Latest news with #EurostarPlus
Business Insider
04-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
I spent $34 to upgrade to Eurostar's version of premium economy — a mediocre meal meant it was just about worth it
I upgraded to Eurostar Plus for an extra $34 on a work trip to Paris. It wasn't as luxurious as premium economy, and the meal was mediocre. But cheap upgrades are frequent, and the extra space is ideal for a solo traveller. I might be an aviation reporter, but I always prefer taking the Eurostar over a flight to Paris. Security is much more efficient, and the journey times aren't too different, given that the train stations are in the city centers. On a work trip from London to the French capital last month, to report from the Paris Air Show, I had the opportunity to upgrade to Eurostar Plus. Business Insider paid $130 for this journey, only $34 more than the standard class on the same train. I definitely preferred the extra legroom and having no seat next to me. However, the mediocre meal and lack of lounge access assured me that I wouldn't go out of my way to upgrade. While the top class, Eurostar Premier, offers lounge access and better food, prices are typically above $300. Compared to an airline, I'd say Eurostar Plus isn't quite as luxurious as flying premium economy. I think I felt more benefits as a solo traveler, so I would only look to upgrade again for a similarly good price. It isn't that rare to see Eurostar Plus offered at a small upgrade from standard. The online booking process was straightforward, without any of the pop-ups or add-ons you find with a budget airline. Each passenger is allowed two pieces of luggage plus one piece of hand luggage. Eurostar Premier allows a third piece of luggage too. I found the journey, 2 hours and 15 minutes long, less stressful than flying. A flight between London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. But there's a further commute to the airports than to the train stations, plus a longer wait at security, not to mention the lack of a chance to take in views of the English and French scenery. Going under the Channel Tunnel is entertaining too. On the one hand, it's just like a regular tunnel, albeit 31 miles long. However, the Channel Tunnel is a remarkable feat of engineering. It took six years before it opened in 1994, with boring machines starting from either side, meeting underneath the sea. I arrived just over an hour before departure, and found checking in to be smooth and efficient. I last took the Eurostar from London St. Pancras station almost exactly two years earlier, for the previous Paris Air Show. Back then, the lines were enormous and snaked through the concourse, but this time I barely had to queue. Unlike the French side, I didn't have to remove my laptop from my bag, which made security quicker. Neither station requires you to remove liquids, like most airports. Boarding began after a short wait, and I was impressed to see a staff member guarding a velvet rope by the Eurostar Plus car at the back of the train. He checked off my name on an iPad, directed me toward my seat, and the nearest luggage rack — a small touch of luxury which elevated the experience. For me, the biggest highlight was the seat itself. The Eurostar Plus car is arranged in a 1-2 layout rather than the usual 2-2. Since I was traveling by myself, this was ideal as it gave me much more space and privacy than usual. Unlike most airlines, you don't need to pay extra to choose your seat. However, many of them have a limited window view, so it helps to book well in advance. There were plenty of accessories that added to the comfort, too. On the left, you can see a flip-down cup holder and a small light. There was another reading light to my left by the window, two seatback pockets, and a small mirror at the top. Plus, there was more legroom and the ability to recline. The seat reclined within its shell, which meant I didn't have to worry about irritating the passenger behind me. However, I found the meal to be underwhelming. Two staff members came down the aisle with a trolley, with a vegetarian or a meat option. I went for the chicken with chickpeas, peppers, and broccoli. Dessert was a small popcorn and chocolate affair, and I found the chocolate was almost too rich. I would've preferred a hot meal, like what's available in Eurostar Premier. Also, I was a bit surprised that I was only given a 150ml (5 fl oz) can of Coca-Cola. I didn't have huge expectations, but the service wasn't as good as premium economy on a flight. Still, it was a benefit that I didn't have to get up from my seat. Although I did miss the fun experience of walking to and ordering from the onboard café. Shortly after, everyone was offered tea or coffee, and the service ended less than an hour after departure. The benefits of Eurostar Plus became clearer on my return journey in the standard class. My economy seat still had a footrest, but it was harder to use, with less space and no recline. Having somebody sit next to me also felt a bit claustrophobic, especially on a hot summer day where temperatures exceeded 90 degrees. The table was also a bit smaller, but I was still able to relax better on the train than on a plane. I bought a soda in the waiting area before boarding. After a busy week of work, I spent most of the journey back to London reading a novel. Overall, I'd always recommend the Eurostar over a plane, and to keep your eye out for a cheap upgrade. If there's a conveniently timed train where Eurostar Plus is just a few extra bucks, it's worth booking it, especially if you're on your own. The free meal may also mean you save a bit of money. Although if I were traveling in a couple or as a family, I think the benefits of space would feel less valuable. As well as Paris, you can also take the Eurostar from London to Brussels and Amsterdam.
Metro
03-06-2025
- Metro
Eurostar launches 20% off sale to Paris and more — here's how to get tickets
Dreaming of a Euro summer? If you fancy a getaway, now is the time to book, as Eurostar has launched a summer sale across all of its destinations. Tickets to city-break favourites including Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Lille, and Rotterdam will be 20% off, with the discount automatically applied online. But you'll have to be quick, the sale is only on for five days, starting June 3 and ending June 7, at 10:59pm. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. The sale offers discounted fares for travel to all the destinations across the Eurostar network, to and from London St Pancras. This is across both Eurostar and Eurostar Plus classes. Popular cities of course include the likes of Paris and Lille, as well as those slightly further afield, such as Amsterdam, Cologne and Dusseldorf. Eurostar say there will be a 20% discount applied to fares. Before the sale began, there were tickets available for a long weekend in Paris in July (leaving London on Friday July 18 and returning Monday July 21) for £170 return. With a 20% discount, this fare would be dropped to just £136. Prices mid-week are expected to be even cheaper. A ticket for travel to Paris (one-way) on Wednesday July 8 before the sale cost £57. With a 20% discount, this would be just £45.60. The discount is applied automatically to fares for travel between 24 June and September 9. There are some 'blackout dates' though, where passengers won't be able to get a discount. These are: June 27, 29. July 6, 7, 25, 26, 27, 28. August, 22, 25. Due to engineering works, there are also no trains to Amsterdam on June 28 and 29, and no trains to Rotterdam on August 9 and 10. Eurostar Snap is a spur-of-the-moment service where you can bag leftover tickets based on whatever seats are available last-minute. You pick travel dates and a time slot (either before or after 1pm to or from London, or 2pm for all other destinations), then Eurostar picks the specific train times, which are sent to you via email 48 hours before travel. More Trending Eurostar you can get up to 50% discount, and you can even book tickets for up to three other people – although you're unlikely to be sat together. Bookings can only be made up to 14 days before travel on routes to and from London, or up to eight days before on all other routes. Routes in include are London and Paris, Brussels, Lille, Amsterdam and Paris and Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne. It's worth bearing in mind though but if plans change, you'll lose out on the cash. Snap tickets are non-exchangeable, non-refundable, non-transferable and non-cancellable. A TikTok travel influencer also recently shared their hack for getting Eurostar tickets for free. For three decades, Eurostar has held a monopoly on passenger trains in the Channel Tunnel since it opened in 1994. But this year, new potential rivals have emerged, which could turn the game on its head. Richard Branson's Virgin Group announced said there are 'no more major hurdles to overcome' in its £700million rail project to operate cross-channel trains. The company made the positive claim after the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) confirmed that Eurostar's Temple Mills maintenance depot could be used by other train operators. In March, Gemini Trains unveiled their own plans to connect London St Pancras with Paris and Brussels. The firm said it planned to offer seats at prices that would rival Eurostar, and would include services from Ebbsfleet in Kent. It's also since announced a partnership with Uber, who would co-brand the trains. And Italy's national state-owned railway company, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS Group) have also said it will launch a new high-speed rail service between London and Paris by 2029 that would compete with Eurostar. The group, which is a co-owner of Avanti West Coast, could extend the route to Marseilles, Lyon and Milan, and is also looking at a possible reopening of Ashford International in Kent. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: German city dubbed 'Gateway to the World' has £28 return flights – and 2,500 bridges MORE: Is it safe to travel to Sicily? Orange alert after 'intense' Mount Etna eruption MORE: 'Underrated' UK seaside town gets direct train to London for first time in 30 years
Metro
15-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
Eurostar in talks over double-decker train service on cross-Channel route
Cross-Channel journeys could soon reach dizzying new heights and become cheaper for passengers, as Eurostar eyes an exciting upgrade to its service. French rolling stock manufacturer Alstom announced plans to begin supplying the company with double-decker trains for routes between London and key Europe destinations including Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels. While no exact details have been confirmed just yet, the proposal promises high-speed trains with the 'lowest cost per seat and the highest capacity'. And if all goes ahead as planned, they could be on the rails in just a few years' time. It's great news for travellers, with Chief Executive Henri Poupart-Lafarge explaining that the trains will have a top speed of 350km/h — 50km/hr faster than the current Eurostar. As for seat prices, these are also likely to come down, making plane-free European trips more accessible than ever for Brits. In an interview with Financial Times, Poupart-Lafarge claimed that although he couldn't comment on specific business discussions, Alstom has been in talks with a number of operators in regards to these routes. And while the firm has already teamed up with SNCF, France's national railway operator and Eurostar's majority owner, to provide new trains, he said: 'Whether it's Eurostar or other competitors, we'll see.' In terms of timescales, Poupart-Lafarge added that it could take 'some years' before they are up and running. This is largely due to the fact all London to mainland Europe trains need to be approved by regulators who ensure the trains comply with the Channel Tunnel's strict safety rules covering dangerous goods, security measures and emergency response. Poupart-Lafarge noted that further delays could be caused by the sheer demand for Alstom's twin-deck model, the Avelia Horizon, which is due to launch next year. With more than 100 orders to fill across Europe, it could come down to a 'first come, first served' basis. As passenger demand for international rail travel continues to grow – and new companies are set to give Eurostar competition – experts predict that travellers could see a significant reduction in fares. Just how much exactly remains unknown but currently experts are anticipating a 30% drop. According to Eurostar's website, a standard one-way ticket from London to Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Lille or Rotterdam starts from £39 – a 30% reduction would bring that fare down to around £27 (£11.70 less). For Eurostar Plus, where tickets start from around £70, a 30% discount would reduce the price by £21 for £49 tickets. A Eurostar representative confirmed to The Telegraph that the double-decker design is 'a possibility' for the operator's future, as it looks to purchase 50 new trains by the end of 2025. It could be in for some stiff competition though. With talks of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group joining the mix of Channel Tunnel rail providers, it would mark the end of Eurostar's 30-year reign on the track.. A spokesperson for Virgin Group also said it's considering double-decker trains, but wouldn't comment on whether it has committed to any specific model. Regardless, Eurostar is expecting an increase in passages over the next five years, with a recent report revealing its ambitions of serving 30 million travellers annually by 2030. This is a marked rise even when compared to the record 19.5 million passengers it carried last year. It's an exciting time for rail services, with plans for a cross-channel expansion, driven by London St Pancras High Speed (which recently rebranded from HS1). More Trending The company shared in February that it aims to offer direct rail routes to major cities in Germany, Switzerland, and France. A spokesperson told Metro: 'Market research from Eurotunnel demonstrated that customer demand for new destinations is clear and real: for Germany, specifically Köln and Frankfurt, Switzerland, Geneva and Zurich, and the South of France, for Marseille and Bordeaux.' In April, Italy's national state-owned railway company, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS Group), also revealed plans to launch a new high-speed rail service between London and Paris by 2029. The group, which is a co-owner of Avanti West Coast, could then extend the route to Marseilles, Lyon and Milan. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: The European airport that takes you to three countries at once MORE: Ryanair beware, a new UK airline is about to take off MORE: Baby Elsa update: Police narrow down search for parents of abandoned baby to 400 homes in east London
