eurostar travel under 16

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

The Complete Guide to Eurostar Trains

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

Destinations

Club eurostar, eurostar travel classes, lounge access, eurostar recapped.

Eurostar offers high-speed train travel between the U.K., Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Germany. Its trains can reach 186 mph, which means a train from London to Paris takes only 2 hours and 16 minutes. Eurostar merged with Thalys — another European high-speed train company — in 2023.

Taking a Eurostar train between these five countries can be more seamless than flying because you get a solid baggage allowance and don’t need to deal with airports, liquid restrictions in your carry-on and long security lines.

Here’s what you need to know about Eurostar’s destinations, cabin classes, lounges, loyalty program, amenities and pricing.

Eurostar offers direct train service to London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, Netherlands. For all other destinations, you must connect to a different train, potentially with another carrier.

The fastest train journeys are the following:

Paris to Brussels - 1 hour, 22 minutes.

London to Lille, France - 1 hour, 22 minutes.

London to Brussels - 1 hour, 53 minutes.

Brussels to Amsterdam - 1 hour, 53 minutes.

London to Paris - 2 hours, 16 minutes.

London to Rotterdam - 3 hours, 13 minutes.

Paris to Amsterdam - 3 hours, 20 minutes.

Paris to Cologne - 3 hours, 20 minutes.

London to Amsterdam - 3 hours, 52 minutes.

Depending on where you’re headed, taking the train may take less total time than flying. For example, the train from London to Paris takes 2 hours and 16 minutes, while a flight takes 1 hour and 20 minutes. Though the train takes almost an hour longer, other factors involved with flying, including early airport arrival, travel time to/from the airport, security and boarding, make the train the faster option.

The Eurostar operates out of St. Pancras International Station, located in central London and easily accessible by several tube (underground) lines and buses. By contrast, London’s main airports, Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport, are located outside the city and can take an hour or more to get to depending on where you’re traveling from and your mode of transport.

Furthermore, Eurostar’s rules are arguably more traveler-friendly than those of airlines. On even the cheapest tickets, Eurostar allows adults to bring two pieces of luggage and one carry-on with no weight limit. Children can bring one piece of luggage and one carry-on.

You also don’t have to worry about paying for a seat or dealing with liquid restrictions. You can make fee-free changes to your ticket as many times as you like until seven days before departure. Ticket changes within seven days of departure incur a $40 fee unless you’re in Business Premier.

Club Eurostar is Eurostoar’s loyalty program and you can sign up for a free account to start earning points. You earn 1 point per $1 spent on Eurostar tickets. Train + hotel packages also earn points, albeit at a lower rate (1 point per $2).

Eurostar has four membership levels, and with each increasing level you earn more points on travel and get access to additional perks.

All levels can pool points with friends and family, use points to pay a portion of their tickets and upgrade their seats from Standard to Standard Premier/Comfort. If you’re going for elite status with Eurostar, the biggest advantages are companion vouchers, lounge access and priority benefits when traveling.

Rewards can be used for as low as 100 points on various experiences from free tickets to upgrades.

Standard cabin on the train from Amsterdam to Brussels. (Photo by Elina Geller)

Eurostar offers different travel classes, and these travel classes vary by destination. All trains offer Wi-Fi, but in my experience, the Wi-Fi has been awful, with upload and download speeds of less than 1 Mbps.

Trains to/from London

A Eurostar train to/from London offers three travel classes: Standard, Standard Premier and Business Premier. All seats offer U.K. and EU plug sockets. You can also choose your seat when traveling on this route.

Standard: This travel class offers the lowest priced tickets and food and drinks are available for purchase.

Standard Premier: You get free magazines and a more spacious seat, along with a light meal and drinks.

Business Premier: You get the same seat as in Standard Premier, plus additional perks including three pieces of luggage, a carry-on, hot meals created by Raymond Blanc OBE served with champagne, free newspapers and magazines and a dedicated fast-track ticket gate. You also get access to Eurostar lounges and NS International lounges.

Trains between Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Germany

Premium seats on the train from Brussels to Amsterdam. (Photo by Elina Geller)

When traveling between Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Germany, there are three travel classes: Standard, Comfort and Premium. All seats include EU plug sockets.

You also have access to Eurostar’s taxi booking service, which allows you to arrange transport to/from the train station. Unfortunately you cannot choose your seat when traveling between these destinations.

Standard : This travel class has the cheapest tickets. Food and drinks are not included but can be purchased onboard.

Comfort : You get a more spacious seat, but still need to pay for food and drinks. Comfort seats have access to premium Wi-Fi, but I found that Wi-Fi to be just as slow as in Standard class.

Premium : You have the same seat as in Comfort class and some additional perks including a gourmet cold meal served at your seat, access to Eurostar lounges and NS International lounges. 

The Eurostar amenities you receive depend on which class you travel in. You receive a complimentary meal in Premium, Standard Premier or Business Premier. Those in Business Premier (only available on London routes) receive three-course meals created in collaboration with Michelin-star chef Raymond Blanc OBE. Passengers in Premium get a meal designed by Belgian chef Frank Fol.

Passengers in other travel classes don’t receive a complimentary meal but can purchase drinks or snacks from the Eurostar Cafe.

Eurostar lounge in Brussels. (Photo by Elina Geller)

Travelers in Premium can visit the Eurostar lounge in Paris and Brussels, and NS International lounges in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Those traveling in Business Premier can use the lounge in London, Paris and Brussels.

Club Eurostar elites traveling on any fare class can access certain lounges depending on their elite status:

Avantage, Carte Blanche and Etoile members : Eurostar lounge in Brussels and Paris.

Carte Blanche and Etoile members : Eurostar lounge in London, Paris and Brussels; DB lounges in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Essen; NS International lounges in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Schiphol airport; Railteam lounges in France, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria.

Check each lounge’s information page for opening hours. Generally, you can expect to find various seating spaces, complimentary newspapers and magazines, free Wi-Fi as well as food and drinks to enjoy.

Eurostar allows you to book tickets up to 120 days in advance, and the sooner you book the better. You’ll generally find the cheapest tickets on Tuesday and Wednesday. Since you can change your ticket fee-free as many times as you want until seven days before departure, you might as well book as soon as possible.

There are also special or discounted fares for the following groups:

Children under age 4

Kids ages 4-11

Passengers under 26 or over 60

Travelers in a group

Wheelchair passengers and companions

The availability of discounts depends on your destination, so you’ll want to check Eurostar’s page for guidance.

If you have a credit card that earns travel rewards, you’ll want to use it for this purchase since trains are part of the travel category. Here’s a sampling of cards that earn extra rewards for travel and don’t charge foreign transaction fees.

on Chase's website

• 2 points per $1 spent on travel, including train travel.

• 3 points per $1 spent on travel, including train travel.

• 2 miles per $1 on every purchase.

• 3 points per $1 on transit, including train travel.

Terms apply.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

You can pay in U.S. dollars when buying Eurostar tickets online. However, if you plan to buy anything on board the train, and you’ll be in Europe anyways, you’ll want to use a card that waives foreign transaction fees .

» Learn more: Best travel credit cards

Is it cheaper to fly or take Eurostar?

The answer to this question depends on how far in advance you purchase your ticket, your day of travel, whether you need to pay for luggage, and the difference in costs between traveling to the airport and to a Eurostar train station.

Here’s a sampling of Eurostar fares in September 2024 from London to Paris.

Here’s a selection of flights from London to Paris on the same day.

Although the cheapest flight is $13 less than the train, bag fees are not included in that price. And since Eurostar stations are generally more centrally located, your overall cost may be cheaper on the train after factoring in a rideshare or taxi to the airport.

Eurostar offers a convenient way to travel between the U.K., Belgium, Netherlands, France and Germany. If you’re deciding whether to fly or take a Eurostar, factor in the cost, travel time (including the time spent getting to and from the airport, as well as the time spent at the airport) and how many bags you're bringing as part of your decision.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

My Top 20 Tips For Packing & Travelling on the Eurostar with Children

As much as I love family holidays together, travelling with kids can be, well…a bit of a nightmare!

Packing for the whole family can become a full blown military operation ( I start 2 weeks before the holiday, yes really)- while flying with young kids (my own are worse on short than long haul-go figure?) can frankly, induce fine lines and grey hair by arrival.

Thank goodness for Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream pre and during flights, and in-seat yoga (and breathe)!

Seriously though, to avoid the headache, travelling by Eurostar with kids is far less hassle than flying when travelling to mainland Europe.

Eurostar have taken the stress out of preparing to travel, and the actual journey so getting away with all the family can honestly, be a joy!

And what’s more, children under 4 travel for free with Eurostar! Yes you read that correctly, FREE my friends!

I utterly adore the Eurostar, always have, always will.

I have many a sentimental memory of blissful train journeys and visits to Paris for girlie, romantic and of course family breaks in the capital. Touchingly, my Mum and I made several visit to Paris for wedding dress fittings a decade ago with designers Cymbeline at the famous Galleries La Fayette.

Ooh la la indeed!

But back to the brilliance of Eurostar and travelling en famille.

I love that their carriages are far more comfortable and spacious than that of a plane, allowing you and your fidgety little ones the freedom to move around.

A wander up and down the train is an amazing way to nip any temper tantrums in the bud before they begin, (which your fellow passengers will no doubt LOVE you for) and of course your holiday starts the minute you board, as you marvel at new sights and cities through the window.

Another great thing about travelling with Eurostar is that you can literally pack everything – (hello my whole wardrobe, because if you’re heading to Paris, a girl needs choice, right?).

‘How?’ I hear you cry.

There are literally NO weight restrictions on luggage, and each passenger can have 2 suitcases per person, PLUS hand luggage.

Photo by Kirsty Mattsson Photography .

It’s also the perfect mode of transport for family getaways or even if you’re just an indecisive packer cum fashionistas like myself!

As a family, we have been lucky to travel to some incredible countries and along the way I’ve picked up some valuable travel tips. So with the holiday season on the horizon, here are my top ways to make travelling as a family easy-

The early bird catches the…train

As all parents can vouch, everything with kids takes longer. Dinner time, bath time, bed time…and travelling is no exception. To make life easier for you though, Eurostar have check-in times that are just 30 mins before departure meaning more time for toddler melt downs, demands for food and general tardiness that won’t mean you miss your train. PHEW!

Check your passports

Just the two of us!

Unfortunately I had to learn this lesson the hard way when last year, my husband and eldest son Oliver were forced to stay home from a family holiday to Marbella, as we only discovered Oliver’s passport had expired the night before we were due to fly.

Passportgate was certainly not FUN! (Children’s passports are only valid for 5 years unlike adult’s). I still cringe now, thinking back to it and although Oliver and Peter had an amazing boys holiday in Wales, I always, ALWAYS make sure I check our passports’ expiration dates at least 8 weeks before travelling. You live and learn huh!

Start a family travel project 

When I would vacay as a kid, I’d create a holiday diary where I would write and draw our journey and holiday (I was always destined to be a blogger!)

I used to love documenting and reliving my travels once home, and this is a tradition I’ve passed down to my sons, Oliver and Alexander.

The diary is a great way to keep kids entertained whilst travelling and allows you to truly capture all those amazing moments of your holiday, in a creative, stimulating way.

Plan for all weather

Here in the UK we’re used to unpredictable weather (shades and umbrella in one bag anyone?), so when we travel to sunnier climes, we pray for clear skies and warm temps. However, the weather across Europe can be equally unpredictable, so make sure you’re not caught out by packing waterproofs and plenty of layers to keep kids warm on the potential cool days and evenings.

If the sun shines, which it hopefully will, got forget the sunscreen and hats too!

Take medicine

Photo credit

Taking a well stocked first aid kit is a holiday essential here. You can either buy a pre-prepared kit or make your own that can be tailored to your holiday. For example, if you’re planning on doing lots of outdoor activities, then pack lots of band aids.

First aid kits basics include antihistamines, kids aspirin and Calpol, re-hydration solution, travel sickness pills, tweezers and support bandages.

Buy a child locator

Even the most-hawk eyed parent worries about their kid running off and in the excitement of going on holiday, children have a tendency to stray off exploring their new surroundings.

Thanks to the wonders of technology (one above is a Filip Wearable Child Smart Locator and Phone), you can now track your kids’ whereabouts with lightweight, wearable devices that set off a sound alarm if your child exceeds a certain distance, allowing you to track them down.

These devices offer peace of mind on your travels.

Snooze cruise

Make sure you take plenty of blankets in case your babe wants to have a nap. When the kids were younger, we would always try and time nap times around travelling as much as possible, hoping that they would sleep for the duration of the journey. This often meant travelling by night if we could if it fitted with the schedule.

Travel pillows for the whole family are a must and will prevent sore necks too.

Take plenty of snacks and drinks

The fabulous thing about travelling by Eurostar is that you can take your own food and drink on board – this is especially great if anyone in your family has allergies or dietary requirements, and is also perfect for tiny fussy eaters too (and those like Xander who likes to eat with chopsticks)!

Keep kids hydrated with plenty of water, and satisfied with healthy sandwiches and snacks that provide slow releasing energy. My boys love a little pack lunch box and I always carry bananas in my bag.

Do avoid sugary snacks and drinks like the plague – hyped-up kids in a confined environment is a recipe for disaster. Full kids equals happy kids.

Take plenty of nappies, travel nappy changing kit and swimming nappies

Changing your little one’s nappy whilst travelling is not a pleasant experience. Changing facilities on most airlines are pretty basic – if they even exist at all- and changing a nappy in public is not going to make you the most popular with fellow passengers.

Eurostar trains have dedicated baby changing facilities that are private.

For longer journeys, make sure you have plenty of nappies easily to hand, and a nappy changing kit including a mat, baby wipes and nappy rash cream.

If you’re potty training your kid, make sure you stock up on plenty of pull-up nappies, and don’t forget swimming nappies if where you are heading has a pool or beach.

Take a buggy 

Even if you wouldn’t use a pram/buggy at home, I recommend taking one on holidays where you might be out and about exploring for long periods of time. That way, tour tot can rest their weary legs while the whole family is still on the move.

If you are heading to a rural or beach destination it might be worth investing in an all terrain buggy too.

I love this shot below, from a few years ago with both kids fast asleep on holiday!

Invest in a Trunki suitcase, and Enchanted Forest & Friends rucksack 

Make travelling fun for your kids with a Trunki suitcase. These super cute suitcases also double up as a fun ride and ensure that the ‘journey is as enjoyable as the destination’.

They are the perfect way to keep kids entertained whilst travelling and they will love the sweet, vibrant animal designs.

Oliver loves a rucksack too. This one is from Enchanted Forest & Friends and is the ideal rucksack for storing a Jurassic Park style herd of toy dinosaurs in which *just have to come everywhere with us!

Take extra batteries, chargers and adapters

As a blogger/vlogger, I’m forever snapping away and filming our family holidays. I always take extra batteries, and to keep costs down, invest in rechargeable batteries.

Don’t forget your laptop, tablet and phone chargers too, and make sure, that you have an adapter for the country you are travelling to.

There’s an app for that

Beyond traditional travel games such as ‘Eye Spy’, apps for your phone or tablet are an ideal way to keep kids entertained during journeys.

There are so many brilliant apps at the press of a button so research and download pre-journey.

Entertain kids with games and DVDs

Stop the relentless ‘are we there yet?’ questions by keeping your kids entertained with DVDs.

It’s a good idea to invest in a robust, portable DVD player too, or you could alternatively use your own laptop.

We always carry headphones to keep the noise down for passengers.

I personally love playing traditional board and card games. You can also buy travel and pocket sized board games which make for excellent family fun.

Don’t forget to take books

Both my children are bookworms and not only does taking books away with us mean the kids are occupied, but my eldest, Oliver, aged 6, can also practice his reading.

We love to read pre-bedtime too, so packing some favourites means keeping up with bedtime rituals while in our new surroundings.

Pack a change of clothes for the kids 

Spillages happen and are more likely to, when on the move. Make sure you take a change of clothes for your kids, as well extra layers, to hand. If you are travelling with a baby, then make sure you also take a spare outfit for yourself as well as them as nobody wants to travel with baby sick down them! Been there, done it and (sadly) worn the T-shirt!

Keep kids cool

We love a handheld fan, particularly as my eldest son is so seemingly hot-blooded. That kid is always warm, even when it snows?! Fans are of course useful in warmer climates and we always pack two on our travels. Xander insists we take the ‘fan’ above with us everywhere (I suppose it does the job)!

Keep it clean

Make sure you pack plenty of baby wipes for sticky fingers, spillages and foodie faces. Hand sanitiser is also a must to keep bugs at bay too.

Parents, do you remember life before baby wipes?! I literally use them for everything-cleaning jewellery, shoes, wiping down tables and of course my kids!

Buy an extra seat 

It always amazes me how such tiny beings can take up so much space, but kids need room and if you’re travelling with 2 or more kids (if budget allows) I would recommend buying an extra seat, where you can store toys and extra clothes.

And don’t forget yourself!

Photo by Kirsty Mattsson Photography.

When packing and planning for a whole family it can be easy to forget about yourself. Make sure you take plenty of your own books, magazines and music to keep yourself entertained on the journey – especially for when the kids are occupied and napping. Hello Beyoncé! Dancing in your seat (considerately) is allowed you know! Ha!

…I always take my laptop with me too as I find that travelling leaves me feeling most inspired, so it’s a great time for me to write.

I hope you’ve found my tips useful, I’d love to read yours in the comments.

I am a spokesperson for Eurostar and this is a commissioned post. As always, all opinions are my own and honest.

Buy my bestselling book in paperback or audio

My debut book is my guide to surviving and thriving at work and at home and offers insight into how to create a digital business or return to work with confidence.

Mumboss: The Honest Mum's Guide to Surviving and Thriving at Work and at Home (UK 2nd Edition)

Available on Amazon or Audible

The Working Mom: Your Guide to Surviving and Thriving at Work and at Home (US/Canada Edition)

Available September 8th 2020. Order now on Amazon

Like what you've read? Then why not follow Vicki on Facebook , Twitter , YouTube , Pinterest and Instagram

Never miss a post.

Subscribe to HonestMum for my weekly email newsletter where I share my new blog posts, blogging tips, event invitations, competitions and news about my new book. I never share your personal data with third parties.

Los of great tips there my lovely. I’m off to Nantes next month and I’m going by Eurostar with only one of my little ones (!!). Since she is under 4, it is free for her to travel on my lap via Eurostar. To make sure we are not too squashed, I booked 1st class tickets. That can only mean one thing: we’re getting fed yummy food! (she gets her own meals for free even though I only have 1 ticket for the 2 of us – I love the Eurostar!!)

Amazing tips lovely. Still remember last year when your little one’s passport expired and you found out too late. As you know we travel all the time, mostly flying, but whenever we visit Paris (and that’s at least once a month for my husband who has meetings there often) we take Eurostar. I have never taken kids with us, and had no idea that under 4s travel for free! we better go before Olivia turns 4 next month! Lovely photos too!

You must go away via Eurostar, amazing that under 4’s go free and such a super way to travel xx

I absolutely love Eurostar. I spent a summer living in Brussels so became accustomed to using the service. I’m yet to take the kids on the Eurostar but i think they’d love it. Great tips you’d come up with.

They would absolutely love it John, I really want to visit Brussels 🙂

Great tips, I haven’t been on the Euro Star as yet hoping that will change soon when I take the girls off for a little weekend away will be coming back to your tips then! xx

Great tips here – I am also a fan of a visit to the pound shop and spending about a tenner on little things that I hand out at various stages of the journey, particularly when I can sense a meltdown coming on. Works like magic! We too go nowhere without a first aid kit and it has been a life saver. Love Eurostar and the romance of travelling by train. Haven’t made a trip to Paris for a while but your post has already got me looking at possible weekends when I can go. Love that pic of Xander with ice-cream everywhere! x

Oh what a wonderful idea Nomita, staggering things across the journey is genius, thank you for that tip and you are so right, the Eurostar is so romantic and it’s such a joy to travel with them. Enjoy your trips (Xander and ice cream is always a mess)! xx

You’re putting ideas into my head. I now want to go to Paris on the euro tunnel 🙂

Go book it girl, so dreamy x

some fab tips! thankyou 🙂

Thanks Emma, so pleased you’ve found them useful 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Public fares
• Collective offers
• Business travellers
• Specific offers
• Plan your trip
• Working together
• After sales
• Planned disruptions
• Travel News
• Live trains

• Train access
• Door to door

Travel documents

What documents do your customers need to travel? Discover all relevant information about what passengers need to know about travel documents and visas for adults, children and unaccompanied minors.

Those with an EU passport travelling between cities in France, Belgium, the Netherlands or Germany do not need a passport, however we recommend clients bring an identity document, as random spot checks do occur.

UK passport-holders

British passports must:

– be valid for the length of the passenger’s stay in Europe – have at least three months’ validity left from the date they intend to leave the EU – be less than 10 years old

Passengers must have a clear page in their passports, as it will be stamped when travelling in and out of the EU.

If passengers do not yet have a passport, or their current passport needs renewing, please ensure there is ample time for the application process to conclude, before travelling.

Passengers will not be permitted to travel if they have not received their passport in time.

Passengers can check passport processing times on the UK government website.

Passengers do not require a visa for trips to EU countries up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

If passengers visit more than one of these countries within a 180-day period, they will need to ensure they do not spend more than 90 days in total across the EU.

This is because most of these countries apply the 90-day limit as a group. Passengers may need a visa for longer stays or when travelling for work or business.

UK citizens living in the EU

If your customers’ main residence is in the EU, they will not need to get their passport stamped, provided they carry their EU residence permit.

If your customers cannot prove that they are an EU resident, they may be asked additional questions by border authorities and their passport may be stamped before they enter the Schengen area.

European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC)

UK citizens can no longer apply for a new European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

If your customers have an existing EHIC, it will continue to be valid until its expiry date.

Once it expires, customers need to apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which provides access to state healthcare in the EU.

EHIC and GHIC do not replace travel insurance.

It is strongly recommended to take out travel insurance with medical cover when travelling abroad.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens travelling to the UK

Passports are required for all passengers travelling to the UK, including children.

Passports do not need to be valid for a minimum number of months to travel, as long as they are valid for the length of stay in the UK.

If passengers do not yet have a passport, or their current passport needs renewing, please ensure ample time for the application process to conclude, before travelling.

Passengers will not be permitted to travel if they have not received their passport in time for their journey.

Do you live in the UK with settled or pre-settled status?

Passengers can continue to use their national ID card to travel until 31 December 2025.

If your customers have both a valid passport and a valid identity card, we recommend they travel with the document linked to their settled or pre-settled status.

If passengers have a new passport and their pre-settled or settled status is linked to their previous ID document, they must remember to update their passport details in their UK Visa and Immigration account. This will avoid extra checks at border control.

School groups

The List of Travellers scheme is no longer available for school groups travelling from the EU to the UK.

All EU children need to carry their own valid passport to be able to travel.

Passengers can continue to travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without a visa.

For longer stays, EU citizens may need a visa. Ensure this is checked before travel.

Non-UK and non-EU citizens travelling between the UK and the EU

Passengers need a valid passport to travel between the UK and the EU.

Check whether your customers need a visa for their destination(s) before they travel.

– UK: UK government website – France: French government website – Belgium: EU visa website – The Netherlands: EU visa website – Germany: EU Visa website

Children who are not UK, EU, EEA or Swiss nationals need a visa to travel to the UK as part of a school group.

Unaccompanied under-18s

Unaccompanied minors (up to the age of 18) will need to carry extra travel documentation.

In addition to reading the relevant section below, it is strongly recommended to check the latest government advice before travel – for both the country the minor is departing from, and the country they are travelling to.

Children under 12 years old

Children under 12 must travel with a responsible person aged 16 or older.

• Children 12 to 15 years old (inclusive)

Children 12 to 15 (inclusive) can travel on their own to some Eurostar destinations, provided they have a completed  Eurostar unaccompanied minor form  and only travel on trains departing between 06:00 and 17:00 local time.

The form must be signed by their parent or legal guardian (or by a responsible adult, aged 18 or over, given consent by the parent or legal guardian) at the station in the presence of a member of the Eurostar team.

The child will need to keep this signed form with them throughout their journey and show it to the onboard team if requested.

When the parent or legal guardian gives written consent for the young person to travel, they accept and agree that the young person will travel unaccompanied and be treated as an adult passenger (ie the young person will not be supervised by a member of the Eurostar team) for the entirety of the trip.

The responsible person must also ensure arrangements are in place for the young person to be met on arrival.

Please note: Children under 16 years of age cannot travel unaccompanied on the direct trains to or from the Netherlands.

Documents the child will need:

– Eurostar ticket – Passport – Eurostar unaccompanied minor form signed by a parent or legal guardian

Additional requirements for French residents As above, plus: – Authorisation de sortie du territoire (AST) form signed by a parent – Photocopy of the identity card or passport of the parent who has signed the AST form”

Minors 16 and 17 years old

16 to 17-year-olds can travel by themselves, as long as they have all the necessary travel documents and meet all the legal requirements.

– Eurostar ticket – Passport

Additional requirements for French residents

As above, plus: – Authorisation de sortie du territoire (AST) form signed by a parent – Photocopy of the identity card or passport of the parent who has signed the AST form

Accessibility Links

Eurostar guide: everything you need to know before you travel

We answer the big questions from departure to arrival — and find out what it’s really like on board the eurostar.

E urostar has been whizzing travellers across northern Europe for nearly 30 years via a rail network that connects France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK. Its high-speed trains can reach 186mph, dropping to 100mph when travelling through the Channel Tunnel; and are often a more convenient option when pitted against planes. Most stations are right in the middle of the city, you don’t pay for luggage and there aren’t any liquid restrictions. Journey times vary depending on your destination, with the shortest journey being London to Lille in 1hr 22min. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of the journey.

Main photo: passengers queue for the Eurostar at St Pancras station (Getty Images)

Where does the Eurostar go?

Direct trains link London to Paris , Brussels , Amsterdam and Rotterdam . You can connect in any of the European stations and travel to other destinations across France , Belgium , the Netherlands and Germany . Some of the most popular journeys include connecting at Lille for Disneyland Paris; and taking the ski train from Lille in winter. Station refurbishments in Amsterdam Centraal are due to take place for six months from June 14, 2024. This will mean limited Eurostar trains from London to Amsterdam, and no direct services from Amsterdam to London during this time. That said, it will still be possible to make return journeys to the Netherlands via Eurostar, albeit with a longer journey back to England. There will be three daily services from London to Rotterdam and Amsterdam. The return journey from Amsterdam to London will require passengers to take a connecting service in Brussels-Midi, with a wait time that Eurostar estimates will be between 48min and 1hr 48min. When the refurbishment is complete, a new cross-channel terminal will allow for more regular, direct trains between the two cities.

• Best hotels in Paris • Best hotels in Brussels

How early should I arrive for the Eurostar?

Eurostar recommends that you get to London St Pancras around 1hr 15min before departure. This will give you enough time to clear security and passport control (for both the UK and France), and then wait in the departure lounge until the platform is announced. It’s best to stock up on food and drink in St Pancras station as the choice is limited inside the Eurostar terminal. If you’re travelling in Business Premier you can enter via a fast-track entrance so arriving an hour before will leave you with plenty of time to clear security and board the train.

Advertisement

What will i need to take.

Your tickets, which can be downloaded on the Eurostar app or printed in advance at home; and your passport.

How long does the Eurostar take?

Most journeys from London to Paris take 2hr 16min but some can be as long as 2hr 37min. The Eurostar typically takes 1hr 53min to Brussels; 1hr 22min to Lille; and 3hr 52min to Amsterdam.

What’s the difference between the classes on Eurostar?

There are three classes to choose from — Standard, Standard Premier and Business Premier. The difference between Standard and Standard Premier is that in the latter seats are slightly bigger and you’ll get a light meal and drinks served to your seat. In Business Premier you get a three-course meal, designed by Raymond Blanc, served with a glass of champagne and other hot and cold drinks throughout the journey. You can use the Business Premier lounges with free snacks, drinks and newspapers, use the fast-track gates and your ticket has more flexibility: there are no fees to exchange or cancel.

How much luggage can you take?

There’s no limit on weight and each bag can be up to 85cm at its widest points. Passengers in Standard or Standard Premier can take two pieces of luggage and one piece of hand luggage while those in Business Premier can take three pieces of luggage and one piece of hand luggage. Children can take one piece of luggage and one piece of hand luggage. You can book separate spaces for bikes. Musical instruments should be in a case up to 85cm long. There are lots of rules around sports equipment, such as skiing kit. If you’re going camping then tents need to be packed in bags or cases up to 85cm long. Here’s everything you need to know on luggage limitations.

• Ski packing list: the clothes and equipment to bring • The best ski resorts in France

Is there a café onboard?

Yes, you can buy drinks, meals and snacks in Café Métropole, which is reasonably priced. You’re also welcome to bring food and drinks with you on board.

Can you take liquids on Eurostar?

Yes, unlike on flights there’s no limit on the quantity of liquids you can take on board.

What items are not allowed on Eurostar?

Among the items prohibited on Eurostar are unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and some relics from world war sites such as historical weapons, munitions and explosive devices; plus certain inflammable substances, flick knives, gardening equipment and furniture, e-scooters and perishable items such as fish, meat and dairy products. Other items, including authorised firearms, some DIY tools and cut flowers and plants, are restricted. You can find out more about prohibited and restricted items here .

You cannot bring alcohol on board in excess of the Eurostar alcohol policy . This policy limits passengers to a few unopened bottles of alcohol to take to their destination. Alcohol consumption on board the Eurostar is limited to four bottles or cans of beer or one bottle of wine per person. Large bottles of spirits cannot be consumed on board. Passengers who want to bring back large quantities of alcohol on their return must contact a courier service.

Can children travel for free?

Children under four can travel for free if they can sit on an adult’s lap for the whole journey. If they need their own seat you’ll need to buy a child ticket. In terms of luggage, you can take one pushchair and one car seat per child for no extra cost. Café Métropole is on board and handy if your little one wants to move around during the journey. Child tickets, for those aged from four to 11, are 30 per cent cheaper in Standard and Standard Premier. Eurostar also offers discounted youth fares for those aged from 12 to 25 but these are currently not available for trips to and from London.

• How to travel with children • Ten tips for travelling with autistic and neurodiverse children • Best things to do in Paris with children

Does Eurostar have wi-fi?

Yes, there’s free wi-fi throughout the train, though the signal can be patchy because it relies on mobile data — especially when going through tunnels. Head to settings, wi-fi, select EurostarTrainsWiFi and register your details when on board.

Can dogs go on the Eurostar?

No, only guide dogs are allowed on board.

How can I get cheap Eurostar tickets?

Adult single tickets start from £39 and it’s usually a case of the earlier the better when it comes to booking, particularly if you want to travel over a weekend or on a bank holiday. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the cheapest days to travel. Eurostar advises that you book four months in advance for the best prices. You can change your tickets for free up to seven days before departure, so if you do need to change dates, or see a cheaper price, it’s easy to amend your booking.

How far in advance can you book Eurostar?

You’ll typically be able to book Eurostar tickets up to 330 days in advance of your return travel date.

Are Eurostar tickets refundable?

It depends which class of ticket you’ve booked. Standard and Standard Premier tickets are non-refundable but you can change your ticket without an exchange fee up to seven days before the departure of your original train. You will need to pay the difference in fare. If you want to change your train within seven days of the departure date you’ll need to pay a £30 exchange fee for Standard or £40 for Standard Premier, as well as any difference in fare. This is per person, per leg of the journey and you can make any changes on the “manage your booking” section of the Eurostar site, if this is where you booked your original tickets. If you need to make a change in person or over the phone there will be a £10 service charge.

The most flexible tickets are Business Premier. If you need to cancel your journey you can get a refund up to 60 days after your planned departure, but this doesn’t include routes to the Netherlands. Standard Premier bookings and exchanges can be made over the phone or at the station.

• Best hotels in Paris for families • How to do Disneyland Paris on a budget

Sign up for the Times Travel Newsletter here .

Related articles

• Skip to content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Tips For Family Trips

Start planning your dream trip today

Tips for Riding Eurostar with Kids

England , France / May 28, 2019 by Allison / Leave a Comment This article may contain sponsored content or affiliate links.

Planning a trip to Europe?

After we booked flights to Paris last summer, we decided to divide our time between Paris and London. Eurostar made it easy and affordable for our family.

Eurostar is a high speed train that connects London, Paris and Brussels. You can also use it to reach, Amsterdam, Marseilles, Bruges, and other cities in France, England, Belgium and Netherlands.

We landed in Paris, and then traveled straight to London under the English Channel on Eurostar. After a week in London, we traveled back to Paris on Eurostar and spent another week before flying home. I cherish so many memories of this trip with my family.

Here's what to expect on Eurostar, with tips for making the most of your time and money.

Eurostar tickets go up in price as you get closer to your departure date, and you can buy up to 180 days in advance. Tickets are exchangeable for a fee, but not refundable. 

We purchased our Eurostar tickets four months in advance, right after we booked our flights. We paid $364 for four round trip tickets. If you wait too long, you could pay that much for one ticket.

There are three classes of ticket on Eurostar: Standard, Standard Premier and Business Premier. Youth (ages 12-25) and Children (ages 0-11) get discounted fare. Infants under age 4 can ride on your lap for free.

We chose Standard, and were happy with our choice. The seats were comfortable and we had adequate space. We were fine without the services offered in the more expensive seats – like food, late arrival, extra luggage and extra space. 

You may find that tickets for weekdays or Saturday afternoons are less expensive than trains timed for weekend getaways. Eurostar occasionally offers deals and sales. Check www.eurostar.com or subscribe to Eurostar's email newsletter to stay in the know.

Related: How We Found Cheap Flights to Paris

Give Yourself Lots of Time

Our flight to Paris was scheduled to land at 9 AM. I scheduled our Eurostar tickets to London for 1 PM. Theoretically, that gave us plenty of time to get off the plane, find fast food, make the one-hour trip from the airport to the train station and get through security by 12:30 PM.

Four hours from airport to Eurostar was enough time, but just barely. Our plane landed 30 minutes late, and then it took extra time every step of the way because it was all new to us. We waited in a 30-minute line at Eurostar security.

Aim to arrive 45-60 minutes before your departure time. You may not be allowed through the gate if you arrive less than 30 minutes before departure.

Related: Tips for Using Public Transportation in Paris

Getting There

We took public transportation from Paris' Orly airport to the Eurostar station at Gare du Nord, and it worked well. Gare du Nord is a huge transportation hub in Paris. From the subway platforms, go up to street level to find the Eurostar platform.

In London, Eurostar is at St. Pancras International. Connect with Underground trains across the street at Kings Cross Station.

Taxis or Uber may save you money when you are traveling as a family. It cost my family of four $57 to ride public transportation from Orly to Gare du Nord. It only cost $27 to Uber from our Paris apartment to Orly. The distance was different, but it's not necessarily less expensive for a family to use public transit.

Related: Tips for Visiting Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross

Each Adult and Youth (ages 12+) can take two suitcases and one personal bag onto Eurostar. Children (ages 0-11) can take one suitcase and one personal bag. A Business Premier ticket allows three suitcases.

We carried our suitcases onto the train and stored them on luggage racks near the entrance or over our seats. We packed one rolling carry-on bag and one small backpack per person. It carried all our essentials, and was easy to carry from car to plane to train to taxi on this trip.

Related: Tips for Choosing Luggage for Europe

What to Expect at the Station

Expect to pass through airport-style security and customs. We didn't have to take off our shoes or throw away liquids. 

Have your passports and customs forms ready. Keep handy the address of your lodging at your destination, and other itinerary info. You may find separate lines for EU citizens and non-EU citizens. The line for non-EU was much longer in Paris.

Gare du Nord and St. Pancras are large stations with lots of services, including dining and shopping. This can be a fun way to pass the time if you arrive at the station with time to spare. You may have to wait to clear security if you arrive too early. This happened to us in London.

You can take food and drinks onto the train, and you'll have more options for purchasing them outside of security than inside. You can purchase food on the train.

Public restrooms can be tricky in Paris and London. You may want to wait until you're through security or on the train. I used a public restroom inside the security checkpoint at St. Pancras and it was OK. There are also restrooms on the train. 

Related: One Day at Disneyland Paris

What to Expect on the Train

You can select seats or be automatically assigned seats after you purchase your tickets. Log in to your Eurostar account to select seats.

Some seats face forward in sets of two, like on a bus or airplane. Our group of four Standard seats faced each other with a narrow table in between. We loved this arrangement, and were assigned seats like this both ways.

The trip from London to Paris and vice versa takes about 2 1/2 hours. 

Eurostar trains have free WiFi, but we found it to be unreliable – especially in the Chunnel. There is an onboard entertainment app with children's programming you can try. Our seats did not have charging ports.

Changing tables for infants are available on the train.

Our Eurostar train had big windows that allowed us to watch the scenery go by when we were above ground. Overall, we had a comfortable and relaxing ride.

What to Do When You Arrive

Presumably, you'll want to go to your hotel to check in and drop off your luggage. Three good ways to get there are taxi, Uber and public transportation.

Normally, public transportation and Uber are my first two choices because they are generally convenient and less expensive. However, we chose to take a taxi after arriving in both Paris and London for these reasons.

• Convenience – There was a line of taxis at the curb, ready to take us straight to our hotel/apartment. London and Paris taxis take credit cards.
• Cost – Taxis are not necessarily less expensive than public transportation for a family of four.

By the time we arrived in London, we had been in transit for three straight days. Our hotel was a few blocks from an Underground station. I didn't want to wander around with all our luggage trying to connect with an Uber or figuring out tickets and routes on the Underground. Taking a taxi was a no-brainer.

Related: Our Review of Travelodge London Covent Garden

Bring Your Own Food

You can bring your own food on board Eurostar. We picked up Tesco Meal Deals for £3 each before we left London.

You can purchase sandwiches and drinks on board, and you can purchase food beyond the security checkpoint in major cities before you leave, but options are limited.

Children's meals are sold on board. Baby food is not sold, but cafe staff on the train will warm up baby food or bottles for you.

Related: Why We Loved the Tesco Meal Deal

Ticket Benefits

Your Eurostar ticket will get you 2-for-1 admission at museums in Paris, London, Brussels and Lille. We used this when we saw Monet's  Water Lilies at Musee de l'Orangerie in Paris. Kids under age 18 get in free, so we just paid for one adult admission with our Eurostar ticket.

Visit https://www.eurostar.com/us-en/deals to learn more about 2-for-1 admission and other offers.

Eurostar made it easy for my family to visit both Paris and London on our first European trip. Be sure to buy your tickets early and arrive well in advance of your departure time. I hope these tips have helped you plan a great trip.

Happy travels!

Thanks for Sharing!

Reader Interactions

Have a question or comment add it here. cancel reply.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Everything you need to know about booking Eurostar train travel across Europe

If you're already based in Europe, the iconic Eurostar train likely needs no introduction; if you're only visiting the continent, however, you may not be quite aware of the service or how speedy and convenient its connectivity is between the U.K. and mainland Europe.

If you're looking for an easy (and typically cheaper) alternative to flying in Europe , then Eurostar might be just what you're looking for. It provides easy access to several countries — if you're short on time during your vacation, you could opt to take a daytrip from London to Paris using this train service.

Keep reading to find out more about traveling on Eurostar, including how to book tickets and save on fares by using your points and miles . Plus, check out our in-depth overview of each fare type on the Eurostar .

Eurostar trains travel to several destinations

Eurostar began operating in 1994 and is one of Europe's most well-known high-speed train services. The train currently offers direct service to London; Paris; Brussels; Rotterdam, Netherlands; and Amsterdam.

Further connecting Eurostar services will take you to Antwerp, Belgium; Liege, Belgium; Dusseldorf, Germany; Duisburg, Germany; Essen, Germany; and Dortmund, Germany.

In addition to operating its own trains, Eurostar serves as a connecting rail service for other high-speed carriers to destinations like Disneyland Paris.

Related: 7 reasons why your next family vacation should be a train trip

What are the different ticket types for Eurostar trains?

The fare classes on Eurostar come in three tiers. The lowest and most affordable is Standard, which is the equivalent of coach or economy class with an airline.

Next up is Standard Premier, which is akin to premium economy. Finally, there's Business Premier, which is Eurostar's version of business class.

The fare classes are broken down as follows:

With regards to pricing, the cost of fares in Standard and Standard Premier fluctuates based on seasonality, peak periods and destination. Business Premier, on the other hand, remains fairly consistent year-round in terms of pricing. Eurostar tickets can usually be booked up to 330 days before your return travel date.

Generally speaking, if you're considering a trip from London onward, you can expect prices to fall somewhere within the following margins for a one-way trip:

If you're looking to snag a bargain, it's worth keeping your eye out for flash sales, which Eurostar regularly runs throughout the year, often with tickets for as little as 30 British pounds (around $38).

How do Eurostar trains compare to flying?

Compared to flying to your destination and transiting through European airports, traveling via Eurostar is much more low-stress.

The most obvious difference is the security experience, which, compared to that at an airport, is effortless, with no removal of liquids or large electric items. Although queues can mount up during busy periods, we've found that we're through security in under 10 minutes when we travel with Eurostar.

Check-in is similar to airport check-in in that you must show your ticket and passport at a desk or kiosk. London's St. Pancras International Station , however, is currently testing biometric face scans , which may make checking in even faster.

Regarding lounge access, it's worth noting lounges are only available at the St. Pancras, Paris Gare du Nord and Brussels Midi/Zuid stations.

If you're used to airline-run business-class airport lounges, you may need to lower your expectations somewhat here. Although comfortable and pleasant, the lounges are somewhat basic — don't expect too much in the way of food.

Related: The best lounges at London Heathrow — and how to get inside

On board the Eurostar, it's like most modern trains you may have taken at home. The differences between Standard Premier and Business Premier are nominal. You'll get slightly more legroom and a slightly more modern seat in both classes than in Standard.

What you're paying for in these classes is the luggage allowance and food service. If you don't deem either of those things a huge must-have, you'll be more than comfortable in Standard.

That said, the food service on the Eurostar is much better than on most airplanes and currently features a menu designed by the renowned Raymond Blanc. Champagne and coffee services are also served free of charge in Business Premier.

How to book the Eurostar train with credit cards

Travel on Eurostar, booked directly with Eurostar or through an online travel provider, should be coded as travel.

The following credit cards offer bonus points for travel expenses, along with strong welcome bonuses:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card : Earn 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards and 2 points on all other travel purchases.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve : Earn 3 points per dollar on travel purchases.
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Earn 2 points per dollar on all purchases, including travel.
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Earn 2 points per dollar on all purchases, including travel.
• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express : Earn 3% cash back on transit, including taxis, parking, tolls, trains and buses.
• Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees ): Earn 2% on every purchase, with 1% cash back when you buy and an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

Related: 14 best travel credit cards

How to earn points and miles for Eurostar trains

Eurostar operates its own loyalty program named Club Eurostar. For every British pound spent (about $1.27), you will earn 1.2 points. This means you earn around 1 point per $1 spent.

Elite members receive the following points bonuses when booking:

• Avantage: 25%
• Carte Blanche: 50%
• Etoile: 75%

Eurostar tickets can now be booked through the Uber app , and you will earn 10% back in Uber credits on Eurostar bookings and National Rail train tickets in the U.K.

Additionally, you can earn 10% back when you purchase your coach tickets with the following U.K. operators: National Express and Megabus. If you decide to opt out of taking public transit, you can also hire a car from Avis, Hertz and other companies in your Uber app. When you book your trip, you'll receive £10 off (about $12).

You can also transfer 2,000 Accor Live Limitless points and receive 300 Eurostar points.

How to redeem points and miles for Eurostar trains

You can redeem 2,000 Club Eurostar points for a round-trip ticket in Standard class (or 4,000 points for a Standard Premier ticket), though these tickets are limited. For 1,000 more points, you can book any Standard or Standard Premier seats available.

A round-trip ticket can easily cost over $200 in Standard class (and double this at peak periods), making Club Eurostar points very valuable.

Business Premier tickets are available for 6,000 points round-trip for any available seat (saver-level space is not offered).

A one-way upgrade from Standard to Standard Premier is 600 points.

If you don't wish to redeem Club Eurostar points for train travel, you can transfer 500 Eurostar points and receive 1,000 Accor points .

You can redeem Virgin points through Virgin Red for the following Eurostar vouchers:

• 2,000 points for a 10-pound E-Voucher (about $12)
• 5,000 points for a 25-pound E-Voucher (about $31)
• 10,000 points for a 50-pound E-Voucher (about $63)
• 20,000 points for a 100-pound E-Voucher (about $126)

We would not recommend redeeming Virgin points in this way under any circumstances, as this will only give you a redemption value of 0.5 cents each, which is only one-third of our current valuation of Virgin points . You can obtain far more value from your Virgin points by redeeming through flights on Virgin Atlantic or partner airlines like Air France, KLM and Delta Air Lines.

Related: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: How to earn and redeem points for maximum value

Bottom line

Eurostar's popularity boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic as travelers looked for ways to move around Europe without relying on airlines. As a result, Eurostar fares can be more expensive compared to flights with the same route. For short journeys like between London and Brussels, taking Eurostar is a much quicker and more relaxing experience, while on longer journeys like London to Amsterdam, the price can be similar.

If you want to travel within Europe and like the idea of keeping your feet on the ground, book in advance or redeem points and enjoy the stress-free Eurostar rail experience.

Select a language

• Eurostar.com home
• Help centre

Are under 16s allowed to travel alone on the London to Rotterdam/Amsterdam Centraal route and between Brussels and Rotterdam/Amsterdam Centraal?

No, children under 16 are not allowed to travel on their own from London to Rotterdam and Amsterdam or between Brussels and the Netherlands.

Was this answer helpful?

Quick links:.

Book a ticket

Print my ticket

Change my ticket

Engineering/Strike information

Live train updates

Most popular:

Can I cancel my ticket and get a refund?

Can I change my booking?

How can I get in touch with Eurostar?

What is Eurostar's compensation policy in case of delays?

What security checks are there at the station?

Contact us:

12 Things You Need To Know Before Riding Eurostar Between Paris and London

Riding Eurostar between Paris and London is an amazing travel experience. Not only is it a smooth and fun ride, but it can save you time and stress when compared to flying. If you’ve never ridden Eurostar before, here are some tips to help you have a better trip.

• 1 How Early Should I Arrive For The Eurostar Train
• 2 Are Passports Checked on the Eurostar Train
• 3 How Long Are You Underwater on the Eurostar
• 4 Is Eurostar Quicker Than Flying
• 5 Does the Eurostar Feel Fast
• 6 Is It Better To Fly or Take Eurostar to Paris and London
• 7 Is Eurostar Scary
• 8 Is Eurostar a Double Decker Train
• 9 Can You See Underwater on Eurostar
• 10 Does Eurostar Check Your Bags
• 11 Do You Keep Your Luggage With You On Eurostar
• 12 Are There Tables on Eurostar
• 13 Booking Train Tickets In Europe

How Early Should I Arrive For The Eurostar Train

You should arrive at least 1 hour before your scheduled departure on Eurostar. On our recent ride it took 30 minutes to get through customs and immigration on our way to London. On top of getting through these security checks, you’ll want to arrive early enough to enter the train when boarding opens, which is 20-30 minutes before the train leaves.

Are Passports Checked on the Eurostar Train

Passports are checked when riding on the Eurostar train. You passport will be checked at the Gare du Nord station in Paris before boarding the Eurostar train from Paris to London. There are separate lines for EU passport holders and all other passport holders. The check is made after you go upstairs to the London Hall.

How Long Are You Underwater on the Eurostar

The speed limit in the Channel Tunnel for trains is 160kph / 100mph. The Channel Tunnel is under the English Channel for 37.9 km or 23.5 miles, which is the worlds longest undersea tunnel. When riding the Eurostar you’ll be underwater for about 13 minutes.

Is Eurostar Quicker Than Flying

It takes 2 hours and 30 minutes to go from Paris to London on Eurostar. With security and customs checks taking an additional 30 minutes, your total travel time from the city center can be 3 hours. Eurostar is quicker than flying due to airport security taking longer than train security and the location of the airports.

Does the Eurostar Feel Fast

The Eurostar does not feel fast while you are riding on it. It is a very quiet and smooth train and you’ll have trouble figuring out how fast you are going without looking at a speedometer. Even though you’ll be travelling at around 100mph through the tunnel and 160mph outside of the tunnel, it won’t feel that fast.

Is It Better To Fly or Take Eurostar to Paris and London

It is better to take Eurostar to Paris and London versus flying. When riding on Eurostar the stations are in the city center, which will save you time and money once you reach your destination. If you fly, you’ll be landing at a remote airport and need to take a train into the city. It is also a big time saver to ride Eurostar versus flying.

Is Eurostar Scary

Eurostar is not scary and will not feel different than riding any other train. Most trains go through several tunnels at some point, and the Channel Tunnel will feel just like any other tunnel, just a little longer. If you didn’t know you were underwater you wouldn’t be able to tell. Riding Eurostar should not be a frightening experience as it is a very smooth and quiet train ride.

Is Eurostar a Double Decker Train

The Eurostar is not a double decker train, it is a single level train. Seats can be purchased in 3 separate classes, but all classes are on the same level. There are no stairs to negotiate when riding on Eurostar. You’ll have a choice of sitting in the direction of travel or away from it, but there are no levels to choose from.

Can You See Underwater on Eurostar

Eurostar trains have nice picture windows at the seats that let you see outside. When you are in the underwater section of the ride you will only see the inside of the Channel Tunnel. You cannot see underwater while riding on Eurostar, so no you will also not see any fish.

Does Eurostar Check Your Bags

There is a bag check before boarding Eurostar. Since you are changing countries while on the train, your bags must pass through customs, where they will be scanned and checked. It is a much quicker check than at an airport. You’ll load all of your luggage onto the belt and it’ll be scanned in a matter of seconds.

Do You Keep Your Luggage With You On Eurostar

When riding Eurostar you’ll keep your bags with you on the train. Your bags will either go in the luggage racks at the end of the car, or in the overhead space above your seat. There is plenty of space for your bags. You’ll need to label all of your bags with your name before riding. Simply put your bags on the racks, find your seat and enjoy the ride, then grab your bags on the way off the train.

Are There Tables on Eurostar

Each train car on Eurostar will have tables. Not every seat will have a formal table though, as most just have a fold down tray from the back of the seat in front of them. If you want to sit at a table, reserve seats that face each other, as those seats have tables between them.

Booking Train Tickets In Europe

We book our train tickets in Europe using either Trainline or Rail Europe . These services offer an easier customer experience as we’ve found our credit cards work better when booking through these sites. Eurostar Tickets can be booked on either platform. In addition Rail Europe offers rail passes if you are planning a longer trip.

Eurostar is a marvel of the train world. What many once thought was impossible is now possible by travelling under the English Channel. It is certainly one of the most unique and memorable short rides on a train you can take.

No matter if you are travelling from Paris to London on Eurostar or the other way around, we hope you have an enjoyable and memorable trip!

Robert Marmion

• Backpacking Group Tours
• Flashpacking Group Tours
• Premium Group Tours
• All Group Tours
• Get a Quote
• Destinations
• Sustainability
• Gift Vouchers
• Educational Trips

Under 18s Guide

Our under 18s policy, 16 - 18 year old travellers.

Whether it’s after your final year exams, or before you step foot into the world of full-time work, we know that for many the chance to travel and go interrailing may come before their 18th birthday. Whilst it absolutely is possible to explore the continent if you’re under 18, it’s important to know that there are certain restrictions and things you should know when travelling with Euroventure.

First of all, under 18’s aren’t allowed in shared hostel-dorms. It doesn’t matter if your 18th birthday is next month, your friends are all 18, or you look closer to 30 than you do 17 – you simply aren’t permitted to stay in shared dorms.

If you are travelling with someone who is 18+, then you may be able to stay in selected private hostel rooms, provided we have the consent of your parent/guardian. However please enquire with us first before booking this option online.

You are however free to book any of our trips in hotels ; again, provided your parents give written consent and a member of the group is 18+.

If you are keen to travel Europe and you or a member of your group is under 18, the best way to find a suitable trip is to contact us directly. Our Trip Experts will then be able to talk you through your options in different parts of Europe.

Children under 16

It goes without saying that children under 16 also cannot stay in shared hostel-dorms. In most locations, children will not be able to stay in private dorms either – even if they are travelling with their parents. This is because the hostels that we use sometimes have facilities which are unsuitable for younger children, for example bars and common areas where people may consume alcohol. Children under 16 and their parents will therefore generally need to stay in hotels.

WhatsApp us

On board the new Eurostar, the sleekest under-sea train (pictures)

We go on board the new Eurostar -- the latest train running under the sea between England, France and beyond.

Meet the Eurostar e320, one of 17 brand new trains Eurostar will be putting into service later next year as part of a £1 billion ($1.57 billion) upgrade to its trains, networks and stations.

Eurostar is the service that allows you to catch a train from London to Paris and beyond. There's a sea in the way, of course, but Eurostar dives under it, using the 31-mile Channel Tunnel.

Work on the tunnel began in 1988, and it was finally opened for business in 1994, costing £4.6 billion. It was a hugely ambitious project, but its completion allowed for a quick and comfortable way of travelling between England and mainland Europe without having to fly or use the ferry.

Eurostar is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and what better way to celebrate than with a fleet of shiny new trains?

At an unveiling in London's St Pancras station, we hopped on board the new train to see what it's like.

The interior design is bright and welcoming. LCD screens drop down from the roof to give journey times and destination information.

Eurostar said it crammed in 20 percent more seats but also improved leg room. It managed that by using much slimmer seats.

The new trains can fit 894 passengers at full capacity and free Wi-Fi will be available throughout the train -- it's the first time wireless internet has been available on a Eurostar train.

When you log on, you'll be immediately met with Eurostar's portal, which will bring you live journey details as well as travel advice for your destination, including things to see and do and weather forecasts.

Eurostar "has become a real bridge between the countries, the cities and the people," Eurostar Chief Executive Nicolas Petrovic explained at the train's launch event, which also marked the company's 20th anniversary.

Part of the upgrade includes extending Eurostar's reach to Amsterdam and Marseille -- journeys that will begin next year.

Here's the e320's cockpit. It's the best view you can have when hurtling across the European landscape.

I have no idea what any of the buttons do, although I'm assuming that big red one stops the train pretty quickly.

At least the driver gets this lovely, big comfortable chair.

Here's the business class section. Business class will of course cost you a lot more than a standard ticket, but it has a whole bunch of perks.

Business passengers get handy smartphone stands built into the back of the chair in front. No more arm ache when you're holding your phone up for hours on end.

UK and EU power sockets are attached to every seat on the train, but business seats also have USB outlets to charge phones and tablets.

World-renowned chef Raymond Blanc is in charge of the business-class catering for Eurostar.

"There'll be six changes every month to the menu," Blanc explained to me. "Everything is seasonal. Eurostar understands seasonal well. With local, seasonal food, you don't have to import your food. That means no pollution, you help your local farmers and you help your local village keep its post office.

"If the train is leaving England, you celebrate English food," he continued. "When you travel from France, you celebrate French food.

"I know the sourcing of all our food. Eurostar is the only [travel] company that has two stars from the sustainable restaurant association," he said. "We're as local as we possibly can be."

The trains are all electric and were rigorously tested for aerodynamics in wind tunnels to make them more efficient than the previous models.

Siemens, which makes the trains, explains that external components like the air conditioning units have been integrated into the body of the train to reduce wind resistance.

Those of you not forking out for business class will need to wander down to the buffet car, which is designed in the same light, airy manner as the rest of the train.

It takes around four and a half months to build each of the 17 trains -- and that's before the months of testing.

Although this model is finished, it will be undergoing more testing before being put into service next year.

Here's the old Eurostar train. Not quite as fancy is it? As part of Eurostar's £1 billion investment, the existing fleet will be upgraded with a host of new features.

The physical dimensions differ between the old and new trains, however, so they won't look identical.

Tables on the train have been made very slim to give more room to easily slide into the seats. Extra table space comes from a slide-out part, if you need to fit your laptop.

I put my considerable experience at sitting in comfortable places to use by testing the chairs. My conclusion? Enjoyably supportive.

St Pancras station is one of only two stations in England where you can catch the Eurostar -- the other is Ashford International in Kent, shortly before the tunnel.

Editor's note, 14 November : A previous version of this slide stated that St Pancras was the only Eurostar station in England. That is not the case.

First opened in 1868, St Pancras is an impressive building on the inside. It's Grade I listed, meaning it is "of exceptional interest".

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

Country and language

United Kingdom

United States

Deutschland

@media (max-width: 37.5rem){.css-vo707v{font-size:1.5rem;}} Log in

Verify it's you, @media (max-width: 52.5rem){.css-1qvpg8e{font-size:1.375rem;}} no account.

Join Club Eurostar for FREE

• Travelling with Eurostar
• Frequent travellers
• Manage your booking

Frequent or Premium Pass

Please log in to use your subscription pass.

Didn't get the code? Send again

Travel documents

Get set for your trip, with everything you need to know about travel documents and visas for adults, children and unaccompanied minors.

What documents do I need to travel on Eurostar?

Travelling to and from london, uk passport-holders, .css-5vuhm9{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;max-width:100%;border:none;text-align:left;width:100%;background:none;cursor:pointer;position:relative;padding:1.5rem 1rem;}.css-5vuhm9:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-color:#00286a;}.css-5vuhm9:focus-visible{border-radius:1px;outline:2px solid #00286a;outline-offset:2px;}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-5vuhm9{padding:1.5rem;}} .css-4ujqbu{height:0.188rem;display:block;position:absolute;left:0;right:0;top:0;margin:-2px 0 0;opacity:0.4;border-bottom:2px solid #00286a;border-radius:60%;} .css-1ro6ief{--grid-columns:12;--grid-columnspacing:0rem;--grid-rowspacing:0rem;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;min-width:0;box-sizing:border-box;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:calc(var(--grid-rowspacing) / -2) calc(var(--grid-columnspacing) / -2);-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;width:100%;padding:0rem;} .css-1fiqx1u{--grid-columns:12;--grid-columnspacing:0rem;--grid-rowspacing:0rem;-webkit-box-flex:0;-webkit-flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-webkit-flex-basis:auto;-ms-flex-preferred-size:auto;flex-basis:auto;width:calc(100% * 10 / var(--grid-columns));-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;min-width:0;box-sizing:border-box;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:calc(var(--grid-rowspacing) / -2) calc(var(--grid-columnspacing) / -2);-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1fiqx1u{-webkit-box-flex:0;-webkit-flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-webkit-flex-basis:auto;-ms-flex-preferred-size:auto;flex-basis:auto;width:calc(100% * 12 / var(--grid-columns));}} .css-2pnwxm{--grid-columns:12;--grid-columnspacing:0rem;--grid-rowspacing:0rem;-webkit-box-flex:0;-webkit-flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-webkit-flex-basis:auto;-ms-flex-preferred-size:auto;flex-basis:auto;width:calc(100% * 12 / var(--grid-columns));-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;min-width:0;box-sizing:border-box;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:calc(var(--grid-rowspacing) / -2) calc(var(--grid-columnspacing) / -2);-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-2pnwxm{-webkit-box-flex:0;-webkit-flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-webkit-flex-basis:auto;-ms-flex-preferred-size:auto;flex-basis:auto;width:calc(100% * 10 / var(--grid-columns));}} .css-w6gvpm{-webkit-box-flex:1;-webkit-flex-grow:1;-ms-flex-positive:1;flex-grow:1;} .css-11yytic{font-family:'abc social bold','arial','sans-serif';font-weight:normal;color:#00286a;text-align:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:1rem;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.5rem;color:#00286aimportant;margin:0remimportant;display:blockimportant;}@media (min-width: 52.5rem){.css-11yytic{font-size:1.375rem;}} passports .css-1k89mew{--grid-columns:12;--grid-columnspacing:0rem;--grid-rowspacing:0rem;-webkit-box-flex:0;-webkit-flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-webkit-flex-basis:auto;-ms-flex-preferred-size:auto;flex-basis:auto;width:calc(100% * 12 / var(--grid-columns));-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;min-width:0;box-sizing:border-box;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:calc(var(--grid-rowspacing) / -2) calc(var(--grid-columnspacing) / -2);-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1k89mew{-webkit-box-flex:0;-webkit-flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-webkit-flex-basis:auto;-ms-flex-preferred-size:auto;flex-basis:auto;width:calc(100% * 1 / var(--grid-columns));}}@media (min-width:0rem){.css-1k89mew{-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;}}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1k89mew{-webkit-box-pack:end;-ms-flex-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;justify-content:flex-end;}} .css-h58ukj{--grid-columns:12;--grid-columnspacing:0rem;--grid-rowspacing:0rem;-webkit-box-flex:0;-webkit-flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-webkit-flex-basis:auto;-ms-flex-preferred-size:auto;flex-basis:auto;width:calc(100% * 2 / var(--grid-columns));-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;min-width:0;box-sizing:border-box;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:calc(var(--grid-rowspacing) / -2) calc(var(--grid-columnspacing) / -2);-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:end;-ms-flex-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;justify-content:flex-end;} .css-19f252s{-webkit-align-self:center;-ms-flex-item-align:center;align-self:center;padding-top:2px;} .css-16gm2n{margin:0rem 0rem 0rem 1remimportant;width:1.5remimportant;height:1.5remimportant;display:inline-block;background-color:#00286a;-webkit-mask:url(https://static.eurostar.com/ui/design-system/icons/chevronbrandeddown.svg);mask:url(https://static.eurostar.com/ui/design-system/icons/chevronbrandeddown.svg);-webkit-mask-size:contain;mask-size:contain;-webkit-mask-repeat:no-repeat;mask-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-mask-position:center;mask-position:center;-webkit-mask-size:contain;-webkit-mask-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-mask-position:center;}@media (forced-colors: active){.css-16gm2n{background-color:buttontext;}.css-16gm2n:hover{background-color:buttontext;}}.

Your British passport must:

● be valid for the length of your stay in Europe,

● have at least three months' validity left from the date you intend to leave the EU, and

● be less than 10 years old.

Check that you have a clear page in your passport, as it will need to be stamped with your travel date when you’re travelling to and from the EU.

If you don’t have a passport yet or your passport needs renewing, please allow plenty of time to apply before your trip.

You won't be allowed to travel if you haven't received your passport in time for your journey.

You can check passport processing times on the UK government website. See if your passport needs renewing here.

We’re required by the UK government to collect Advance Passenger Information (API) for you and anyone else on your booking before you travel to/from the UK. You’ll need your passport details. Find out more about API here .

You don’t need a visa for short trips to EU countries of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

If you visit more than one of these countries within a 180-day period, make sure you don't spend more than 90 days in total across all the countries that you visit.

This is because most of these countries apply the 90-day limit as a group.

You may need a visa for longer stays or when travelling for work or business. Find out more

UK citizens living in the EU

If your main residence is in the EU, you won't need to get your passport stamped as long as you carry your EU residence permit when you travel. If you can't prove that you're an EU resident, you may be asked additional questions by border authorities and your passport may be stamped before you enter the Schengen area.

European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC)

UK citizens can no longer apply for a new European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you have an existing EHIC, it will continue to be valid until its expiry date. Once it expires, you'll need to apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which provides access to state healthcare in the EU. EHIC and GHIC do not replace travel insurance. It is strongly recommended to take out travel insurance with medical cover when travelling abroad.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens travelling to the UK

Passports are required for all passengers travelling to the UK, including children. Your passport doesn’t need to be valid for a minimum number of months to travel, as long as it’s valid for the length of your stay in the UK. If you don’t have a passport yet or your passport needs renewing, please allow plenty of time to apply before your trip. You won't be allowed to travel if you haven't received your passport in time for your journey.

Advance Passenger Information (API)

We’re required by the UK government to collect Advance Passenger Information (API) for you and anyone else on your booking before you travel to/from the UK. You’ll need your passport details. Find out more about Advance Passenger Information .

Do you live in the UK with settled or pre-settled status?

You can continue to use your national ID card to travel until 31 December 2025. If you have both a valid passport and a valid identity card, it’s a good idea to travel with the document linked to your settled or pre-settled status. If you have a new passport and your pre-settled or settled status is linked to your previous ID document, remember to update your passport details in your UK Visa and Immigration account. That way you'll avoid extra checks at border control, making for a smoother journey. Read more on how to avoid extra checks at border control here .

We’re required by the UK government to collect Advance Passenger Information (API) for you and anyone else on your booking before you travel to/from the UK. You’ll need your passport or national ID card details. Find out more about API here.

School groups

EU, EEA and Swiss children travelling to the UK with:

• A French school using the France-UK school trip travel information form will need a valid national ID card or passport.
• A school from another country will need a valid passport

Find out more at GOV.UK .

Visas and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

For short trips, you can currently travel to the UK without a visa. For longer stays, please check this UK government page to see if you need a visa .

From 2024, you may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if you don’t currently need a visa.

Please keep an eye on GOV.UK for travel regulation updates.

Non-UK and non-EU citizens travelling between the UK and the EU

You need a valid passport to travel between the UK and the EU.

Advance Passenger Information (API) We’re required by the UK government to collect Advance Passenger Information (API) for you and anyone else on you booking before you travel to/from the UK. You’ll need your passport. Find out more about API here.

Please check whether you need a visa for your destination(s) before you travel.

● UK:  UK government website

● France:  French government website

● Belgium:  EU visa website

● The Netherlands:  EU visa website

● Germany: EU Visa website

If you don’t need a visa to travel to the UK, you may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) instead.

Non-UK and non-EU children travelling to the UK with:

• A French school using the France-UK school trip travel information form will need a valid passport .
• A school from another country will need a valid passport and possibly a visa .

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

The UK entry rules for travellers without visas are changing.

You now need an ETA to travel to the UK if you’re a national of:

• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates

More nationalities will be added later, so please check back regularly.

Please visit GOV.UK to apply or find out more.

Unaccompanied under-18s

Unaccompanied minors (up to the age of 18) will need to carry additional travel documentation. As well as reading the relevant section below, we strongly recommend checking the latest government advice before the trip – for both the country the young person is departing from, and the country they're travelling to.

Children under 12 years old

Children under 12 must travel with a responsible person aged 16 or older.

Children 12 to 15 years old (inclusive)

Children 12 to 15 (inclusive) can travel on their own to some Eurostar destinations, as long as they’ve got a fully completed  Eurostar unaccompanied minor form  and only travel on trains departing between 06:00 and 17:00 local time. The form must be signed by their parent or legal guardian (or by a responsible adult, aged 18 or over, given consent by the parent or legal guardian) at the station in the presence of a member of the Eurostar team. The child will need to keep this signed form with them throughout their journey and show it to the onboard team if they’re asked. When the parent or legal guardian gives written consent for the young person to travel, they accept and agree that the young person will travel unaccompanied and be treated as an adult passenger (ie the young person will not be supervised by a member of the Eurostar team) for the entirety of the trip. The responsible person must also ensure arrangements are in place for the young person to be met on arrival. Please note:  Children under 16 years of age cannot travel unaccompanied on our direct trains to or from the Netherlands. Documents the child will need:

● Eurostar ticket

●  Eurostar unaccompanied minor form signed by a parent or legal guardian

Additional requirements for French residents

As above, plus:

●  Authorisation des sorties de territoire (AST) form signed by a parent

● Photocopy of the identity card or passport of the parent who has signed the AST form

Minors 16 and 17 years old

16 to 17-year-olds can travel by themselves, as long as they’ve got all the usual travel documents and meet all the legal requirements. Documents the child will need:

Everything you need to know about custom regulations when travelling between the UK and Europe.

Guide and assistance dogs

Find out which travel documents are required when travelling on Eurostar with your guide or assistance dog.

When to arrive at the station

Find out when you need to arrive at the station before your departure.

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Getting a final price for a Eurostar package is just pot luck

For days now, every time I try to book, a pop-up menu adds £42

I have been trying for days to book a £520 train and hotel package to Lille in September via the Eurostar website. Each time I enter my card details and hit “continue” to pay, a pop-up window advises that the trip has increased by an extra £42. Each time I have cancelled the transaction and started again. Each day it’s still advertised at £520 on the Eurostar site, but the same price increase pops up when I try to pay. It seems Eurostar is counting on me not bothering to cancel and go through the booking process again. CB, Congleton, Cheshire

Eurostar seems to think that if it makes the right noises, customers will overlook shoddy service. “We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our customers and staff above all else,” it explained last week when asked to justify a new policy that prevents staff pushing the wheelchairs of passengers with disabilities.

Asked about this repeated last-minute price rise, it told me: “We prioritise providing a fast and seamless booking experience.” It went on to say that your experience had been a “rare occurrence” while simultaneously claiming accommodation prices, set by hotels, were “subject to frequent adjustments beyond our control”. It added that price changes during a transaction were the rarity, not price changes per se.

None of this makes sense. You say the last-minute price increase happened repeatedly over several days, so Eurostar had plenty of time to update the advertised cost. Back to Eurostar, which claims there are “many reasons” a price change is not reflected on the website.

This suggests that potential passengers must take pot luck when they book a deal. The good news? Eurostar, for what it’s worth, has promised to investigate further! Email [email protected] . Include an address and phone number. Submission and publication are subject to our terms and conditions

• Consumer affairs
• Your problems, with Anna Tims
• Consumer rights

Comments (…)

Most viewed.