profile

A Life Away

London to Paris with a quick dip under the ocean

Published 3 months ago • 1 min read

Eurostar Travel Tips

I usually talk about travel inside the UK, but I've recently been helping family plan a trip to visit the UK and Paris, France. They're spending half of their time with me in and around London, with a few days in the middle off exploring Paris. They'll be traveling under the sea on the Eurostar train to get there and back.

I've taken the Eurostar train service a few times myself, but wanted to share a few tips in case this type of trip is on your bucket list too.

  • If you're planning a trip, sign up for the Eurostar newsletter before you book. They run flash sales often, but they start and end quickly. Pricing on a flash sale is as low as £35 each way.
  • Trains to Paris depart from St. Pancras Station in London. This station is lovely and it's worth showing up early for a wander. You never know who you'll see either - Jeff Goldblum recently surprised folks by turning up to play one of the station's pianos.
  • Passport control for the Eurostar is a little strange. You actually go through checks for the UK and then France back to back - agents at two different desks (one for each country) check your info before you board.

Family Travel in Paris

Wondering whether the city of love works for family travel? I actually had one of my best travel experiences ever when visiting Paris with my 5-year-old daughter in tow. People were incredibly welcoming and kind to her, and to us as her parents as a result. It's a wonderful destination for families and an easy hop from London.

Hidden Gem: Bushy Park

Located just outside Hampton Court Palace, Bushy Park will make you forget that you're still mostly in London. This park is a former royal hunting ground that is still home to a large population of red deer. It's a magical place for a walk.

That's all for now. Where are you hoping to go next?

See you next week!

Victoria

​

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

Affiliate Disclosure: I occasionally link to products using affiliate links, which may pay me a small commission. I only recommend things that I use myself and believe in. Clicking these links does not cost you anything. If you buy through my links, thank you for making it possible for me to keep doing this.

A Life Away

UK travel and expat life advice from an American living abroad

Thinking of traveling to the UK, or even moving here someday? I'm here to help. I’m Victoria, an American who’s made the leap across the pond not once, but twice. I created A Life Away to help fellow Americans experience the UK more confidently, whether you're planning a dream trip, a scouting visit, or a full-on relocation. If you want real-life advice, honest insights, and inspiration for your UK adventure delivered straight to your inbox, then this is for you.

Read more from A Life Away

Summer in America vs. the UK I was lucky to have a good friend come visit me last week. Her kids have just wrapped up the school year in California and are starting in on summer activities. My nieces and nephews in Florida and Texas have been out of school for a few weeks. Meanwhile, my daughter still has over a month left in the school year. It's strange every year to see signs of US holidays while school is still on here. The differences between school calendars in the US and UK were so...

20 days ago • 2 min read

Hi there! I've been gone a bit longer than planned, so sorry for going quiet. I'm just getting settled back in after spending time back in the US visiting family and friends. It was so nice to be close to people I usually only get to speak to over video. I haven't experienced homesickness much this year, but there will always be a part of my heart that lives in America. American Things That Don't Exist in the UK Any time I go back to the US, my friends ask me what food I've missed and what...

28 days ago • 2 min read

The Housing Culture Shock It's hard to believe it's been nearly three years since I moved my family to the UK (for the second time). In spite of how long we've been here, and having now experienced several different rental houses, we are still sometimes surprised by what's normal in homes here compared to the US. From living in a rainy country with no clothes dryer to tiptoeing up steep staircases, we've definitely had to adapt. I recently updated my blog article 30 Big Differences Between...

2 months ago • 1 min read