Comfortable travel to Europe (Eurostar)

Member Name: MeganFF

Product:	Eurostar
Date:	26/10/09 (196 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: comfort, speed, price of refreshments

Disadvantages: space for luggage

I didn't know what to expect from the eurostar when we went to Paris recently. Would it be just like a normal train? A bit more like a plane on wheels? So a little apprehensive, we boarded at St Pancras Station in London.

Upon arrival at the station, we had to locate the automatic ticket machine so that our tickets could be produced. Surprisingly, they weren't located in the 'today tickets' area of the eurostar section, but the next one along, where you can book future trips.

Anyhow, once we got our tickets from the helpful machine, we had a wander around St Pancras, then made our way to the check-in area.

Through security checks and passport control, it was a reminder that you were leaving the country. There wasn't much in the departure lounge, the mandatory WHSmiths and another shop or two. After we were called to board, we went up the "escalator". I put this in inverted commas because it was more a moving floor that went up hill.

Up on the platform, each carriage was marked by number - but on the floor. Interesting. On board, it quickly became obvious that there is a serious lack of sufficient luggage storage. Whether that is because people were using larger suitcases than the designers had anticipated, or whether the travellers were stashing smaller cases in the area instead of the overhead racks, I'm not too sure.

The seats, tho all numbered, don't appear to go in order. We were sat in 81 and 82 for one leg, which were found in front of 65 and 66! The seats themselves are wider than normal train seats, comfy with a lap tray in front, and head rests that come forward at the sides to encase your sleeping head. Clever. Above there are two racks. One is perfect size for your jackets, the other for smaller cases (like carry on luggage sized)

In all, the journey was comfortable. Even a trip to the cafe carriage didn't break the bank, although surprisingly a hot chocolate (highly recommended) did cost more than a coffee and kitkat combined!

The travel was comfortable. Not much rocking, not much noise, comfortable seats and resonable prices for refreshments. In all, I'd recommend using the eurostar to reach the continent.

Summary: visit europe the comfortable way