Eurostar Premier from St Pancras

Why it is on the list

Eurostar is the only train from London through the Channel Tunnel, and it leaves from St Pancras International, a Grade I listed station on Euston Road.¹ Premier is its top class.² It has its own lanes through security and passport control, open until 15 minutes before departure, a lounge just inside the St Pancras departure area, a coach of its own and meals served at the seat.³⁴ The ticket can be changed or refunded without a fee up to 48 hours after departure, and any other train that day can be boarded at no extra charge.³ Only Premier passengers can book a station escort through departures and arrivals, a porter and a car.³⁵

It is a train, so it goes only where the line goes: Paris, Brussels and on to Amsterdam and Rotterdam.⁴ For anywhere further, take The private terminal at Farnborough Airport, or The Windsor by Heathrow for a scheduled flight.

How to get it

Book a Premier ticket on eurostar.com.³ Up to three bags each, up to 85 cm on the London routes, and one small bag go free; there is no limit on liquids.³ The lounge opens to Premier passengers up to two hours before the train, depending on how busy it is; you need a ticket for that day.⁴ The Premier lanes close 15 minutes before departure.³

For an escort, a porter or a car, book with Well'Com Rail, which runs the service for Premier passengers at London, Paris and Brussels, once you hold the ticket: the Eurostar booking reference is required.⁶⁵ Enter the train number and dates on its site, choose the services and leave a card hold; it is charged only for what is confirmed.⁶⁵ One escort booking covers up to four bags; five to ten need a porter booking as well.⁵ The escort starts no earlier than 1 hour 30 minutes before departure, when check-in opens.⁵ A car on departure is set to collect you two hours before the train unless you ask otherwise, with 15 minutes' free waiting.⁵ Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are charged in full; write to reservations@wellcomrail.com.⁵ A missed train through arriving late is not refunded; if Eurostar cancels the train, the service moves to the next one at no charge.⁵

Discretion

The escort meets you at the station and takes you through each checkpoint; you carry your own passport and documents through immigration and customs.⁶⁵ The St Pancras lounge is laid out in zones and booths for privacy.⁴ A car can collect you and take you to or from the station.⁶