When to arrive at the station

Travelling with Eurostar

We recommend different arrival times for travelling to and from London, and on all other routes. For a smooth journey, check our recommended arrival times below.

Travelling to and from London

A smooth getaway

When travelling to and from London, there are border and luggage checks before you get on the train.

The timings below are just for guidance and can sometimes change. It’s a good idea to download your ticket to check the most-up-to-date recommended arrival time.

For a smooth getaway, please make sure you arrive on time.

Once you're through the checks, you can relax in the departure lounge until your train is called.

Just so you know, ticket gates close up to 30 minutes before departure.

Recommended arrival times when travelling to and from London

To ensure you have enough time for all pre-departure steps, please come to the station at the recommended time and not just before the gates close. All of our border and luggage checks take place before you depart, which means you can simply hop off the train when you arrive.

There may be times when you experience queues at the station. This can particularly happen on peak days or when checks take a bit longer. But don’t worry – our staff will be on hand to guide you through the departures process and ensure you board your train.

London St Pancras International

		Standard & Standard Premier	Business Premier	Accessible travel
How long before departure should I arrive? (mins)	90	45-60	60
How long before departure does the gate close? (mins)	30	15	30

Paris Gare du Nord

		Standard & Standard Premier	Business Premier	Accessible travel
How long before departure should I arrive? (mins)	90-120	45-60	60
How long before departure does the gate close? (mins)	30	15	30

Brussels Midi/Zuid

		Standard & Standard Premier	Business Premier	Accessible travel
How long before departure should I arrive? (mins)	90-120	45-60	60
How long before departure does the gate close? (mins)	30	15	30

Amsterdam and Rotterdam Centraal

		Standard & Standard Premier	Business Premier	Accessible travel
How long before departure should I arrive? (mins)	60-90	30-45	60
How long before departure does the gate close? (mins)	30	20	30

Lille Europe

		Standard & Standard Premier	Business Premier	Accessible travel
How long before departure should I arrive? (mins)	90	45-60	60
How long before departure does the gate close? (mins)	30	20	30

Travelling between Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Germany

Quick and easy

When travelling on our trains (except to and from London and Lille to Brussels), just look for your train on the departure board and head straight to the platform.

For stress-free boarding, we recommend that you arrive in the station 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time of your train.

Sit back and relax

If you need help finding your coach or seat, please ask one of the station or onboard team. Then, settle in and relax.

The train manager will check your ticket en route, so please make sure you have it to hand. If you're travelling on a special fare, you'll need to show any relevant documents.

Your ticket is only valid on the train you've booked. If you need to change your ticket on board, you'll be charged the highest fare for your journey in your class of travel, plus a €25 fee. This can be paid by cash or card.