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Buy tickets ateurostar.com or sncf-connect.comOr book at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.comwhich can also book onward European trains and trains within the UK. Bookings open up to 6 months ahead. |
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What is Eurostar?
Eurostar is the high-speed passenger train linking London with Paris, Lille & Brussels via the Channel Tunnel at up to 300km/h (186 mph). It's been running since 1994. Eurostar is 55% owned by SNCF French Railways, 5% by SNCB Belgian Railways & 40% originally by the UK government, but now sold to overseas investors. Don't confuse Eurostar with Eurotunnel (Getlink) who own the Channel Tunnel and whose car-carrying trains shuttle vehicles across the Channel. This page explains all you need to know about travel by Eurostar between London and Paris, Lille or Brussels.
UPDATE: Eurostars will not call at Ebbsfleet or Ashford in 2024.
Planning your trip
Eurostar fares & how to find the cheapest prices
Video guide: London to Paris by Eurostar
Eurostar's 3 classes
explained
Tips on choosing your Eurostar seat
Interrail &
Eurail passes on Eurostar
Check-in, on board, the journey
Eurostar's refurbished e300 trains
On-board facilities, food & WiFi
What's the Eurostar journey like?
Suggested hotels in London & Paris
Ferry alternatives to Eurostar
Other Eurostar routes
Direct Eurostar to
Rotterdam & Amsterdam
Direct Eurostar
to Disneyland Paris
Direct Eurostar
to Lyon, Avignon & Marseille
Direct Eurostar to the French Alps ski resorts
Other Eurostar information
London St Pancras
station information
Through tickets
from 100+ UK towns & cities
Special connecting tickets from UK towns & cities
UK to anywhere in mainland Europe via Eurostar
Taking a bike on Eurostar
& European trains
Taking a pet on Eurostar & European trains
Crossing Paris by metro, taxi or
private transfer
Luggage storage in London, Paris, Lille, Brussels
Scotland to Paris by sleeper & Eurostar
Cornwall to Paris by sleeper & Eurostar
General
European train travel information
Eurostar routes
London to Paris
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Eurostar runs from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord every hour or so, 7 days a week all year except Christmas Day.
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London to Paris is 491.8 km or 305 miles. Fastest journey time 2h15 non-stop.
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Check train times at www.eurostar.com.
London to Lille & Brussels
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Eurostar runs from London St Pancras to Brussels Midi every couple of hours. 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.
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London to Brussels is 373 km or 232 miles, typical journey time 2h01, fastest journey 1h48. London to Lille is 266.5 km or 165 miles.
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Check train times at www.eurostar.com.
London to Rotterdam & Amsterdam
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In April 2018 Eurostar started a new service from London St Pancras via Brussels to Rotterdam & Amsterdam Centraal. See timetable, fares & information on the London to Amsterdam by Eurostar page.
Direct Eurostars to Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, French Alps & Disneyland
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Eurostar used to run a direct train from London to Lyon, Avignon & Marseille 1-4 times a week May-September, see the Eurostar to Lyon, Avignon & Marseille page. However, this has not run since 2019.
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There's a Eurostar ski train from London to Bourg St Maurice in the French Alps once a week in winter, although from winter 2023/24 this will involve a change in Lille onto a Eurostar (formerly Thalys), see the Eurostar Ski Train page.
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Eurostar also used to run a direct train from London to Marne la Vallée, the station right outside the entrance to Disneyland Paris, several times a week, daily in school holidays, but this was cancelled in June 2023, for more information see here.
Faster & more reliable than flying
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90%-95% of Eurostar trains arrive 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.
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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! See www.eurostar.com/uk-en/about-eurostar/community-environment/treadlightly for more information.
Route map
Eurostar fares
How to find the cheapest fares
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Fares from London to Paris or Brussels start at £52 one-way or £78 return.
Standard Premier (1st class) fares start at £115 one-way, £199 return.
Fares work like air fares. Prices increase as departure date approaches and the cheaper seats sell out, so book early. For example, standard class starts at £52 booked several months ahead but rises up to around £200 if you buy on the day. Popular dates, days & trains will have higher fares (or fewer cheap tickets available) than less popular dates, days or trains.
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Booking usually opens 6 months ahead.
Eurostar booking can in fact open up to 11 months ahead, but if you look many months ahead the data is often incomplete, departures may be missing or on certain dates no trains show up. The missing trains usually appear in due course.
If you're going beyond Paris or Brussels, I recommend waiting until onward bookings open (typically 3 or 4 months ahead) & confirm onward trains before committing to a non-refundable Eurostar ticket. Unless you're prepared to take a calculated risk.
Tip: The 2 or 3 daily Eurostars from London to Brussels which go on to Amsterdam only open for sale to Brussels passengers 60 days ahead. The solution if you want one of these trains? Book to Amsterdam, get off in Brussels!
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How to find the cheapest Eurostar tickets
You can check fares & train times at www.eurostar.com. For the cheapest fares, book well in advance - usually a maximum of 6 months ahead - and avoid busy Friday or Sunday afternoon trains when there are fewer cheap seats. In fact, Eurostar have now said explicitly that the cheapest £78 return fares will only be found between midday Monday & midnight Thursday, and between midday and midnight on Saturday. The cheapest return tickets require a Saturday night away. One-ways start at £52 any day of the week.
Tip: The Eurostar website has a cheap fare-finder page which shows which dates offer the cheapest fares, a useful feature, but well hidden! www.eurostar.com/uk-en/find-lowest-fares.
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Refunds & changes to travel plans
Standard & Standard Premier tickets are non-refundable, but can be changed to another time or date without any change fee, just paying any difference in fare, until a full 7 days before departure.
Within 7 days of departure, you must pay a £30 fee in Standard class or £40 fee in Standard Premier plus the difference in fare.
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In the fares chart below, fares shown with a from in front vary like air fares, rising as departure date approaches, with limited availability at each price level. The fares shown without a 'from' do not increase like this, and are what you'll pay as long as there are seats left - except for railpass holder fares which are limited by a quota.
If you have to travel at short notice
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Like airline tickets, Eurostar can be expensive if not booked well in advance.
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If heading to Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and so on, it may be cheaper to use the Stena Line Rail & Sail from London to Hoek van Holland plus onward train tickets as this is often very affordable even booked just 24 hours before departure.
One-way & open jaw fares
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Eurostar's return fares are cheaper than two one-ways, so always book a round trip as return rather than two one-ways.
This is different from most European train train fares, where a return is simply twice the one-way fare so you can book one way at a time without penalty.
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There are no open jaw return fares for Eurostar, for example out London to Paris, back Brussels to London. You need to buy one-way tickets for this, which costs more than a return to just one destination. So avoid making open jaw journeys on Eurostar if you can.
Children & babies
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Unlike airlines, children under 4 go free on Eurostar, no ticket is required, just bring them along with their passports. A special child fare applies to children from 4 to 11 inclusive. Children 12 & over travel at the youth fare.
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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 details.
Interrail & Eurail passes on Eurostar
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You use Interrail & Eurail passes on Eurostar on payment of a passholder fare, for prices & how to book see here.
How to buy tickets
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If you're only using Eurostar, not onward trains further into Europe, buy tickets at either www.eurostar.com or www.sncf-connect.com, with no booking fee.
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Eurostar bookings normally open up to 6 months before departure, sometimes more.
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You print your own tickets or can load them into the Eurostar app on your phone, or can collect them from the machines at the station.
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After paying, you can return to the www.eurostar.com home page, click on Manage Booking at the top of the page and use your booking reference and surname to find your booking and if desired, change your allocated seats. Tips on choosing a specific seat on Eurostar.
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If you have an Interrail or Eurail pass, you can buy a Eurostar passholder ticket online as shown here.
Buying tickets beyond Paris or Brussels
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If you are going beyond Paris or Brussels, for example from London to the South of France, Spain or Italy, it's best to book Eurostar and your onward train tickets together in one place at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. The relevant page of this website will explain how best to buy tickets for your specific route & destination.
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Eurostar bookings usually open 6 months before departure, but reservations for most other European trains only open 3 or 4 months ahead. I strongly recommend waiting until onward bookings open so you can confirm onward train times before committing to a non-refundable Eurostar ticket. Timings for onward trains can sometimes change on specific dates because of engineering work.
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After buying Eurostar tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com you can select seats on Eurostar using the Manage Booking link at www.eurostar.com, just as if you had booked direct with Eurostar. Tips on choosing a specific seat on Eurostar.
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See the Train travel to Europe page for more information about how to buy European train tickets. How to change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi. Advice on changing trains in Brussels.
If your journey starts outside London
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Option 1, use www.raileurope.com. This site can book through from any rail station in Britain to Paris, Brussels and destinations all over Europe. There's a small booking fee. Personally I'd want a bit more time in London between trains than the system gives by default, so click More options and enter London (any station) with a stopover duration of say 1h30.
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Option 2, buy a separate UK train ticket to London. There are special fares from most stations in Britain to a destination called 'London International CIV' designed to be used with Eurostar tickets, which you can buy online following the instructions here. Stations can sell these tickets, though staff aren't always familiar with them. These fares usually 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 if the UK train is late & you miss your Eurostar or vice versa you'll be rebooked on a later train at no charge. Full details & advice for buying UK train tickets to connect with Eurostar.
Eurostar with an Interrail or Eurail pass
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To book a Eurostar passholder fare with an Interrail or Eurail pass, see here.
To buy tickets by phone
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Call 03432 186 186 in the UK or +44 1233 617575 from overseas.
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Eurostar's UK telesales office is open 08:00-19:00 on Mondays-Fridays and 09:00-17:00 weekends & holidays.
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Tickets can be sent to you by email to print or show on your phone.
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There's a £10 phone booking fee, although no fee is charged to those buying Business Premier tickets.
Video guide
The video shows a Eurostar e320. Some journeys are operated by refurbished e300 trains.
Eurostar's 3 classes explained
Standard class
Also known as 2nd class, standard class is comfortable, carpeted and air-conditioned, some seats unidirectional, a few around tables for four, ideal for families or friends. All seats have an individual reading light and fixed or drop-down table, there is free WiFi and all seats have power sockets. You'll have access to the two cafe-bar cars, or you can bring their own food & drink on board. Standard class seats on the e320 and refurbished e300 trains can be reclined slightly, for posture rather than sleeping.
Standard Premier: 1st class for leisure
Standard Premier offers first class seating with fares aimed at upmarket leisure travellers & budget-conscious business travellers. The same check-in times apply as for Standard class and there's no access to the business lounge, tickets are all non-refundable and only changeable for a fee. A complimentary cold light meal and a round of alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks are served at your seat. There is free WiFi and power sockets & USB ports at all 1st class seats. All seats adjust from upright to a slight recline and all seats have an individual reading light and fixed or drop-down table. The word 'Standard' is used its brand name to attract business travellers whose companies don't officially allow first class travel, but this is indeed first class. Standard Premier replaced Leisure Select in 2010.
Is Standard Premier worth the extra? Standard class is perfectly adequate and it's only 2h20 to Paris or 2h to Brussels. There's no need to pay more if you don't want to. But Standard Premier gives you wider seats with more leg & elbow room, the chance to choose solo seats or face-to-face tables for two, it's usually quieter with fewer families & kids, and of course there's a light meal included with wine, beer, tea, coffee & soft drinks. So yes, it's a nice experience especially if your journey is for a special occasion! Check the price difference for your dates, as I've seen Standard Premier cost only £10 more than Standard, given Eurostar's dynamic pricing.
Business Premier: 1st class for business
Business Premier uses exactly the same 1st class seating as Standard Premier, but in designated coaches and with fully-flexible & fully-refundable tickets, access to Eurostar's Business Lounges in London, Ebbsfleet, Paris & Brussels and a shorter minimum check-in. The fare includes a complimentary hot airline-style meal, champagne (a particularly nice Monopol brut), wine, beer & soft drinks served at your seat. There is free WiFi and power sockets & USB ports at all 1st class seats. All seats adjust from upright to a slight recline, and all seats have an individual reading light and fixed or drop-down table. The only downside? It's priced assuming your company is paying!
Standard Premier and Business Premier passengers are accommodated in separate first class carriages but the seating is identical, with a spacious seating arranged 2+1 (2 seats, aisle, 1 seat) across the width of the train. Eurostar vary the allocation of first class cars on each train between these two classes according to demand. 1st class seats have extra legroom compared to the higher-density seating in Standard class which has a 2+2 (2 seats, aisle, 2 seats) configuration. See the Tips for choosing your seat section below for a Eurostar seating plan.
Choosing your seat
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The Manage Booking feature
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All Eurostar tickets include a specific reserved seat, and initially you'll be allocated seats.
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When you buy tickets at www.eurostar.com, you can change your allocated seats by clicking Change seats after payment and selecting specific seats from a numbered seating plan.
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If you've booked a Eurostar via raileurope.com, thetrainline.com or sncf-connect.com, or bought passholder tickets at interrail.eu, eurail.com or b-europe.com, you can view & change seats like this:
Go to www.eurostar.com and click the Manage Booking link at the top.
Enter your 6-character Eurostar booking reference & last name and it'll retrieve your booking.
Look for the Change seats link, you can then select specific seats from a Eurostar seat map, see tips on picking the best seats.
Note that when a train gets fairly full, for example close to departure date, the change seat option may not appear.
You'll be sent an email confirming the change.
Tip: Eurostar's 6-character alphanumeric booking reference is shown on your Eurostar ticket, for example KJ4T7Z. It may not be the same as your retailer's booking reference. On a ticket bought from B-Europe.com, it's shown as Reservation code.
Tip: You can also view & change seats using the Eurostar app. Download and open the app. Click Your bookings and load your booking into the app by entering your last name and 6-character Eurostar booking reference. You can now view or change seats and manage your booking in the app. This works however you bought your Eurostar ticket, it even works with Interrail or Eurail passholder bookings.
Eurostar seat numbering plans
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Here are accurate seating plans 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.
How to tell if your Eurostar will be an e320 or an e300
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Most Eurostar departures are operated by e320 trains. All 8 e300s were put into storage as passenger numbers fell during the pandemic, but the several e300s have now returned to service. Here's how to check:
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Go to www.thetrainline.com, run an enquiry & find your train in the search results. Click on a first class fare and make a dummy booking, taking it to the point where it shows your car & seat number, just before you have to pay. If your first class seat is in cars 1, 2, 3 or 14, 15, 16 it is an e320. If it is in cars 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 it is an e300. Remember that the type can still be switched on the day for operational reasons! www.thetrainline.com used to show on the search results page which type it was, but seems to have now stopped doing this.
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If you already have a ticket you can go to www.eurostar.com, click Manage Booking then use the Change your seats feature to see a seat plan for your train, assuming the Manage Booking feature works with your booking reference. If your train has 16 cars with 1st class at each end, it's due to be an e320. If 18 cars with all 1st class cars in the middle, it's an e300.
Tips for picking the best seats
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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.
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If you're a couple in first class, choose a pair of seats facing across an intimate table-for-two. Seat 61 was one of a pair like this on the original Eurostar trains, and in 1st class cars 2, 3, 14 & 15 in the new e320 trains.
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If you want seats facing forward, this can be seen on these accurate seating plans (look closely at the train diagram, it shows which way the train goes when heading to Paris/Brussels, and when heading to London. Car 1 is always at the London end of the train, car 16/18 at the Paris/Brussels/Amsterdam end.
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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 white or pale blue sections in the coach walls on the plan are the windows.
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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. On the other hand, you get more people walking through to get to the bar.
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If you've a tight onward connection when your Eurostar arrives in Paris or London, book a seat at the front of the train - car 16 or 18 going towards to Paris, or cars 1 or 2 going towards London. You'll then get off the platform ahead of everyone else with less of a walk, saving vital minutes. If going to Brussels, see information about the short cut to other platforms here.
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Quiet coach: Eurostar trialled a 'quiet coach' in Business Premier and Standard Premier (but not Standard class) in 2012, but the trial ended, and there is now no designated quiet coach.
Tip for the tall: Extend your seat
On Eurostar's e320 trains in all classes (but not e300), the edge of your seat can be extended 2 inches just by pulling it out. If you're tall, this is a great feature!
Useful telephone numbers
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Eurostar telesales: 03432 186 186 (08:00-19:00 Mon-Fri, 09:00-17:00 weekends, from overseas call +44 1233 617575). £10 fee for phone bookings, except for business premier tickets for which there's no fee.
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Lost Property in London 020 7928 0660 (from outside the UK call +44 20 7928 0660)
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Lost Property in Paris 00 33 155 31 58 40
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Lost Property in Brussels 00 32 2 224 88 62
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Group travel: 08448 224 800 (from outside the UK call +44 8448 224 800)
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Eurostar customer relations: 020 7928 5163 or e-mail new.comments@eurostar.co.uk
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Eurostar train arrival information & passenger assistance: 020 7928 0660
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Bikes & registered baggage service: 0844 822 5822 (from outside the UK call +44 207843 7554).
Checking-in for Eurostar
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Unlike other British and European trains, Eurostar operates a check-in system. You must check in for Eurostar at least 30 minutes before departure.
(15-20 minutes for Business Premier passengers).
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With increased formalities due to Brexit, Eurostar advise passengers to check in earlier, ideally around 90 minutes. However, the gates still close 30 minutes before departure (15-20 minutes for Business Premier) so if you can't make 90 minutes because of your other train connections it should still be fine. But earlier is better!
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Check-in opens 1½ to 2 hours before each train departure, it varies depending how busy they expect to be that day.
Check-in at London St Pancras: See station guide
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The check-in gates are in the wide passageway off the lower (street) level shopping arcade, one level down from the Eurostar trains themselves. For more info about St Pancras station & its facilities, where to have a meal and so on, see the St Pancras station guide.
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To check in, place your ticket barcode (on your phone or a printout) against the scanner screen on the automatic gates. Or you can use a staffed check-in kiosk. If you want to change your allocated seat (for example, to make sure you're facing forward), ask at a staffed kiosk.
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Immediately after the check-in gates there's a security check with X-ray for your bags & metal detector for you, but it's quicker & easier than an airport. No need to remove belt or shoes, no nonsense with liquids (though they don't like you carrying a cup of coffee through!), just put your bags & coat through the X-ray machine, remove metal items such as keys & coins and walk through the metal detector.
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After the security scan there's a UK passport check, where staff will scan your passport. Then there's a French passport check.
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Then you're inside the departure lounge and free to use the shops, bar, cafe or other facilities until your train is ready for boarding, usually 15-20 minutes before departure. At St Pancras there's a Pret a Manger, bar, newsagents & travel goods shop, toilets and a Eurostar information desk. The Eurostar information desk can provide you with Eurostar information, a free map of Paris, and Paris visitor metro passes.
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If you have a Business Premier ticket (or Eurostar Carte Blanche card or American Express Platinum Charge Card) you can use the Eurostar Business Lounge with comfortable armchairs, WiFi and complimentary tea, coffee, wine, beer, spirits, juice and snacks. There are Business Lounges at London St Pancras, Ebbsfleet, Paris Nord & Brussels Midi although not at Ashford, Calais or Lille. The entrance to the Business Lounge at St Pancras is on the right-hand side of the departure lounge, immediately after the passport check.
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The six Eurostar platforms at St Pancras (platforms 5-10) are directly above the departure lounge, and a boarding announcement will be made about 15-20 minutes before departure. There are two gently-sloping moving walkways up to each platform, plus a lift. If your reservation is in cars 1-5, you use one walkway, if your reservation is in cars 6-18 you use the other. Just follow the signs!
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There are no formalities on arrival in Paris, Lille or Brussels (other than a very occasional spot check), it's all done before you board. So on arrival you just walk off the train, simple as that.
Check-in at Paris Gare du Nord: See station guide
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To reach Eurostar check-in you must go up the escalator opposite platform 17, then walk all the way along the balcony to the Eurostar check-in gates/kiosks at the far end (level with platform 3).
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Towards the end of the balcony you'll come to staffed check-in kiosks & automatic ticket gates. To use the automatic gates, place your ticket barcode (on your phone or a printout) against the scanner screen on the gate. If you want to change your allocated seat (for example, to make sure you're facing forward), use a staffed kiosk.
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Immediately after the ticket check you enter the terminal and have your passport checked by French police. Then there's a passport check by UK Border Force, with a choice between staffed kiosks and automated passport e-gates.
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Then comes the security check with X-ray for your bags & metal detector for you, but this is quicker & easier than an airport. No need to remove your belt or shoes, no nonsense with liquids (though they don't like you carrying a cup of coffee through!), just put your bags & coat through the X-ray scanner, remove metal items such as keys & coins and walk through the metal detector.
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You then turn right and enter the departure lounge which is on the first floor alongside platform 3 (there isn't a platform 1 or 2 at Paris Nord). The lounge has seats, toilets, shops & cafes and an EU sales tax refund section.
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If you have a Business Premier ticket (or Eurostar Carte Blanche card or American Express Platinum Charge Card) you can use the Business Lounge with complimentary wines & spirits, soft drinks, tea coffee & snacks, and free WiFi. It also has a cocktail bar, open afternoon and evenings. It's on the second floor, immediately after the security checks turn left and go up the stairs or lift.
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When boarding is announced 15-20 minutes before departure, you follow everyone else onto one of two short footbridges (labelled Portes A & B) leading from the side of the terminal over platforms 3-6, and down a travelator onto the relevant platform.
Porte A is the one closest to the buffer stops, for boarding cars 11-18 at the rear of the train. Porte B is the far one, for boarding cars 1-10 at the London end of the train. However, they lead to the same platform, so it's not the end of the world if you use the wrong one.
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There are no formalities on arrival in London (unless UK customs people pull you over), it's all done before you board. So on arrival you just walk off the train, simple as that.
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See more information about Paris Gare du Nord including station layout, places to eat & drink or buy food.
Above, we're looking across the station concourse with the platforms on the right. That's the escalator opposite platform 17 up to the balcony leading to the first-floor Eurostar check-in.
Departure lounge at Paris Nord. Much improved since the early days, there are toilets, shops and cafes.
Business Premier lounge, upstairs from the main lounge, featuring this great cocktail bar. You can use this lounge with a Business Premier ticket, with a Eurostar Carte Blanche card, or American Express Platinum Charge Card. The lounge offers complimentary wine, spirits, beer, tea, coffee & soft drinks.
Check-in at Brussels Midi: See station guide
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The main concourse at Brussels Midi is a wide and (it has to be said) gloomy street-level passageway running underneath all 22 platforms. Eurostar trains leave from platforms 1 & 2 (or, if coming through from Amsterdam, platform 3), and the Eurostar terminal opens off this concourse at the platform 1 end. It's marked Channel Terminal.
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In the Channel Terminal foyer you'll find a small waiting area with staffed check-in desks and automatic ticket gates. To use the automatic gates, place your ticket barcode (on your phone or a printout) against the scanner screen on the gate. If you want to change your allocated seat (for example, to make sure you're facing forward), use a staffed kiosk.
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Immediately after the ticket check there's the security check with X-ray for your bags & metal detector for you, but this is quicker & easier than an airport. No need to remove your shoes, no nonsense with liquids (though they don't like you carrying a cup of coffee through!), just put your bags & coat through the X-ray scanner, remove metal items such as keys & coins and walk through the metal detector. In Brussels I find my belt buckle sets off the metal detector, in London it doesn't.
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Then comes a passport check by the Belgian police, followed by the passport check by UK Border Force.
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Then you walk through a vast duty-free shop into the seating/waiting area. There are toilets and an information desk.
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If you have a Business Premier ticket (or Eurostar Carte Blanche card or American Express Platinum Charge Card) you can use the Business Lounge with complimentary wines & spirits, soft drinks, tea coffee and snacks. The entrance is at the back of the main departure lounge.
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There are no formalities on arrival in London (unless UK customs people pull you over), it's all done before you board. So on arrival you just walk off the train, simple as that.
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See more information about Brussels Midi station including station layout, places to eat & drink or buy food.
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Tip: All Eurostar tickets to/from Brussels Midi include a free transfer by SNCB (Belgian Railways) train to or from Brussels Central, Brussels Nord, Brussels Luxembourg and a dozen or so other stations in the central Brussels area, see list of Brussels area stations from which your Eurostar ticket is valid.
On board Eurostar
There are two types of train in service with Eurostar, both with similar interiors:
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e320 trains are all-new trains built in 2015 by Siemens. Eurostar have 17 e320 trains.
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e300 trains are classic trains from 1994, rebuilt with a new interior like the e320. Eurostar have 8 e300 trains, they were taken out of service and put into storage during the coronavirus pandemic, but at least two have now returned to service.
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How to tell which type of Eurostar is due to operate which departure.
Eurostar e320 trains
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Eurostar introduced the first of their new e320 trains onto the London-Paris route in 2015 and 17 e320 trains are now in service. Built by Siemens, the new trains feature free WiFi in all classes and power sockets at all seats. The designation refers to the train's top speed, 320 km/h, although it can't currently exceed 300km/h on the London-Paris route. And yes, seat 61 is still the best seat in the house - if you pick seat 61 in the right first class car, that is. Cars 2, 3, 14 or 15, since you ask.
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Click here for e320 seating plan. How to tell if your Eurostar is due to be an e320.
Eurostar's refurbished e300 trains
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Eight of the original Eurostar trains (TMST) introduced when Eurostar first started in 1994 have been refurbished and designated e300 - a reference to its 300km/h top speed. This is no mere change of the seat covers, it's a completely new interior, making them almost indistinguishable from the brand-new e320 trains - the much larger cafe-bar area is one difference. Like the new e320s, the refurbished e300 trains feature free WiFi in all classes, power sockets at all seats, and USB sockets as well as power sockets in 1st class.
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The seat layout is similar to the original TMST but with a few slight differences. Notably seats 61 & 65 in cars 7, 8, 11 & 12 no longer face each other over a table, but are both solo seats, face to back.
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Eurostar's e300 trains were taken out of service and put into storage during the pandemic hit, but several have now been returned to service.
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Chicken tikka massala, wraps & a cider bought from the Eurostar cafe-bar. |
Food & drink on Eurostar
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All Eurostar trains are completely non-smoking.
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Business Premier includes an excellent complimentary hot airline-style 3-course meal with champagne & wine, with menus designed by master chef Raymond Blanc.
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Standard Premier includes a simple cold tray meal with complimentary red or white wine, beer or soft drinks, tea & coffee.
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All passengers have access to two bar cars, located in cars 6 & 13 in the refurbished e300 trains and in cars 8 & 9 on the new e320 trains. The cafe-bars serve tea, coffee, hot chocolate, beer, wine, spirits, sandwiches, wraps and a few hot dishes such as Chicken Tikka Massala. 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 food & drink back to your seat.
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Alternatively, feel free to take your own food and drink, even your own bottle of wine (the overnight Ski Train is an exception where no alcohol is allowed).
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The bar car also sells Paris metro tickets, individually and in carnets of 10. They charge only slightly more than you'd pay at the metro station in Paris, so if you have to cross Paris to catch an onward train this is the best way to buy your metro ticket.
Power outlets for laptops & mobiles
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On the new e320 trains and refurbished e300 trains there are power sockets & USB ports at all seats in all classes, under the armrest. They are alternately of the UK-type 3-pin and European-type 2-pin, so your seat could have either type, but the seat next to you will have the other type.
Free WiFi, TV shows & movies
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The new e320 trains and refurbished e300 trains have effective free WiFi in all classes. You'll find a selection of TV & movies to stream for free at onboard.eurostar.com as well as journey information.
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There is good mobile phone voice & data reception throughout almost all the Eurostar journey including inside the Channel Tunnel, where it's provided by French telecoms companies in the northbound (towards London) running tunnel and by British telecoms companies in the southbound (from London) running tunnel.
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There is free WiFi at St Pancras International station for everyone. WiFi access at Paris & Brussels is also available, but must be paid for.
 You bring your bags with you and put them on the luggage racks. Large racks near the entrance doors easily take large items. Anything up to back-pack sized will fit on the overhead racks above your seat. |
Luggage on Eurostar
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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.
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Labelling your bags: 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 on European trains page.
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Luggage limits on Eurostar: In principle at least, Eurostar limits luggage to 2 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 anally-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.
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Items over 85cm: In theory there's a maximum size limit of 85cm in any one dimension. Which is odd, as there's no such limit on any other British or French train, and there's no real logic to it as far as I can see, as long as items fit through the X-ray scanners at check-in. If you call Eurostar, staff may repeat the official 85cm limit and say you should use Eurostar's baggage service, but this is useless for anyone continuing beyond Paris, Brussels or London as items are only be available for collection with 24 hours of your Eurostar's arrival. But in reality nobody measures your bags at check-in, and in practice people take guitars, 1 metre long tubes with rolled-up plans or posters inside, and other items that are a little over 85cm onto Eurostar, as they do on any train. I can't 101% guarantee you'll never meet a jobsworth at check-in of course, but in 15 years of running this site I yet to hear of anyone having any problem. In practice Eurostar is generally relaxed as long as you don't take the P.
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Skis & snowboards: One pair of skis or a snowboard (of any length) is allowed on Eurostar.
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Guitars & other musical instruments: Eurostar's policy on taking musical instruments is at www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel-information/travel-preparation/baggage/baggage-allowances. Basically, if it's under 85cm long, no problem, but over that and you pay a child rate for a seat next to you. Though in practice nobody measures things so you will probably get away with taking a 90cm guitar as regular luggage and simply putting on a rack above your seat. I can understand the official policy with a cello or double bass, but it does seem a nonsense that you have to pay for a guitar when it's perfectly normal to take a guitar free of charge on any other UK or European train. See the paragraph above about items over 85cm in practice as well as theory.
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Alcohol: You're free to bring & consume your own wine or beer on Eurostar as long as you don't become a nuisance to other passengers. To this end they typically limit alcohol brought for your own consumption to 1 bottle of wine or 4 cans of beer or 1 small bottle of spirits. You can transport more than this if it remains unopened in your bags in transit, not for consumption. No alcohol at all is allowed on the overnight ski train.
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Prohibited items that can catch you out: As well as the obvious prohibited items such as firearms or explosives, Eurostar prohibits any knife with a blade over 3", which has been known to catch 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 baggage information page at www.eurostar.com. No alcohol is allowed on the overnight Eurostar Ski Train to the French Alps, and only limited alcohol (no spirits) is allowed on the daytime Ski Train, but it's usually fine (within reason) on normal Eurostars.
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Ice axes: Until 2013 ice axes were not officially allowed on Eurostar. Eurostar then changed their policy in 2013 and ice axes were officially allowed, if suitably tucked away in your luggage. Since 2018 we're back to them not allowed again.
Left luggage lockers at stations
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London St Pancras has a left luggage office run by the Excess Baggage Company, see opening hours & prices. However, you'll find it cheaper to use Stasher.com, which has an arrangement with nearby Premier Inn hotels.
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Paris Gare du Nord has left luggage lockers (consigne in French) downstairs under the main concourse just off the end of the Eurostar platforms and to the right. Opening hours & prices.
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Brussels Midi has luggage lockers near platforms 3-6. Opening hours & prices
Taking a bicycle
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Bicycles can be taken on Eurostar trains, see the Taking your bike by train page for details.
Taking dogs & pets
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Unfortunately, you cannot take dogs or other pets on Eurostar trains, except for guide dogs.
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For alternative ways to take your dog or pet to Europe by train, see the taking your dog by train page.
Travellers with disabilities
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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.
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For more information about travelling by train throughout Europe if you have a disability, see the Travelling with Disabilities page.
What's the journey like?
This section describes a journey from London to Paris, but the journey from London to Brussels is identical until just after Lille, where the train leaves the Paris route and enters Belgium for the last half hour or so.
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 very 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 the adjacent Kings Cross station, which becomes a long tunnel under east London taking the Eurostar east and south.
East London & Dartford Crossing
About 5 minutes after leaving St Pancras, you'll see a glimpse of daylight and the platforms of Stratford International station, only served by the domestic high-speed trains. Around 8 minutes after leaving St Pancras, the Eurostar train 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.
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', but usually only 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. You still get phone
reception inside the tunnel now, with mobile data too.
Welcome to northern France
The tunnel is dark, so nothing to see, and no, you can't see the fishes. But the Eurostar soon bursts into the daylight again at up to 100 mph, and you're now in France. 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 curves off to the left soon after Lille. 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 '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 & silver Eurostar (formerly Thalys) trains heading to and from these places.
Eurostar arrives at platforms 3-6 at the Gare du Nord, you get off the train and walk forward through the open glass gates off the end of the platform onto the concourse. Turn right for taxis, forward & veer left for the escalator down to the metro & RER, or just head out into the streets of Paris. There are no checks or other formalities to go through on arrival, you just walk off the train, 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. See the Paris Nord station guide.
Changing in Paris or Brussels
Changing trains & stations in Paris: See the Paris metro page
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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. Left luggage lockers are available in Paris.
Changing trains in Brussels: See the Brussels Midi station guide
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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. The 15-20 minute change into an ICE to Cologne & Frankfurt is quite normal. Left luggage lockers and a staffed left luggage office are available at Brussels Midi (24 hours). For more information & tips, see the Brussels Midi station guide.
The train & ferry alternatives
London to Paris: See the train & ferry page
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You can still travel from London to Paris by train and ferry if you want. Taking the traditional route via Dover & Calais it now takes 9 hours and is no longer particularly convenient as you have to make your own way by 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 also costs 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 & info for travelling from London to Paris by train & ferry are shown here.
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London to Paris 'sleeper' option via Portsmouth - Caen: There's an overnight train-ferry-train option where you can leave London Waterloo around 18:00, sleep in a comfortable cabin with en suite shower & toilet 22:45-06:45 on Brittany Ferries' overnight sailing from Portsmouth to Caen, then take a train from Caen to Paris St Lazare arriving around 11:05. This is good option if you need an alternative to Eurostar. Times, fares & info for travelling from London to Paris by overnight train & ferry are shown here.
London to Amsterdam, central & eastern Europe, Scandinavia via Harwich-Hoek van Holland
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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 Stena Line Rail & Sail 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 Stena Line Rail & Sail London to Amsterdam page for details. You can then use int.bahn.de to book a separate onward ticket from Amsterdam to Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Prague, Copenhagen, Zurich or Warsaw.
North of England & Scotland to mainland Europe by ferry
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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.
European Rail Timetable & maps
The
European Rail Timetable
(formerly the Thomas Cook European Timetable)
has train & ferry times for every country in Europe plus
currency & climate information. It is essential
for regular European train travellers and an inspiration for armchair
travellers. Published since 1873, it had just celebrated 140 years of
publication when Thomas Cook decided to pull the plug on their entire publishing
department, but the dedicated ex-Thomas Cook team set up a private venture and
resumed publication of the famous European Rail Timetable in March 2014.
You can buy it online at
www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses) or
www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide).
More information
on what the European Rail Timetable contains.
Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south. Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted. See an extract from the map. Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).
Hotels in London or Paris
A Paris hotel for a romantic break
There's the famous & flashy Paris Ritz in the Place Vendôme (over €500 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 €300 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, famously quipping, "My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One or the other of us has to go.". Fortunately the wallpaper is now all in very good taste. The hotel has been used by many famous people since then, 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. Book a stay at l'Hotel. Book a private transfer from station to hotel.
Hotels near the Gare du Nord & other Paris stations
Hotels near the Gare du Nord with good reviews: Libertel Gare du Nord Suede (5 min walk from Gare du Nord, 2-star), 25 Hours Terminus Nord (formerly the Mercure Terminus Nord, now refurbished in a decidedly funky style, 3-star, directly across the road from the station); Art Hotel (3-star); Avalon Hotel (2-star); Hotel Cambrai (5 min walk from Gare du Nord, 1-star).
Hotels near the Gare de l'Est with good reviews: Libertel Gare de l'Est Français (opposite the station, 3-star); Libertel Gare du Nord Suede (350m from the Gare de
Hotels near the Gare de Lyon with good reviews: Hotel Terminus Lyon (right in front of the station, 3-star); Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star); Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star); Mistral Hotel (800m from Gare de Lyon, 1-star); Hotel 26 Faubourg (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star);
Hotels near the Gare de l'Est with good reviews: Libertel Gare de l'Est Français (opposite the station, 3-star); Libertel Gare du Nord Suede (350m from the Gare de l'Est, 2-star); OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l'Est (2-star).
Hotels near the Gare Montparnasse with good reviews: Mercure Paris Gare Montparnasse (150m from the Gare Montparnasse, 4-star); Best Western Sevres Montparnasse (15 minute walk to Gare Montparnasse, 3-star); La Maison Montparnasse (10 min walk from station, 2-star); Hotel du Maine (5 min walk from station, 2-star).
Affordable hotels near London St Pancras
These affordable hotels have good or great reviews: Alhambra Hotel, Meridiana Hotel, MacDonald Hotel, Angus Hotel or Crestfield Hotel.
The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. Click to book
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.
The Great Northern Hotel. Click to book
Another classic railway hotel has been re-born, re-opened after refurbishment to top class standards in April 2013. It's cheaper than the Renaissance St Pancras, and just across the road from the entrance to St Pancras International's Eurostar check-in area, so ideal for an early morning train. On each floor you'll find a pantry with complimentary coffee, tea, cake and even jelly-babies. Check the reviews and book the hotel.
