While you’re over this side of the pond, you might as well think about popping over to another nearby country in neighbouring Europe. And with the Eurostar being a quick and convenient gateway to several European cities, it’s one of the easiest ways to do just that. Not to mention, it’s far better for the planet than flying. With high-speed trains running frequently from Kings Cross St. Pancras in London to France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, exploring another European city’s culture, cuisine, and creativity has never been easier. You’ll not only get to travel 31 miles in the longest underwater tunnel in the world through the English Channel, but you’ll also reduce your carbon footprint hugely, as one flight to Paris is the same as making 14 Eurostar journeys. Here’s everything you need to know before taking the Eurostar from London.
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Image Courtesy of Eurostar
1. The Eurostar can get you to many European destinations
Eurostar’s high-speed trains currently travel to France, Belgium, Germany, and The Netherlands (where they use 100% wind power to run their trains!). You can get a direct train to the cities listed below, but it’s also possible to jump on a connecting train, either via Eurostar or another provider, and head to a different nearby city. They have a handy map on their website, which shows exactly where you can get to.
France
- Paris
- Lille
The Netherlands
- Amsterdam
- Rotterdam
Belgium
- Brussels
2. Book your tickets online before you travel
Now, you could just rock up at the station and buy a Eurostar ticket (we love the spontaneity), but it’ll probably end up being way more expensive than if you book it in advance. So, it’s best to be prepared and book your Eurostar tickets (and any other tickets for European travel) on Omio, which allows you to pay in different currencies. You can easily book either on their website or their app.
Plus, keep an eye out for special deals and promotions – check their website regularly and turn on your app notifications and get to booking once there’s a sale on.
You can also book Eurostar tickets on the Eurostar website.
3. You MUST have your tickets and passport
You must bring your tickets, which can be easily downloaded in the app or printed out, and you’ll also need to remember your passport. Many people think you don’t need it because you’re not flying, but you’re going to a different country, so you’ll be turned away without it.
Be sure to also check if your nationality needs a visa for your final destination country.
4. There are three classes to choose from
When travelling to and from London, you have three classes to choose from: Standard, Standard Premier, and Business Premier. Let’s talk through the differences, going from least expensive to most expensive.
Standard
With Standard, you can take on two pieces of luggage and one piece of hand luggage. You won’t be served a meal, but you can buy drinks, food and snacks on board. There are also UK and EU plug sockets, which are perfect if you plan on getting some work done en route. If you need to, you can switch your ticket as many times as you like up to seven days before departure without paying an exchange fee. You’ll only need to pay the difference in fare if there is one.
Standard Premier
You get the same as the Standard class, but you’ll also enjoy extra spacious seats. You don’t have to think about stocking up on snacks before as a light meal and drinks are served at your seat, along with free magazines to flick through while you eat.
Business Premier
With Business Premier, you’ll get the same as Standard Premier, except you’ll have three pieces of luggage instead of two (plus your hand luggage). Hot meals are served with champagne to your seat, and you’ll have access to Business Premier lounges. Business Premier also lets you use the fast-track gates, and there are no fees to exchange or cancel your booking—perfect if you’re unsure of your plans.
If you want to know a little more about each class, take a look at our detailed video that compares all of the different classes to get a better idea of which one to book.
5. You need to arrive at least 1 hour 15 minutes before departure
Another important factor you need to know before taking the Eurostar from London is that you must arrive at least 1 hour 15 minutes before your departure time if you’re travelling in Standard or Standard Premier. Although there aren’t as many hoops to jump through as when you take a flight, Eurostar still recommends getting to Kings Cross St Pancras in good time. It also gives you enough time to pass through security and passport control (for the UK and France, as you will pass through France no matter what journey you take).
If you’re travelling in Business Premier, you’ll use the fast-track ticket gates and be in dedicated Security Screening and Border Control queues, so you’ll only need to arrive around 45 minutes before departure time.
Image of Kings Cross station and St. Pancras International
6. Here’s what to expect when you’re checking in
Ticket barriers
The ticket barriers are electronic, so you can just easily scan your ticket which will lead you through to security.
If you have Business Premier tickets, you’ll go through the dedicated business ticket gates, which will be faster than the Standard and Standard Premier ticket gates.
Security Screening
After scanning your ticket, you’ll go through a security screening similar to the one at the airport. Here, they’ll scan all of your bags of every size. You’re allowed to take food and drink through security when you’re taking the Eurostar, and there are no liquid restrictions.
If you have Business Premier tickets, there’s also a separate security queue, which, again, is quicker than Standard and Standard Premier ticket queues.
Border Control
You’ll first pass through the UK immigration desk before going through the France one. You’ll just show them your passport at this point before getting let through to the Departures lounge.
As you probably guessed by now, Business Premier tickets = separate Border Control queues, and you can expect to get through the entire checking-in process in around 20 minutes, as opposed to the 90 minutes it takes with a Standard or Standard Premier ticket.
You can see the whole departures experience in this step-by-step video…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF2xDuV2Vrg
7. The luggage allowance is pretty generous
There are no weight restrictions for luggage (as long as you can carry it yourself unless you have an accessible ticket), and each bag can measure up to 85cm (33.5 inches) at its widest points, so there’s no need to stress about overpacking. Travellers in Standard or Standard Premier class can bring two pieces of luggage and one piece of hand luggage, while those in Business Premier can bring three and one piece of hand luggage. If you’re travelling with any sports equipment, rules around this vary, so check the Eurostar website if you plan to bring anything like this on board. If you’re travelling with kids under 12 on a discounted child ticket, they can also bring one piece of luggage and one piece of hand luggage.
Image Courtesy of King’s Cross
8. There’s plenty of food and shopping before you head to Departures
You could actually spend a couple of hours perusing the shops, bars and restaurants inside Kings Cross St Pancras, but they aren’t the best; you’re better saving that for somewhere more interesting, like Coal’s Drop Yard or Brick Lane. Saying that, it’s pretty ideal if you need to grab something before you travel, like extra luggage, or you can even get your nails done at the beauty bar in the station. Just make sure you save enough room in your case for all those European goodies you’ll pick up. There are also convenience stores for essential bits, a pharmacy, and a currency exchange. There’s also a luggage storage location if you want to leave some of your bags behind.
Departures area
Once you’ve passed security and passport control, you’ll then be in the Departures area, where you can wait for boarding.
If you have a Business Premier ticket, you’ll have access to the Business Premier Lounge, where you can live it up a little before you board. We go into more detail about what to expect in the Business Lounge a little further down.
9. You can buy food and drink before boarding, but it’s limited
If you’re travelling in Standard, you’ll be in the standard waiting area once you’ve checked in. It’s pretty limited here, with only a Pret A Manger (a British chain selling hot drinks, light bites and sweet snacks) ), a duty-free shop, and another small coffee shop with a few light bites and beverages. So, you might want to stock up on some snacks for the ride, as there aren’t many places to grab a bite once you’ve checked in.
However, if you’ve got a Standard Premier ticket, you’ll get a light meal and drinks served at your seat on the train. If you have a Business Premier ticket, you’ll get a hot meal with champagne at your seat, and you’ll also have the option to use the Business Premier lounges in the departure areas in London. In the lounge, you’ll find breakfast served in the morning and snacks, pastries, nibbles and sweet and savoury bits throughout the day. There’s even a bar which serves smoothies in the morning and cocktails from midday onwards.
You can also bring your own food on board if that’s what you prefer – nothing wrong with a train picnic. It’s also worth noting that there aren’t any liquid restrictions like there are on flights, so you can bring along some fizz and other drinks for the journey. Finally, if you still get hungry on board, there’s a cafe car on board where you can buy snacks and hard and soft drinks.
Image Courtesy of Eurostar
10. You can use the business lounge if you’re an Amex Platinum card member
Not travelling with a Business Premier ticket? Good news– you might be able to still access the Business Premier Lounge. If you have an American Express Platinum card (that was issued in the UK, France or Belgium), you’ll get to enjoy some of the business lounges if you show your card at the entrance to the lounge. This works for supplementary cardholders too.
Inspired to hop on the Eurostar and head for a European city? Don’t forget that we now have Love and Paris, where we share our top tips for all things Paris and you can download a free Paris Trip Checklist.
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