Rick Steves Says This Train Ride Between Two Of Europe's Best Cities Is As Fun As The Destination

Seasoned traveler Rick Steves is known for finding joy in unexpected places while traveling, embracing the drawbacks of Europe's characteristic hotels, and smiling through crowded bus rides. But it's not hard to see why he loves one particular European train ride. As he puts it on his website: "This journey between two of Europe's greatest cities is almost as fun as the destination." He's talking about the ride from London to Paris via Eurostar, which whisks travelers between two countries separated by over 20 miles of water in the English Channel.

The Eurostar covers the 300-mile route between the capitals in just two hours and 16 minutes. Steves loves the journey for its speed, exclaiming, "The train is so fast that when the tracks parallel the highway, the cars look as if they're standing still." On high-speed tracks in the U.K. and France, the Eurostar can hit speeds of 186 miles per hour. Traveling at this pace is just as fun as Steves says, especially if you've only ever experienced wheezing Amtrak trains, which practically crawl along in comparison.

Going through the Channel Tunnel is an experience in itself. There's nothing to see down there — just darkness and the tunnel walls. But like Steves, you might also find passing through the "Chunnel" exciting. Running under the sea for 23.5 miles, it's the world's longest underwater tunnel, but the train rockets through at 100 miles per hour, meaning you're in and out in under 15 minutes. On the French side, you burst into open countryside and speed toward Paris.

When traveling from London to Paris, all passport and luggage checks are completed before departure, so you can simply hop off and immediately start enjoying your destination. Your ticket will show you the best time to arrive, but on average, 75 minutes before departure is recommended. If you're leaving from London, you'll go through passport control and security at St. Pancras International Station. The station is beautiful, combining Victorian architecture with modern comforts, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants to keep you occupied while you wait for your train to depart.

Onboard, there are three classes to choose from: Standard, Plus, and Premier. All offer a comfortable trip, with Wi-Fi and sockets at your seat, and each class allows you to bring at least two pieces of luggage with you (no hidden airline fees here). Benefits of Plus and Premier classes include more spacious seats and free food and drinks. Whichever class you decide to travel, make sure to follow this easy hack to find the cheapest Eurostar tickets.

Rick Steves says you can even make this journey a day trip, writing, "Catch an early train, spend about 10 hours in the City of Light, and be back by bedtime." It's an exciting way to visit what he considers two of the four best cities in all of Europe.