Need travel advice for trip to UK

[Rawhide]

I'm finally getting out of North America. I'll be making my first trip overseas in May 2013. I'll be attending the SQLBits conference in Nottingham, UK. I'll be traveling on business, not vacation, so I'm hoping to see some sights along the way. I was thinking that flying into Paris and then taking the train to London might be a nice way to see some sights en route. I'd rent a car in London and drive the rest of the way to Nottingham.

What do you think of this idea? Has anyone done that train ride, and is it worth the longer trip?

[Rawhide]

Spoon!

[Chevalier Bayard]

Heya !

I'm actually taking the Eurostar between Paris and London every week and it works pretty well. When you're leaving Paris for London, the 1 hour difference between the two countries makes your trip taking only 1h30 ! (and 3:30 for the way back, of course ). Do not wait the last minute to take your ticket as their price is climbing quite fast in the last days. Taking them 2 or 3 weeks before, I have to pay around 210€ for the two tickets (forward and back), travelling in first class (including lunch/supper). When I've had to take them on last notice, I already had to pay till 500€ while being on 2nd class.

If you rent a car in London while coming by train, know that they are not all actually in the train station. Maybe it has changed now but last time I rented one from Hertz I was pretty annoyed to find myself looking for the Hertz both, two subway stations far from Saint-Pancras (the Eurostar train station in London).

I don't know yet if I'll still be working in London in May, but I intend to see you in Paris at least ! Both cities worth spending some time visiting.