Is it worth it to upgrade on Eurostar?

Is it worth the extra money to upgrade from Standard to Standard Premier? I would say yes, because in Standard Premier, you can get a face-to-face seat with just the two of you, which makes the journey more romantic. We have always done Standard Premier, and have felt that it was a value to us.



In 2026, the consensus is that an upgrade to Eurostar Plus (formerly Standard Premier) is "worth it" if the price difference is under £35/€40. The primary value is not the food—which is a light, airline-style meal—but the intangible comfort. You gain a much larger, reclining seat in a 2+1 configuration (meaning more shoulder room and a "single seat" option for solo travelers) and a significantly quieter carriage with fewer passengers and more luggage space. However, if you want a truly premium experience, you must upgrade to Eurostar Premier (Business), which is the only tier that offers Fast-Track security gates and access to the exclusive lounges in London, Paris, and Brussels. For a 2-hour dash through the tunnel, many travelers find "Standard" perfectly adequate, but for those with large bags or those traveling during peak holidays, the "Plus" upgrade provides a much-needed buffer from the crowds and a more "tranquil" arrival at your destination.

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Here's what I got for my money. I upgraded my Eurostar ticket from London to Brussels to first class for only $12 more. The carriage was significantly more spacious than standard class and I also got a meal. I even got my own single seat, with no one directly next to or opposite me.

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Book early to get the best prices Don't worry if you're still deciding on the exact dates. With Eurostar, you can book tickets up to 120 days in advance and the earlier you book, the better value the fares.

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The check-in procedure for Eurostar train journeys takes roughly 20 minutes from start to finish, and depending on the class you're travelling in, it's recommended that you arrive at least 90 minutes before your Eurostar train leaves.

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Business Premier tickets are Eurostar's first-class offering for passengers who wish to travel in the highest levels of comfort. They're usually the most expensive tickets available to buy, but they do offer plenty of flexibility and the best in onboard facilities.

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Standard Premier: The main difference between the Standard Eurostar class's seating and Standard Premier's is that there are single seats available. There's also extra legroom, and the table seating has a bigger extendable table that pulls out if required.

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If luxury and extra legroom is really important to you, book it in advance. However, if you're perfectly willing to fly economy class, and willing to roll the dice, a last-minute upgrade can be the cheapest option. You may even get lucky and score a free upgrade.

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Absolutely. You can bring your own food on European and London routes. And unlike in the sky, we won't restrict you with stifling rules on liquids. So why not bring a bottle too.

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It depends which trains and what times you are looking at - Eurostar is very expensive in times of high demand because the cheap tickets get snapped up but can be relatively affordable if you choose less popular times.

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There's 3 types of tickets on Eurostar trains: Standard, Standard Premier and Business Premier. Only a Business Premier ticket will get you access. An AMEX Platinum charge card will get 1 person into the lounge, but no guests. If your partner has a supplementary card, then they'll also get access.

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Only at the station on the day of departure, we do NOT permit upgrades to Business Premier in the GDS or Elgar.

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Food is permitted on any Eurostar train. There are no restrictions about which sort of food you can bring on board, but please be considerate of other passengers and don't take strong-smelling food on board. On intercapital and daytime ski trains; each traveller can take 4 bottles or cans of beer, or 1 bottle of wine.

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On Eurostar there's no weight limit for your luggage, but you must be able to carry and lift your bags safely on your own, as there is no porter service at the station and our teams are unfortunately unable to help with luggage. Each bag can be up to 85cm long at its widest point and should be clearly labelled.

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Our trains have free wi-fi throughout. To connect, choose EurostarTrainsWiFi then go to register.onboard.eurostar.com to get started.

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What if I miss my Eurostar / National Rail journey as a result of delay? If you miss your Eurostar service as a result of delays or cancellations to your National Rail service on your outbound journey you will be placed on the next available service to your Continental destination at no extra charge.

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