Visit the website written by the Man in Seat 61, listed in the Resources. It's an incredible website about train travel, with a section on the Eurostar. The information provided is accurate and gives you details that you might otherwise not find by visiting Rail Europe or the Eurostar website, in an easily read format. You can even find pictures of the insides of the Eurostar and seating.
Decide whether you would like to book a first class or second class ticket. The first class tickets offer more for the money. The seating is more comfortable, and you receive a full meal served at your seat. Each seat has a table in front of it with plenty of room for the dining experience, or to relax and read the newspaper. Second class tickets are generally substantially less in price, but you could spend close to the amount you save on buying food in the cafe bar. You also would have to either stand in the cafe to eat or eat at your seat. Only some of the seats in second class have a small table.
Go to the Rail Europe website or the Eurostar website (both listed in the Resources) to get information about tickets. You will be able to get a general idea of pricing, such as the cost to go from London to Paris on a certain date at a certain time. You can also compare the cost of a round trip ticket to a one way ticket. Often you will find that it is less expensive to buy the round trip, and then just not complete the return. The Rail Europe website is preferable to use, because it is easier to understand and the prices are sometimes less expensive if there is a special deal. Rail Europe also gives you the benefit of purchasing all of your train passes and tickets together, if you will be traveling by rail for other destinations in Europe.
Call the phone number for either Rail Europe or Eurostar to book your tickets. If you call, you can ask your questions to a live agent. Calling Eurostar directly gives you the advantage of being able to choose your seats as well. With Rail Europe, you can't directly choose your seats if you call, but you are able to get seats close to where you wish to sit. For example, if you wish to sit in Car 11, Seat 53, you should ask for the seat nearest to Car 11, Seat 51. You can't request the actual seat (see Resources).
Arrive at the St. Pancras train station on the day of your rail booking for the Eurostar (directions can be found by using the site listed in the resources). You want to be earlier than the time suggested for arrival for a few reasons. First, you may get lost trying to return a rental car or finding parking. Second, if you arrive early, you will also be one of the first on the train and can make sure you get a place for your luggage on the luggage racks. There is not enough room for everyone to place luggage on the racks at the end of each car. Finally, you can enjoy the many shops and restaurants at the station, or have a drink at the longest champagne bar in Europe.
Enjoy your ride on the Eurostar. The new trains run at 186 miles per hour. If you choose first class, you will be served a three course meal that includes an alcoholic beverage. All passengers have access to the two bar cars that sell beverages, snacks and sandwiches. First class cars and cars 5 and 14 in second class have outlets for laptops and for plugging in mobile phones to charge. All cars have window views so you can look out and enjoy the views of the countryside in England and in France.
Arrive into Paris at the Paris du Nord train station. This train station can be confusing. It is often difficult to find someone who speaks English to help you. Knowing about the train station's layout in advance can make things much easier. For example, the bathrooms are on the lower level, one level below where you get off of the trains. Luggage lockers are also on the lower level in another section, to place your luggage while you visit the city of Paris for a few hours.
Arrive into Paris. The Paris du Nord train station can be confusing. It is often difficult to find someone who speaks English to answer your questions. Know in advance that the restrooms are on the level below where you get off of the train. The luggage storage area with luggage lockers is also on the level below, but on the other side of the station. You cannot move directly from the restrooms to the luggage lockers without coming back up to the train level and then going back down. Try and know a few French words to get you through this station.
