Where to stay when taking the Eurostar from London to Paris
Whether you are on a long weekend getaway, or perhaps travelling for a summer jaunt or even preparing to study abroad, whatever the reason, Paris is always a good idea! And given the proximity between London and Paris, taking the Eurostar is quick and much more beneficial to the environment.
I regularly take the Eurostar and love the process. It is so simple and usually seamless. But I am always amazed at how many times I am asked how to book, where to stay in London and whether you can see the fish through the windows in the Channel Tunnel!
It is, therefore, high time I took pen to paper and offered up some useful tips for people wanting to take the Eurostar from London to Paris and gave information about where to stay in London.
Ready? Let’s get stuck in…
Where to stay in London near St. Pancras
Many people may not have accommodation in central London or may live too far from the capital to safely make the trip to St. Pancras on the date of departure with Eurostar. In this case, it is best to be prepared and stay in a hotel in London the day before departure.
However, particularly in recent years, the price for a hotel room in the British capital has risen quite sharply. Even for a stay in a relatively modest hotel, the prices are often quite eye-watering.
The first thing to consider, if you have the luxury of flexibility, is the day of the week. Hotel rooms are always more expensive from Thursday through to Sunday. Weekend prices often surpass weekday prices by quite a margin. You may also be advised to look around to see what major sporting, musical or cultural events are organised when you plan to stay as the dynamic pricing structure of hotels on most booking sites tends to lead to steep price increases when demand is high during such events.
The best hotels around St. Pancras on a budget
If money is tight then London can be difficult, especially central London. However, there are some good offers to be had. In terms of taking the Eurostar (and if you have a very early morning train trying to bank in on cheaper early-morning fares), it is always best not to have to venture too far and risk tube or train delays.
Hotels around St. Pancras and King’s Cross Station just over the road are the best bet. For those on a budget, there are some cheaper hostels and hotel rooms. When I used to take the Eurostar as a student I tried a few of these out. The quality is very mediocre and you don’t particularly have the best night’s sleep. It is often best trying to spare a few extra pounds to upgrade to a better option if you have the means.
If you don’t want to break the bank, in terms of London prices, it is best to favour some of the major hotel chains. With these you are guaranteed a clean room, good facilities and a comfortable sleep. They also offer deals and you’ll most likely have a breakfast option making the early morning a little easier.
If you are looking to be relatively close to St. Pancras, it is often a good idea to expand your search on the booking sites to Euston. There are some good offers by the likes of Hilton and Premier Inn around the Euston area. These are within striking distance of St. Pancras at about 10 minutes by foot. Even with a suitcase in tow, this is manageable. Alternatively, they are just one stop on the tube line.
Where to stay around St. Pancras if you have the budget
If money isn’t an issue, or you don’t mind upgrading to a slightly better stay with increased facilities and comfort, there are some real gems around St. Pancras to try.
The first option would be the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel itself. This is part of the Marriott Group of hotels and offers exceptional rooms, a wonderful on-site bar and restaurant and boasts one of the most elegant hotel exteriors in central London.
Rooms at the St. Pancras Renaissance are a little pricier than the usual, albeit without reaching the heights of hotels around Park Lane and Mayfair.
Where to stay at London King’s Cross
If you don’t want to extend your budget quite as far as the St. Pancras Renaissance, then looking over the road at King’s Cross offers a very tempting option.
The Great Northern Hotel sits in the very building of London King’s Cross Station. It sounds less luxurious than it actually is and - rest assured – you are well protected from the noise of departing and arriving trains.
The Great Northern Hotel is not quite as expensive as the St. Pancras Renaissance hotel, despite being a little more expensive than some options around Euston.
The hotel also boasts a very popular downstairs bar with a terrace which is a treat on a sunny afternoon with a glass of rosé. The on-site restaurant named Rails serves up very nice meals in a chic and elegant setting.
There is also a second hotel bar just outside the restaurant with a more luxurious feel to it thanks to snug sofas and wonderful views out towards St. Pancras.
There is a good choice of rooms from a single sleeper to a more spacious upstairs Victorian style room with views across the top of King’s Cross Station.
It is also just a few metres from St. Pancras Station itself, with the hotel entrance actually being closer to the Eurostar terminal than the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel. For those departing on the first Eurostar service of the day, this would definitely be my top pick.
Where to eat near St. Pancras
When staying near St. Pancras overnight before taking your Eurostar, it is always good to find somewhere to enjoy a meal ahead of your travel. I am sure, like me, you’re often keen not to have to venture too far from your hotel if you have an early morning the next day.
Whenever I am in a hotel for leisure, I always prefer to venture out to get a break from the same four walls. The advantage with the nicer restaurants around King’s Cross is that you don’t have to be a guest of the hotel to be able to reserve and dine.
Two of my favourite picks on the doorstep of St. Pancras are precisely located in the two hotels previously mentioned.
RAILS restaurant is nestled on the first floor of the Great Northern Hotel. This is a wonderful option for a lunch or evening meal. The food served is classy bistro style and the setting is elegant. For solo travellers this is also an ideal restaurant as it allows you to book a table for one person – not always an option in many restaurants.
However, the top pick for restaurants around St. Pancras has to go to the Hansom in the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel. Indeed, if you are starting to get excited for your impending trip on the Eurostar, this will make you giddy. It sits inside the concourse of St. Pancras and makes you feel like you are already on your way. It has a wonderful and wide range of options, from the obligatory afternoon tea to a great cocktail bar and 3-course dining menu for an evening meal.
When should you arrive at the Eurostar terminal at St. Pancras the next day for check-in?
This is a question which I am sure the Eurostar staff are always being asked and sick and tired of answering. The truth is, it really does depend (sorry!).
My first piece of advice on answering this question is to think ahead when booking. Typically the first and last trains of the day are the cheaper options – cheaper generally means less demand, less busy and fewer people = quicker check-in.
The next thing to look at is the day of the week. Many people – including probably yourself if you are reading this – are off to Paris for a weekend trip. This means that the numbers of passengers on a Thursday and Friday is likely to be much higher than mid-week for example.
In recent years I’ve tried to book my Eurostar relatively early morning on a Monday or Tuesday. If you manage to get a time when there are fewer people, away from the busy school holiday periods, then you can afford to arrive at the check-in gates around 45 minutes to an hour before your departure time, often without needing to queue.
If you are bound by school holidays and can’t afford to take a mid-week day off work, then prepare for a longer wait and a queue at the terminal. My advice is to arrive early and join the queue. You’re best off arriving around 90 minutes before departure. As soon as check-in opens you can then get started and if you are quick, fear not, the terminal has a couple of places to buy a snack or small meal and a coffee.
Final tip to make Eurostar check-in easier
My final piece of advice to all travellers – from business class to standard class – is to anticipate the check-in process. What exactly do I mean? Just like the airport, you will have to cross the security and customs. You will be asked to remove all objects from pockets and your belt. I find it easier to put these items in a small bag at the top of my hand luggage to save me having to undress and dress at the station. Once you have passed customs you can then put them on easily from the comfort of the boarding lounge. Keep your passport within easy reach too. But, once you’ve passed French customs you’ll be unlikely to need it again.
And finally, enjoy your trip to Paris! Oh, by the way, there are no fish visible during the Eurostar journey in case you still wondered!