Eurostar from Paris to London

Eurostar is a high-speed railway service connecting London with Paris and Brussels. All its trains traverse the Channel Tunnel between the United Kingdom and France, owned and operated separately by Eurotunnel.

Routes

The London terminus is St Pancras International, with the other British calling points being at Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International in Kent.

Calling points in France are Calais-Fréthun and Lille-Europe, with the main Paris terminus at Gare du Nord. Trains to Belgium terminate at Midi/Zuid station in Brussels. In addition, there are limited services from London to Disneyland Paris at Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy, and to seasonal destinations in southern France.

Fares and Ticketing

It takes about 2h20min for the total journey (gentle reminder : there is 1 hour time difference between France and England during the summer time).
The earliest train from Paris departs at 06.43 and the latest one departs at 21.13. The earliest train from London departs at 5.40 and the latest one departs at 20.31. Click here to download the timetable PDF (from 8 July 2012 to 26 July 2012 and 13 August 2012 to 8 December 2012).

The fare depends on the hour of departure and the type of ticket chosen. There are 5 types of tickets (from the cheapest one to the most expensive) :
- Standard Non Flexible
- Standard Semi Flexible
- Standard Premier Non Flexible
- Standard Premier Flexible
- Business Premier Flexible
Please click here for the seating arrangements per class of cars.

   

Non Flexible means you cannot exchange or reimburse your ticket. Semi Flexible means the ticket can be reimbursed and exchanged before departure, with additional fees. Flexible means it can be reimbursed and exchanged.

Senior ticket is for people aged more than 60 years old at the date of departure. It is non-exchangeable and non-reimbursable. Young ticket is for people aged less than 26 years old at the date of departure. It is non-exchangeable and non-reimbursable. Kid ticket is for people aged less than 12 years old at the date of departure. International card ticket is for people with the InterRail card. It is exchangeable once before departure, but non-reimbursable. Night ticket is for people travelling on Saturdays for a departure after 16.00 and a return before 12.00 the next day.
The fares below are those departing from Paris. For more information about departure from other cities, please visit the official website (at the end of the post).

	Fares	One Way Ticket	Return Tickets
Standard	Semi Flexible	From 172€	From 305€
	Non Flexible	From 50€	From 88€
	Senior	48€	84€
	Young	48€	84€
	Kid	From 35€	From 62€
	International card	89€	150€
	Night		66€
Standard Premier	Semi Flexible	From 197€	From 350€
	Non Flexible	From 124€	From 220€
	International card	159€	270€
	Kid	From 35€	From 62€
Business Premier	Flexible (Paris)	349€	620€
	Flexible (Lille)	321€	570€

The fares depend on seasonal demand and peak days (like Saturday and Sunday) and operate on the same mode as airplane fares, thus a difference in price depending on which day and what time you decide to take the Eurostar. Eurostar bookings open 120 days before departure.
You can book your ticket online on their website (click here) without booking fees or on other travel websites. Then simply print out the tickets, or collect them at the station you are departing from.

 

Records achieved

The Channel Tunnel used by Eurostar services holds the record for having the longest undersea section anywhere in the world, as well as being the second longest rail tunnel in the world.
On 16 May 2006 Eurostar set a new record for the longest non-stop high-speed journey, a distance of 1,421 kilometres (883 mi) from London to Cannes taking 7 hours 25 minutes.
On 4 September 2007 a record-breaking train left Paris Gare du Nord at 10:44 (09:44 BST) and reached London St Pancras in 2 hours 3 minutes 39 seconds; carrying journalists and railway workers. The train was the first passenger-carrying arrival at St Pancras International station. On 20 September 2007, Eurostar broke another record when it completed the journey from Brussels to London in 1 hour, 43 minutes. 

Controls and Security

Because the UK is not part of the Schengen Area, and because Belgium and France are not part of the Common Travel Area, all Eurostar passengers must go through border controls. Both the British Government and the Schengen governments concerned (Belgium and France) have legal obligations to check the travel documents of those entering their respective countries (as well as those leaving, in the case of Belgium and France).
There is also a full security check similar to those at airports, scanning both bags and people's pockets. Security checks at Eurostar are comparable to those at a small airport and generally very much quicker than at London Heathrow. The recommended check-in time is 30 minutes. The reason for having full security check is special UK legislation for the tunnel.

Controls and Security

Website : www.eurostar.com

Taipei Metro - 台北捷運公司

The Taipei Metro, more commonly known as the MRT or formally as the Taipei Rapid Transit System, is a rapid transit system serving metropolitan Taipei in Taiwan. The system is built and operated by the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation (TRTC) and consists of 89 stations and 101.9 km of revenue track. The system carried an average of over 1.6 million passengers per day in December 2010. The Taipei Metro is Taiwan's first metro system. Since it first began operations in 1996, the system has been effective in relieving some of Taipei's traffic congestion problems.

Routes
Most rail lines running radially outward from central Taipei. The MRT system operates from 6 am to midnight daily, with extended services during special events (such as New Year festivities). Trains operate at intervals of 1.5 to 15 minutes depending on the line and time of day. Smoking is forbidden in the entire metro system, while eating, drinking, chewing gum, and betel nuts are forbidden within the yellow line of each station. Automated station announcements are recorded in Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka, and English.

5 main lines :
1- brown = 12 stations from Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center to Zhongshan Junior High School and 12 stations from Zhongshan Junior High School to Taipei Zoo
2- red = 20 stations from Danshui to CKS Memorial Hall and 1 station from Beitou to Xinbeitou
3- orange = 4 stations from Nanshijiao to Guting and 12 stations from Zhongxiao Xinsheng to Luzhou
4- green = 12 station from Ximen to Xindian and 1 station from Qizhang to Xiaobitan
5- blue = 22 stations from Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center to Yongning

Fare and Ticketing
RFIDIC Tokens and EasyCard smart cards are used to collect fares for day-to-day use, with the exception of group tickets and bicycle access tickets (which use paper tickets).
Fares range from 20 to NT$65 with most locations accessible for around NT$20–30. Beginning April 1, 2011, senior citizens and physically challenged individuals will be entitled to a 50% discount on fares. The fare for the first 5 km on a one-way ticket is NT$20, and each additional 3 km costs an extra NT$5, up to NT$65. A 20% discount is taken with use of an EasyCard.

There are 5 types of tickets as described below :
1- IC Tokens: These single-use tokens can be bought from ticket vending machines in each station. They are valid only on the day of purchase and replaced the existing magnetic cards in 2007.
2- One-Day Pass: This card allows for unlimited Taipei Metro travel. They are valid from the first use until the end of service on the same day (not including the Maokong Gondola). Value cannot be added and it costs NT$200 (inclusive of a NT$50 deposit). The deposit can be collected if the card is returned within three days of the first use.
3- Group Ticket: These are available for groups of 10 or more (at a 20% discount) or groups of 40 or more (at a 30% discount). These cannot be refunded once issued and require passengers to enter through the "Group Ticket Entrance/Exit".
4- Single Journey Ticket for Cyclists: At a cost of NT$80, this allows for one person to bring a bicycle into the system (at select stations). It is only issued/valid at certain times, and no funds can be given once issued. In 2008, 102,279 bicycles were taken on the Taipei Metro.
5- EasyCard: Issued by the EasyCard Corporation, these cards are stored value cards for contactless electronic payment. They are available as Adult, Student, Concessionaire, and TaipeiPass varieties.

Art
Important stations such as transfer stations, terminal stations, and stations with heavy passenger flow were chosen for the installation of public art. The artworks included murals, children's mosaic collages, sculptures, hung forms, spatial art, interactive art, and window displays. The selection methods included open competitions, invitational competitions, direct assignments, and cooperation with children.

Practical Information
Opening hours : 6.00 ~ 24.00
Website : http://www.trtc.com.tw/MP_122031.html

Kaohsiung MRT - 高雄大眾捷運系統

The Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System (KMRT; 高雄大眾捷運系統) is a rapid transit system covering metropolitan Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Construction of the KMRT started in October 2001. The Red Line and the Orange Line opened on March 9 and September 14, 2008, respectively.

Routes
There are 2 lines at the moment, but it is planned to have 9 more lines for a total of 11 KMRT lines. The Kaohsiung MRT is expected to be extended further into parts of the city formerly of Kaohsiung County, as well as Pingtung County.

Fares and Ticketing
There are 11 types of MRT cards, as described below:
1- single journey ticket : valid for a single ride on the day of the purchase on KRTC
2- usual : sold at NT$200 each (including NT$100 card price and NT$100 stored value), card price is non-refundable
3- student : sold at NT$200 each (including NT$100 card price and NT$100 stored value), card price is non-refundable
4- one-day pass : sold at NT$200 each ( including NT$70 deposit); valid on the day of the purchase; deposit will be refunded in 7 days while no deliberately damage is found on the card; unlimited for KRTC rides
5- two-day pass : sold at NT$230; valid for 2 days counting from the date of purchase; unlimited for KRTC rides
6- one-day traveler card : sold at NT$200; valid on the day once it is activated in KRTC or Kaohsiung City Bus/Ferry; unlimited for KRTC rides, Kaohsiung City Bus and Ferry
7- group ticket : for 10 passengers and above for single ride on KRTC
8- cyclist ticket : sold at NT$100 each; for passenger with non-folding bike for single ride on KRTC during specific period; valid on the day of the purchase
9- substitute ticket : sold under some special circumstances to substitute for Single Journey Ticket; valid in 7 days after issue
10- 100-day pass : sold at NT$3,600; valid for 100 days counting from the date of purchase; unlimited for KRTC rides
11- Kaohsiung happiness card : sold at NT$1,250; valid for 30 days counting from the date of purchase; unlimited for KRTC rides and Kaohsiung City Bus

Art

Kaohsiung Central Park Station and Formosa Boulevard Station feature artworks integrated into the design of the station by international artists.

Practical Information
Opening hours : Mon-Sun 5.00 ~ 23.00
website : http://www.krtco.com.tw/en/e-index.aspx

Transportation from Wanchai to Shenzhen airport

This time, for money reasons, I departed from Shenzhen airport to go to Shanghai, instead of directly from Hong Kong airport. My company told me that there was a transportation directly from Wanchai to Shenzhen airport in only 1-2h, depending on the time taken at the China immigration, so I decided to try it.

For the route from Hong Kong to Shenzhen airport, because my departure was on a public holiday, I had to take the bus. But for the return, from Shenzhen airport to Hong Kong I took a limousine. I am going to write further about these two means below.

Bus
Because I departed on a public holiday, I couldn't go by limousine, I took the bus instead. The earliest bus is at 7.05am, my colleagues told me it will take around 2 hours and I should add 1 more hour for the immigration, since I cross by passport and not by Chinese ID Card. Adding it all together, I was thinking I would arrive at the airport around 10am, allowing me to get on the 11am flight (for domestic flight, 1h prior to departure is enough), so I bought the 11.20am flight to Shanghai.

I arrived around 6.40am in front of the China Travel Service (CTS) office in Wanchai (please see below for all the practical information). There were already some people waiting there and soon after 2 office ladies arrived. I showed them my ticket and they gave me a sticker, with "airport" written on it, you will understand the use in a moment. The bus departed on time and stopped at the second stop in Hong Kong Central, where you can directly buy the tickets at a counter. After that it was straight to the border.

It took about 1h to go to the border. The driver asked us to go down, without our luggage, to cross the Hong Kong border and we will meet him after it. Since I am holder of the Hong Kong ID card, it was pretty fast for me to cross it. Back on the bus and after 5 minutes, we arrived at the Chinese border. That was the end of our trip by bus, every passengers had to take its luggage and cross the border. This time I was using my passport and had to fill in the Arrival form. As it was still early, I crossed the border quickly too. I went out the immigration building and immediately was recognized by my sticker (use of it now) to go to the airport (some passengers were going to Guangzhou, Shenzhen city center, or other places in China). I was led to a minibus, not that comfortable, big enough for small luggage, but not for big ones ... Luckily the route took about 30 minutes only and we arrived at the airport.

All in all it took me 2 hours only to go from Wanchai to Shenzhen airport, including border time. It was beyond my 3 hours preparation. I arrived at 9am and had to wait for 2 hours for my 11.20am flight :P

Limousine
My flight landed at 6.45pm and because I only had hand-carried luggage and it was a domestic flight, I went out of the airport very fast. At the exit of the airport, there are many companies that will take you from the airport to several places in Hong Kong. I asked for the limousine company and was directed to their counter. They have a small office, where you can rest and go online. The ladies told me that the 7pm limousine was already fully booked, but that the passengers haven't gone out of the airplane yet. So if by 7pm, nobody showed up, I could board on it. Luckily for me, I had my place and bought the ticket directly at the counter. We were only 3 ladies on the limousine, for 5 places, so we were very comfortable.

The driver drives fast, but smoothly. We arrived at the border (China and Hong Kong at the same place) in about 45 minutes. There we had to wait for about 30 minutes, inside the car with aircon, to be our turn to cross the border. The driver will ask for your documents and check them before handing them to the border officer. Second queue for the Hong Kong border and we are off to Wanchai. This limousine had 2 stops, the first one in Kowloon side and the second one in Wanchai in front of the China Travel Service (CTS).

It took 2 hours from Shenzhen airport to Wanchai, but we had to wait about 45 minutes at the border, because of it being Sunday evening.

Summary
All in all, both transportation means took the same time for me, although the limousine is supposed to be faster. But I passed the China immigration the morning on my way in, there was not many people queuing up for the passport line. And we passed the immigration on the way back around 8pm on a Sunday, so I guessed most people were heading back to Hong Kong after a week end in China. So it all depends on the time you cross the border.

Both bus and limousine were comfortable enough for me. The limousine is more spacious (again we were only 3 for 5 seats), but the bus allows for more luggage.

Speaking Chinese greatly helps, but most of the signs and documents are translated in English and besides the time and the cost, there is not much to be aware of.

Practical information
Wanchai China Travel Service (CTS) office : G/F, Southorn Centre, 138 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong (exit B2 of Wanchai MTR station)
Tel : 2832 3888
Opening hours : Mon-Fri 9.00 ~ 19.00, Sat 9.00 ~ 18.00, Sun & Holidays 9.30 ~ 18.00
website : http://www.ctshk.com/english/index.htm

Shenzhen airport counter : at the exit of the airport (just after picking up the luggage, where there is the pick up area), go left and there is a small office there.

Fare : HKD100 for the bus and HKD180 for the limousine (same in RMB)

Timetable :
- from Wanchai to Shenzhen airport :
- from Shenzhen airport to Wanchai :

Note: there is another bus company that stops at the Kowloon Airport Station and allows us to check-in and thus reducing the time needed at the airport. Please see link (in Chinese).
Note 2: a China visa is necessary for passport holders.