Eurostar

Under the change Britons will provide four fingerprints and a facial biometric scan to a machine during their first arrival

British travellers visiting Europe are being warned to prepare for the possibility of even longer queues from today. The rollout of the EU’s new border check tech aims to eventually speed up entry, but its expansion this month presents a risk of greater delays, according to travel association ABTA.

Under the automated Entry/Exit System (EES), Britons will provide four fingerprints and a facial biometric scan to a machine during their first arrival, followed by one scan on each subsequent arrival and departure. “As more places introduce the system, and more passengers are processed through it, there is a greater risk that people will face queues and delays,” ABTA warns.

“It’s important travellers are prepared for this as they prepare to go through passport control.” The EU set a January 10 deadline for its member states to roll out the EES at half of their border crossings.

Manual passport stamping will continue until 9 April, meaning double red tape. “We are also urging border authorities to do all they can to minimise delays. They have contingency measures at their disposal – such as standing down the system or limiting checks – and we want them to be utilised to help manage the flow of people,” ABTA says.

The Entry Exit System (EES) requires non-EU citizens to register at the EU border by scanning their passport and having their fingerprints and photograph taken. The rollout began last October and mean British passport-holders need to register on their first visit to a country where EES checks are operating. Registration is valid for a rolling three-year period or until the passport expires.

The new system will be phased in over six months, meaning different ports may have varying requirements until April 2026. By January 10 half of all checkpoints should be in operation.

On exit, and for subsequent visits to a participating country, travellers will only need to scan their passport and provide either fingerprints or a photograph at the border.

EES will be a requirement when entering Schengen area countries including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. EES will not be required when travelling to Ireland and Cyprus.

For travellers using the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, the process will take place at the border before they leave the UK.

The government has supported these juxtaposed ports (Eurostar, St Pancras; Eurotunnel, Folkestone; and the Port of Dover) with £10.5m of funding for border infrastructure to make the change as smooth as possible for travellers. While EES is an EU system, the government has been working closely with the travel industry, ports and transport operators to help raise public awareness and understanding of the border changes.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said: “We recognise that EES checks will be a significant change for British travellers, which is why we have worked closely with our European partners to ensure the rollout goes as smoothly as possible.

“The UK and EU have a shared objective of securing our borders and these modernisation measures will help us protect our citizens and prevent illegal migration.”

Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation, Keir Mather, said: “We’ve backed our ports and operators with £10.5 million to help them get ready for the EU’s new Entry/Exit System, ensuring they have the infrastructure and systems in place to manage the changes.

“Our priority is to minimise disruption for travellers and hauliers, particularly at our busiest border crossings. We’ll continue working closely with European partners and local resilience forums to keep traffic flowing and journeys smooth.”

Travellers do not need to take any action before travelling and the process is free. Registration will take place upon arrival at the EU border and may take slightly longer than previous border checks.

Whilst the checks should only take 1-2 minutes for each person, they may lead to longer wait times at border control upon arrival in the Schengen area. At the juxtaposed ports, where registration will be completed in the UK prior to departure, there may be longer waits at busy times. Eurotunnel, Eurostar and the Port of Dover have plans in place to minimise disruption as much as possible.

Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted but under the new EU rules, all travellers, including babies, will be photographed and have digital records created.

The UK Government has rolled out its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which is a digital permission to travel for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays, or do not have another valid UK immigration status prior to travelling to the UK.

IF you haven’t heard, Eurostar has got a massive sale on with one-way tickets for as little as £35 across five destinations.

If you fancy a trip over to France, Belgium or the Netherlands, Sun Travel has got some great ways for you to spend a day in each city from food tours to top bars and more.

Eurostar is offering bargain breaks with seats for just £35 one way to Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Lille and Rotterdam.

If you want to guarantee a seat, act fast as the offer is available from now until January 12, 2026 ending at 22.59pm.

And you must be travelling between January 16, 2026 and March 25, 2026.

So, if you still haven’t decided where to go, here are tips from Sun Travel on what to do in each of the cities.

TAKE OFF

Nine bargain city breaks just over an hour from UK with cheap flights & £1.25 beer

ON HOLS

I holiday 12 times a year – the best destinations per month & and the top freebies

Amsterdam

First up is the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam and Travel Writer Helen Wright revealed how she would spend a day in the city.

She said: “Amsterdam is known for its cycling culture, but if you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, it’s such a walkable city, which is why I love it so much. 

“Start in Runstraat, known as the ‘9 Streets’. As well as picturesque canals and bridges, there are lots of cute boutiques and shops to browse. I could spend all day here just grabbing coffee and nipping in and out of the stores, soaking up the laid-back Ditch vibe. If you want a beer, there are lots of fun pubs too.

“It’s here you will find the viral Fabel Friet chip shop – chucky fries topped with truffle and garlic mayo. There is usually a big queue – thanks to TikTok – and unless you’re desperate to try them, I probably wouldn’t wait. Instead, get an outside table at Screaming Beans coffee across the road and enjoy a delicious brew while people watching.

“My best tip is to nip into Banketbakkerij Het Koekemannetje biscuit shop opposite and pick up a hazelnut-filled cookie to have with your coffee. 
Probably my favourite area is the De Pijp neighborhood.

“It’s very local, with a lot of classic Amsterdam atmosphere. I stay at the Hotel Avani in the Museum Quarter, and it’s a short and easy walk to De Pijp from here.”

Helen continued: “Think quirky bookstores, colourful gardens and lots of traditional Dutch architecture. 

“There are two great restaurants in this area too. Arie, a neighbourhood bistro which has all-day drinking and snacking – a nod to the old-fashioned Amsterdam bar scene from the 40s.

“Just around the corner is Cafe Caron, a much-loved local joint that gets booked quickly and has a great menu and arty interior, ideal for lunch or dinner.

“Finally, I love a cheesy ride on a canal bar boat. The tours lack substance but you can’t beat floating on the water in the sun with an Aperol in-hand.”

Brussels

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey added: “When it comes to breakfast, Brussels has an amazing coffee scene. My favourite is Wide Awake, serving delicious flat whites in pink marbled mugs, alongside huge chocolate and walnut babkas.

“It gets busy, so you might have to take it to go, or squeeze onto a table with the other locals. Everyone’s first place to explore has to be the Grand Place, the UNESCO-listed central square with both Gothic and Baroque buildings lining the outside.

“It’s where you will find both the Christmas light show in winter, as well as the famous Flower carpet in mid-August, taking place every two years. Of course, Belgium is known for two things – chips and waffles.

“So for lunch, the best places to head are Fritland, which only serves cones of chips but with a range of unique sauces. Then head to one of the Maison Dandoy chains for the fluffiest and light waffles (a classic being the Biscoff).

“To walk it all off, one of the coolest places in the city to explore is Rue de Flandre, named one of Time Out’s trendiest neighbourhoods. Here you’ll find photobooths on the street, independent shops and more cafes and restaurants to explore. 

“It’s also a great stop for some of the famous street art littering the city, of which there are hundreds to spot. For dinner, Wolf is a great spot especially if in a group. The indoor food hall has 17 restaurants to choose from, as well as a huge bar in the middle. 

“Choose from everything including Italian and Mexican to Ethiopian and Vietnamese. Stay late into the night, with the €2.90 (£2.51) beers some of the best in town and from the on-site microbrewery.”

Paris

Head of Sun Travel (Digital) Caroline McGuire loves the city, and here’s what she would do in a day. Caroline said: “Paris was the first city (apart from London) that I fell in love with, and in recent years I’d argue that it has got even better.

“My perfect day out would start with a takeaway croissant and coffee
from any number of excellent boulangeries, that I’d enjoy while taking
a stroll through the many antiques shops in the Marais – or if it’s a
Sunday, at the flea market ‘Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen’.

“If you’re travelling back on the Eurostar. it’s easy to fill up an extra bag
with second hand jewellery, clothing and other bric a brac. For lunch, I’d go somewhere like Brasserie Lipp and sit at one of the tables in the window to watch the locals go by, as I dined on old-fashioned Parisian bistro food.

“Then in the afternoon, I’d take a stroll by the Seine, hopefully
picking up a couple of secondhand books in the ‘bouquinistes’ stalls
that operate on the banks, and grabbing a beer at one of the ‘Paris
Plage’ river beaches if it’s the summertime.

“Heading into the evening, I’d head to the 18th arrondissement – a less
touristy area of the city that’s got a hipster feel, starting out with
half a dozen oysters and a glass of white wine for just €14 (£12.13) at
La Trincante, followed by a meal at Pantobaguette – a hip little
eatery that fuses French and Japanese cuisine.

“Across town in the equally hip 11th arrondissement, I’d have pudding
at Folderol, a little store selling only gelato and natural wine,
where locals sip their evening aperitif while lounging on the kerb.

“Then, if I’m still standing, I’d finish the night at Bambino, a chic
cocktail bar where records line the walls and you can enjoy a terrace
view of the Eiffel Tower.”

Travel Reporter Alice Penwill ventured to Paris for an extreme daytrip on the Eurostar – and yes you can do all these things in 12 hours.

Alice said: “To start the morning off right, it would be a crime not to pop into one of Paris’ many bakeries, or boulangeries, for a croissant and a coffee.

“Take one to go and stroll along the Seine before heading into the Musée  d’Orsay where you can see work by artists like Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh.

Alice continued: “Afterwards, head back along the Seine to see the beautiful Notre Dame which will be incredibly busy, but that’s not a surprise. And if you’re a fan of books, pop across to the famous bookshop, Shakespeare And Company.

“A great way to explore Paris’ food scene is on the City Experience’s Ultimate Food Tour. We walked through the Marais neighbourhood, tasting award-winning chocolate, macarons, classic French cheeses and onion soup, all while learning interesting tidbits along the way.

“In the Jewish Quarter tuck into a pastrami sandwich, before heading onto a French-Syrian bakery for sweet treats and to top it off, I sampled two French wines, including delicious Chablis – a perfect way to round off the day.”

Lille

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey said: “Make sure to start your day with the famous Lille waffle, found at Meert. Said to be a favourite of Charles de Gaulle, the oval shaped pastries are classically filled with vanilla cream and great for an on-the-go snack.

“But to get the lay of the land, a unique way to get around is by vintage car, with tour in Convertable Citreon 2CV car. The guides take you around the beautiful buildings and landmarks, while happily answering questions or stopping for photos.

“End the tour at the local-loved lunch spot Babe Lille, where you will find office workers all taking a break here at midday.

“If you manage to grab a seat, settle in with huge glass of wine and the duck and chestnut poutine which will sustain you throughout the day.

“Just outside the city is La Piscine, a former bathhouse which has been turned into an art museum and is well worth a visit. The central Art Deco stained glass window has since been restored, with the walls now lined with sculptures and artwork.

“To end the day, head to Lille’s only rooftop bar Nu for views over the city. Start with the snails (garlicky and rich, and will convert even first-timers) and end with the rich prawn Milanese risotto.”

Rotterdam

Last but not least is the city of Rotterdam, Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding told us more, she said: “When people think of the Eurostar, they don’t immediately think of heading to Rotterdam, but you could be there in as little as three hours and 16 minutes.

“Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and has plenty to explore. In the morning I would start with a walk around Europe‘s largest port, which serves as the ‘Gateway to Europe’.

“Around the port you will find numerous cosy coffee shops, serving great coffee and doughy pastries. Harvest and The Villy are top spots, with a coffee setting you back a few euros.

Cyann continued: “Before lunch make sure to head to the Cube Houses – also known as Kijk-Kubus Museum-house – which costs a few quid to enter. The yellow cube-shaped houses were designed by architect Piet Blom and their main aim is to optimise space on the inside.

“For lunch or dinner, then head to Markthal. This grand building is amazing to experience from inside and out. It was the first covered market in the Netherlands and inside, you will find over 100 different food spots.

“When inside, look at the ceiling – it was creating by artists Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam and has been nicknamed the ‘Sistine Chapel of Rotterdam’.

“Before heading back onto your Eurostar, explore Rotterdam Centraal Station (which is where the Eurostar goes from) which has a modern and futuristic design.”

Here’s more on Eurostar Snow which has trains to six popular resorts across France.

And here’s more on the popular London route that Eurostar could drop popular route next year – despite only launching six years ago.

ANOTHER rival to Eurostar and Virgin has revealed they will be launching new trains between the UK and Europe.

Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS Group) are Italy‘s state-owned railway operator, and previously bid to launch trains from London to Paris.

However, they were beaten by Virgin to become the first rival to Eurostar since it launched back in the 1990s.

Despite this, new plans revealed by The Telegraph has shown that they still plan to run routes between the two European capitals.

Instead of keeping trains at the UK Temple Mills International depot used by Eurostar and soon by Virgin, they will instead build a new £87million facility just outside Paris.

This will allow them to keep 10 Channel Tunnel trains there, without facing problems of capacity in the UK.

RAIL CHAOS

Passengers hit by Eurostar delays and cancellations in 2nd day of rail chaos

RAIL BAD

What are your rights for compensation as Eurostar cancels all trains to Europe

Just one train would need to be in the UK overnight to allow for an early morning departure from London St Pancras.

Being backed by US private equity firm Certares, the new London-Paris routes could launch from 2029.

Despite the UK train depots being at higher capacity, the Channel Tunnel currently runs under 50 per cent of capacity.

And the 2029 launch date would even beat Virgin, who aims to launch new European routes from 2030.

Virgin first announced plans to rivalling Eurostar in January 2025.

The initial direct routes will be to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, which Eurostar currently operates to and from.

However, there are future plans for trains to France, Germany and Switzerland.

Both Ashford International and Ebbsfleet International stations would also get Virgin trains, with both having Eurostar trains until the pandemic.

Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson said: It’s time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route.

“Virgin is no stranger to delivering award-winning rail services, and just as we have successfully challenged incumbents in air, cruise and rail, we’re ready to do it again.

“We’re going to shake-up the cross-Channel route for good and give consumers the choice they deserve.” 

In the mean time, Eurostar recently revealed £1.7billion plans for double decker trains for the first time.

And Eurostar also has future plans for new destinations across Europe including Switzerland, Germany and Italy.

EUROSTAR passengers are braced for a second day of travel carnage after some holidaymakers claimed they were stranded on a train overnight.

Journeys between the UK and France were brought to a halt yesterday as a result of a problem with the overhead power supply in the Channel Tunnel, leaving passengers battling hours of travel chaos.

All trains from London to Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels were cancelled.

The disruption upended New Year’s plans for thousands of passengers during ⁠one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.

Meanwhile, a failed Le Shuttle train in the tunnel caused further disruption to services.

Some Eurostar and LeShuttle services had resumed on Tuesday evening, but delays remained, with only one of the tunnel’s two rail lines open.

And some travellers claimed they spent more than six hours stuck onboard trains overnight as services were hit by more delays.

One man claimed he had boarded the 19:01 service to Paris, but as of 3am UK time he was still stuck on the train at the entrance to the tunnel.

He said staff had told him there was a “50 per cent chance we go to Paris, 50 per cent chance we go back to London”.

“I guess my new year plan is in the hands of the tunnel operators now,” the 27-year-old Parisian told the BBC.

Another passenger described feeling a “rollercoaster of emotions” for hours, not knowing whether the train he was on would be able to continue across the Channel or return to London.

His train eventually made it to Brussels, he said, adding: “Glad to be home, saw many families stranded.”

Passengers have been warned that there will continue to be delays and longer journey times as a result of knock-on effects today.

On Wednesday morning, an update on Eurostar’s website said: “Services have resumed today following a power issue in the Channel Tunnel yesterday and some further issues with rail infrastructure overnight.

“We plan to run all of our services today, however due to knock-on impacts there may still be some delays and possible last-minute cancellations.

“Please check for live updates on the status of your train on the train status and timetables page.”

London’s St Pancras International station was yesterday crammed with waiting passengers near the departure area.

Meanwhile, cars that had hoped to use the Channel Tunnel caused traffic jams near the LeShuttle Terminal in Folkestone.

At least a dozen Eurostar services between the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands had been cancelled by midday on Tuesday.

The rail operator apologised and said passengers could rearrange their plans free of charge or can cancel their booking and get a refund or an e-voucher.

On Tuesday, Eurostar has urged its customers “to rebook their journey for another day if possible, with free exchanges available”.

“We also advise customers not to come to our stations if their trains have been already been cancelled.”

Eurostar services resumed after a power outage in the Channel Tunnel caused all trains heading to mainland Europe to be cancelled

Eurostar travellers have been cautioned that disruption may continue, despite services restarting following a power failure in the Channel Tunnel. Thousands of passengers endured lengthy delays after the rail operator scrapped all London to Europe journeys on Tuesday when an overhead power supply fault and a broken-down LeShuttle train blocked all routes.

Limited services recommenced on the single operational line on Tuesday evening, with Eurostar reporting “further issues with rail infrastructure overnight”. A statement on the Eurostar website read: “We plan to run all of our services today, however due to knock-on impacts there may still be some delays and possible last-minute cancellations.”

The first Wednesday departure from St Pancras to Paris’ Gare du Nord station, timetabled for 6.01am, was axed, though all remaining services appeared as scheduled on the firm’s website. A statement released by Eurostar on Tuesday evening, encouraging passengers to rebook for a different day where possible, read: “Although outside of our control, we apologise for the disruption today and will continue to keep customers updated with the latest information and support them with rescheduling their bookings.”

LeShuttle services were similarly disrupted by the electrical fault. Having warned of six-hour holdups at the Folkestone terminal on Tuesday, the company reported these had reduced to just 30 minutes by Wednesday morning. However, six-hour queues persisted in Calais, with passengers urged to check in at their scheduled times.

The Channel Tunnel carries both Eurostar services and LeShuttle vehicle-carrying trains linking Britain and France. Getlink, which runs the Channel Tunnel, confirmed that “an incident related to the power supply to trains occurred last night in part of the Channel Tunnel, affecting train and shuttle traffic”.

On Tuesday, Eurostar personnel at St Pancras station in central London were spotted distributing water bottles to those waiting behind cordons who were caught up in the disruption. Vehicles attempting to cross the Eurotunnel created tailbacks on routes approaching the Folkestone terminal.

READ MORE: ITV’s Dr Amir Khan inundated with support after woman saved in restaurantREAD MORE: Single parking space in swanky London neighbourhood could be yours…for almost £300,000

LeShuttle traveller Tim Brown revealed he had been stranded in his vehicle on the train at the Calais terminal for over three hours with “no access to food or water”.

Mr Brown, who was attempting to return to Britain after celebrating Christmas in Germany, was journeying with his dogs Rilo and Vinnie who he said are “hating life” trapped on the train.

“The fact that nobody has come around offering everybody a bottle of water is what has shocked me the most,” he said. “I know things happen, but surely that would be an easy way to help.”

People are being warned to expect disruption

British travellers heading to France have been handed an urgent alert following major disruption. The warning comes after Eurostar axed all its London-to-Europe departures for the day due to a power cut that forced the Channel Tunnel to shut down.

A broken-down LeShuttle train has now been removed from the Channel Tunnel. The firm confirmed that no passengers were left stranded inside following the power outage that led to the closure.

All Eurostar services from London to the continent were scrapped for the day. LeShuttle journeys through the Channel Tunnel are “expected to resume gradually” following the earlier electrical supply problem, according to the tunnel’s operator.

The Foreign Office has now updated its guidance in response to the disruption.

READ MORE: Single parking space in swanky London neighbourhood could be yours…for almost £300,000READ MORE: ‘I used ChatGPT to fight parking ticket – company ended up paying me £462’

Its Foreign Travel Advice states: “Eurostar services to and from Belgium, France and the Netherlands are experiencing severe delays and last-minute cancellations. Eurotunnel LeShuttle services between UK and France are also disrupted. Travellers should expect disruption and check the latest service updates with operators.”

Getlink, the company responsible for managing and running the tunnel, released a statement saying: “An incident related to the power supply to trains occurred last night in part of the Channel Tunnel, affecting train and shuttle traffic. A technical intervention is required, which is currently underway.

“The service is temporarily suspended in both directions. Traffic is expected to resume gradually around 1500 CET for LeShuttle customers.

“Our teams are working to restore the situation as quickly as possible. Waiting times will be adjusted throughout the day.

“Eurotunnel apologises for the inconvenience and thanks its customers for their patience and understanding.”

EUROSTAR passengers have been left stranded for hours due to a power supply fault with holidaymakers urged not to travel.

Journeys between the UK and France are cancelled or seriously delayed as a result of the problem with the overhead power supply in the Channel Tunnel.

Eurostar said it strongly advised all its passengers to postpone their journey to a different date.

The high-speed train operator warned passengers to expect severe delays and last-minute cancellations due to the power supply problem.

London’s St Pancras International station is crammed with waiting passengers near the departure area as they wait for updates.

Disgruntled passengers took to social media to vent their frustrations.

One traveller even claimed they were “stranded on the Eurostar for four hours”.

Another called the delays “absolutely ridiculous” after being stuck on a train for five hours.

He was travelling to Brussels but is now back in London, which he said “ruined new years plans”.

Others reported several trains stuck in the tunnel itself.

Some are stuck in lines of traffic waiting to board Eurostar, with one posting on X: “Going nowhere. Power failure apparently. One way to end the year!”

Eurostar said in a statement on its website: “Due to a problem with the overhead power supply in the Channel Tunnel and a subsequent failed Le Shuttle train, we strongly advise all our passengers to postpone their journey to a different date.

“Please don’t come to the station unless you already have a ticket to travel.

“We regret that trains that can run are subject to severe delays and last-minute cancellations.

“Please check for live updates on the status of your train on the train status and timetables page.”

Delays are being reported on both LeShuttle terminals – that’s the service that takes road vehicles on trains across the Channel.

On the UK side, there is a delay of around three-and-a-half hours to the booked time.

Meanwhile, at the terminal in France, the delay is currently around two hours.

National Rail is also advising passengers to reschedule their journeys.

It says the on-going power issue is very likely to lead to severe delays and last-minute cancellations between London St Pancras International and Paris.

“There is a problem with the overhead power supply in the Channel Tunnel,” National Rail say.

“Trains are likely to be subject to severe delays and last-minute cancellations.

“Check before you travel as your journey could be disrupted. We strongly advise all passengers to postpone their journey to a different date.”