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The Eurostar Experience

Travelling from London to Europe by train

 

Why choose Inntravel to book your trains

Our expertise in European rail travel helps to get your holiday off to the best start. Whether you're new to the Eurostar and want to know what to expect, or are a seasoned rail traveller with a set route in mind, our rail experts will be happy to answer your questions and tailor your journey.
 

A great way to travel

Let the adventure begin
Often, the ‘holiday feeling’ doesn’t kick in until arrival at your destination, but St Pancras International, with its happily animated bustle, is a place that fills you with excitement from the very start. It may be big in comparison to other stations, but compared to most airports it feels small, and the result is a quietly dignified atmosphere, with smooth check-in and boarding procedures that mean you arrive at your comfortable, reserved seat feeling relaxed and ready for the adventure to unfold.
Across Kent and into the Channel Tunnel
Leaving St Pancras International, the Eurostar passes through (or, more accurately, underneath) east London, sometimes (but not currently) calling at Ebbsfleet or Ashford in Kent to collect more passengers. From here, you are whisked through picturesque countryside at 186mph (300km/h), entering the Channel Tunnel a mere 35 minutes after departing from London.

Apart from the fact that it takes 20 minutes to traverse, the Channel Tunnel resembles any other railway tunnel. When you next see daylight, just under an hour into your journey, you are already on French soil.

Accelerating away from the tunnel, the Eurostar speeds through gently undulating farmland dotted with villages and ancient churches. Lille is just 25 minutes from Calais, while Paris is 90 minutes away, making the journey time from St Pancras International to the historic Gare du Nord terminus just 2 hours 25 minutes. Once you arrive, you don’t, of course, have to wait around while your luggage is unloaded onto a carousel – you just lift your cases down from the rack and go.
Onwards to southern France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy or beyond
The trip by Eurostar is, in most cases, just the first leg of the journey.

If you are travelling via Paris, you can break your journey with a night in Europe’s chicest city. Many people prefer to travel via Lille for an easier change from Eurostar to TGV, although connections from Lille are becoming less frequent. You can also stay overnight in Lille to explore its handsome old quarter and sample its excellent gastronomy before continuing your journey.

Whether you choose to break your journey with an overnight stay or not, you can rest assured that we will have allowed ample time to change trains and we provide full details of all your connections in your personalised itinerary and information pack.

Although Eurostar sets the bar high, the French high-speed trains compare very favourably, as do the Spanish, Swiss, Italian and other connecting rail services for holidays further afield. As on Eurostar, we book reserved seats wherever possible, meaning you can sit back and watch the scenery change as you head further south towards the Mediterranean or into the mountains.

By the time you reach your final destination (where we usually arrange for a taxi to collect you for the transfer to your hotel), you should find yourself in good spirits, your appetite for exploring thoroughly whetted by the views you’ve watched unfold from your window.
More information
We’ve tried to answer the most common questions in this section, from check-in at St Pancras to changing stations in Paris, and from luggage limits on Eurostar to accommodation on sleeper trains. However, we’re always happy to answer any other questions you may have regarding travelling to your Inntravel holiday by rail, so please contact us.
 

The Eurostar Experience

Second class
Second-class carriages are comfortable and modern, with pairs of airline-style seats either side of the aisle, plus a small number of tables for four. You can purchase a range of sandwiches, hot and cold light meals, and sweet treats from the buffet carriage, or bring your own picnic – there is no restriction on the liquids that you can bring through security (though knives with blades longer than 3 inches are not permitted).

Upgrades
Standard Premier offers wider seats and more leg room, with a pair of seats (either airline-style or facing another pair across a table) on one side of the aisle and a single seat (either airline-style – a ‘solo’ seat – or facing another seat across a ‘club duo’ table) on the other side. Prices include a complimentary meal served at your seat. For departures before 11am, this comprises breakfast pastries, yogurt, fruit juice and tea or coffee. On later trains, you have the choice of two light main dishes and dessert, accompanied by a glass of wine, beer or a soft drink, plus tea or coffee. 

For a full three-course cooked meal, unlimited wine and champagne, a later check-in time of just 20 minutes before departure, and access to the business lounge in St Pancras International and the Gare du Nord, you can upgrade to Business Premier. Seating arrangements are identical to those in Standard Premier.
 
Luggage limits
Adults are entitled to bring one item of hand baggage and up to two suitcases, of which the longest side should measure no more than 85cm so they fit through the security scanner (we actually recommend cases no bigger than 55cm/22" so they can be stowed in the overhead racks where you can keep your eye on them, rather than in the limited extra storage space at the end of each carriage). There are no weight limits per se, but bear in mind that you will have to lift your cases above your head to store them on the luggage racks, and up and down stairs at some mainline stations. For winter holidays, one of your suitcases can be replaced by a set of skis (which again can be stowed in the overhead rack).

Luggage storage
hatever carriage you are travelling in, you’ll find a generous overhead luggage rack above your seats where you can stow suitcases and skis, plus a smaller one below that for coats and hand baggage.
 

St Pancras International

A showcase of Victorian architecture...
William Barlow, the Victorian architect commissioned to design the original station, was tasked with creating a regal entrance to London, and he certainly delivered. When it was opened in 1868, St Pancras station proudly laid claim to the title of the world’s largest enclosed space. Even in this age of towering skyscrapers, the renovated station (which, although it has been surpassed by even larger buildings, remains the biggest enclosed station in the world) is impressive – some would even say awe-inspiring. The scale of it, coupled with the sight of swarms of passengers alighting from a Eurostar train, certainly rekindles the excitement of travel.

The huge steel frame is the original, and has been painted sky-blue as it was when the station first opened. It arches high above the platforms, allowing light to flood in through the thousands of glass panels. The ornate clock is a replica of the original. Below this, your eye can’t help but be drawn to the nine-metre-high statue of a couple embracing entitled The Meeting Place, but commonly known as The Lovers. Another iconic statue is that of Sir John Betjeman, who – thankfully – saved the station from demolition in the 1960s.

..adapted for the modern traveller
As sympathetic as the renovations were, they also resulted in a station fit for the 21st century. Escalators replace stairs, while the original brick-built, Gothic-style station building is now a 5-star boutique hotel.

So much better than the average airport
Like an airport, St Pancras boasts a wide range of shops and eateries, from high-street coffee chains and sandwich bars to fine-dining restaurants, not to mention Europe’s longest champagne bar, separated from the Eurostar platform by nothing more than a glass partition.

Unlike an airport, it offers easier, stress-free boarding. ‘Check-in’, which opens about two hours before departure and closes 30 minutes before departure, consists of scanning your e-ticket bar code at an automatic barrier. Once through, walk on a few metres to passport control and, a few metres beyond this, to the airport-style security scanners and you’re ready to board.

Quick connections from other stations
f you are travelling from further afield, connections are easy. Even allowing for the fact that you will have your luggage with you, the walk from Kings Cross mainline station takes under five minutes, while Euston is a 15-minute walk away.
 

Where we can take you by train

 

Changing trains and overnight stays

Depending on your destination, you may need to change trains, or evn stay overnight in some cities. Click below to see some handy tips and information.
  • From St Pancras International, it takes two hours and 25 minutes to reach the Eurostar terminus at Paris Gare du Nord. Here, you must change mainline stations to continue your journey, although the fact that you don’t have to wait around for your luggage means that you can be on your way very quickly.

    As well as allowing ample time for you to make your connection (hopefully with plenty of time to spare), we provide you with tickets that can be used on the metro, the RER suburban railway or on the bus (time permitting), and give you directions so that you don’t waste precious minutes getting your bearings. On the return journey, the time margin we allow is considerably longer to allow for check-in (passengers are advised to check in two hours before departure; the Gare du Nord's check-in gates close 45 minutes before departure).

    Paris’ mainline stations include:

    Gare de l’Est (for eastern France and Germany)
    The Gare de l’Est is the only station which you can reach on foot from the Gare du Nord – it takes under ten minutes, even at a leisurely pace, with the choice of descending an elaborate, curved flight of steps which featured in a scene in the film Amélie, or taking an alternative route that avoids the steps. If you have time for a meal, you’ll find a good choice of bistros in the streets surrounding the station.

    Gare de Lyon (for southern France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland)
    By RER, the journey from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon is a mere 10 minutes. The Gare de Lyon was built for the World Exhibition in 1900. If you have time, be sure to visit the historic Train Bleu restaurant and bar, where you can enjoy a drink and/or meal in sumptuous Belle Epoque surroundings. There is even an original fresco of the Mont Blanc Massif, along with paintings depicting other destinations served from the station, such as Marseille. (To eat here, we recommend booking in advance.)

    Gare Montparnasse (for western France)
    Although Montparnasse is just a 20-minute direct metro journey away from the Gare du Nord, we always allow extra time for your connection here. One of the quirks of the Gare Montparnasse is that the metro station and the TGV platforms are situated 500m apart, linked by an underground moving walkway, so if you have a lot of luggage or are travelling with children, you may find it easier to take a taxi direct from the Gare du Nord.

    If you have a lot of time to spare, visit the Montparnasse Tower (there is a lift!) for a superb panorama of the French capital. If, however, your priority is getting something to eat before your onward train, there are plenty of bistros and cafés in the immediate vicinity of the station.

    Gare d’Austerlitz (for the Dordogne, and parts of the Loire Valley)
    This historic station is in the process of being renovated. You can reach it by metro from the Gare du Nord, with no changes.

    Why not stay over?
    If you are travelling via Paris, it seems a shame not to spend some time in the city itself. We can book accommodation for you, and even provide you with a self-guided walking tour of the St Germain district.
  • Make the most of this vibrant city
    Whatever your interest – art, architecture, gastronomy or shopping – Lille, France’s fifth-largest city and the capital of French Flanders, has something for everyone, including some of the best restaurants and art galleries you will find in northern France outside Paris. There is certainly plenty to discover if you wish to break your journey in this stylish city.

    Arrival in Lille
    When you alight from the Eurostar, walk along the platform into the main part of the station. We recommend taking a taxi for the short ride to the Grand Hotel Bellevue, so follow the signs for the taxi rank.

    Grand Hotel Bellevue
    With one façade forming part of the great Flemish square, the Bellevue could not be more central for all the main delights of Lille, both in the Old Town and the newer districts. Behind the classic 18th-century frontage lie a grand, marble-floored reception area and 61 smart bedrooms offering 4-star accommodation decorated in soft colours and equipped with marble bathrooms, satellite television, internet access and a minibar.

    Dining out
    The hotel is within walking distance of one of the best restaurants in Lille, À l’Huitrière, which, as its name suggests, specialises in seafood. There are plenty of other good restaurants nearby, including a number of traditional bistros in the alleyways and small squares of the Old Town, and we provide further recommendations in your information pack.

    Exploring One of Lille’s many charms is that you can reach all the main sights on foot, including the superbly preserved, star-shaped citadel and the Palais des Beaux Arts, second only to the Louvre. The focal point is the Grand’Place. The square’s east side is dominated by one of Lille’s greatest landmarks, the lavishly ornate Vieille Bourse (old Stock Exchange), a blend of Flemish and French influences whose arcaded central courtyard now houses flower and book stalls. In the adjacent square, the Place du Théâtre, are examples of Flemish Renaissance architecture with Baroque flourishes as well as another landmark, the Opéra, boasting a beautifully sculpted façade. North of these two great squares stretches Vieux Lille, an atmospheric maze of old cobbled streets and alleys lined with red-brick terraced buildings. Within this labyrinth are the cathedral, and the house in which Charles de Gaulle was born, which is now a museum dedicated to his life.
  • Make the most of the French capital
    If you are travelling via Paris and have the time, it is a shame not to spend a night in the French capital to enjoy its famously cosmopolitan atmosphere.

    Arrival in Paris
    When you alight from the Eurostar, you have three choices: take the metro, catch a bus or journey on the RER suburban railway. We provide instructions for all three options but recommend the bus – the journey time may be twice as long (25 minutes) but you get to see Paris as you travel. If you prefer to take the train, the RER is better than the metro, as there are fewer steps involved. Whichever travel method you choose, you have a short walk from the bus stop or station to your hotel, for which we provide directions.

    Hotel Saint-Paul Rive Gauche
    e have worked with the Hotel Saint-Paul Rive Gauche for many years. Not only is the location superb, on a narrow street where historic St Germain meets the Latin Quarter, less than a 15-minute walk from the Seine and the cathedral of Notre Dame, but it has been run by the same family for the last four generations and you will be greeted warmly by the knowledgeable and helpful staff.

    Although the building dates from the 17th century – breakfast is served in the vaulted cellar – there is a lift, so you needn’t worry about lugging your suitcases up several flights of stairs. The cosy bedrooms are individually decorated, with dark wood furniture.

    Dining out
    ext door to the hotel is the Polidor, a traditional bistro where you can turn up without a reservation. There are other good restaurants in neighbouring streets. Two doors up the street is a small grocery shop which is perfect if you wish to buy ingredients for a picnic for your onward journey.

    Exploring
    You can leave your suitcases at the hotel while you explore. Of course, the options are endless, though it is worth bearing in mind that your Eurostar ticket entitles you to a 50% discount at the Musée d’Orsay, the converted railway station which now houses an unrivalled collection of Impressionist works.

    To gain a feel for the St Germain des Prés district, you can follow our self-guided walking tour which starts from the hotel and zigzags towards the Seine before returning to the hotel via a couple of churches and the leafy Jardin du Luxembourg. As well as guiding you through the streets, our walking notes include information about the many writers, artists and intellectuals who have frequented and lived in this fashionable district over the last few centuries.
  • From St Pancras International, it takes just an hour and twenty minutes to reach Lille.

    Changing trains in Lille Europe is a quick and stress-free process, as there are only four platforms, and this modern, purpose-built station is designed for long-distance travellers, with escalators and lifts so that you needn't lug your cases up and down stairs.

    On the outward journey, it is uncommon to have more than half an hour before your connection - plenty of time to take an escalator (or lift) up to the main concourse and down again to the TGV platform, perhaps picking up something to eat and drink on the way, but not so long for time to drag.

    On the return journey, you may find you have a longer wait. There are some cafés on the main concourse, but only vending machines in the departure lounge once you’ve checked in, which you are advised to do two hours before departure. Time permitting, you might prefer to stretch your legs beforehand by heading into the city - it won't take you more than 15 minutes to reach the main square, where you can enjoy some authentic moules frites. Alternatively, the futuristic Euralille shopping complex is right next door to the station, or the eight hectares of green space of the Parc Henri Matisse are just a stone’s throw away. You can leave your suitcases in the left-luggage facility while you explore.

    Lille Flandres
    Sometimes it is necessary to change stations in Lille, but Lille Europe and Lille Flandres are only 450 metres apart along a signposted pedestrian walkway – a perfect chance to stretch your legs briefly.
 

Trains from Belgium

  • Thalys (Brussels to Cologne, Amsterdam and Rotterdam)
    Similar to TGV but with a distinctive dark red livery, these cross-border, high-speed trains link the key northern European cities of Paris, Brussels, Cologne and Amsterdam. Relax in your red plush reclining seat and watch the varying landscapes unfold. There are convenient power sockets (European 2-pin) and a café bar on board so you can enjoy lunch. On Thalys you can upgrade to Comfort class for more spacious seating, or choose Premium class which includes a meal served at your seat.
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