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	Buy Eurostar tickets... Booking tips...   This is the best way to buy tickets, direct from Eurostar at www.eurostar.com with no booking fees.  You print out your own ticket.   To buy Eurostar tickets starting in Paris or Brussels, click here.   Eurostar bookings open 120 days ahead.   St Pancras is Eurostar's London station.  To buy tickets to Paris or Brussels starting in 130 UK towns & cities go to www.eurostar.com, or buy a separate train ticket to London as explained here.   Business Premier & Standard Premier = 1st class with drinks & meals. Standard = 2nd class.  Tips on choosing a specific Eurostar seat  Buy special connecting UK train tickets
	What are Eurostar trains like? A Eurostar at St Pancras... Eurostar first class.  On each train, some 1st class cars are allocated to business travellers (Business Premier) others for leisure users (Standard Premier with cheaper inflexible tickets).  360° photo.  More information.  Tips for choosing your seat.
	Eurostar standard class.  Only cars 5 & 14 have power sockets for laptops.  Cars 1 & 18 are the family-friendly cars with baby-changing rooms.  More information.  Tips for choosing your seat.
	The cafe-bar:  Each Eurostar train has two café-bars (cars 6 & 13) serving drinks & snacks...
	Standard Premier complimentary meals:  In Standard Premier (1st class for leisure), the fare includes a simple but tasty cold tray meal with wine, beer or soft drinks, tea or coffee.  This is dinner... ...this is a Standard Premier breakfast.
	Business Premier complimentary meals:  In Business Premier (1st class for business), the fare includes a more extensive airline-style tray meal with cooked hot dishes & wine and/or champagne...

What is Eurostar?

Eurostar is the high-speed passenger train from London to Paris & Brussels via the Channel Tunnel, taking as little as 2 hours 15 minutes for the 495 km (307 miles) to Paris or 1 hour 55 minutes for the 373 km (232 miles) to Brussels.  Eurostar trains travel up to 186 mph, leaving London St Pancras station almost every hour for the Gare du Nord in central Paris and for Brussels Midi (also known as Brussel Zuid) every 2-3 hours.  Eurostar trains are run by Eurostar International Limited, a company owned 55% by SNCF French Railways, 5% by SNCB Belgian Railways & 40% by London & Continental Railways, a company owned by the UK government.  Eurostar carries passengers, not cars, so don't confuse Eurostar with Eurotunnel, the company which owns the Channel Tunnel whose car-carrying trains shuttle road vehicles across the Channel.  Eurostar first started running in 1994.  This page explains all you need to know about travel by Eurostar.

Eurostar information on this page...

The video guide - London to Paris by Eurostar

Eurostar train times & fares

How to buy Eurostar tickets online or by phone

Tips on choosing the best Eurostar seats with numbered train seating plan

Eurostar check-in times & procedures

What's it like on board the Eurostar train?

What's the Eurostar journey from London to Paris like?

London St Pancras station facilities

Luggage arrangements on Eurostar

The ferry alternatives to Eurostar

Hotels in London or Paris (also see Eurostar & hotel packages)

Eurostar information on other pages...

UK to anywhere in mainland Europe via Eurostar

Eurostar through tickets from 130 UK towns & cities to Paris & Brussels   

Buy special tickets from any UK town or city to connect with Eurostar

General European train travel information

Taking your bike on Eurostar trains   

Taking a dog on Eurostar trains

Scotland to Paris by Caledonian Sleeper + Eurostar    

Cornwall & Devon to Paris by sleeper train + Eurostar

The video guide:  London to Paris by Eurostar...

Eurostar train times & fares

Eurostar train times from London to Paris...

• To check Eurostar train times from London to Paris, use the online booking form above.

• Download the current Eurostar timetable in .pdf format.

Eurostar trains run from London to Paris every hour or so, 7 days a week all year round except Christmas Day, fastest journey time just 2 hours 15 minutes non-stop.  Only a brief 20 minutes of the Eurostar journey is actually spent in the Channel Tunnel, the rest is spent speeding through the countryside of Kent and northern France at up to 186 mph.  Some Eurostar trains stop to pick up passengers at Ebbsfleet International near the M25 & a handful stop at Ashford International in Kent. 

Eurostar train times from London to Brussels & Lille...

• To check Eurostar train times from London to Lille & Brussels, use the online booking form above.

• Download the current Eurostar timetable in .pdf format.

Eurostar trains run from London to Brussels every couple of hours or so, fastest journey time 1 hour 55 minutes.  Most Brussels-bound Eurostars call at Lille in northern France, the interchange for French TGV high-speed trains to destinations all over France, see the London to France page.

Eurostar from London to the Alps & Avignon...

• Eurostar runs a weekly winter ski train to the French Alps, see the ski by train page.

• Eurostar also now runs a weekly winter ski train to the Swiss Alps with one easy change in Lille onto a Lyria TGV, see the ski by train page.

• Eurostar runs a direct train from London to Avignon on Saturdays from 6 July until 7 September, see details on the Eurostar website.

• This year, Eurostar are trialling a service from London to Lyon, Avignon & Aix-en-Provence leaving London at 07:17 on Saturdays from 4 May to 29 June 2013, see details on the Eurostar website.

About Eurostar tickets & fares...

Eurostar fares from London to Paris or Brussels start at £39 one-way or £69 return in 2nd class, if you book in advance.  1st class (Standard Premier) fares start at £107 one-way, £189 return.  Eurostar fares vary like airline fares, increasing as the cheaper seats are sold, so book early. All the cheap fares are non-changeable, non-refundable.  Check fares & train times at www.eurostar.com or use the online booking form above.

How to find the cheapest Eurostar tickets:  For the cheapest fares, book 1 to 4 months in advance (maximum 120 days ahead) and avoid Friday or Sunday afternoon trains when there are fewer cheap seats.  Don't buy a ticket on the day of travel unless you have to.  Fares start at £39 if booked i advance, a ticket bought on the day will be £141 to £179.

Booking opens 120 days ahead although it's worth knowing that you can often book up to 6 months ahead at www.eurostar.com by simply switching to 'US-English' and booking in dollars at the US version of their site.  However, if you are going beyond Paris or Brussels, I strongly recommend waiting until booking opens for the onward journey (normally 92 days ahead) and confirm onward train times before buying a non-changeable non-refundable Eurostar ticket.

If you have to travel at short notice Eurostar can be expensive.  One tip is to try a combined Eurostar & hotel package, as tour operators such as www.railbookers.com can often access cheap fares even close to departure date.  If heading to Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and so on, another is to try the Dutch Flyer as this is often very affordable even at short notice.

What does From £39 mean?  Eurostar train fares work like air fares.  Book early on an off-peak train and your ticket may cost £39, but book a popular date or time or book closer to the day of travel, and it might cost £50, £73, £89, anything up to £179 full price.  The fares shown without a 'from' do not increase like this, and are what you'll pay as long as there are seats left. '£260 or £329' means the price could be either £260 or £329 depending on availability.

Tips on choosing the best seats     Eurostar seat numbering plan

What is the difference between Standard, Standard Premier, & Business Premier classes? 

Map of Paris showing the Gare du Nord

One-way & open jaw fares on Eurostar...

Before June 2009 there was a problem with one-way fares on Eurostar, as a one-way ticket from London to Paris was usually more expensive than a return!  But in June 2009 Eurostar introduced sensible one-way fares right across their price range, in other words, one-way fares that are always cheaper than the equivalent return.  So the problem should now have been solved.

There are no fares for open jaw return journeys, for example using an outward train from London to Paris but returning from Brussels to London.  This is a shame as these would be useful for circular journeys or travel to (for example) Germany or Austria where some connections are best via Paris, others via Brussels.  So either travel out and back via the same city, or buy two one-way tickets.

How to buy Eurostar tickets

Buy Eurostar tickets online:  Use the online booking system.

Buy Eurostar tickets by phone (UK callers):  08432 186 186

Eurostar bookings normally open 120 days (4 months) before departure at www.eurostar.com, but you can often book a month or two further ahead if you select 'US-English' top right and use the US version of their site.  If you're only taking the train from London to Paris or Brussels, the easiest & cheapest way to buy Eurostar tickets is online direct with Eurostar at www.eurostar.com, just use the online booking form above.  You print your tickets using your own PC printer, or you can choose to pick up tickets at the station before departure from the e-ticket machines if you prefer.  Alternatively, tickets can be sent to any UK, French or Belgian address, but tickets cannot be sent overseas.  You can also book by calling Eurostar on 08432 186 186 (+44 1233 617575 from outside the UK).  Debit cards are free, but there's a small charge for paying by credit card.  Tips on choosing a specific seat on Eurostar.

Buying Eurostar tickets if you're travelling beyond Paris or Brussels...

If you are taking onward trains beyond Paris or Brussels, for example from London to Spain, Italy or the south of France, it's best to book your train from London to Paris or Brussels and your onward train tickets together at the same time, either from a European train ticketing agency or online as explained on the relevant page of this website.  Although Eurostar bookings open 120 days before departure, reservations for most other trains in western Europe only open 90 days ahead.  I strongly recommend waiting until 90 days before your travel date so you can book the Eurostar & onward train tickets together.  That's because timings for onward trains sometimes change due to engineering work, requiring a different Eurostar connection.  Unless you're travelling on a peak date such as Christmas Eve, you'll still find affordable Eurostar tickets available 90 days ahead, they won't have sold out.  See the Train travel to Europe page for more information about how to buy European train tickets.  Changing trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi.  Changing trains in Brussels.

Buying UK train tickets to connect with Eurostar...

In partnership with other UK train companies, Eurostar offers through tickets between Paris, Lille or Brussels and over 130 UK towns & cities, in either direction, just use the booking form above to see the list of stations and to buy tickets online, or book at www.eurostar.com, but you must have 'UK English' selected to see these UK towns & cities, they will not show up if you use the French, Belgian or other versions of the Eurostar site.  This is usually the cheapest option.  Alternatively, you can buy your UK train tickets to London separately from your Eurostar ticket from London to Paris. There are special fares from most stations in Britain to a destination called 'London International' specifically designed for use with Eurostar tickets, which you can buy online here.  Most stations can sell these tickets, though they seem a well-kept secret and staff aren't always familiar with them!  These fares have few or no time restrictions, so you can travel in the Monday-Friday peaks at an affordable fare, they also ensure that international conditions of carriage (the CIV) apply to your whole journey, so you are covered if you miss your Eurostar because the UK train is late or vice versa.  Full details & advice for buying UK train tickets to connect with Eurostar.

Direct Eurostar trains to Avignon (summer) & the French Alps (winter)...

As well as its regular trains from London to Paris, Lille & Brussels, Eurostar runs a weekly direct train from London to Avignon on summer Saturdays, and a ski train from London to the French Alps on Friday nights & Saturdays in the winter skiing season from December to April.  See the London to France page or www.eurostar.com for details.

Useful Eurostar telephone numbers...

• Eurostar telesales:  08432 186 186 (from outside the UK call +44 1233 617575)

• Lost Property (London)  020 7928 0660 (from outside the UK call +44 20 7928 0660)

• Lost Property (Paris)  00 33 155 31 58 40

• Lost Property (Brussels)  00 32 2 224 88 62

• Group travel:  08448 224 800 (from outside the UK call +44 8448 224 800)

• Eurostar customer relations:  020 7928 5163 or e-mail new.comments@eurostar.co.uk

• Eurostar train arrival information & passenger assistance:  020 7928 0660

• Bikes & registered baggage service:  0844 822 5822 (from outside the UK call +44 207843 7554).

The environmentally sound way to travel, faster & more reliable than flying...

In 2011, 92.5% of Eurostar trains arrived on time or within 15 minutes, whilst competing short-haul flights typically manage only 65-70% measured by the same standard.  From central London to central Paris, Eurostar is faster than flying, as well as more comfortable and convenient.  Not surprisingly, Eurostar has now captured over 70% of the London-Paris market from the airlines.  Remember that you can check all European train times using the journey planner at www.bahn.de.

Eurostar has commissioned independent research estimating that a Eurostar train from London to Paris emits 11Kg of CO2 per passenger, over 90% less than the 122Kg per passenger emitted by a London to Paris flight.  In addition, planes emit the CO2 directly into the upper atmosphere, where it is thought to do around 2.7 times the damage of the same CO2 emitted at ground level.  Another good reason for treating yourself to a train journey!  Eurostar has committed itself to reducing its emissions by 35% by 2012, and from 2007 they have been offsetting all their emissions free of charge to passengers, making Eurostar train travel carbon neutral.  See www.eurostar.com/environment for more information.

Eurostar trains now leave from London St Pancras...

The final section of the UK high speed line opened in November 2007, and the Eurostar trains switched from their original terminal at Waterloo to the new St Pancras International Station.  Trains from London to Paris now take just 2 hours 15 minutes, city centre to city centre.

Sponsored links...

	London St Pancras International...
	St Pancras International station:  Its Victorian Gothic facade has been a landmark for 140 years...
	Lower level concourse:  You enter St Pancras from the Underground or off the street onto the lower level concourse.  In this photo, the Eurostar ticket office is on the left, the Eurostar departures check-in is in a passageway along and to the right.
	Upper level concourse:  Go up one level for great views of the station, and for Europe's longest Champagne Bar, just visible on the left alongside the Eurostar train.
	Ticket collection?  If you need to collect your Eurostar ticket at the station, simply put your credit card into a machines and enter your booking reference...
	Check-in for Eurostar:  You check in just off the main lower level concourse, by putting your Eurostar ticket into these automatic gates.  Immediately after the gates is an easy X-ray security check then passport control...
	Eurostar departure lounge:  Once through check-in, security and passport control, you're in the departure lounge underneath the tracks....
	In the departure lounge:  Inside the lounge you'll find a cafe, bar, newsagents, information desk and comfortable seating.  There's also a 'laptop bar' with stools, desk, and power-points to recharge your laptop, mobile or camera...
	Business Premier lounge:  If you've a Business Premier 1st class ticket (but not a Standard Premier one), you can use the business lounge, with complimentary drinks and snacks...
	Boarding your Eurostar train to Paris:  A boarding announcement is made around 15 minutes before each train leaves, and you head up the travelator to the platforms to board your train...

St Pancras International station

Checking in for Eurostar

Eurostar trains are completely non-smoking.  All Eurostar trains were completely refurbished with a new interior by designer Philippe Starck between autumn 2004 and autumn 2005, you can see a virtual tour inside a Eurostar train at www.eurostar.com.  Italian design firm Pininfarina (of Ferrari fame) have been engaged for Eurostar's next interior refresh, starting in 2012-13, and for the interior of Eurostar's new e320 trains due to enter service in 2015, see the video here.

Eurostar trains have 3 classes:

• Standard class (= 2nd class).  Standard class passengers have access to the two cafe-bar cars, or may bring their own food & drink on board.

• Standard Premier (= 1st class for leisure).  Standard Premier offers first class seating with more affordable but inflexible fares for upmarket leisure travellers, or budget-conscious business travellers.  The tickets are non-changeable & non-refundable, there's a 30-minute minimum check-in and no access to executive lounges.  A complimentary cold tray meal and one round of alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks are served at your seat.  Although confusingly including the word 'Standard' in its brand name to help attract business travellers whose companies don't officially allow first class travel, make no mistake, this is indeed first class!  'Standard Premier' replaced 'Leisure Select' (which had the same hot meal & drinks service as Business Premier) from 1 September 2010.

• Business Premier (= 1st class for business).  Exactly the same type of 1st class seating as in Standard Premier, but with fully-flexible & refundable tickets, access to executive lounges at stations and a 10 minute minimum check-in.  The fare includes a complimentary hot airline-style meal, champagne, wine, beer & soft drinks served at your seat.

• Standard Premier and Business Premier passengers are accommodated in separate first class carriages but the seating is identical, with a spacious '2-abreast-aisle-1-abreast configuration across the width of the train.  The allocation of first class cars on each train between these two classes varies according to demand.  1st class seats have extra legroom compared to the higher-density seating in Standard class which has a 2-abreast-aisle-2-abreast seating configuration.  See the Tips for choosing your seat section below for a Eurostar seating plan.

Food & drink on Eurostar...

Business Premier includes an excellent complimentary hot airline-style 3-course meal with champagne & wine.  Standard Premier includes a simple cold tray meal & one round of free alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks.  All passengers have access to two bar cars, located in cars 6 & 13, serving tea, coffee, hot chocolate, beer, wine, spirits, sandwiches, crisps and a few hot snacks.  The bar accepts credit cards as well as cash.  You can eat and drink in the bar area (standing space only, there are no seats) or take your purchases back to your seat.  Feel free to take your own food and drink if you like, even your own bottle of wine, although Eurostar conditions state that some or all alcohol may be confiscated if you have 'excessive' quantities on you.

Tips for choosing your seat...   Eurostar seat numbering plan

All Eurostar tickets include a specific reserved seat.  There's a detailed seating plan here, showing which seats face forwards, which line up with a window, which are airline-style face-to-back and which are arranged in bays around a table.  You might then understand why this website is called The Man in Seat Sixty-One!  If you book your Eurostar ticket at www.eurostar.com, the 'Seating preferences' section initially only allows you to choose 'aisle' or 'window', but later in the booking process you are now offered a section called 'Want to choose your exact seat?'.  Using this you can choose exactly which number seat in which number car you want, using a detailed seating plan.  If you book through any other agency or website (for example, Rail Europe) you can usually choose a specific seat if you book by phone, but not if you book online.  Here are some tips for choosing the best seats on Eurostar:

• If you want a power socket for a mobile or laptop, choose cars 5 or 14 in standard class.  In first class, all cars have these.

• If you've small children, book seats in cars 1 or 18 (standard class) as these are near the baby-changing room, and are at each end of the train so have less people walking through them to the bar.  These cars have lots of bays of 4 seats (with or without a table, your choice), which are much better for families than face-to-back airline-style seating.

• If you're travelling as a group of 3 or 4 people, choose seats around a table as opposed to airline-style pairs all facing the same way, as this is much more sociable.

• If you're a couple in first class, choose a pair of seats facing across an intimate table-for-two.

• If you want seats facing forward, this can be seen on the plan (look closely at the train diagram!).

• If you prefer a window seat which lines up with the window (rather than one next to a blank bit of wall between the windows), look carefully at the plan.  The pale blue bits in the coach walls on the plan are the windows.

• In standard class, a seat in the car next to the bar car makes it easier to fetch food and drink, which might be a consideration.

• If you've a tight connection in Brussels (or for that matter, Paris), book a seat at the front of the Eurostar train (i.e. in coach 17 or 18), as you'll get off the platform ahead of everyone else and with less of a walk, saving a few vital minutes!

• Quiet coach:  Starting 11 September 2012, there will be a designated 'quiet coach' in both Business Premier and Standard Premier (but not in Standard class) with a peaceful environment to read or work and no mobile phones allowed.  Usually cars 8 and 11, you can select the quiet coach option when booking.

• Note that the 'choose your exact seat' facility at www.eurostar.com is 'clever'.  If you are travelling alone, it will show all bays of 4 seats around a table (and in 1st class, all bays of 2 seats) as already taken, even if those seats are in fact available.  It only shows them as available if you are a group of 2, 3 or 4 people travelling together.  If you're travelling alone and want a seat facing another seat across a table (one without a seat back in your face!), you will need to book by phone.  If I'm travelling solo I have to book seat 61 by phone rather than online (it's one of two around a table), and I usually do a dummy online booking for 2 people first to prove that the seat is free.

• CORRECT WINDOW LOCATIONS:  Eurostar revamped their website in 2013, and when you click to choose your exact seat when booking online, the graphic seat numbering plan which appears shows the windows in an incorrect position relative to the seats.  The detailed seating plan here is accurate, so if window location is important to you, choose your seat numbers using this accurate plan, then book those seat numbers on the Eurostar website, disregarding the window locations shown on eurostar.com.

Power outlets for laptops & mobiles...

There are UK and European power sockets (240/110 volts AC) for laptops and mobiles in all Eurostar 1st class cars and in 2nd class cars 5 & 14.  Other 2nd class cars do not have power outlets, so make sure you book seats in car 5 or 14 if you need one. 

WiFi access on Eurostar...

There is no WiFi internet access on board Eurostar trains yet, although a contract was let in September 2011 which will see Eurostar trains progressively fitted with WiFi internet as they are refurbished between 2013 and 2014.  In the meantime, there's WiFi internet access at St Pancras International station for everyone, free of charge.  WiFi access at Paris & Brussels is also available, but must be paid for.

Luggage on Eurostar...

Unlike travelling by air, you don't check in your bags when travelling by train.  You keep them with you, placing small or medium size bags (up to backpack-size) on the luggage racks above your head and larger items on the big suitcase racks at the end of the coach just inside the entrance doors.  In principle at least, Eurostar limits luggage to two large items per passenger (maximum 85cm in any one dimension), plus a small item of hand luggage.  There's no weight limit, so you can pretty much pack what you like, and (again unlike anal-retentive airports and airlines) nobody actually measures your bags or even worries if you have an extra carrier bag or two, as long as they all fit through the X-ray machines and don't cause any problems.  However, you must label your bags with your name (first name and surname), you'll find free paper labels at the terminal if you've forgotten.  For information about luggage limits on Eurostar & other European trains, see the luggage section on the Europe by train page.

Prohibited items that can catch you out:  As well as the obvious prohibited items such as firearms or explosives, Eurostar prohibits ice axes (but see the 'traveller's report' below) and any knife with a blade over 3", which catches out people returning to London with a nice set of Sabatier kitchen knives they bought in Paris.  Eurostar offer a checked baggage service for extra large items, which costs extra, see the Eurostar website baggage information page.

Ice axes: Traveller Cedric Quayle reports...  "I have made several journeys from Birmingham to either Zermatt or Grindelwald over the years and all have worked well.  I go to climb and always have my ice axe with me on these journeys and never thought about it until I spotted your note that they are technically not allowed on Eurostar.  So last year, I was in London in good time and asked to speak to one of the x-ray inspectors at St Pancras where the luggage is checked over.  After a few questions as to where in my luggage the ice axe was packed (at the bottom of a large case) he said that should be fine.  Evidently they take a common sense view and the two journeys I've made since my enquiry (as well as all those before) have never caused any query at the x-ray machine even though the axe is, of course, entirely visible to the security staff."

Left luggage lockers in London, Paris & Brussels...

London St Pancras has a left luggage office run by the Excess Baggage Company, where you can deposit items here for £8.50 per item for the first 24 hours, then £5 for each of the next 24 hour periods.  Open 06:00-22:00 Monday-Saturday, 07:00-22:00 Sunday.  Bags are X-rayed before deposit.

Paris Gare du Nord has left luggage lockers ('consigne' in French) downstairs under the main concourse just off the end of the Eurostar platforms.  Open 06:15 to 23:15 daily.  At the Gare du Nord and other stations in Paris, expect to have your bags X-rayed before entering the locker area.  In Paris, a small locker costs €4.50, a back-pack or suitcase-sized locker around €7.50 for 24 hours, and a larger locker for two backpacks around €9.50.  There's a change machine which can convert 10, 20 or 50 euro banknotes into the coins needed for the lockers.

Brussels Midi has both luggage lockers and a staffed left luggage facility near the Eurostar check-in and Thalys reception.  Both are open 24 hours a day, the staffed facility costs €4 per item per calendar day, the three sizes of lockers cost €3, €3.50, €4 per 24 hours.

For details of left luggage offices in other countries, see the left luggage page.

Taking a bicycle on Eurostar trains...

Bicycles can be taken on Eurostar trains either free of charge as hand luggage in a zip-up bike bag not exceeding 120cm x 90cm (available from bike shops), with pedals and saddle removed and handlebars turned, or you can take it with you in the luggage van for £30 each way.  See the Taking your bike page for information about taking bikes on Eurostar and other European trains.

Taking dogs & pets on Eurostar trains...

This is a significant problem.  Unfortunately, you cannot take dogs or other pets on Eurostar trains, except for guide dogs.  To get round this (other than pretending to be blind, tricky if you have a Yorkshire terrier), you'll either need to switch to train+ferry+train from London to Paris, or get a friend to drive you to Calais and drop you at the station and take trains onwards, or (if you're going to Switzerland, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, eastern Europe or Scandinavia) divert via the pet-friendly combined train & ferry service via Harwich-Hoek van Holland.  See the taking your dog by train page for advice on taking your dog or pet to Europe by train.

Children & babies...

Unlike airlines, children under 4 go free on Eurostar, and a special child fare applies to children from 4 to 11 inclusive.  Children 12 & over travel at the youth fare.  All children under 12 must travel accompanied by an adult, and unaccompanied children from 12 to 16 require a consent form signed by their parent or guardian.  See www.eurostar.com for more details.  If you're travelling with young children in 2nd class, ask for a family area seat - this is at the end of the train in cars 1 and 18, with seats around tables where children can play (see the Eurostar seating plan).  Eurostar has baby-changing facilities in cars 1 & 18, at each end of the long 18-car Eurostar train.  These are 2nd class cars, a long walk from the 1st class in the centre of the train, especially when carrying a smelly and dripping baby!  The baby changing rooms have sink, soap, changing table and disposable changing table covers.  Bar car staff will heat baby bottles if asked.  There are more tips for travelling by train with babies and children in the Travelling with children section.

Travellers with disabilities on Eurostar...

Eurostar can provide assistance to passengers with special needs travelling from London to Paris, Lille or Brussels.  If you are confined to a wheelchair, there are wheelchair spaces and wheelchair-friendly toilets on each Eurostar train.  There are also special fares for people travelling in wheelchairs and a travelling companion.  Electric-powered scooters can also be carried, subject to some maximum dimensions, in the baggage area on each train.  For more information about travel with disabilities specifically on Eurostar, see www.eurostar.com.  For more information about travelling by train throughout Europe if you have a disability, see the Travelling with Disabilities section on the Europe page.

A journey from London to Paris on Eurostar

	Paris Gare du Nord...
	The magnificent (and freshly renovated) façade of the Gare du Nord, completed in 1865.  The first Gare du Nord was built in 1846, but being too small was moved to Lille in 1860 to become Lille Flandres station.
	Arrival at Paris Gare du Nord.  Eurostar trains from London arrive at platforms 3-6.  On arrival, you simply get off the train, walk off the platform onto the concourse & out onto the street, as all the passport & ticket checks were completed in London...
	Departure from Paris Nord:  For Eurostar trains to London, follow the Eurostar signs up the steps or escalator to the first floor Eurostar check-in and departure lounge.  Trains depart from platforms 3-6, but these platforms can only be accessed via the Eurostar check-in & departure lounge upstairs, currently reached by stairs/escalator opposite platform 17.

The train leaves St Pancras...

The train manager makes his announcement that your Eurostar train to Paris is about to leave, the door alarm sounds and the doors then hiss shut.  As you settle into your seat, the brakes hiss off and the Eurostar gently eases itself out of the magnificent arched trainshed of St Pancras International Station.  At this stage, the train is heading north, but almost immediately it makes a sharp right-hand turn past the huge steel gasometers that have been a familiar sight behind Kings Cross/St Pancras for years and which are now, believe it or not, listed structures.  Within a minute or two the Eurostar enters a covered bridge across the tracks leading out of adjacent Kings Cross station, which becomes a long tunnel under east London taking the Eurostar east and south.

...East London & the Dartford Crossing...

About 5 minutes after leaving St Pancras, you'll see a glimpse of daylight and the platforms of Stratford International station, due to open in time for the London Olympics in 2012.  Around 8 minutes after leaving St Pancras, the Eurostar train finally emerges from the tunnel and starts crossing the wastelands of east London, past warehouses and run-down housing estates.  Just 10-12 minutes from St Pancras you'll see the impressive Queen Elizabeth II suspension bridge on the right, which carries the M25 London orbital motorway across the River Thames at the Dartford Crossing.  The Eurostar now plunges back into a short tunnel for its own crossing underneath the Thames, emerging the other side in the county of Kent.  Some Eurostar trains now call at Ebbsfleet station in north Kent, near the M25 motorway.

...over the Medway Viaduct...

The Eurostar train is now running at its full service speed of 186mph (300 km/h), with traffic on the adjacent London-Dover M2 motorway almost standing still in comparison.  Just 15-20 minutes after leaving London, the train crosses the most dramatic structure on the new high-speed line, the viaduct high over the River Medway.  To the right of the train as it crosses the viaduct, you'll see small boats moored on the muddy riverbanks far below you.  To the left of the train, over the top of the adjacent M2 motorway bridge, you can see Rochester Cathedral and Rochester Castle in the distance.

...across rural Kent...

Now at last you're in green and pleasant rural Kent, with villages nestling at the foot of the chalky hills to the left.  A few Eurostars still call at Ashford International station, a major railway junction in east Kent, but most Eurostars now 'fly' over the town on a huge flyover, with the station way below you, the town centre to the left and the old Southern Railway Ashford works to your right.

...into the Channel Tunnel...

Just 35 minutes from St Pancras, the fields and hedgerows of east Kent give way to the roadways and check-in lanes of the Folkestone Eurotunnel terminal.  This is where cars and lorries are put on the Eurotunnel car-carrying shuttle trains to go through the tunnel to France.  Your Eurostar train passes through the middle of the terminal non-stop, and the train manager announces that you are about to enter the Channel Tunnel.  Passing through the Channel Tunnel takes just 20 minutes, and is something of an anti-climax.  The Channel Tunnel (sometimes called the "Chunnel", usually by Americans) is just like any other rail tunnel, only a bit longer.  As a precaution, the yellow fire safety doors between each pair of coaches are closed during the tunnel transit, but you can still pass through freely if you want.

...welcome to northern France...

The Eurostar emerges into France at up to 100 mph, and you'll see the French terminal for the car-carrying trains away to your left.  If you look to the horizon on the left, you can just see the distinctive clock tower of Calais town hall.  A handful of Eurostar trains call at Calais-Fréthun, a few miles from Calais town centre, but others just start accelerating onto the French high speed line.  Unlike conventional railways, the high speed line follows the contours of the land more like a motorway, and you will feel the Eurostar rising onto the hills and settling into the dips.  The area of Northern France crossed by Eurostar is largely flat farmland, dotted with villages built around ancient stone churches.  The variety of church spires you can see is remarkable!

The Eurostar may call at Lille or simply pass through on the centre tracks.  The line to Brussels and the line to Paris diverge just after Lille Europe station.  Paris is now less than an hour away...

...your train arrives in Paris!

The high-speed line to Paris ends just short of Paris Gare du Nord, and the Eurostar passes seamlessly onto a short stretch of conventional line to complete its journey into Paris Gare du Nord, the historic terminus where the traditional boat trains from Calais or Boulogne used to arrive.  The Gare du Nord is also the station for trains to Brussels, Amsterdam, and Cologne in Germany, and you will see red and silver Thalys trains arriving and departing from these places.

When you arrive in Paris at the Gare du Nord, you get off the train and walk forward straight off the end of the platform onto the main station concourse, and either out into the streets of Paris, or turn left and head downstairs to the metro.  There are no more checks or other formalities to go through, you just walk off the train into central Paris, it's that easy!  For the taxi rank, walk off the end of the platform onto the concourse, turn right and walk out of the side entrance.  This video may help you know what to expect.

Changing trains & stations in Paris:  See the Paris metro page...

Eurostar trains from London to Paris arrive at the Gare du Nord, but your connecting train will probably leave from one of the other Paris stations.  The Gare de l'Est is a 10-minute walk from the Gare du Nord, but to get to any of the other Paris stations you'll need to take the metro or RER (Express Metro) across Paris.  See the guide to changing trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi.

Changing trains in Brussels:  See the Europe page

In Brussels, all long-distance trains including Eurostar use Brussels Midi station (Brussel Zuid in Flemish, Brussels South in English), so changing trains is easy.  These recommended times are the minimum.  Left luggage lockers and a staffed left luggage office are available at Brussels Midi (24 hours).

The train & ferry alternatives to Eurostar

London to Paris by train & ferry:  See the London to Paris by train & ferry page...

You can still travel from London to Paris by train and ferry if you want.  It takes 9 hours and is no longer particularly convenient as you have to make your own way by bus, taxi or on foot between Dover Priory station and the Eastern Docks in Dover, and between Calais ferry terminal and Calais Ville station in Calais.  The original train/ferry interchange stations at Dover Western Docks and Calais Maritime closed in the 1990s when Eurostar started.  London to Paris by train & ferry is also likely to cost more than a cheap Eurostar ticket booked in advance.  However, train & ferry can be cheaper if you need to travel at short notice when all the cheap Eurostar fares are sold out, and of course you get to see the White Cliffs of Dover on the way.  You can substitute train+ferry+train for Eurostar London-Paris in any of the journeys routed via Paris shown on this website, but you'll need to buy separate train and ferry tickets.  Times, fares and information for travelling from London to Paris by train+ferry+train are shown here.

London to Amsterdam, Germany, Eastern Europe & Scandinavia via the Harwich-Hoek van Holland ferry...

If you're heading for northern or eastern Europe and there are major problems affecting Eurostar services, or you need to travel at short notice when Eurostar can be expensive, you can buy a cheap inclusive 'Dutch Flyer' ticket from London to Amsterdam or anywhere in the Netherlands using Stena Line's overnight Harwich-Hoek luxury superferry, including a comfortable private cabin with toilet & shower, free WiFi and satellite TV.  Indeed, this can be a good alternative even with Eurostar running normally, see the London to Amsterdam page for details.  You can then use www.bahn.de to book a separate onward ticket from Amsterdam to Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Prague, Copenhagen, Zurich or Warsaw.

Northern England & Scotland to mainland Europe by ferry...

www.dfds.co.uk sail from Newcastle to IJmuiden (the port of Amsterdam) overnight, and www.poferries.com sail from Hull to Rotterdam.  It's then easy to take trains from Amsterdam or Rotterdam to Antwerp or Brussels, to Berlin or Cologne, or direct sleeper trains from Amsterdam to Prague, Switzerland, Southern Germany, Denmark or Poland.

The Thomas Cook European Timetable

The Thomas Cook European timetable has train & ferry times for every country in Europe plus currency & climate information.  Published since 1873, it costs £14.99.  It's essential for any serious traveller and an inspiration for armchair travellers.  Still not convinced you need one?  More information on what the Thomas Cook Timetable contains.  You can buy the latest monthly edition online at www.thomascookpublishing.com with worldwide delivery or buy it in person from selected UK branches of Thomas Cook (ask at the bureau de change), or from W H Smiths in Victoria station in London.  Or buy the twice-yearly independent traveller's edition with laminated cover from Amazon.co.uk:  Winter/Spring 2012/13 edition (Dec 2012 to June 2013) or (when available) Summer/Autumn 2013 edition (June to Dec 2013)

The Thomas Cook Rail Map of Europe is the best and most comprehensive map of train routes right across Europe, from Portugal in the west to Istanbul, Moscow & Ukraine in the east, from Finland in the north to Sicily & Crete in the south.  High speed & scenic routes are highlighted.  Highly recommended!  Buy online at www.amazon.co.uk (worldwide delivery).  See an extract from the map.

Hotels & accommodation in London or Paris

Find a hotel in London or Paris...

You can find a hotel in London, Paris or almost anywhere worldwide at www.hotelscombined.com, just use the search box below.

Special hotels for a romantic break in Paris...

There's the famous & flashy Paris Ritz in the Place Vendôme (over €490 a night) or the similarly-priced Le Meurice, but if you want a really special hotel for a luxury break or romantic weekend and can afford around €280 a night, I'd recommend the small, sumptuous, intimate L'Hotel.  It's on the bohemian left bank, walking distance from the Seine, the Ile de la Cité & Notre Dame.  Oscar Wilde spent the last days of his life here in room 16, and the hotel has been used by many famous people from Sinatra to Mick Jagger.  Rooms are on the cosy side, but they are beautifully decorated and have character that bigger and flashier hotels lack.

Hotels handy for the Gare du Nord & other Paris stations...

If you need to stop over between trains, there are several good-quality Accor group hotels (including their mid-range 'Ibis' brand hotels and the more upmarket 'Mercure' brand) near the Gare du Nord, Gare de l'Est, Gare d'Austerlitz & Gare de Lyon.  Accor also run the most upmarket hotel, the Mercure Terminus Nord, right opposite the Gare du Nord.  Alternatively, try the Hotel Picardy Gare du Nord (opposite Gare du Nord, about €65 per night), the Comfort Hotel Gare de l'Est, from 67 euros per night, Campanile Hotel Gare du Nord (€95 per night) or the Art Hotel (€130 weekdays, €95 Fri/Sat/Sun).

London St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, a 5-star hotel right at the Eurostar station...

In March 2011 the luxurious, expensive and beautifully-restored 5-star St Pancras Renaissance Hotel opened for business.  Designed by the renowned architect Sir George Gilbert-Scott, it first opened in 1873 as The Midland Grand Hotel, a railway hotel built into the Victorian architectural masterpiece that is St Pancras station.  The hotel closed its doors in 1935, considered too large and outdated to continue as a hotel, and after a period of being used as railway offices, this beautiful landmark building was left derelict and slowly decaying.  However, its fortunes have now been totally reversed.  High-speed Eurostar trains to Paris leave from St Pancras station's magnificently-restored 1868 trainshed designed by William Barlow, and the once derelict Midland Grand Hotel has been reborn as a glorious 5-star hotel, St Pancras Renaissance Hotel.  No expense has been spared in recreating and restoring this Grade 1 listed building to its former glory.  Rooms described using the term 'Barlow' are in the newly-built Barlow House wing at the side, these start at around £250 a night.  Rooms described using the word 'Chambers' are in the original St Pancras Midland Hotel building, where rooms start at around £486 a night, rising to suites costing several thousand.  You can of course, just have a drink in the bar or meal in the restaurant, accessible from the south west corner of the upper level concourse, the same level as the Eurostar trains.  The bar-restaurant is housed in what was once St Pancras station's booking office, the Grade 1 listed wood-panelled booking windows are still there behind the bar, and it still says 'Booking office' in the stones above the entrance doors.  The hotel lobby has been built in what was once the station's taxi rank.

Above: The magnificently-restored St Pancras Renaissance Hotel.  Above left:  A Chambers room.

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