Travel with Eurostar

Launched in 1994, the Eurostar high-speed train allows to travel between France and Belgium to the United Kingdom, passing through the Channel Tunnel. The journey time in the tunnel is 35 minutes. From 160 km/h in the Channel Tunnel, the Eurostar reaches a maximum speed of 300 km/h once on the continent.

Eurostar now connects Paris Gare du Nord, Lille Europe, Amsterdam, and Brussels Midi stations to London St Pancras station. With Eurostar, travel from city center to city center and arrive in the heart of London! It is the easiest and fastest mean of transportation to get to the British capital and saves you the waiting time at the airport.

Eurostar trains arrive at St Pancras International station, a beautiful building steeped in history, located in the heart of London. Shops and restaurants await you there. And thanks to the many bus and metro lines, you can go directly to all of London's most famous neighborhoods.

The transport time with Eurostar from Paris is approximately 2 hours and 17 minutes, 1 hour and 22 minutes from Lille, 4 hours and 13 minutes from Amsterdam, and 2 hours from Brussels.

Departing from Paris Gare du Nord, Eurostar serves Brussels, Amsterdam, and Cologne daily. Brussels is only 1h22 from Paris, Amsterdam is 3h19, and Cologne is 3h20 away. 

Other Eurostar destinations accessible from Paris include Rotterdam, Antwerp, Liège, Aachen, Düsseldorf, and Dortmund. 

Everything you need to know about the Channel Tunnel

The Channel Tunnel (also known as the Chunnel) is a railway tunnel under the sea, connecting northern France to southeast England. Inaugurated in 1994, thanks to a technical feat achieved by 13,000 workers, it is the longest undersea tunnel in the world, with a length of 50.45 km, including 37.9 km under the English Channel.

You can book your trip to London and cross the Channel aboard Eurostar trains.

As of 01/10/2023, Thalys is now called Eurostar and travels to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Cologne and many more cities to Paris.

What are the available travel fares on board Eurostar?

For travel to and from London:

The Standard class corresponds to the second class. The Standard Premier class offers you all the additional comfort of first class. For a premium experience and maximum flexibility on your Eurostar ticket, opt for Business Premier.

• The Standard class is the simplest and most economical option for traveling to London, with a fare starting at €44 round trip.
• In the Standard Premier class, comfortably seated in spacious chairs, you will enjoy a snack and drinks served at your seat. Each seat is equipped with a fold-down table, a reading light, and an electrical outlet to charge your devices during the journey. Perfect for working efficiently during your trip or for relaxing before a dynamic getaway in the British capital. The fare for a Standard Premier ticket starts at €119 round trip.
• In the Business Premier class, a premium experience awaits you for your journey to London: without constraints, without stress, and with optimal comfort.

You enjoy total flexibility on your train ticket, exchange and refund are possible before or after the departure date. Perfect for business travelers who often have last-minute date changes.

You then board more quickly thanks to the express gates (show up at the station only 10 minutes before the train's departure). To pass through the gate, simply scan your ticket and you are already at the security and passport controls. Once these formalities are completed, you can enjoy a moment of relaxation in the Business Premier lounge. Snacks, drinks, and the day's press and magazines await you on site. Free wifi is also available. The Paris and London lounges even have a cocktail bar where you can savor the moment's cocktails concocted by our mixology experts.

Regarding catering, Eurostar offers you a star-studded menu designed with chef Raymond Blanc. From a hearty and varied breakfast to a delicious three-course lunch and dinner, the menus come with a wide selection of drinks offered throughout the journey (espresso, fruit juice, beer, and even champagne). The meals are made with local and seasonal ingredients, respecting sustainable and responsible supply chains.

For other Eurostar destinations:

 Standard Fare 

Eurostar allows you to travel at a low cost while remaining flexible. The Standard Fare is available on all destinations, starting at €29 between Paris and Brussels. 

It is exchangeable and refundable without charge up to 7 days before departure. It can then be exchanged for a fee of €15 but is non-refundable. 

It provides access to the following services: on-board Wi-Fi, individual electrical outlets, luggage space in each carriage, and the Eurostar Café.

Comfort Fare 

This is equivalent to first class. Onboard, you benefit from more spacious and comfortable seats, starting at €55 between Paris and Brussels. 

Like the Standard Fare, this fare is exchangeable without charge up to 7 days before departure, with a €15 fee thereafter. It is 100% refundable up to 7 days before departure and non-refundable thereafter. 

With the Comfort Fare, you receive a welcome at the platform from a Eurostar hostess or steward, who welcomes you aboard. 

Premium Fare 

This fare offers you a comfortable travel experience with greater flexibility on your tickets, starting at €115 between Paris and Brussels. 

Premium tickets are exchangeable up to one hour after the train's departure and 100% refundable up to one hour after the train's departure (or up to one day after the train's departure for Eurostar The Pass subscribers).

Advantages of the Premium fare on Eurostar trains: 

• Free access to Eurostar Lounge areas at Paris Gare du Nord and Brussels Midi 
• Platform welcome: a Eurostar hostess or steward greets you on the platform and welcomes you aboard
• At-seat dining: after ordering online, your meal is served at your seat. 
• E-press offer: a multilingual and varied offer in digital format on the e-PRESS&MORE app, available on Apple Store and Google Play Store. 

What are the services on board Eurostar trains?

Catering on board Eurostar

The on-board buffet bar, Eurostar Café, offers hot or cold drinks as well as savory or sweet dishes and snacks.

Free Wifi on board Eurostar

To make your journey on Eurostar even more enjoyable, take advantage of the on-board wifi. Follow your journey via an interactive map, play games provided or browse your social networks, respond to your emails, or watch your movies and series.

Luggage on board Eurostar

One of the advantages of traveling with Eurostar is that there is no weight restriction for your luggage. If you are traveling with a Standard or Standard Premier ticket, you can bring 2 bags/suitcases (not exceeding 85cm in length) and 1 small hand luggage (handbag, briefcase, laptop bag).

In Business Premier, you can bring 3 bags/suitcases (not exceeding 85 cm in length) and 1 small hand luggage (handbag, briefcase, laptop bag).

Pets on board Eurostar

To and from London, pets are not allowed on Eurostar except for guide dogs.

For all other destinations in Europe, animals weighing less than 6 kg can travel for free if transported in a container measuring a maximum of 45x30x25cm. 

Animals weighing more than 6 kg must have a ticket at the "Dog" rate and must be kept on a leash and muzzled. This ticket cannot be purchased directly on the website or app; it must be bought directly from the train manager during the inspection. 

Traveling with family on Eurostar

For a family getaway to London, Eurostar is truly the guarantee of an easy and peaceful journey. Conveniently, the free possibility of choosing exactly your seats on the train plan! Choose seats in a square to be sure to be reunited with your children or opt for seats near a changing table.

The price of children's tickets on Eurostar

Children under four travel for free, if they sit on an adult's lap throughout the journey.

A child fare is available for children aged 4 to 11 inclusive (on the departure date). These tickets are exchangeable before departure and non-refundable.

The Club Eurostar loyalty program

By traveling with Eurostar, you earn 1 point every time you spend £1 on Eurostar travel. If you book tickets in euros, the amount is converted into pounds sterling to calculate the number of points earned. Depending on your number of points, you then benefit from a classic, an advantage or a white card. These 3 cards give you access to exclusive benefits such as special offers, the ability to spend your points on Eurostar tickets, without date restrictions, or discount offers with Eurostar partners, or many other benefits.

Eurostar, a more eco-friendly mode of transportation

Traveling between France and London with Eurostar means choosing a more environmentally friendly mobility option. Compared to other modes of transportation, the train has the lowest carbon footprint.

For a single flight to London, your carbon footprint is equivalent to 14 trips on Eurostar! Another example: compared to a jumbo jet, Eurostar trains transport twice as many passengers with 90% less harmful carbon emissions.

In the Netherlands, Eurostar trains already run on 100% wind energy, and the goal is to fully switch to renewable energy in the UK, France, and Belgium by 2030.

Some examples of sustainable initiatives: 90% of the water used on board is recycled, food waste from Business Premier menus is turned into fertilizer and compost, paper ticketing on board Eurostar has been reduced by 50%...

Our ideas for your London getaway with Eurostar

The must-sees of the British capital

If this is your first visit to London, you must not miss these essential neighborhoods and places: Big Ben (which can be admired but not visited), Westminster Abbey and Palace, Trafalgar Square, the most famous square in London, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and the famous Changing of the Guard, Piccadilly Circus with its Times Square-like atmosphere, Oxford Street for shopping fans, London's parks like Hyde Park, the London Eye, the famous wheel on the south bank of the Thames...

London with family

Have you brought your family to explore the British capital? With its "so British" traditions, London will delight children! Take them to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace before boarding the London Eye, the famous wheel, and then see the city from a different perspective on a Thames River cruise. A very fun activity with children, a tour of the city on a red double-decker bus is a must! To ride on a typical old bus, take the Routemaster No. 15, which runs from Trafalgar Square to the Tower of London. Climb to the front for a better experience.

And why not take the cable car? It crosses both banks of the Thames and connects the North Greenwich and Royal Victoria stations. The fare is inexpensive, and the experience will delight the younger ones!

Of course, you cannot leave London without visiting the famous Harry Potter Studio! Welcome to Hogwarts! All fans of the young wizard and his magical world will be thrilled with the discovery of the film sets and many cult objects from the saga. Located outside the city, the Harry Potter Studio is easily accessible by train or bus. Just take the train from Euston (10 minutes' walk from St Pancras) to Watford, then a bus to the Studios (another 10 minutes). Be sure to book your Studio tickets in advance!

In good weather, you can take a trip to the Sky Garden, London's highest public garden, located on the 35th, 36th and 37th floors of the Walkie-Talkie, the nickname for the skyscraper at 20 Fenchurch Street. A beautiful walk in a green space with a breathtaking view of the Shard, itself the tallest skyscraper in London, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. You can also eat or attend concerts there. Be sure to book your visit time slot in advance (free).

Next door, you can also climb to the top of the Shard. A unique design for this building that rises more than 300m.

If your children love street art, head to Shoreditch, the hipster neighborhood of London. Lots of works to see just by strolling around, especially on Brick Lane.

If you want to go relax in a park, check out Kensington Gardens, one of London's royal parks, just west of Hyde Park. Don't miss the Diana Memorial Playground: inspired by the story of Peter Pan, the six playgrounds are a real paradise for children, with a large pirate ship stranded on a sandy beach and teepees all around!

Also worth visiting are the numerous museums in the city, including the Natural History Museum and its dinosaur hall where you can find Dippy, an impressive diplodocus skeleton donated to the museum in 1905, or the Science Museum, with its many free access experiences and workshops.

For a small souvenir of London, take a tour of Hamley's, THE most famous toy store in the city. Allow some time: over 5 floors, it offers many activities, and your children may not want to leave!

London for shopping enthusiasts

From vintage markets to luxury department stores, there is something for everyone in London. Here are 2 must-see streets: Oxford Street and Regent Street. You can find many well-known department stores like Selfridges, Hamley's, and Liberty.

To discover the birthplace of 60's fashion, head to Carnaby Street and its must-see district. Take a walk in Kingly Court for its trendy restaurants and bars.

Do you want to tour London's chicest avenues? Check out Bond Street and Mayfair, with all the major luxury brands and beautiful shopping galleries like Burlington Arcade. Fortnum & Mason, a large London department store, is also worth a visit.

Next, visit Covent Garden, these charming, restored halls. Just next door, explore Neal Street to find clothes, shoes, and accessories.

To stroll around a pretty neighborhood, head to Notting Hill with its small vintage shops. Also worth seeing is Portobello Road Market, open every day.

Another must-see neighborhood is Camden and its punk atmosphere! Take a walk along Camden High Street, in front of stores with richly decorated facades, explore the many markets, Camden Market but also Buck Street Market.

Amsterdam: what to see in 3 days? 

Cultural, festive, and romantic, Amsterdam is a charming destination with its canals, small bridges, and narrow cobblestone streets. Easily accessible in 3h46 by direct train from Paris with Eurostar, it is best visited on foot or by bike, the preferred local means of transportation. Let's discover the flagship destination of the Netherlands! 

On the first day, embark on one of the must-sees of Amsterdam, its canals, of course! The three widest canals, dating back to the 17th-century, from the Grachtengordel district, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then visit the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam's most important museum, particularly for its fantastic collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age. 

Next, take a refreshing stroll in Vondelpark, the city's most famous park. Enjoy the 50 hectares of green spaces and flowery lawns, picnic by the pond, have fun with family in the play areas, skateboard, or rent a bike on-site. In summer, the park is very lively with the Openluchttheater, the central outdoor theater. 

End the day at De Hallen Amsterdam, the 17th-century tram depot turned into a trendy spot to taste specialties from around the world. On Saturdays, the Local Goods market sets up shop there. 

On the second day, visit the Anne Frank House, a popular place to visit in Amsterdam, before discovering the Jordaan neighborhood, the former working-class area, now very pleasant with its charming alleys lined with old houses. You can find vintage shops, cool bars, and unusual museums such as the Tulip Museum, the Houseboat Museum, or the Cheese Museum. 

Then head to the Singel canal, between Muntplein and Koningsplein, to see the Bloemenmarkt, the world's only floating flower market, which has existed since 1862. The best place in the city to see tulips of all colors! It's really a feast for the eyes! 

Continue with a visit to the Rembrandt House Museum, where the painter lived. The house has been fully furnished and restored to its 17th-century appearance. You can see the artist's studio, the attic where he taught... 

Finish this second day in Amsterdam with a guided tour of the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, which has one of the best acoustics in the world, to discover the backstage of this 19th-century building, from the attic to the basement, including the dressing rooms, the hallways, the corridors... Try to catch a concert there, it's an ideal evening in Amsterdam!  

On your third and final day in Amsterdam, visit the Van Gogh Museum, discover the city by bike, visiting the beguinage, where the oldest house in Amsterdam is located, and the Port of Amsterdam. Finally, end your visit with a tour of the hidden church in Amsterdam, Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder. In the 17th-century, during the Dutch Golden Age, Holland was Protestant and Catholics were not allowed to pray in public. Jan Hartman, a wealthy merchant, therefore built a secret church on the top three floors of his house in 1663. The visit is fascinating: the furniture in the reception room with its paneled ceiling, the kitchens with Delft tiles, the living rooms... and finally the church with its many precious objects and works of art. 

Brussels: the top 10 places to see 

Welcome to Brussels, the capital of Belgium! Only 1h32 away from Paris by Eurostar, discover a city where it's good to live, with numerous museums, beautiful parks, and delicious food spots.  

Are you a fan of comics? Brussels is obviously the emblematic city of comics, with its Belgian Comic Strip Center, its permanent exhibition retracing the history of comics, but also its temporary thematic exhibitions. Fans of Tintin and Snowy, you'll love it! Then go discover the Comic Strip Route, a series of frescoes scattered throughout the city.  

After having a drink on the Grand-Place, the center of local life in Brussels, pass by the Royal Palace and of course by the Manneken Pis, another symbolic place in Brussels, before visiting the Magritte Museum, which exhibits the largest collection of the artist's works.  

Then head to the cathedral dedicated to Saint Michael and Saint Gudula, patron saint of the city of Brussels. Built between the 13th and 16th centuries in Gobertange white stone, it houses an impressive organ, splendid stained-glass windows, and a treasure kept in the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament.  

Then go for a stroll in the Cinquantenaire Park, with its commemorative arch of Belgian independence. If you like refined and photogenic places, take a tour of the Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries, built in 1847, among the oldest covered galleries in Europe. 

Another site to visit during a weekend in Brussels is the Atomium, a unique building that stands 102 meters tall and represents an elementary iron crystal enlarged 165 billion times. It's an unusual visit as you can enter some of its 18-meter diameter spheres! In the upper sphere, you can enjoy a panorama of the entire region.  

Just steps away, visit Mini-Europe with the family, featuring all the wonders of Europe in miniature. Finally, for design enthusiasts, the Design Museum Brussels is worth a visit!  

If you like flea markets, don't miss the Lille braderie, which takes place every year on the first weekend of September.  

What to see in Cologne?  

 Located in western Germany, Cologne is a 4-hour and 24-minute train ride from Paris with Eurostar. It's the 4th largest city in Germany and was founded over 2000 years ago by the Romans. Annexed by France at the beginning of the 19th century, Cologne came under Prussian rule and was ultimately nearly completely destroyed during World War II. The city has since rebuilt and reinvented itself, becoming a European metropolis worth a visit.  

The first place you will undoubtedly visit in Cologne is the Cologne Cathedral! Built in the 13th century, this Catholic church is the city's emblem. Rising to 157 meters in height, its magnificent vaults house many treasures, including the Shrine of the Three Kings, a reliquary created by Nicolas of Verdun. Then take a stroll through the paved streets of the old historic center to admire the medieval buildings.  

If you come to Cologne with friends, head to the Belgian Quarter, a student district that comes alive on weekends and where street art has taken hold. You can enjoy a fried sausage and beer around the Brüsseler Platz. And why not opt for an original tour, the brewery tour?  

If you come to Cologne with your family, don't miss the Chocolate Museum, the Cologne Zoo, or Phantasialand, a theme park located in Brühl, 10 km from Cologne. For a break in the green, take a walk in the Rheinpark, the green lung of Cologne, on the banks of the Rhine! 

Rotterdam: Why go there? 

Located on the southwest coast of the Netherlands, Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam. A modern and eclectic city, less famous than its big sister Amsterdam, it is nevertheless worth a visit! Today the largest port in Europe, it impresses with its modern architecture, sometimes worthy of New York, and is also a bustling artistic city, with many events. The famous cube houses are an iconic place to see in Rotterdam. Designed by architect Piet Blom and built in 1984, the Kijk-Kubus has no straight walls: each house represents a tree, and the entire housing complex, a forest! You can even visit one.  

Another place not to be missed is the port of Rotterdam of course, to be visited by boat, to see the shipyard, the Scheepvaartkwartier (maritime district), and the modern bridges that span the Meuse, such as Erasmusbrug, an ultra-modern bridge. Its design is supposed to resemble the body of a swan!  

Go eat at the covered market (Markhall), a concept in itself, where you absolutely have to go during a stay in Rotterdam, or at Fenix Food Factory, a trendy and friendly place to have a drink with friends or even family. As for nightlife, Rotterdam is particularly lively, especially on Witte de Withstraat street, where you can find trendy cafes, restaurants, vintage shops, etc.  

Rotterdam is also a city where street art reigns. Visit the Rotterdam Street Art Museum, located on West-Kruiskade Street, or follow the street art routes proposed by the tourist office and available on dedicated applications. 

Practical information to know for preparing your trip to London with Eurostar

Eurostar schedules

Note: you must present yourself 1 to 1.15 hours before the departure of your Eurostar. The gates close 30 minutes before departure (or 10 minutes for Business Premier travelers).

Online check-in for traveling with Eurostar

After booking your Eurostar train ticket on the SNCF Connect website or app, you must check in online. Check in from your confirmation email or from your customer account.

Travel documents to come to London

To travel to London, you must have a valid passport, as well as babies and children traveling with you.

Your passport does not need to have a minimum validity period, as long as it covers the duration of your stay in the UK.

Traveling with minors on Eurostar

Good to know: children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 or over.

From 12 to 15 years old, children can travel alone provided they have the Eurostar form for unaccompanied minors. This form must be completed by the child's parents or legal guardians at the departure station, in the presence of a Eurostar team member.

For travelers with reduced mobility

On Eurostar trains, people with reduced mobility can travel with their wheelchair, in dedicated spaces, in Standard Premier and Business Premier class. The person accompanying the traveler can benefit from a reduced fare to travel in the same Standard Premier or Business Premier car. If there is no more space in the same car, the accompanying person can also travel in Standard class.

The sales opening on Eurostar

If you dream of visiting London, plan ahead and book your train tickets with Euros tar now for your travels in the next 11 months. Plan your future getaways with Eurostar to take advantage of the best price! For travel to and from other destinations, tickets are available 4 months in advance.