1

Millions of people

It's easy enough to get to from either Gatwick or Heathrow - though a little time consuming. The main problem is building in enough leeway to cater for plane, immigration, customs and transit delays. From Heathrow it's often recommended to fly instead - from Gatwick that option doesn't exist, no flights.

2

Hi....
To answer just your questions asked - in brief....

Has anyone taken the Eurostar (underground chunnel) over to Paris from London.... Yes.

Is it recommended.... "Yes" - say some. "No", say others.

is it easy to get to from London Heathrow/Gatwick

Two airports a long way from each other - and the journey to St. Pancras International takes awhile.
Easy to get to from either?.... Yes.

is the journey a long and tiresome one

Depends how you define a 'Long and tiresome' journey.
It'll take a few hours from either airport, but I don't see it as long and tiresome. Quite pleasant - actually.
Hope it all comes together well.

3

If you mean "Is it better to take the Eurostar to Paris than flying", yes it is, done it too, take the train.

4

I've done the Eurostar loads of times - Brussels more than Paris.
Yes, St Pancras is a fair distance from either airport. But, if you're heading for the centre of Paris, the train takes you a lot closer. Factor that in when you're considering the journey to St Pancras, you might save time in Paris.
Other than that, I prefer the train myself - more comforable, better surroundings, walk to the bar, better feeling for the journey.

5

Eurostar, door to door, city centre to city centre is faster than flying.

The drive / RER train into central Paris from CDG airport is awful, long, dirty, congested.

Eurostar carriages are a little dated in 1990s styles grey (there is no competition from other train operators) but the trip is refreshingly pleasant. Nice buffet in leisure class, decent meal in business.

6

we felt the trip became a bit boring - loads of nothing exciting to see on your way thru France. The return trip at night did appear very very long, thought we were never going to reach English soil let alone London.

In saying that though, if it is within budget and time constraints, yes go for it, especially if it is something you probably won't have the chance to do again. Keep in mind though, it is nothing more than an every day train trip.

7

If you are visiting France, buy an air ticket to Paris. If you are flying into a London airport, then visit England and save France for next time.

If your question meant: is Eurostar a great experience, the answer has to be no. It provides a good way of travelling between London and several European cities, but is not an attraction in itself.

8

If you have the time, do how the locals do: cross the channel by ferry!!! It's many o'southern Brits' favorite weekend 'abroad'; ferry to calais, on-board pint + full breakfast, fill the trunk with "cheap" wine and come back.
You would need to rent a car though.

Paris is overrated anyway.

9

Paris is overrated anyway

Wash your mouth out ! !

:-)

10

If you are flying into Heathrow then immediately go to Paris then the best option is to fly. It's best done at time of booking - if you are intending to spend time in Paris then in London use the multicity option so you fly into Paris and out of London. This means you may avoid Heathrow totally, you certainly will avoid UK immigration, the need to collect luggage, UK customs, an hour long trip to St Pancras, allowing extra time for Things Going Wrong and worrying that you aren't going to make it every time the Tube stops for more than 30 seconds. 4 hours is the minimum I'd allow between landing and departure. Instead you just follow the signs to Flight Connections. The really good news If Things Do Go Wrong and you miss your onward flight, then it's the airline's responsibility to get you to Paris - something that doesn't apply if you take Eurostar.

You could cut an hour off that if you buy a separate airline ticket from Heathrow to Paris - and you might be able to convince the check-in clerk at home to check your luggage through to Paris in which case you can avoid immigration etc and just follow the signs to Flight Connections,

Do it right and you could be in Paris and drinking coffee before you'd even reach St Pancras.

Gatwick doesn't have any flights to Paris so the simplest - after 9:30am on weekdays, all day weekends and public holidays is to take the First Capital Connect train from Gatwick to St Pancras. You can, on the UK version of the Eurostar website buy one ticket that will take you from Gatwick to Paris. This, like connecting flights, means it's Eurostar's problem if you miss the train.

11

Paris must be the World's loveliest capital city, but London also has much merit.
There are dozens of flights LHR to PAR but there are also 3/4 terminals in operation, You'll only get your luggage checked thru safely to Paris if your connecting airline is in the same grouping as your original carrier.
From LHR to KingsX/ St. Pancras is easy but over an hour on the Piccadiily line (the only line to LHR).

12

I really enjoyed taking the Eurostar between London and Paris.

I did a trip report with photos here:
http://mylittlenomads.com/eurostar-train-between-london-and-paris

Good luck.