Eurostar is a high speed rail service that connects
London to Paris and Brussels. All the trains operate at high speed and use the Channel Tunnel that is owned and maintained separately by the Eurotunnel. The train cover the journey of 400-plus kilometres in two hours and fifteen minutes exact. Eurostar trains are known for their punctuality and speed. They act as an effective alternative to the airlines which are subject to various uncertainties.
Eurostar was started in 1994. The trains are owned and managed by Eurostar International Limited. This company is formed because of partnerships between French, Belgium and UK Governments. Eurostar only deals in passenger traffic and it should not be confused with Eurotunnel. On this page you will get knowledge about various aspects of the Eurostar.
Routes of Eurostar:
The company has its services on various routes which will connect various important cities and destinations of Europe. The following are the routes of the Eurostar:
LGV NORD: This is a high speed railway line that connects Paris to Belgian border via the
Channel Tunnel from Lille. This 300 kilometre rail line was inaugurated in 1993. This route has been extended to other parts of Europe such as Belgium and Paris thereby making it as one of the most important part of any rail route.
CHANNEL TUNNEL: Channel Tunnel is the most vital link rail link that connects the Great Britain to the rest of Europe. The Channel Tunnel joins the LGV Nord in France and High Speed Line in Belgium. This line was opened in 1994 with pomp and show. This channel is owned by Eurotunnel that charges a certain amount of fees or toll from Eurostar for using it. The tunnel was recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The line permits the speeds up to 300 kilometres per hour but in wake certain security concerns the speed have been reduced to 160 kmph.
HSL 1: This is a high speed Belgian rail line that is a part of the LGV Nord at the French border. This line connects the Brussels to the LGV Nord. The line is 88 kilometres in length. The line has reduced the travel time between London and Brussels. The line is also shared by Eurostar, TGV, Thalys PBA and Thalys PBKA train sets.
High Speed 1: This is another 108 kilometre long railway line that connects the London to the end of the Channel Tunnel through Kent. This line has reduced the travel time between London to Paris by 21 minutes and London to Brussels by 45 minutes.
Eurostar Schedule and Eurostar Ticket Prices:
London to Paris: There are regular Eurostar trains to Paris every hour on all the seven days of week except on Christmas. Total journey time is two hours and fifteen minutes nonstop out of which 20 minutes are spent to cross Channel Tunnel and rest on passing by countryside of England and France.
London to Lille & Brussels: There are regular Eurostar trains to Brussels from London every day and total journey time is around 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Eurostar fares: The lowest fares for
trains from London to Paris can start from £39 (one way) or £69 (return) if you book them well in advance. Fares for Standard Premier and Business Premier classes are higher than this.
The best way to book the cheapest Eurostar tickets is to book them well in advance. Ticket price system of Eurostar works like that of airlines and prices tend to increase with time. A ticket brought well in advance cost you £40 might cost you £139 on the day of the journey.
How to Get the Eurostar Tickets: There are a variety of ways in which you can obtain the train tickets of the Eurostar. Best way is to book Eurostar tickets from the official website of the company www.eurostar.com.
UK customers can book and obtain their tickets by dialling Eurostar customer care centre number at 08432-186-186
The booking of the tickets open 4 months prior to the departure of the trains. The best and easy ways to get the cheap tickets is to obtain the then as early as possible. Internet booking gateways have been provided on the website of the Eurostar. You can print the e-tickets from your home printer or you also have the option of picking them up from the station. Booking through the debit cards is free but there is a small that is associated with the payment through credit card.
On Boarding the Train:
Eurostar trains have been declared as no smoking zone. All the interiors have been refurnished and designed by renowned interior designers of the world.
Eurostar trains have three classes:
Standard Class: This is the ordinary class where the passengers have access to the café bar cars. The passengers are however allowed to bring their own food and drinks on the train. Ticket prices are less for these classes.
Standard Premier: This class in Eurostar train offers relaxing seats with comfortable armrests and other facilities. The fares offered in this class are higher than Standard class. A cold tray meal with one round of alcohol is served to the passengers.
Business Premier: This class offers fully flexible and refundable tickets but ticket prices are more. Along with that you have exclusive access to the lounges of the Eurostar that are located on various stations. A minimum 10 minute check-in is required. On board you will served hot meals with a single round of alcohol and soft drinks at your seat. A three course meal will be served just like that done on the airlines.
Food & Beverages: All the food served on the Eurostar is made by the company in its special kitchens that are located at many places in Europe. All the necessary care and precautions are taken so that the nutrients and the taste of the food remain intact when they reach the passengers. All the fruits and vegetables are grown on the special farms that are owned and managed by Eurostar.
All the passengers have access to the bar cars that are situated in car number 6 and 13. They serve hot tea, coffee, light snacks, beer, wine, chocolates and sandwiches. You can have your snacks in the bar or you can take them to your seat.
Tips to Choose Seats: Eurostar has designed its car keeping in mind various needs and requirements of its passengers. A detailed seating plan can be obtained from the official website of Eurostar. When you book your ticket Seating Preferences are asked where you can choose the exact seat number if it available using the detailed arrangements done of the Eurostar.
Checking in for trains:
You are required to check in at least 30 minutes before the departure of the Eurostar train. However if you are holding a Business Premier ticket then you should reach 10 minutes prior to departure. Check in for the trains usually opens one hour prior to the departure of the trains. You can check in using the automatic ticket gates where you show your ticket at the scanner. If you want the location of your seat to be changed then you are advised to check in using the kiosks. After the check in, you will have to pass through the x ray and metal detector checks just as you do in an airline.
Why should we prefer Eurostar?
Eurostar is slowly and steadily becoming an effective alternative to travelling. The services provided by it have been impressive and here are the following reasons that you should Eurostar that any other competing low fare budget airlines.
Faster and Reliable: The facts and figures have revealed that in 2008 more than 92.4 per cent of all the Eurostar trains have been on time or with a mere delay of 15 minutes as compared to only 65 per cent of the short distance airlines. Over the years this number has improved. Eurostar is faster than flying and is more comfortable and convenient. The Eurostar has captured more than 70 per cent of the London-Paris route from the short haul airlines.
Environmentally Sound: An independent research has found that an average flight from London to France generates about 122 kilograms of Carbon Dioxide per passenger whereas Eurostar trains emit only 11 kilograms as compared to it. Thus there is a net savings of more than 90 per cent. Another pledge has been taken by Eurostar to reduce these emissions by further 35 per cent by 2012.
Eurostar St. Pancras International Station
Eurostar trains leave for Paris and Brussels from this station. The station is situated in the Central area of the London and acts a terminal for the Eurostar trains. London and Continental Railways owns this station in partnership with King's Cross Central.
The station has several amenities and facilities such as cafes, restaurants and newsstands. Besides this the station boasts of other facilities such as:
- Longest Champagne Bar of Europe
- Left Luggage section where you can deposit your luggage at very nominal rates
- Ticket booking offices and registration desks of many companies like Eurostar, London Railways, etc.
- d. Free Wi fi access to all round the clock
- There is a five star luxury hotel that has been opened recently at a nearby building that has been restored
- There are a number of shops and other facilities such as toilets, reading areas and much more
Eurostar Gare du Nord Station
This is Eurostar French station that serves as a stoppage station for the trains going to Brussels. This station is one of the six largest stations that of France and has many connections with transportation lines like TGV, Thalys, Intercity, TER, Metro and RER. The Eurostar trains arrive at the platform number 3 to 6 of the station.
Eurostar Brussels Midi station
Brussels Midi Railway Station is the terminal of the Eurostar trains in Brussels. The station is biggest in the country. The station has both French and Dutch influence on its design and architecture. More than 1000 trains are handled by the station on daily basis.
This Eurostar station was started in 1869 and a Eurostar terminal was added in 1990 on the Rue de France side. The terminal has two platforms that have no northward outgoing connections.