When should I turn up for Eurostar?

For Eurostar Standard and Eurostar Standard Premier customers, check-in must be started at least 30 minutes before departure. If you're travelling on the Eurostar ski train in the winter months, it's advised to arrive well in advance (at least an hour) especially if you're bringing your own skiing equipment.



For Eurostar departures from London St Pancras in 2026, you should arrive at the station at least 75 to 90 minutes before your scheduled departure if you are traveling in Standard or Eurostar Plus. If you are in the Eurostar Premier class, the recommended arrival time is reduced to 45 to 60 minutes. These arrival times are crucial because Eurostar requires you to clear both security and passport control (British and French borders) before boarding. The ticket gates typically close 30 minutes prior to departure for most travelers (15 minutes for Premier). It is important to note that starting in early 2026, the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric checks may cause longer queues during peak periods, so arriving on the earlier side of these windows is strongly advised to ensure a stress-free transition through the terminal.

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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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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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Generally, if you'd left enough time had the delay not happened, Eurostar will re-book you onto the next available service. If you're delayed getting to the Eurostar station by something other than a train, YMMV, so it's probably best to leave more time for that.

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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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Travelling to and from London For our Eurostar London routes, you'll need to book a seat reservation in advance to guarantee your travel dates.

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There's no weight limit on your luggage, meaning you can bring every little essential with you. All we ask is that you're able to transport your bags safely on and off the train and that they're stored out of harm's way in our dedicated areas. And don't forget to label your luggage clearly, 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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Can I take food on board? 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.

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Your passport will be checked by UKBA security staff before being checked by French passport control. This will only take a few minutes.

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Eurostar recommends that you get to London St Pancras around an hour and 15 minutes before departure. This will give you enough time to clear security and passport control (for both the UK and France), and then wait in the departure lounge until the platform is announced.

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You don't see fish, of course, but it is still kind of magical crossing the English Channel in around 35 mins into France, and from there into Belgium, the Netherlands and beyond. You zip through the longest undersea tunnel in the world, at an average depth of 40m below the sea bed. Far from any fish.

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Boarding guarantee If you'd like to switch for an earlier or later train on the day you're travelling, we guarantee to find you a seat, even if Business Premier is full. Unfortunately, we're unable to offer this guarantee for trains to and from the Netherlands.

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You can walk from one carriage to the other on Eurostar. You can get in touch with Eurostar staff by email, and enquire if your bookings can be linked, or to have your seats reassigned. The link below may be of help.

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Check-in for Eurostar journeys opens an hour and 15 minutes before departure. We recommend that you arrive at least 90 minutes prior to your train leaving so you can have a stress-free check-in.

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Quick and easy. When travelling on our trains (except to and from London), just look for your train on the departure board and head straight to the platform. For stress-free boarding, we recommend that you arrive in the station 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time of your train.

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76% of trains arrive within 5 minutes of their scheduled arrival time. 86% of trains arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time. There are occasions, usually outside of our control, where trains may be delayed or disrupted.

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What's the major difference between first class and second class seating on the Eurostar? The first class seats are more comfortable and there is more room between them. Unless money is no object, don't bother with the first class on Eurostar. You'd have to look pretty hard to tell the two classes apart.

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Eurostar's return fares are cheaper than two one-ways, so always book a round trip as around trip rather than two one-ways. This is different from most European train train fares, where a return is simply twice the one-way fare so you can book one way at a time without penalty.

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