It was the day to leave continental Europe behind—boarding the Eurostar from Paris to London, crossing the border somewhere under the sea, and stepping into a new rhythm of daily life.
Morning: Leaving Paris
Woke up at 7 a.m., left my Airbnb at 9:30 after shaking hands with my host, who smiled and said, “Come back anytime.”
I took Metro Line 8 to Strasbourg–Saint-Denis, transferred to Line 4, and reached Gare du Nord.
With time to spare, I sat at McCafé, ordered a latte and a pain au chocolat, and used the slow Wi-Fi to write travel notes. It was quiet, uneventful, and exactly what I needed before the next leg.
Eurostar Boarding
At 1:00 p.m., I entered the Eurostar terminal inside Gare du Nord—just follow the giant Union Jack flag.
Exit and entry checks are both automated now. No drama, no human interaction—just gates and stamps.
Omio Seat Trouble
I’d booked a Eurostar Plus ticket through Omio—slightly pricier than standard, but with more legroom and a meal.
When boarding, I found someone already sitting in my seat.
Turns out Omio had double-assigned the same seat number.
The train staff handled it calmly in English and gave me a new seat.
Lesson learned: never trust the Omio app alone—check the printed ticket and the train’s digital screen before boarding.
Still, Omio remains useful for managing multiple train routes across Europe.
Plus-Class Meal Review
The Plus cabin was quiet, spacious, and had power outlets and USB ports.
Meal options: cold salmon pasta or couscous.
I went with salmon—spicy, flavorful, and surprisingly good.
Served with bread, butter, and a light AOC Languedoc red wine—easy to drink even for beginners.
If you plan to work or write during the ride, Plus is worth the extra cost.
Crossing the Border in the Bathroom
While I was in the restroom, the train entered the Channel Tunnel.
By the time I came out, we were already above ground in England.
No sign, no announcement—just water flushed and borders crossed.
So much for “dramatic international travel.”
Arrival at St Pancras: No Internet
Arrived in London St Pancras around 3 p.m., only to find no connection—my phone showed EDGE (2G).
Neither OlaFly nor Docomo roaming worked properly.
Apparently, it wasn’t my SIM—it was London’s network quirks.
I went offline, memorized the Underground map, and navigated manually.
By the time I reached Plaistow Station, 4G finally returned, and I used Google Maps to walk the last 15 minutes to my accommodation.
The Apartment: Quiet, Suburban, and… Scentless
My Airbnb was a three-story apartment in a residential zone (Zone 3).
Double locks at the entrance, kitchen-equipped, and quiet thanks to the nearby park.
What surprised me was the absence of scent.
From Istanbul to Paris, every city had its own fragrance—spices, perfume, or food.
London, however, smelled of nothing.
Soap, yes. But no perfume, no lingering aroma.
For a moment, it felt like the air had gone neutral.
Grocery Prices & Everyday Life
At a local supermarket, I checked prices:
- Chocolate biscuits: £1 (cheaper than Japan)
- Chicken thighs 1kg: £4 (same as Japan)
- Frozen pizza: £1 (shockingly cheap)
- Bananas: £1 per pack (more expensive than in Europe)
Some things cost less, others more—proof that London is a city of choices, not uniform prices.
Dinner: The “British Experience”
I splurged on a £4 MyProtein pasta.
Result: terrible.
No flavor, no sauce, just sadness.
Welcome to the “British culinary experience,” I guess.
Summary
- Omio is convenient, but always double-check seat info.
- Eurostar Plus is worth it for comfort and workspace.
- London’s air smells like… nothing.
- Groceries range from cheap to shocking.
- MyProtein pasta is a mistake.
Three weeks in London begin here—a new phase, less sightseeing, more living.
Takeaway:
Crossing borders isn’t always dramatic.
Sometimes you flush the toilet in France and step out into England.
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