The train service connecting Britain to France offers one of the easiest ways to reach mainland Europe from the UK.
So, what are the tips for traveling with Eurostar?
Here we answer the most frequently asked questions from holidaymakers crossing the Channel by train this summer, from planning their trip and buying tickets to onboard amenities and departure times.
Planning
Where is Eurostar going?
Five main cities can be reached by direct train from London; two in France (Paris and Lille), two in the Netherlands (Amsterdam and Rotterdam) and one in Belgium (Brussels).
Eurostar (eurostar.com) also allows travelers to book trains to various destinations. The “Any Belgian Station” ticket, as the name suggests, allows you to connect to any stop on the Belgian rail network (excluding Brussels Airport, which costs extra, but including Antwerp, Bruges and Liège). Brussels.
Similarly, while you can no longer book a non-stop service from London to Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallée (this option has been removed from the timetable in June 2023), the Eurostar website allows you to buy single change (usually Lille) Mickey Mouse ticket to the land of Other advanced destinations in France are Lyon, Avignon and Strasbourg. There are also single train services to the German cities of Cologne, Aachen and Düsseldorf.
In addition, the Eurostar Sun service operates to the south of France (Valence, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille) during the summer months (June to August; dates vary annually) – trains depart from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels, but not from England.
But the Eurostar Snow train to do We set off from London (departures run between December and February; again, dates change annually), via Lille, towards the ski resorts in the French Alps.
To be more precise, the stations of Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains, Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
How far in advance can you book?
Tickets are available six to eight months before departure.
How much do Eurostar tickets cost?
The price is the same for the five main destinations. Whether you’re traveling to Paris, Lille, Brussels, Rotterdam or Amsterdam, one-way tickets start from £39. However, they may be more expensive.
Eurostar offers three price categories: Standard, Standard Premier and Business Premier (which will be rebranded as Eurostar Standard, Eurostar Plus and Eurostar Premier respectively from 4 November this year). One-way fares start from £275 per person in the upper group (for Paris, Lille and Brussels; Premier fares to the Netherlands start from £290).
How can I buy cheap tickets?
As with flight tickets, advance reservations are recommended. Prices are higher if you buy in a short time.
When are the quietest and busiest times to travel?
As with air travel, departures during social hours are generally more popular than departures at the beginning or end of the day. This is also reflected in Eurostar’s prices.
Tickets for early or late trains (the first train from London to Paris usually leaves at 6.01am; the last train of the day leaves at 8.01pm) tend to be cheaper than those leaving at noon or in the afternoon.
Can pets ride Eurostar?
No. Pets are not allowed on Eurostar trains within and outside London or on Eurostar Snow and Eurostar Sun services. Guide dogs and support animals can travel (free of charge) on all routes. Eurostar asks passengers to contact them at least 24 hours in advance to arrange access.
However, pets are allowed on Eurostar trains starting and ending in mainland Europe (this excludes Lille-Brussels services in and out of London). Smaller pets (those that fit in a maximum 45x30x25cm carrier) can travel free; larger dogs need their own ticket (€30 [£26] each way; these can be purchased from onboard staff).
on the journey
Where and when does Eurostar leave?
London St Pancras International – in central London – is the only departure point for Eurostar trains in the UK. Trains do not currently stop at two Kent stations that were once part of the timetable. Discontinued services at Ashford and Ebbsfleet International were suspended indefinitely in 2020 (though it was vaguely discussed that they would restart in 2025).
Departure numbers vary from day to day, but travelers can generally expect 15 direct trains per day to Paris, 10 to Brussels, eight to Lille and four to two Dutch cities.
How early should you arrive at the station?
Brexit and the need for in-person passport checks have extended the departure process for passengers; but you don’t need to arrive in St Pancras as early as at the airport. Eurostar recommends arriving 90 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
Is there Wi-Fi on Eurostar trains?
Yes. Free as part of your fee.
What is the baggage allowance on Eurostar trains?
There is no weight limit on luggage on all Eurostar trains; However, you must be able to carry your bags safely and store them in designated areas. According to official advice, the length of a bag at its widest point cannot be greater than 85cm. If you are traveling with large items such as skis, you can reserve a special place for them.
The amount of luggage you can take on the plane varies. For flights to and from London:
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In Standard and Standard Premier the allowance is two pieces of luggage and one piece of hand luggage.
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In Business Premier, the allowance is three pieces of luggage plus one piece of carry-on luggage.
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And in all travel classes, children can take one piece of luggage and one piece of carry-on luggage
Can you take liquids on the Eurostar train?
Yes. Although airport-standard security checks, including baggage screening, are in place at all Eurostar stations, there are no restrictions on carrying liquids with you on the train.
What amenities are available on board?
All trains have a buffet car (branded as “Eurostar Café”).