Prohibited items and alcohol
Here’s the serious bit.
To make sure everyone can travel safely with us, there are a few things we don’t allow on our trains. And we don’t just mean smoking in the toilets and clambering over the seats.
Read on to see a list of prohibited items which aren’t allowed on board under any circumstances, and restricted items that can only travel as registered luggage in the train’s hold.
If you’re not sure about a particular item, email our registered baggage team at eurodespatch@eurostar.com before you travel.
Remember, this list doesn’t cover absolutely everything, but it’s a good guide to what you can and can’t take with you. Anything that’s inherently dangerous or that could be used to commit an act of violence or threat will not be allowed. For example, things like imitation, replica or toy guns, ice axes, household cutlery, camping tools, shriek alarms, hypodermic syringes and butane gas canisters are not permitted.
Just to let you know, if our security teams have any concerns about an item that they believe might represent a risk, Eurostar reserves the right to remove or refuse that item.
| CARRIAGE PROHIBITED | CARRIAGE PERMITTED AS REGISTERED (HOLD) LUGGAGE ONLY |
| Unlicensed firearms (including replicas and de-activated firearms). | Authorised firearms not requiring a certificate (e.g. compressed gas or air powered match pistols). |
| Ammunition (of any calibre, in any quantity) | Licensed firearms: a firearms certificate will be required and a European Firearms Pass may be required. The passenger must check in advance with the relevant national authorities in the country of boarding and destination. (note that all ammunition must be removed) |
| All explosives (including fireworks and pyrotechnics) and imitation explosives or devices. | Swords (including swords for fencing), sword sticks and other ceremonial weapons. |
| All items containing incapacitating gases, liquids or other substances (including CS gas sprays). | Crossbows, crossbow bolts, longbows, longbow arrows and starting pistols (subject to prior approval). |
| Inflammable substances (eg lighter fuel, methylated spirits) except in minimal quantities | Dangerous sporting equipment |
| Flick knives/gravity knives, lock knives and daggers, any knives with a blade over 3 inches/75mm in length (Note – standard folding knives with a blade no greater than 3 inches/75mm long are permitted to be carried). | (e.g spearguns). |
| Any other item made, adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon. | Open razors. |
| Any item possession of which is prohibited in the country of boarding or destination. |
Our rules on alcohol
Of course, there's no harm in a little tipple while you travel, but to make sure everyone's safe, happy and healthy, we've got some rules around how much alcohol you can travel with.
We reserve the right in our Conditions of Carriage to confiscate and destroy excessive quantities of alcohol being carried by our passengers.
So, if you've got more than five units of alcohol on your person, we may confiscate some or all of the alcoholic drinks in question.
It's our right to refuse to allow (or to refuse to continue to allow) access to our services if a passenger's physical or mental state is affected by alcohol or drugs.