stevecdaly
Traveller
0 comments
Posted 1 month ago
We are two UK citizens.
We live in the Manchester area.
We want to tour France using inter rail passes in 2025.
Can we use the pass to travel from Manchester to London to connect with the Eurostar to Paris and to return to Manchester at the end of the trip?
No other countries will be involved.
Thanks in advance.
Steve Daly
MisterSteve
Traveller
916 comments
Yes, if you have a Global pass - no if it's a "One Country Pass" for France. Just bear in mind this "home country" travel counts as part of the number of days you buy the pass for and are not bonus add-ons - so if you go to London the previous day for an early Eurostar you will use one day before even leaving the country. Likewise if you arrive London late and stay the night you will need a day of the pass to get home. Given Avanti's current poor performance you must allow plenty of time of time at London on the outward trip, Eurostar quote a minimum check-in time, add at least 90 minutes to that. You can walk from Euston to Eurostar check-in in about 13 minutes if you follow the green and grey walking route signs that begin at the exit of Euston (by Simply Food).
The Eurostar tickets need booking early as there is a quota system and they are limited - and again you need a Global pass not One Country. Make sure your travel insurance includes "missed departure" because if you miss the booked train they may only have expensive full priced tickets on the next. Reserve seats from Manchester to London to prove what your plan was, these reservations are FREE from any station that has a proper ticket office.
nltrainer
Traveller
1343 comments
Als be aware that FR and its state=burocratic SNCF train monopoly is not particularly Pass-friendly. All those shiny superfast TGV and also all remaining IC MUST be REServed and this can now (looking other reports) can only be done online before-cost is 10 (if lucky=small quota) or 20€/pp/ride.
The service on the Regional=TER trains is not very frequent in general and connections may even be worse. BUT some regions also offer their own-and sometimes quite cheap- fare/pass offers. Have you ever been before doing extensive train travel over there?
You have to look into cost; it MAY be cheaper to buy 1-pass for FR and additional tickets for to LON + €* vs. a global pass and all the additional cost (30€/ride/pp for that *). Will also depend on age-senior discounts may apply.