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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
Everything you need to know about booking Eurostar train travel across Europe
Featured image by COLBY KIRKPATRICK/THE POINTS GUY
Ben Smithson is a senior writer for TPG and is based in London. Originally from Australia and a qualified lawyer with a financial services background, he has almost a decade of experience writing about a broad range of travel and loyalty topics.
also contributed to this story
February 5, 2024 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Eurostar is a high-speed train service connecting the U.K. with major cities in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, offering a convenient alternative to flying.
Three fare classes are available: Standard, Standard Premier and Business Premier, each with varying levels of comfort, luggage allowance and onboard service.
Tickets can be booked up to 330 days in advance, with prices fluctuating for Standard and Standard Premier but remaining steady for Business Premier.
Eurostar operates its own loyalty program, Club Eurostar, and points can be redeemed for train tickets or transferred to select hotel programs.
What to consider
Eurostar fares in Standard and Standard Premier vary based on season, demand and destination, while Business Premier pricing is more consistent.
Club Eurostar points can be redeemed for round-trip tickets, upgrades or transferred to hotel partners, but availability may be limited for certain redemptions.
Redeeming other loyalty currencies for Eurostar vouchers often yields lower value compared to using those points for flights, per TPG's valuations as of June 2024.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of Eurostar fare classes, booking strategies and tips for maximizing value with points and miles.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
If you’re already based in Europe, the iconic Eurostar train likely needs no introduction; if you’re only visiting the continent, however, you may not be quite aware of the service or how speedy and convenient its connectivity is between the U.K. and mainland Europe.
If you’re looking for an easy (and typically cheaper) alternative to flying in Europe, then Eurostar might be just what you’re looking for. It provides easy access to several countries — if you're short on time during your vacation, you could opt to take a daytrip from London to Paris using this train service.
Eurostar began operating in 1994 and is one of Europe's most well-known high-speed train services. The train currently offers direct service to London; Paris; Brussels; Rotterdam, Netherlands; and Amsterdam.
Further connecting Eurostar services will take you to Antwerp, Belgium; Liege, Belgium; Dusseldorf, Germany; Duisburg, Germany; Essen, Germany; and Dortmund, Germany.
EUROSTAR.COM
In addition to operating its own trains, Eurostar serves as a connecting rail service for other high-speed carriers to destinations like Disneyland Paris.
What are the different ticket types for Eurostar trains?
COLBY KIRKPATRICK/THE POINTS GUY
The fare classes on Eurostar come in three tiers. The lowest and most affordable is Standard, which is the equivalent of coach or economy class with an airline.
Next up is Standard Premier, which is akin to premium economy. Finally, there’s Business Premier, which is Eurostar’s version of business class.
The fare classes are broken down as follows:
Ticket type
Standard
Standard Premier
Business Premier
Luggage
Two pieces of full-size luggage, plus one piece of hand luggage
Two pieces of full-size luggage, plus one piece of hand luggage
Three pieces of full-size luggage, plus one piece of hand luggage
Change fees
Unlimited ticket exchanges up to seven days before departure
Unlimited ticket exchanges up to seven days before departure
No change fees and free cancellation
Food and drink included
Food and drinks are available for purchase from the onboard Eurostar Café
A light meal and drinks served at your seat
A three-course meal with Champagne served at your seat
Seat assignment
Standard seat
Extra legroom and more spacious seats
Extra legroom and more spacious seats
Check-in and security
Standard check-in and security
Standard check-in and security
Dedicated fast-track ticket gates
Lounge access
No lounge access
No lounge access
Lounge access (if your departure station has one)
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
With regards to pricing, the cost of fares in Standard and Standard Premier fluctuates based on seasonality, peak periods and destination. Business Premier, on the other hand, remains fairly consistent year-round in terms of pricing. Eurostar tickets can usually be booked up to 330 days before your return travel date.
Generally speaking, if you’re considering a trip from London onward, you can expect prices to fall somewhere within the following margins for a one-way trip:
Fare type
Average ticket cost (one-way)
Standard
51-172 pounds ($65-$219)
Standard Premier
97-270 pounds ($123-$343)
Business Premier
325 pounds ($413)
If you’re looking to snag a bargain, it’s worth keeping your eye out for flash sales, which Eurostar regularly runs throughout the year, often with tickets for as little as 30 British pounds (around $38).
How do Eurostar trains compare to flying?
COLBY KIRKPATRICK/THE POINTS GUY
Compared to flying to your destination and transiting through European airports, traveling via Eurostar is much more low-stress.
The most obvious difference is the security experience, which, compared to that at an airport, is effortless, with no removal of liquids or large electric items. Although queues can mount up during busy periods, we’ve found that we’re through security in under 10 minutes when we travel with Eurostar.
Regarding lounge access, it’s worth noting lounges are only available at the St. Pancras, Paris Gare du Nord and Brussels Midi/Zuid stations.
If you're used to airline-run business-class airport lounges, you may need to lower your expectations somewhat here. Although comfortable and pleasant, the lounges are somewhat basic — don’t expect too much in the way of food.
On board the Eurostar, it’s like most modern trains you may have taken at home. The differences between Standard Premier and Business Premier are nominal. You’ll get slightly more legroom and a slightly more modern seat in both classes than in Standard.
What you’re paying for in these classes is the luggage allowance and food service. If you don’t deem either of those things a huge must-have, you’ll be more than comfortable in Standard.
That said, the food service on the Eurostar is much better than on most airplanes and currently features a menu designed by the renowned Raymond Blanc. Champagne and coffee services are also served free of charge in Business Premier.
How to book the Eurostar train with credit cards
Eurostar Standard Premier seats. JORDAN WALLER/THE POINTS GUY
Travel on Eurostar, booked directly with Eurostar or through an online travel provider, should be coded as travel.
The following credit cards offer bonus points for travel expenses, along with strong welcome bonuses:
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Earn 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel℠ and 2 points on all other travel purchases.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, including travel.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, including travel.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Earn 3% cash back on transit, including taxis, parking, tolls, trains and buses. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees): Earn 2% on every purchase, with 1% cash back when you buy and an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
Eurostar operates its own loyalty program named Club Eurostar. For every British pound spent (about $1.27), you will earn 1.2 points. This means you earn around 1 point per $1 spent.
Elite members receive the following points bonuses when booking:
Avantage: 25%
Carte Blanche: 50%
Etoile: 75%
Eurostar tickets can now be booked through the Uber app, and you will earn 10% back in Uber credits on Eurostar bookings and National Rail train tickets in the U.K.
Additionally, you can earn 10% back when you purchase your coach tickets with the following U.K. operators: National Express and Megabus. If you decide to opt out of taking public transit, you can also hire a car from Avis, Hertz and other companies in your Uber app. When you book your trip, you'll receive £10 off (about $12).
How to redeem points and miles for Eurostar trains
COLBY KIRKPATRICK/THE POINTS GUY
You can redeem 2,000 Club Eurostar points for a round-trip ticket in Standard class (or 4,000 points for a Standard Premier ticket), though these tickets are limited. For 1,000 more points, you can book any Standard or Standard Premier seats available.
A round-trip ticket can easily cost over $200 in Standard class (and double this at peak periods), making Club Eurostar points very valuable.
Business Premier tickets are available for 6,000 points round-trip for any available seat (saver-level space is not offered).
A one-way upgrade from Standard to Standard Premier is 600 points.
If you don't wish to redeem Club Eurostar points for train travel, you can transfer 500 Eurostar points and receive 1,000 Accor points.
You can redeem Virgin points through Virgin Red for the following Eurostar vouchers:
2,000 points for a 10-pound E-Voucher (about $12)
5,000 points for a 25-pound E-Voucher (about $31)
10,000 points for a 50-pound E-Voucher (about $63)
20,000 points for a 100-pound E-Voucher (about $126)
We would not recommend redeeming Virgin points in this way under any circumstances, as this will only give you a redemption value of 0.5 cents each, which is only one-third of our current valuation of Virgin points. You can obtain far more value from your Virgin points by redeeming through flights on Virgin Atlantic or partner airlines like Air France, KLM and Delta Air Lines.
Eurostar's popularity boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic as travelers looked for ways to move around Europe without relying on airlines. As a result, Eurostar fares can be more expensive compared to flights with the same route. For short journeys like between London and Brussels, taking Eurostar is a much quicker and more relaxing experience, while on longer journeys like London to Amsterdam, the price can be similar.
If you want to travel within Europe and like the idea of keeping your feet on the ground, book in advance or redeem points and enjoy the stress-free Eurostar rail experience.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
