Eurostar is the high-speed passenger train linking London with Paris, Lille & Brussels via the Channel Tunnel at up to 300km/h (186 mph). It's been running since 1994. Eurostar is 55% owned by SNCF French Railways, 5% by SNCB Belgian Railways & 40% originally by the UK government, but now sold to overseas investors.

No, SNCF and Eurostar are not the same thing, although they are closely related. SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français) is the state-owned national railway company of France, managing nearly all rail traffic within the country, including the high-speed TGV Inoui and regional TER trains. Eurostar, on the other hand, is a specific international high-speed rail service that connects London with destinations in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. In 2026, the relationship is one of ownership: SNCF is actually the majority shareholder of the Eurostar Group (which recently merged with Thalys). Essentially, SNCF is the massive parent organization that operates a vast network, while Eurostar is a specialized brand that focuses on cross-border travel through the Channel Tunnel. You might book a ticket through the SNCF website that includes a Eurostar leg, but they operate as distinct brands with different onboard services, luggage rules, and check-in procedures, especially for the London routes which require passport control.