I take the Eurostar around five times per year – most of my overland journeys to Europe start with this high-speed train.
I have a loyalty account, I’ve tried all classes, and I usually pay around £70 for tickets to Paris or Brussels.
But, from comments on Instagram, it seems that a lot of people think it’s impossible to get cheap Eurostar tickets, or aren’t sure what to do when arriving for the Eurostar! So, I thought I’d put together this blog post of all my best Eurostar tips.
In no particular order…
1. Book EARLY
The biggest tip I can give you to get those cheap Eurostar tickets is to book as soon as you know you’re definitely going to a destination. Eurostar tickets aren’t that expensive (when you consider it’s a high-speed train covering around 450 km, provided you book at least 6 weeks in advance.
Bookings actually open 10-11 months before for most routes (sometimes 6-8 months before) so there’s really no excuse!
Tickets on the Eurostar can be comparable (or cheaper) than flying, but only if you book in advance.
If you’re flexible with dates, they do also have a find lowest fares function – you can go through to the page by clicking here. They’ll tell you the lowest fare on each date. At the moment, I can see £39 fares from London to all main cities on the line (Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Rotterdam, Lille) in 6 weeks time.
2. Be flexible with timings
This is another money-saving hack. Being flexible with timings can save you a lot. For example, the mornings are typically most expensive – they’re usually full of business travellers.
There is a very early (6am) train that’s often cheaper, but that does mean being at St Pancras around 4:45am. I have stayed at Generator London (dorms from £18, privates from around £80, rises in high season) and walked over (5 minutes walk), but it’s not an enjoyable way to start a Europe city break!
Otherwise, the afternoon trains are usually cheaper than the mornings. You can compare prices all together when you go to book your Eurostar. (The lowest fares page is great for this as well).
3. Work out how you’re getting to St Pancras
All Eurostar services now depart from St Pancras International.
St Pancras is next to Kings Cross and close to Euston station, so it’s convenient for those travelling from the north.
If you’re arriving at Paddington after travelling from the west (like me!), you’ll need to jump on the Circle or Hammersmith & City line, which takes around 15 minutes.
I arrive 75 minutes early when I take the Eurostar, but I plan loads of buffer time if I’m taking the train straight from Exeter. I’ll usually arrive in Paddington around 3 hours before my train departs and do something in London with the free time – head to a cafe, take a walk or find somewhere to do some work. Don’t rely on UK trains to get you anywhere on time!
There’s a bit more information, straight from the horse’s mouth, about when to arrive for your Eurostar here.
As I mentioned, I’ve stayed at Generator London before when I’ve had an early train. You can see more info about them here.
Other options close to St Pancras include:
- Pullman London St Pancras – see more information
- St Pancras London, Autograph Collection – see more information
4. Arrive earlier than a typical train journey
As mentioned, I arrive around 75 minutes before; they usually recommend 60-90 tickets for standard. If you check your Eurostar account before travelling, it’ll tell you what time to arrive at St Pancras, which usually takes into how busy they think the queue will be etc!
When you arrive, there will be a sign with your train time and destination on it. Just follow the sign to the queue – if you can’t see it for any reason, then check with a staff member here!
5. Fill out your passenger information
You’ll need to fill out some information (passport details etc) on the app or website before travelling. Make sure you do this! More information about API (Advanced Passenger Information) here.
Since Brexit, us UK travellers sadly need to pay closer attention to passport validity rules. Most EU countries require at least three months remaining on your passport after your planned departure date and it must be less than 10 years old (even if it is still valid).
When you arrive at St Pancras, you’ll complete both UK exit checks and entry checks for your destination before boarding. That means you arrive in Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam without needing to queue for passport control.
If you’ve not done EES fingerprint checks, you’ll need to complete them when you enter the EU (at St Pancras).
The most up-to-date info about UK/ EU border checks is on the Eurostar website!
6. Choose your seat
Eurostar tickets include free seat selection! I’d recommend reserving your seat ASAP, as they flll up closer to the date.
I usually try to get a window table seat as I like to work on the trains. There are more table sets than on usual trains, as well as table seats.
7. Should you upgrade?
You might get the opportunity to upgrade to Plus or Premier; I’ll create a full post comparing the three at one point but basically:
| Seats | Catering | Station Extras | Service | |
| Standard | 2-2 configuration, table seats, forward and backward facing | Eurostar cafe (paid-for) | None | No extra service |
| Plus | 2-1 configuration, slightly wider seats, table seats, forward and backward facing, solo seats available | Light meal | None | No extra service outside of catering |
| Premier | 2-1 configuration, wider seats with luxury features like reading lights + cupholder, solo seats available | Three-course meal | Speedy check in, lounge access | Dedicated attendants who are on hand to help throughout |
Premier is a lovely treat but it’s very, very expensive. Plus can be an affordable upgrade (from £10), however!
I’ve got a couple of YouTube videos about Plus and Premier that you can take a look at:
8. Check loyalty perks
One of the ways I travel with Plus is by getting free upgrades due to being in Club Eurostar!
You can join Club Eurostar for free – it’s their loyalty programme. Here’s their sign-up page.
I also often get discounts, as Eurostar points convert directly into cash. For example, I recently snapped up a £35 ticket from London to Amsterdam and had £5 in points to use. I use Eurostar probably around four times per year!
I also use TopCashback to buy a Eurostar giftcard which offers 3.6% cashback. If you’re a new customer and follow this link you’ll get a £10 bonus once you’ve earned £10.
9. Make the most of Eurostar sales
This is a tricky one, as the Eurostar sales can be inconsistent and I wouldn’t recommend holding out on booking to wait for a sale.
BUT if you notice a sale and have a trip coming up, jump on that! I will post on my Instagram story when there is a sale.
10. Consider Eurostar snap
I’ve never actually done this, but Eurostar Snap is a method you can use to get up to 50% off tickets.
You choose your travel dates and time range, but you don’t get the exact time until 48 hours before. If you can be flexible, it’s a great way to save!
Ready to book your Eurostar ticket? Click here to go through to the site!
Eurostar travel FAQs
How can you get cheap Eurostar tickets?
Book at least six weeks early (or earlier!). Travel in the afternoon rather than peak morning times. Stay flexible with dates, use loyalty points or cashback, and consider Snap fares for last-minute discounted tickets.
How much does Eurostar usually cost?
If you book in advance, tickets to Paris or Brussels can cost around £70. Prices rise significantly closer to departure, especially for peak times. Last-minute fares can exceed £150, so planning ahead makes a big difference to the overall cost.
Is it cheaper to fly or take Eurostar?
Eurostar can be cheaper than flying if you book early. Flights may look cheaper initially, but once you add baggage, transfers and airport time, the train often works out similar or better value, especially for central London to city-centre journeys.
What is the cheapest day to ride the Eurostar?
There is no fixed cheapest day, but midweek travel usually costs less than weekends. Tuesday to Thursday often have lower fares, especially outside peak commuting hours. Prices depend more on demand and timing than the specific day itself.
Do you need a passport for Eurostar?
Yes, you must travel with a valid passport. UK travellers need at least three months validity after their return date, and the passport must be less than ten years old. You will go through both UK exit and EU entry checks before boarding.
Do you need to do EES for Eurostar?
Yes, if you have not previously registered, you will complete Entry/Exit System checks when entering the EU. This includes fingerprinting and a photo, usually done at St Pancras before boarding your train.
