London to Paris by Bus

I have a return ticket to Paris by Eurostar but have been thinking it might be interesting to do a surface crossing of the Channel. Has anyone taken the bus from London to Paris. Will it be a more serious problem getting from the bus station to my hotel in the 7th than from the Gare du Nord? I speak NO French so I will be totally dependent on the kindness of strangers.

Thanks for any help

UB

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If the bus arrives in tat the Gare de Nord then it won%26#39;t be more trouble then the Eurostar as it arrives at the same place !

Anyone crazy enough to take the bus from London to Paris rather then the train shouldn%26#39;t have any troubles covering about 2 miles on metro :)

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Where is the bus station?

I don%26#39;t know if time is an issue, but the trip by bus will be considerably longer. But the lack of french will not pose a problem.

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By the way, the %26#39;normal%26#39; London-Paris bus service doesn%26#39;t drop you in Gare de Nord, in fact it doesn%26#39;t actually even make it to Paris :) It stops at the end of metro line 3 (Galieni).

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ptegan/Good2Go

I know this trip seems a little simple minded, but I would really like to see the stretch of water that Big Willey didn���t seem to have too much trouble with in 1066, but that kept Dolph and the boys at bay in the 40s. I realize I will %26quot;waste%26quot; a day of my vacation, but it also seems like a chance to see a little of the English and French countryside. My understanding is that the bus stops at the Eurolines Coach station on Ave du General de Gaulle in Bagnolet. Is this at the end of metro 3 in Gallieni? If so, it looks like a direct shot from there on line 3 to Invalides then a transfer to line 8 and a short ride to Ecole Militarie and my hotel?

Thanks for your help and comments.

UB

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UteBear,

You might try asking your question on the London forum here.

Years ago we used to take a train from London, then the ferry across the channel and a train from the French side right into gare du Nord, just regular ole trains. The Eurostar does make a stop in Cailais and perhaps you could do the French part of your trip with it, to save some time. It was an interesting trip and they had a package price. Yes it does take longer but if you like the sea air, it can be neat too. I agree about just seeing that stretch of water that was so important throughout history.

There is English spoken on the trains and the French are really helpful if they know what you are asking.......use lotsa sign language and writing down what you want might be of value, along with pardon, merci, sil vous plait.

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Eurolines coach station is situated to Bagnolet (close neighbourhood of Paris) and the Metro station to get there is Gallieni line 3, from Gallieni you have to take one connection at Opera station and get the line 8 to Ecole Militaire, it may take you 30-40 minutes.

Sorry I %26#39;m not fluent in english :)

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I like Bea%26#39;s suggestion..... you get splendid views from the train, and you%26#39;d get the water trip, too. Didn%26#39;t say it was a waste of time, just wasn%26#39;t sure if you were aware of the time investment.

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%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;you get splendid views from the train, and you%26#39;d get the water trip, too. Didn%26#39;t say it was a waste of time, just wasn%26#39;t sure if you were aware of the time investment.%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;

The rail/ferry/rail links sound like a very good idea as an alternative for a leisurely passage between London and Paris, viewing some of the countryside as you go. The train service is quite excellent. And then you should ask yourself, do your really want to spend THAT much time on a bus? At least with the train, you can get up, walk around.