We're happy to provide you all of the Eurostar Info we can accumulate! This train is the first direct passenger train that connects Paris and Brussels with London, via the English Channel Tunnel. Please simply call our office toll-free at 1-800-647-1509 to speak to one of our specially-trained Eurostar agents! They're equipped with all the Eurostar info you'll find here as well.
All of this Information on the Chunnel train may be overwhelming at first, but read it through and you'll be an expert in no time!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is the travel time for Eurostar?
How fast does it travel?
How long is it under the English Channel?
How many classes of service are offered on the Train?
Is it better to book ahead of time or once I arrive in Europe?
Are there special fares offered for seniors and/or youth travelers?
Is English spoken aboard Eurostar?
Are Eurostar trains accessible for travelers with special needs?
Is smoking allowed aboard the Eurostar?
Are refreshments available on Eurostar?
What stations does the Eurostar travel to/from? Are they downtown/centrally located?
How long before departure must I be at the station?
I am comparing flying with taking the Eurostar, which is better?
What is the difference between traveling in first class or standard class?
What types of meals are served in first class aboard Eurostar?
Who is eligble for these discounted Eurostar Rates?
What document(s) are required for travel between the UK and France / Belgium?
Q: What is the travel time for Eurostar? How fast does it travel? How long is it under the English Channel?
A:Travel time from London to Paris is 2 hours and 40 minutes, London to Brussels is 2 hours and 20 minutes. The train travels at speeds up to 186 miles per hour, but it is a smooth and comfortable ride with great views of the English and French countryside to enjoy along the way. The train passes through the Channel Tunnel in 20 minutes, so the majority of your journey is on land.
Q: How many classes of service are offered on the Train?
A: Two classes of service are offered onboard - standard class and first class. Business and Leisure 1st class are the same service - but they are different types of tickets. Business tickets are considerably more expensive, but have exchange and refund conditions, where leisure tickets are primarily nonrefundable and nonchangeable.
Q: Is it better to book ahead of time or once I arrive in Europe?
A: As discounted fares are offered to U.S. and Canadian residents and citizens who book in advance before traveling abroad, a promotional fare booked in advance is your best bet. IF seats are still available once you arrive into Europe, the fares offered here in the U.S. and Canada will not be available to you. We have had passengers call us from Europe and advise that they were quoted as much as $315 one way, walk-up fare. Further, even the best rates are subject to availability at time of booking and do sell out - the more advance you have to purchase tickets, the better your fare will be. Advance reservations are on the train are mandatory. Fares include the price of the ticket, the reservation and, if you travel in First, gourmet meal service is also included. (Please see below for differences between first and second class.)
Q:Are there special fares offered for seniors or youth travelers?
A: Many different types of fares are offered on many websites - youth, passholder, senior fares. The truth is: The promotional fares that apply to all travelers (if available) are always better than any of the age-based fares. For passholder fares: This is a great fare if traveling one way, but seats are rarely available for this type of ticket and if you are traveling roundtrip, you may pay more for the passholder fare than the promotional roundtrip rate. For families traveling all together: Child fares are available for children under the age of 12 at time of travel and children are seated with their parents without any problem at all. The youth fare, however, works differently. The fare applies to travelers between the ages of 12 and 26 years old; however, the fare is designed for groups of youths traveling together, not necessarily a young person traveling with their family....simply because a youth ticket must be booked separately from an adult/child ticket. So - we cannot guarantee that your "youth" will be seated with you. It may be best to pay the adult fare for your youth passengers to ensure you are all seated together.
Q: Is English spoken aboard Eurostar?
A: Each train has up to 15 attendants, recognizable by their Eurostar uniforms. The attendants are especially hired and trained for catering to your every need on board Eurostar. All of them speak fluent English.
Q: Are Eurostar trains accessible for travelers with special needs?
A: Yes. All trains have dedicated areas for people traveling in wheelchairs, as well as special restrooms. Terminals are equipped with elevators and moving walkways. Specially trained guide/assistant dogs are welcome aboard the train. ***Please note: Any traveler requiring a space for a wheelchair must book directly with Eurostar, we cannot make this accommodation due to limitations in our booking system.
Q: Is smoking allowed aboard the Eurostar?
A: No, smoking is not permitted aboard the train at any time, in any car.
Q: Are refreshments available on Eurostar?
A: Yes, of course. If you are traveling in first class, a gourmet meal including wine service and soft drinks is served to you during the journey. In addition, someone will greet you with champagne and newspaper and then escort you to your seat. For standard class travelers, a convenient snack bar is located in cars 6 and 13. They serve snacks, sandwiches, salads and beverages (both soft drinks and alcoholic beverages) at reasonable prices. Euros and British currency are both accepted, as well as Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
Q: What stations does the Eurostar travel to/from? Are they downtown/centrally located?
A: All of the stations are conveniently located. Here is a list of the stations that Eurostar services:
In London: St Pancras International is located just north of Bloomsbury and Russell Square.
In Paris: Gare du Nord (station) is located in the 10th district, north central Paris, close to Sacre Couer (Sacred Heart Church). In Brussels: Bruxelles Midi StationIn Calais: Calais Frethun In Lille: Lille Europe stationIn Ashford: Ashford International Station
Q: How long before departure must I be at the station?
A: There is a check-in process and security screening for all passengers. The type of ticket you have will dictate how long prior to departure you need to be at the station. When you book with us, we will advise this upon booking. Check-in time is from 30 minutes to 60 minutes prior to departure, depending on your type of ticket. This will also give you time to pass through the security screening process. Eurostar is the only train in Europe screening all passengers and baggage. Immigration will be present and all passengers must have their tickets and passports to travel.
Q: I am comparing flying with taking the Eurostar, which is better?
A: There is a lot of confusing information out there, and promotional airfares seem so inexpensive. But when you truly compare the cost of flying to the cost of the train - it's really a "no brainer". Why? Well, consider that all London airports are well outside of the city and the cost involved with traveling out to those airports is considerable. The same is true for the Paris airports. You can expect to pay more than $30 per person in transportation costs to/from the airports, even using public transportation. Time is Money! If you consider it will take you an hour in each city to reach an airport or city center, then you need a minimum of 90 minutes for check-in, and then add on the flight time. If you travel via the Chunnel train, you arrive downtown at your destination in half the time!
And, with our promotional fares being comparable to the lowest airfares, why bother flying? Your vacation time is precious and Eurostar is there to serve.
Q: What is the difference between traveling in first class or standard class?
A: The basic differences between first and standard class is quite similar to the difference between first class and coach class on a commercial aircraft – without the huge, unattainable price difference! While standard class is perfectly acceptable, first class has amenities that make the trip more comfortable and enjoyable. Here are some brief notes about the travel experience: First class service includes large, reclining seats with plenty of leg and headroom. Welcome service including a complimentary glass of champagne and daily newspaper are presented upon boarding. A 3 course gourmet meal with wine service is also included in the cost of your ticket. Further, first class offers a more relaxed, quieter atmosphere with half as many passengers per car as standard class.
Standard class is perfectly safe and acceptable as a mode of travel, an assigned seat is confirmed with your reservation. ***A few important details for standard class passengers: Standard class seats do NOT recline, which may be a problem for passengers who are tall or have back problems. Also, luggage space is limited in standard class - and you may have trouble finding space. Always know that if you are forced to store your luggage outside of the car you are seated in, this is a security risk and can lead to theft.
Q: What types of meals are served in first class aboard Eurostar?
A: For first class passengers, a gourmet meal is served aboard. Brunch menus from 9:30 until 11:00 and a choice of a hot or cold breakfast will be served.Lunch menus from 11.00 until 2:00pm A choice of two main course dishes are available, either a European style meat or fish option can be chosen. Afternoon Meal from 2pm until 5pm. The afternoon meals are often themed, Indian, Chinese or Spanish tapas style, by example - to contrast with the more traditional European lunch. Each are accompanied by a salad. A selection of pastries follow as a dessert or can be enjoyed as an afternoon snack with every meal.The Dinner, a very popular meal aboard Eurostar continues to offer a range of choices and includes the ever favorite after dinner cheese. This is always a British cheese when departing from London, a French cheese when departing from Paris and a Belgium cheese from Brussels. Wines aboard Eurostar - A new selection of wines will also be available to passengers in all classes. For the first time passengers can enjoy an English wine. 'Three Choirs' is a highly acclaimed English Gloucestershire wine. Its light clean style, clearly won blind tasting tests by Eurostar's select panel of judges which included Conal Gregory, Master of Wine. Passengers can also choose a Mâcon Villages Chardonnay, a 1998 Burgundy Pinot Noir, or a Merlot from St Emilion 1999. New Wines: the red St Emilion Chateau Haut Piquat 1998, is replaced by an Argentinean red Malbec 1999, Cabrini fourth generation.
Q: Who is eligble for these discounted Eurostar Rates?
A: These promotional fares are sold to citizens of the US and Canada before departing North America for your trip. Unfortunately, these promotional fares are not valid for travelers from other countries.
Q: What document(s) are required for travel between the UK and France / Belgium?
A: U.S. and Canadian citizens require only a valid passport and your tickets for travel. Citizens from other countries are advised to check with their respective Consolate, as the policies and requirements may vary.
MORE INTERESTING EUROSTAR INFO: Eurostar is the first true international train. It connects the capital cities of France (Paris), England (London) and Belgium (Brussels). And it has set the standard for international rail travel. Eurostar is run on various track clearances and is powered by three different electrical systems. This includes overhead wires in Belgium and France and a third rail in Britain. State-of-the-art design enables Eurostar to carry as many passengers as two jumbo jets in the utmost of comfort. Each train set has 18 cars -- 6 in first class, 10 in second class and 2 bar cars. The total seating capacity is 770 seats -- 205 in first class and 565 in second class. With this kind of service, there's no longer a need to hustle through airports, find cabs and get to your destination. Count on Eurostar to get you there -- quickly and comfortably.
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Now that you know all of the Eurostar Info you could possibly want to, please give us a call to see our special rates and ride the Chunnel yourself! Some of our rates are so low, we are unable to advertise them – Please simply call our office toll-free at 1-800-647-1509 to speak with one of our specially-trained Eurostar ticket agents. We're happy to assist you!
