Stay Safe on Eurostar

Train travel across Europe still has plenty going for it, and Eurostar remains one of the easier ways to get from London to a handful of cities on the continent without the hassle of flying. It isn't the Orient Express, but for anyone who prefers rail to airports it's a convenient alternative.

From London St Pancras International you can travel directly to Paris, Brussels, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Rotterdam and Amsterdam, with seasonal services to the French Alps for skiing and to Disneyland Paris. Connections onward from these hubs open up most of western Europe. Following the merger with Thalys, Eurostar now covers a wider network than it once did, so it's worth checking current routes on eurostar.com before you plan.

Before you go

Booking is straightforward online, and the website is usually the best place to compare fares, pick your seat and look at any add-ons such as hotels or onward travel. Prices tend to rise closer to the date, so booking early generally helps. There are also fare options aimed at business travellers and a loyalty scheme called Club Eurostar for regular users.

Most tickets are now issued digitally. You can store them in the Eurostar app or on your phone's wallet, which saves fumbling with paper at the gates. Printed tickets are still accepted if you prefer.

For passports, UK travellers entering the Schengen Area need a passport that was issued within the last ten years on the date of entry and is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the Schengen Area. Rules change from time to time, so check the latest guidance on GOV.UK before you book. The EU's Entry/Exit System, which will record biometric data for non-EU travellers, is being introduced in stages and had not been fully rolled out at the time of writing. It may mean longer queues at border checks once it goes live, so allow extra time if you're travelling during the transition.

At the station

Arriving at St Pancras is usually calmer than a typical airport run, partly because you have to check in rather than just jumping on. Allow at least 60 to 75 minutes before departure for check-in, security and passport control. Since Brexit, UK passport holders need their passport stamped when entering the Schengen area, which can add time at busy periods.

Once you're through, the departure lounges have seating, shops, cafes and toilets, and boarding is announced in good time. There's no need to rush for a seat because they're reserved.

Luggage

Each passenger can take two suitcases and one piece of hand luggage in standard class, with slightly different allowances in the higher classes. Bags need to be labelled with your name and seat number, and there are size and weight limits published on the Eurostar website. Skis, snowboards and bikes have their own rules and may need to be booked in advance. Larger or awkward items such as musical instruments are worth checking on in advance too, as some need to be treated as extra baggage or booked as a separate seat.

Choose luggage that's sturdy but easy to move, because you may end up stowing it in a rack a few rows from your seat. A small lock is sensible, and travel insurance should cover loss or damage in the unlikely event something goes wrong. Keep valuables, medication and documents in your hand luggage.

If you'd rather not carry everything yourself, look at the registered baggage options on eurostar.com for current service details and costs, as these have changed over the years.

On board

The seats are more generous than on a typical UK train, there are power sockets, and the toilets are kept in reasonable order. A buffet car sells hot and cold food and drink, with a French leaning to the menu. You can bring your own food, though there are limits on alcohol, and drinking your own alcohol on board is not allowed in some classes. Staff are bilingual and announcements are made in English and French, with Dutch added on Amsterdam services.

You'll get plenty of warning before your stop. Station signs at the main destinations are multilingual, and taxi ranks, metro entrances and tourist information points are easy enough to find.

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Passports, security and border checks

Eurostar is unusual in that you clear both UK exit checks and French, Belgian or Dutch entry checks before you board, so there are no further passport formalities when you arrive.

Security screening is similar to an airport but usually quicker. The liquids rule that applies at airports does not apply on Eurostar, though sharp objects and the usual prohibited items are not allowed. If you're travelling with prescription medication, carry it in its original packaging with a copy of the prescription.

Money, phones and health

Card payment works almost everywhere in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, and contactless is widely accepted. It's still useful to have a small amount of cash for tips or smaller shops. UK debit and credit cards generally work fine, though some charge fees for overseas use, so check before you go.

Mobile roaming charges vary between UK networks since Brexit, and some have reintroduced daily fees for EU use. Check with your provider before travelling to avoid a surprise bill.

For healthcare, a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives access to medically necessary, state-provided treatment in EU countries on the same basis as a local resident. That can mean free care or a reduced cost, depending on the country, but it doesn't cover everything. Private treatment, repatriation to the UK and some other costs are not included. Apply through the NHS website rather than copycat sites that charge a fee, and take out travel insurance as well to cover cancellations, lost baggage and anything the GHIC doesn't.

A few practical tips

• Book a window seat if you want the views, and check the seat map for tables if you're travelling with others.
• Eurostar doesn't run sleeper services, so overnight travel isn't really an option for a proper night's rest.
• If you're travelling with children, under-fours go free but still need a ticket to reserve a seat.
• Allow extra time if you're changing trains at Lille, Brussels or Paris, particularly if you need to cross the city between stations.
• Keep personal items secure and stay alert in crowded areas of the main stations, which attract pickpockets in the same way airports and tourist sites do.

Eurostar isn't always the cheapest way to reach the continent, but for many trips it works out quicker door to door than flying once you factor in airport time. For anyone who dislikes flying, or simply prefers rail, it's a practical option, and the expanded network now offers more choice of destinations than before.