Eurostar

Eurostar is an international high-speed rail service in Western Europe, connecting Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

The service is operated by the Eurostar Group, which was formed through the merger of Eurostar and Thalys. Eurostar operates trains through the Channel Tunnel to the United Kingdom, while Thalys operates in Western Europe.

The Eurostar is more expensive than flying. But Eurostar is rarely delayed and the check-in process is way less stressful than at airports

Book early to get the best prices

With Eurostar, you can book tickets up to 120 days in advance, and the earlier you book, the better the value of the fares. Flexible tickets allow you to change your booking as many times as you want with no exchange fee up to 7 days before departure.

Book midweek

The cheapest Eurostar tickets are usually for trains on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Book seasonal tickets

Be first in line when sales go live on routes between Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. It’s the best time to snap up seasonal tickets that sell out quickly.

They can reach a top speed of 186 miles per hour (that’s 300 kilometres per hour) on high-speed lines in the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. Going through the Channel Tunnel is a little slower - 100 miles per hour to be precise.

Eurostar recommends that you arrive at the station around an hour and 30 minutes before departure. This will give you enough time to clear security and passport control, and then wait in the departure lounge until the platform is announced. Generally, ticket gates close up to 30 minutes before departure.

With Eurostar, you can book tickets up to 120 days in advance, and the earlier you book, the better the value of the fares.

You can buy Eurostar tickets to and from any destination at TrainPal > Eurostar Train Journey. If you're travelling between Belgium, France, the Netherlands or Germany, you can also buy tickets over the phone, at the station or through a travel agent.

Only the person named on the ticket may use it, but it doesn’t matter if you've just made a tiny spelling mistake. There's no need to worry, just turn up and travel as normal.

You can choose Standard, Standard Premier, or Business Premier.

You can choose Standard and Standard Premier for 2 pieces of luggage + 1 hand luggage, and Business Premier for 3 pieces of luggage + 1 hand luggage.

Different routes have different policies. Pets are not allowed on trains to and from London, between Brussels and Lille, or on Eurostar Sun and Snow routes. However, you can travel with a guide or assistance dog or cat, but you’ll need to contact the Eurostar worker at least 24 hours before your journey.

Additionally, pets are welcome on all other routes between Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. However, there are some rules that need to be followed, such as dangerous dogs, wild animals, and birds (parrots, canaries, etc.) are not allowed on Eurostar trains.

Sorry, you generally can't. However, you can still bring a folding bike or children's bike on board as long as it's no longer than 85 cm in length and it's carried in a protective bag that covers the whole bike. This is to protect your bike, other people, and their luggage both at the station, on board, and going through security.

There is Wi-Fi, entertainment channel, bar coach (Café Métropole), UK and European power sockets, baby-changing facilities, and wheelchair spaces available throughout the entire Eurostar. Additional facilities may vary depending on your class. Please refer to the table below for more information.

The Eurostar can take up to 2h 37 mins from London to Paris, however, most trains will take you to Paris in only 2h 16 mins.

For adults, the cost from London to Paris is as little as £39 in Standard Class, £70 in Standard Premier, and £275 in Business Premier.

For children aged 4 to 11 years old, fares are approximately 30% cheaper in Standard and Standard Premier. Kids under 4 can travel for free if they can sit on an adult's lap.

Your train will arrive at Paris Gare du Nord, conveniently located in the heart of the city.

Typically, the train journey from London to Amsterdam takes 3h 52 mins.

For adults, the cost from London to Amsterdam is as little as £39 in Standard Class, £70 in Standard Premier, and £290 in Business Premier.

For children aged 4 to 11 years old, fares are approximately 30% cheaper in Standard and Standard Premier. Kids under 4 can travel for free if they can sit on an adult's lap.

The main destination in the UK for the Eurostar is London St Pancras International station. From there, you can travel to various cities in Europe, including Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.

It leaves from London St Pancras Station.

Yes, you can take the Eurostar to explore Germany, including cities such as Cologne, Aachen, and Dusseldorf. All of these cities are worth visiting.