked for help about London travel and you locals are always so helpful.

I'm nervous of the cab option not just because of the expense but the thought of getting stuck and ending up walking anyway!

I'm really hoping there's no delays getting to London as I definitely think having time to consider the options on the ground (having a look at the Elizabeth line queues for a start) will be helpful.

My mistake! It's Farringdon as @Whyherewego said. Will be similar length walk.

The TFL journey planner says Elizabeth line to Farringdon, then the Thameslink.

Def Elizabeth line and thameslink. Through tickets will be fine. Have fun! And remember while St P is a great station, Eurostar terminal is teeny. An hour is plenty of time (as long as you’re at St P). Have fun!

Seconding those who say don’t take a cab, I drove past Euston to King’s Cross yesterday and people were jumping out of taxis and walking because traffic was stationary. Buses will be stuck in it too. It’s a reasonable walk from Farringdon, about 20 minutes or so. Enjoy Paris!

You could also consider taking the train from Oxford Parkway rather than Oxford. It comes into Marylebone which is a shorter walk to kings X if you end up walking.

Under these circs I'd be aiming to be in London a lot earlier. At least 2 hrs to check in at Kings X. What's the worst that could happen, you have time for a coffee and a croissant somewhere ?

Elizabeth line to Farringdon and then walk - it's not that far. Or Marylebone.

They won’t let you check in earlier. It’s pretty organised. There are lots of cafes before check in (in St Psncras).