Eurostar: Where it Goes & Why You Should Take It
What you need to know about the many Eurostar services available
Eurostar, sometimes called the "chunnel train," is the high speed rail link between popular travel destinations London, Paris, and Brussels, carrying you from city center to city center in far less time than airlines (especially when you consider getting your luggage and getting to the city center from outlying airports). In fact, Eurostar carries more passengers than all of the airlines combined on both routes out of London.
Eurostar also offers service to Avignon, France, special service to Euro Disney Resort in Paris (check prices).
Eurostar - Map of Routes |
 |
Map of Eurostar Routes 2004 by James Martin, licensed to About. |
Eurostar Main Stations
- London: Waterloo International (Moving to St Pancras International on November 14, 2007)
- Ashford: Ashford International, Kent
- Calais: Calais-Frethun
- Lille: Lille Europe (Lille is a European Capital of Culture, 2004)
- Brussels: Brussels-Midi/Zuid
- Paris: Gare du Nord
Eurostar Journey Times
The fastest London to Paris trains take 2 hours and 35 minutes--London to Brussels takes 2 hours 15 minutes.
Eurostar Security
As in airports, Eurostar inspects each bag carried on its trains. You'll also go through the familiar Passport control. If you've checked into a flight, you'll know what to do at a Eurostar check in point. Check in is simple and relatively painless; you'll need to check in 30 minutes before your scheduled train.
Eurostar Prices
The different Eurostar fares available to the US market are found at the Rail Europe (check fares). Note that if you are a rail pass holder you'll get a sizable discount on your Eurostar fare. Special fares are available for youth, those confined to a wheelchair and wheelchair companions. Also note that on the London to Brussels route, your Eurostar ticket is good for continuing on to any station in Belgium. Thus, if you didn't want to see Brussels, you could go on to Ghent, Brugge, Damme, or anywhere else in Belgium (map) that captures your fancy, without paying extra.
Confused about the Eurostar fare structure? You can call Rail Europe's toll-free number for travel assistance: 1-800-EUROSTAR. Rail Europe is the official distributor of Eurostar tickets.
Why go on Eurostar?
London is usually the shortest path from the US to a major airport in Europe, and often the most inexpensive choice for non-stop flights. It's a natural to start your vacation in London, and when you're through visiting, Eurostar is right there at Waterloo station--and Paris just over two hours away. If you only have a short time to see Europe and want to partake of some of Europe's Best Cities, Eurostar--especially when combined with a flexipass or multi-country pass--is a fast, convenient way to tour London, Paris, and cities in bordering countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Here's some travel suggestions using Eurostar:
You have three weeks: Purchase a Benelux Tourrail Pass good for five days travel within a month, and a Eurostar ticket from London to Brussels, and a return from Paris to London (If you buy another rail pass, be sure to click the "I have a rail pass link" for cheaper fares). Spend 4 or 5 days in London, then go to Belgium, where you can use your pass to visit Ghent, Brugge, Liege, and another of Europe's great cities, Amsterdam. Near the end of your trip, buy point to point tickets to Paris, visit for 4-5 days, then go on to London to catch your flight out.
If you only have two weeks, that's just about enough time to see Paris, London, Lille, and perhaps a short visit to Avignon or elsewhere in Provence--all on Eurostar Routes.
Of course, if you have kids, you'll want to take advantage of the Eurostar's Disneyland service.
Eurostar: Going First Class
For a discussion of the benefits of First Class, and Premium First Class, see Eurostar Service.
Full fare First Class and Premium First Class tickets get you access to Eurostar lounges. A first class seat gets you a hot meal served at your seat and a flute of Champagne if you'd like. For a quick photo tour of these services, see our Eurostar Tour.
What does Premium First Class get you above and beyond First Class service?
- 27 seats in a dedicated car (as opposed top 40 in a First class car)
- Fast lane check-in
- Access to Eurostar Lounges in Paris, London and Ashford
- Complimentary drinks and newspapers
- Four course Lunch and Dinner service with premium wines
- Free Taxi service from your arrival point to any city destination
What's Ahead for Eurostar
Eurostar is currently rolling out newly refurbished trains featuring power sockets in all first class coaches.
Eurostar offers the traveler a fast, secure, and convenient method of getting around northern Europe. It links some of Europe's best cities, and offers a level of service that will let you know you're on vacation rather than having inadvertently entered in a baggage maneuvering competition. It's speed will save time on your vacation, and you'll see the countryside as well.
Take the Eurostar Tour
See Waterloo station, some of the new lounges, and what a first class breakfast looks like in our Eurostar Tour.
