Eurostar

Eurostar made its debut in 1994, heralding the beginning of the only high-speed train that directly links the UK to France and Belgium via the Channel Tunnel. The company prides itself on taking thousands of travellers a day direct to Paris, Brussels, Lille, Calais and Disneyland Paris. Passengers in the UK can join their Eurostar train from St Pancras International in the heart of London or Ebbsfleet International or Ashford International in Kent.

On 4 April 2020 Eurostar began a service to Amsterdam and by changing at Paris, Brussels or Lille, passengers can contact to over 100 European destinations including cities in the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany. The company also runs popular seasonal trains to the south of France in the summer and the French and Swiss Alps for skiing in the winter.

Eurostar destinations

From London St Pancras station there are direct trains to Paris, Brussels, Lille, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Calais. More destinations, such as Bruges, Antwerp, Ghent, Nantes and the South of France (Avignon and Marseille) are available by easily connecting trains in either Brussels, Paris or Lille. From 2024, the Eurostar line to and from Amsterdam will be temporarily suspended for renovation.

Cheap Eurostar tickets can be purchased via Trainline.com.

Eurostar train and city guides

Eurostar tickets

You can book directly with Eurostar or can find cheap tickets on booking platforms like Trainline.com and Rail Europe.

Eurostar luggage

Eurostar has a very relaxed luggage policy, with no weight limit for bags and no liquid allowance. You are allowed to drink alcohol on board the trains, with limits of four bottles, four cans of beer or one bottle of wine per person.

Travellers in standard class can carry on two large bags and one small piece of hand luggage, while Business Premier passengers are allowed three large bags. Children are allowed one piece of luggage and one hand luggage item – each large bag can be up to 85cm long at its widest point.

Eurostar facts

• Eurostar’s first London home was Waterloo Station. Since 2007 trains have departed from St Pancras International.
• The Queen travelled to Calais in May 1994 to meet French President, François Mitterrand, for the opening of the service.

Foodie facts

• The company has its own special gin, Toujours 21, created by the Silent Pool Distillery.
• A lot of the honey used on board the trains comes from the company’s 10 beehives hives, located near Ashford in Kent.
• Passengers drink 40,000 bottles of champagne, 1,400,000 cups of coffee and 1,000,000 cups of tea each year.

Fun facts

• Want a party with a difference? You can hire a whole coach or even a whole train. 
• When Eurostar makes its way under the Channel Tunnel it is travelling 246 feet (75 metres) below sea level. 
• The train has featured in many films including Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets and Somers Town