Lille or Paris to Disneyland

[Demonica]

Hi again

Will take Eurostar for the first time later this year.

Don't think we can do the direct service straight to DL so can make it to Paris or Lille instead.

Does anyone know which one has the easiest, least stressful way to get to DL station?

Also with Eurostar, how long are you meant to get to the station before departure time? Is it like airports where you have to be there an hour before your flight?

Thank you!

 

[SandraVB79]

From Paris, you'll have to take the RER to DLP. I have never done it, don't know how easy/ difficult it is or how much it costs.

Lille is still quite "far" from DLP, and you'll need a TGV from there to either DLP or to Paris and then take RER. I think it's slightly more than an hour from Lille to DLP by TGV.

 

[salandbri]

Via Lille is easier. You get booked seats on both trains and normally the wait time at Lille on the outward journey is less than half an hour.

You need to allow half an hour for check in time at Eurostar for passport and security checks. Extra time will automatically be allowed at Lille on your return journey if you book direct with Eurostar or Rail Europe.

I have also been via Paris on the RER. Whilst this is not difficult it is more stressful and requires one change. There is also quite a hike at Gare du Nord from the Eurostar to the RER with your luggage.

 

[mummyal]

I have never travelled via Lille but from what I've read/heard, it just involves changing platforms to catch the connecting Eurostar train to DLP. As the previous poster has said, taking the RER isn't difficult but it just involves more walking through a very busy Gare du Nord and then more walking again when you have to change RER trains... and when you have luggage and kids and a buggy (we did), it's a bit more difficult/cumbersome.

HTH.

 

[gdulka]

I have to change in Lille at the beginning of July so I can let you know how it's when I'm back. But I heard that it's easy and you have just enough time to do it!

 

[Demonica]

Thanks for all your replies.

From the looks of things it may be slightly less stress but more money.

I have to change in Lille at the beginning of July so I can let you know how it's when I'm back. But I heard that it's easy and you have just enough time to do it!

That's great would be nice to know how you get on.

 

[JEM4]

I am changing at Lille on Saturday will let you know next week. The BRIT guide says that you don't need to change platforms, but I will obviously be double checking when we arrive in Lille.

 

[Demonica]

So do you transfer onto another Eurostar or is it a French train?

 

[salandbri]

At Lille you transfer onto a French TGV train.

 

[miamivice]

you do have to change platforms at lille, but it is only about 20metres

we caught the eurostar to lille then a tgv from there

we had reserved seats on both trains.
the tgv was a "double-decker" train (i had not seen one before) and only stopped at Charles de gaule airport before disney

we had no problems whatsever

 

[Demonica]

Thanks for the replies.

When I looked yesterday from memory the ticket for TGV was about £50 each way, is that about right?

Where did you pre-book your tickets?

 

[salandbri]

I have booked tickets for Eurostar and TGV direct with Eurostar although you can also use Rail Europe. You can book as one journey from London to Disney and they sort out the changeover times at Lille.

 

[Demonica]

I have booked tickets for Eurostar and TGV direct with Eurostar although you can also use Rail Europe. You can book as one journey from London to Disney and they sort out the changeover times at Lille.

That sounds nice and easy. Is the TGV ticket valid all that day? ie If you miss the connection *** one train is running late

 

[salandbri]

Is the TGV ticket valid all that day? ie If you miss the connection *** one train is running late

TGV ticket is for a specific train with reserved seat numbers. If you miss connection because of late running train I believe they will transfer you to a later train at Lille ticket office but it has never happened to me. Suggest you check when booking if you are concerned.

 

[Demonica]

Thanks. Don't know why I got *** there!

 

[torsie24]

I second that Gare du Nord can be quite daunting, and difficult to find the right Metro line to get on.

 

[Demonica]

It's sooo tempting just to go with the direct Ashford - Disneyland line.

The main thing putting me off is the return time. It'd be a Sunday night, we'd have to drive from Ashford to my Mums (to pick up kids) and then drive to Wiltshire. It'd be a late night with school/work next day!

If Eurostar could shift all their timetables to suit me that would be great

 

[mikelan6]

We did the connection in Lille October 2007 and it was VERY easy. Our Eurostar arrived from London and we got off. We had to wait a few minutes to see where the connecting TGV train would depart from, but once it was announced, it was very easy to find. I think in total, we waited 30 minutes in Lille. We arrived at DLRP and it was an easy walk to the hotel.

I would not recommend Gare du Nord. We went through here on another trip and it was a bit rough finding your way from the long distance trains to the RER.

 

[Demonica]

Thanks for letting me know!