September 15, 2003 -- Fares to London are getting absurdly low this fall and winter. As we reported last week, we've seen airfares as low as $186 from New York and $309 from the West Coast this winter.
These very low fares, combined with some new rail options, make London a terrific jumping-off point for a combined Britain-France vacation.
To get to France, check out the new Eurostar fares at www.raileurope.com/us/rail/eurostar/index.htm. The lowest fare, the Leisure 4, is available on Monday-Thursday trains and makes Paris a $90 roundtrip from London. Weekend roundtrips start at $150.
Paris can even be a day trip from London, as the train only takes two hours and 35 minutes. Day trip tickets cost $94 roundtrip.
For added savings, combine the low Eurostar fares with the Grand Weekend France Saverpass. This special pass lets you take all French trains over a four-day period, either Thursday-Sunday, Friday-Monday or Saturday-Tuesday. It's available for purchase before Dec. 31 and travel before March 30, 2004. Two people must be traveling together to use this pass. A first class ticket costs $159 per person, and a second class ticket costs $139 per person. Get the full details here: www.raileurope.com/us/specials/grand_weekend_france_saverpass.htm.
Ideally, you'd zoom down to Paris on a Thursday, wander around France for four days, spend a night or two in Paris and come back up to London on Monday or Tuesday.
If you need more flexibility, there are other reasonably-priced options. The Eurostar Plus France Railpass combines four days of travel in France (at any time of the week) with a one-way or roundtrip Eurostar ticket (even on weekends.) Second-class versions start at $236. Also, try to get an open-jaw fare from your airline -- arriving in London, returning from Paris. Unless you're flying Icelandair (which doesn't go to Paris), you may find this fare plus the Eurostar Plus France Railpass will save you money over a roundtrip Eurostar ticket. Check out this pass at www.raileurope.com/us/rail/eurostar/eurostar_plus_france_railpass.htm.
All of these tickets can be bought online at www.raileurope.com or by calling 877/257-2887.