Eurostar is a high-speed train that requires a reservation and gets fully booked quite far in advance, especially when travelling during the high season (May-September & Winter break). Taking into account that Eurostar trains have limited Pass holder seats that sell out quickly, we strongly recommend booking your reservations as early as possible. Reservations for Eurostar Family trains can be made up to 3 to 6 months ahead.
If seat reservations are unavailable via our Self-Service on a Eurostar train departing on your preferred date and time, take these extra steps to try and find available seats:
1. Check the b-europe.com website that our partners have created for Pass holders to see if there are still seats left, and book your seat reservation via the website directly.
2. Check the RailEurope website that our partners have created for Pass holders to see if there are still seats left, and book your seat reservation via the website directly.
If your schedule allows you to be flexible, search for the same route at another time or date.
If Eurostar seats are sold out, please try the following:
1. For Eurostar Red trains (routes between the Netherlands, Brussels, France, and Germany) - check if you can travel the same route on trains that don't require a seat reservation. Select the ‘No reservation needed’ filter before clicking ‘search’ in our timetable (you can find this under ‘Filters’ in the Rail Planner app). It might not always be possible to do this, but it is definitely worth trying!
For Eurostar Blue trains (routes from London to Europe) - an alternative route may be considered:
- Paris – Calais
- Calais - Dover (this route involves taking a P&O ferry, which is not covered by the Pass network; prices may range from £30)
- Dover – London
For more details, click here.
2. Buy a full-fare ticket directly from the railway carrier (Eurostar). Please note that there are no refunds available for full-fare Eurostar train tickets purchased due to a lack of seat availability, but you do not have to use a travel day when travelling with full-fare tickets. If you have some flexibility with your schedule, it’s worth checking Eurostar Snap, where you can get up to 50% off the price of regular Eurostar tickets. For more information, please check this link.
3. Consider alternative ways of transport like ferries, buses, etc, if available. Please note that we do not offer reimbursement for full-fare tickets.
Note:
Public transport such as the bus, metro or tram is not included in the Pass network. However, there are some exceptions – we have various partners who offer special discounts for Pass Holders. You can find more information about it on our Pass Benefits Portal.