'I caught the Eurostar to Paris - and I never want to fly anywhere again'

With summer approaching and destinations at our fingertips from the UK, it’s hard not to fantasise about booking a whirlwind weekend city break.

However, if you’re specifically after a visit to Paris, Amsterdam or Brussels, the Eurostar provides a quick alternative, and I would argue, superior, mode of transport to flying.

Heading to Paris for a three-day break, I was apprehensive about my train journey to the French capital. Rammed carriages with people forced to sit on the floors or customers facing last minute timetable changes, strikes or cancellations are an all too familiar experience in the UK.

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But just how easy was the Eurostar in comparison, and how did the international rail service compare to hopping on a short flight? I tested it out, catching the service from London St Pancras to Gare Du Nord and back to the UK a few days later.

I missed nothing about flying - apart from a glass of fizz in the departure lounge as I watch other planes take off - and instead found the whole experience remarkably stress-free and more convenient.

Arriving at London St Pancras almost two hours before my 8.01 train, I expected to be greeted with winding queues at security. One huge selling point was that I knew I wouldn't have to suffer the anxiety of whether I had met or exceeded my luggage allowance. Gone was the dread I feel at the airport watching my suitcase mount the scales in anticipation that I will have to pull out my wallet to pay for the extra kilogram, as there is no limit to the amount of luggage you wish to take with you.

Upon arrival, there were only about 100 or so people queuing to go through security, similar to what travellers go