I would book now and just allow plenty of times between trains. Eurostar gets more expensive as you get closer to departure, because the cheapest seats sell out first.

Have you considered saving yourself the backtrack time and expense by just flying back from Paris instead? Many sites let you search multi-city flight prices (aka “open jaw” flights). Kayak and Cfares, for example, are good with these.

I’m looking into flying right now. The only thing is, since we are traveling by train from Ipswich to London, it may be easier just to take the Eurostar round trip because of different baggage rules, timing, etc.

Don’s suggesting an “open jaw” flight. Fly into London and back out of Paris, so you don’t have to backtrack to London.

Well, we can’t change our flights now because they are already booked because this trip is mainly to spend time with family in Ipswich, but we still wanted to get away to Paris and London for a few days.

We are leaving Ipswich by train to London on the 10th of August, then hoping on the Eurostar to Paris. From Paris we’ll go back to London on the 13th, then back to Ipswich to spend another 5 days with the family.

Have you had experience with luggage on the national express system?

My plan is to get on a train in Ipswich by 8 AM, get to the Eurostar station in London within 2 hrs, then allow 1-2 hours to transfer to our Eurostar train to go to Paris.

Do you think this allots enough time to transfer trains? I know I should buy Eurostar tickets ASAP, but is it necessary to book with national rail ahead of time or should I buy at the station?

I recommend that if you’re going to book Eurostar tickets in advance, then go ahead and book your connecting rail tickets from Ipswich—if your itinerary is firm.

Ipswich > St. Pancras trains look like they go about every 20 minutes, with durations generally 1.5 hour to 1 hr, 42 mins. thereabouts. So if you miss one, hop on the next one.

I’m seeing them your dates from £29 return if booked now from Virgin Trains; I mention them because sometimes they’re cheaper than competitors for the exact same rail journeys.

I think your family in Ipswich will be your best source for information on this one… Most of the short distance trains I’ve been on in UK were very crowded, so here’s my guess for this trip. Most likely, you’ll be trying to keep track of luggage while strap-hanging on a train packed with commuters. Second most likely, you’ll be sitting on your gear in the aisle of a very crowded train. If you’re lucky you’ll have your gear with you at your seat in the “normal” way. This is definitely an occasion where packing light is essential. If you have lots of gear you might want to splurge for 1st class — it looks like advance purchase 1st class tickets are relatively cheap.

My biggest concern would be taking your gear on the subway between Liverpool station and St. Panceas International. I’d allow 2 hours. It’s a short distance between stations, but 1 hour is pushing it. It will be rush hour so surface transportation will be very slow. The subway will be packed (imagine hauling and keeping track of your gear through turnstiles and on an absolutely packed subway). You need to check in for the Eurostar train a minimum of 30 minutes (45??? check www.eurostar.com ) in advance or you could be denied boarding — it’s run more like an airline than a normal train. This will probably be the absolute busiest time of day at the Eurostar station.

I’d seriously look at ways to avoid doing this trip at morning rush hour.