I am a big fan of train travel. It’s convenient and quick, and you don’t have to worry about where to park your car. You can also read for the whole journey if you want. There’s just something incredibly magical about train travel. It’s even more magical when you add going abroad on the Eurostar!
I’ve wanted to travel on the Eurostar for as long as I can remember, but living in the North means it’s not quite as convenient as it would be if I lived in London. However, in one of their sales last year, me and my friends picked up return tickets to Brussels for £70, and it was the perfect excuse to finally try it out.
So, if you’re using the Eurostar for the first time, and want to know what to expect, here’s our guide…
Where does the Eurostar go to?
The Eurostar is the perfect gateway to endless European adventures.
Direct Eurostar trains from London include
- Paris
- Lille
- Brussels
- Antwerp
- Amsterdam
- Rotterdam
- Liege
- Cologne
- Dusseldorf
- Essen
- Dortmund
From these stations, you can also change onto other Eurostar services and High Speed Trains that can take you to place like Switzerland, the south of France, and Disneyland Paris!
Can you take liquids on the Eurostar?
Yes you can! One of the great things about going on the Eurostar over flying is that you can take liquids with you, no problem. We even went through security with a drink in hand, and they put it in a drinks holder so it doesn’t spill.
No need to panic buy travel minis, or worry if you’ve left a mascara in the bottom of your bag.
What time do I need to arrive to get my Eurostar?
It’s recommended to arrive 90 minutes beforehand, however we had no hold ups going through security and then ended up having way to much time waiting in the departures lounge (where there isn’t much to do!)
In future, I’d probably arrive 45 mins early, unless I was travelling at peak busy times.
Answering your ticket questions…
There are lots of different options for Eurostar tickets, and it can be overhwleming to know where to start.
There are three different classes of travel;
- Standard : you can exchange your tickets for free up to 1 hour before departure, refundable up to 7 days beforehand, 2 pieces of luggage and a handbag
- Eurostar Plus : you can exchange your tickets for free up to 1 hour before departure, refundable up to 7 days beforehand, 2 pieces of luggage and a handbag, extra spacious seats, and choice of two delicious dishes and drinks served at your seat (London routes only)
- Eurostar Premier : you can exchange and refund up to 48 hours before, same day boarding guarantee, lounge access, priority boarding, 3 pieces of luggage and a handbag, extra spacious seat and a unique menu created by some of Europe’s best chef
How much do Eurostar tickets cost?
Standard tickets start at £39.00, Plus from £70 and Premier from £209
Are Eurostar tickets transferable?
Yes they are, but the conditions depend on the fare type and it might cost you. Contact Eurostar for help on this.
Are my tickets flexible?
You’re booked in for the time you bought, however you can change the date and/or time of your tickets one hour before your original departure time with no fee. You can’t change your destination. That makes it a lot more flexible than most train tickets!
Can you choose where you sit?
Yes you can! When you book, you can select your ticket. However, they might move you. This happened to us when we went, and our group was still sat together, just in a different carriage
How do I get to Disneyland Paris on the Eurostar?
Whilst there isn’t a direct Eurostar to Disneyland Paris anymore, it’s still really easy to get to Disney by train.
You can take the Eurostar to Paris or Lille, and then change to local a TGV train for the rest of the journey to Disneyland® Paris.
When is the Eurostar sale?
Eurostar runs sales throughout the year, and the best way to not miss them is to sign up to their newsletter.
If you’re looking for a spontaneous trip, they also have Eurostar Snap, where you get the times 49 hours before you go, and can get up to 50% off your ticket! Well worth it, especially if you live in London and looking for a last minute getaway!
Can I take my dog with me on the Eurostar?
Sadly, at the moment you can’t take your dog on the Eurostar, unless it is a guide or assistance dog.
Planning a Eurostar trip? Make sure to check out our guide and itinerary to Brussels and Disneyland Paris, two perfect destinations to go to by train! Don’t forget to follow along on instagram for travel, food, microadventure and slow living inspo!
