Let the train take the strain (Eurostar)

Member Name: loulou123

Product:	Eurostar
Date:	28/01/09 (217 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: quick, clean, comfortable, fantastic location for Disney paris, slightly cheaper then flying,

Disadvantages: Not many Eurostar departure points in UK, dont always seat together

I have only used the Eurostar direct service from Waterloo/St Pancreas to Disney Paris (Marne le Valle) so my review is based on this journey. The Eurostar tickets tend to be cheaper the earlier you book them, but from my experiance tend to be cheaper than flying.

The new terminal at St Pancreas is huge and joined on to Kings Cross tube station, upon exiting the underground just follow the signs for St Pancreas International-you dont even need to go outside! Although it is quite a walk with luggage, especially if your unlucky enough to be doing the trip in rush hour. Before you go through security and passport control have a good look around if there is time. You will find a very long champagne bar, many highstreet shops, including a Hamleys and numerous places to eat and drink. Also allocated in this part of the building are the machines from which to pick up your tickets if all you have are reservations.

Once through security (very like at an airport) you are then in a departure lounge. Here there are lots of seats, a coffee shop and a small newsagents-be warned everything is very expensive-as youd expect. I feel they need more to keep you entertained in the departures as its quite boring and dull. On overhead screens are train timetables and which platform they are departing from. Also take a moment to discover which carriage you are located in as the trains are long, and this will effect the walkway you need to take to board the train.

The trains themselves are relatively comfortable, a little cramped and generally clean. I have always been lucky that apart from once the train has been quiet and we have been able to spread out in our seats as the ones around ours have been empty. (if you are boarding in London, dont presume the seats around yours are empty until the train has stopped at Ashford.)

Everytime, but once (and this was caused by a security alert leaving France) the Eurostar has been on time leaving and more often then not gets back to London slightly early.

Once you know you are in the right carriage, then finding your seat is just a matter of finding the correct seat numbers (be warned Eurostar does not seem to always put all the members of the group in nearby seats.) Luggage goes in overhead racks or in the larger racks and compartments at the end of each carriage.

Food and drinks on board are VERY expensive, you can purchase hot food, but i have never done this. Wine and beers are also availiable as is tea and coffee.

Then its just a matter of sitting back and relaxing, until you reach your destination.

Summary: Fantastic service at a good price