Nov 27, 2007

London to Brussels via the Chunnel


Well, I've done it. I just booked a one-way ticket in early February from London to Brussels. It will take 6 1/2 hours to get to Amsterdam (my final destination) from start to finish and it isn't cheap ($350 one way), but so what? My brother and his wife will be leaving from Heathrow at the same time, taking the plane to Schiphol Airport. I am willing to bet that they'll only beat me to the hotel near The Dam by an hour or so, and that I'll arrive feeling less ruffled and having seen more interesting stuff along the way.

Has anyone taken the Euro Star underneath the English Channel? Want to tell me what it was like? I know, I know. Dark.

10 comments:

jinxy said...

I slept through the tunnel. I'm claustrophobic so the less I thought about being in a tunnel under a body of water, the better. So I took drugs and knocked myself out for that particular train ride. I was worried I'd work myself into not being able to do it. So unfortunately I'm not a good person to give an account of that particular experience.

But my ex said the novelty of it wore off after a few minutes and he got back to reading his book. He made it sound like riding on the train at night. I remember it being cool, but that's about all.

I'm sure for people without the phobias I'm plagued with it would be a fun thing to try.

Jen said...

I rode on the Eurostar train from Paris to London, waaay back in 1995! It's a beautiful trip. While we were in the chunnel I closed my window after a couple minutes and just read. Not much different from being on an airplane or train at night, IMHO. You will need to pop your ears! :)

From UK to Amsterdam we took the ferry. That was worse because it's soooo s...l...o...w...

Big Fella said...

Very cool, I hate planes, much prefer trains. But you have me confused "London to Brussels via the Chunnel" and then you mention London to Amsterdam. Maybe you want to take a portable GPS with you, Ms. Place.

Vic said...

Ha, Big Fella! After I arrive in Brussels, I'll sit for an hour, then will take a train into Amsterdam. I'll gaze at the Dutch countryside eating cheese, poffertjes, and lumpia (I HOPE!) and drinking Amstel and Heineken in no special order.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful! Amsterdam is definitely on my list!

Anonymous said...

Cool! You will have to post some pictures here from your trip. I can't wait until I get to study abroad in Bordeaux and am conveniently located to travel about Europe.

h said...

Off topic, but check out Padma's interview in Vanity Fair. She has a FOUL mouth. Yeesh!

Anonymous said...

At least you won't get seasick on the ferry or -- even worse! -- the hovercraft!

I lived in A'dam 82-86. Squat (now very nice city housing for students!) in the Oost between end of Artis (the zoo) and canal looking over at the Tropenmuseum.

Maybe it will be cold enough to skate on the canals!

I love the Amsterdam train station, but my favorite is the one in Antwerp.

Gee, I'm jealous!

-- desertwind

Linda Merrill said...

I took the Euro Star from Paris to London and back three years ago. I was in Paris and did a day trip to London. I splurged and did it first class! So, lovely meals in both directions served on china with real silver and glassware. Trés chic! The chunnel itself was pretty much as others have said - like traveling at night. Exciting at the beginning, then I think I napped. I'm going to Paris the last week in January, but won't have time for any chunneling!

eric3000 said...

Ooh, have fun!

I know it's more expensive than flying (or about the same) but I wonder how first class tickets compare. Anyway, even with coach it should be more comfortable than a plane.