Eurostar

The announcement late last year that the iconic train company would start running double-decker trains across its network from 2031 was big news for those of us who love the towering carriages found in Italy, France and Spain

Eurostar’s new-look trains will feature two-storey bars, maximizing passenger capacity and Continental drinking opportunities.

The announcement late last year that the iconic train company would start running double-decker trains across its network from 2031 was big news for those of us who love the towering carriages found in Italy, France and Spain, but never in the UK. The height of UK tunnels means we’re stuck trundling around on lower-capacity, single-storey trains.

Except that is on the high-speed line from London to mainland Europe, which is perfectly capable of taking taller trains, a la France’s TGV Duplex, Switzerland’s SBB IR Dosto and Germany’s DB IC2.

Eurostar’s double-decker announcement last year was exciting enough, but now the Belgium-headquartered firm has announced that its new Celestia trains will feature two-storey bars as its “star attraction”. A Eurostar spokesperson told Euronews Travel: “The name Celestia means ‘heavenly’, reflecting the idea behind the double-decker bar: to create a travel experience beyond the ordinary.”

Eurostar has ordered 30 Celestia trains, with the first scheduled to begin service in May 2031. As well as sporting the bar, the classic blue, grey, and yellow livery that high-speed train fans have become used to seeing whizzing through the countryside will be replaced by a new, more understated grey and green. Their capacity will also be increased.

A Eurostar spokesperson explained: “Eurostar Celestia will have a bespoke design to capture the unique, premium experience Eurostar passengers expect. It is expected that each 200-metre set will have around 540 seats. If running in 400m formation (as through the channel tunnel today), there would be around 1,080 seats per service, a 20% increase from today.

“The first trains are due to join the fleet in January 2031, with commercial services launching in May 2031. Six new trains will be operational at that time, marking the beginning of a new era for travel on board Eurostar Celestia. Once delivered, the new trains will operate alongside the current fleet of 17 e320s, bringing the total fleet to 67 trains – a 30% uplift overall versus today.”

The train company has pledged that the new trains will offer 20 to 50% energy savings compared to the current fleet.

Eurostar is upping its game ahead of the arrival of a potential competitor on the rails. In August, Virgin was granted track access by the Office of Rail and Road, having announced plans to run a rival rail service to Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel. The access will allow Virgin to run up to 20 daily return services between London and Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam, with the agreement running from 1 October 2030 to 31 December 2040.

Eurostar has held a monopoly on passenger services since the tunnel opened in 1994. Before Virgin can join it on the tracks, it needs to secure rolling stock for the services and get safety approval from UK and EU authorities. The ORR approval only covers the HS1 route from London St Pancras to the Channel Tunnel, and not on rail networks in mainland Europe.

TRAVELLERS will soon be able to have a freshly made cocktail on Eurostar trains in a two-floor bar.

Eurostar boss Gwendoline Cazenave has revealed that the new Eurostar Celestia will have a double-decker bar on board.

Speaking to The Times, she revealed that the cocktail bar in Eurostar’s Premier lounge at St Pancras, London, will be “the design of the bar on the new Eurostar Celestia”.

Celestia is the fleet of 50 double-decker trains ordered last year for €2 billion (£1.7 billion).

Inside the lounge, mixologists make more than 300 cocktails a day and visitors can expect to find a variety of seating options from large tables to cosy chairs as well as a large selection of complimentary magazines.

Eurostar Premier travellers, Carte Blanche and Étoile members can access the lounge up to two hours before their train’s departure.

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Deliveries of Celestia will begin in 2031 and each train will be able to carry 20 per cent more passengers.

As a result, for the first time there will be more than 1,000 passengers onboard.

The trains will transport passengers from London to Frankfurt, Germany, four times a day and Geneva, Switzerland, three times a day.

Cazenave said: “Because it’s going to be a double-decker, it’s going to be a double-decker bar.

“It’s going to be as exciting as a speakeasy bar. That’s what we’re building, and I hope it’s going to be as nice as this place.”

Eurostar is also launching services to Antwerp from London four times a day from December 14.

The announcement comes as Virgin Trains prepares to launch services from London to Europe by 2030.

Italian firm Trenitalia has also promised high-speed cross-channel services by 2029.

EUROSTAR is set to slash the price of tickets to as low as £35 – with five destinations included in the epic sale.

The iconic train service connects London directly to countries such as France, Belgium and The Netherlands and travellers will soon be able to secure bargain trips.

Providing an easier alternative to flying, the railway to Europe can whisk Brits to Paris in just over two hours and to Amsterdam in under four.

And as part of a major flash sale, passengers will be able to snag Eurostar tickets for as little as £35 to the two popular destinations – along with Lille, Rotterdam and Brussels.

The discounts, which went live on the Eurostar website on September 9, will be bookable until September 14 at 10:59pm.

The one way standard class tickets can be snapped up for rides on specific travel dates between September 23 and December 18.

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The eligible travel timeframe means the discounts are perfect for planning a bargain trip over this year’s October half term break or a Christmas treat.

The autumn school holiday is set to begin around the second to last weekend of October, running through to the first weekend of November, providing the perfect slot for those with kids to book a discounted Euro getaway.

However, some dates within this window are subject to a “blackout”, during which discounted tickets aren’t up for grabs.

There are also some dates that travellers are unable to book, as Eurostar services are set to be halted for engineering works.

Unavailable dates include September 25, October 2, October 9 and November 1 for trains from St Pancras to Paris.

Meanwhile blackout dates for trains from Paris to London include September 27, October 5, October 25 and November 1.

Sharing news of the £35 sale online, Eurostar confirmed that a discount code isn’t needed to benefit from the price reductions.

The low prices are already live on eligible journeys and dates – so all you have to do is add the tickets to your basket.

“Down in the dumps at your desk? Grab a second helping of holiday with adult tickets for just £35 one way. Travel for less in Eurostar Standard to Paris, Lille, Brussels, Amsterdam direct, or Rotterdam direct,” the Eurostar website says.

“You don’t need a Eurostar promo code. Simply book to travel in Eurostar Standard from London between 23 September and 16 December 2026. But you’ll have to be quick – our sale ends on 14 September at 22:59.”

While Eurostar run similar flash sales throughout the year, the company has confirmed that a Black Friday sale won’t take place.

So now is the time to strike if you’re after cheap tickets for a December city break.

THE Netherlands has ground to a halt today due to a staff strike – and it is affecting public transport across the country.

It has also impacted Eurostar routes with all trains to two popular cities completely cancelled today.

The strike is being held by the country’s largest trade union for staff who operate public transport – the walkouts started at 2am and will end at 2am tomorrow.

As a result, Eurostar has been forced to cancel its routes to Amsterdam and Rotterdam – of which there are usually around 25.

Around 25 direct and indirect routes usually go to Amsterdam and Rotterdam from St Pancras, but none are running today.

On its website, Eurostar said: “There will be a national public transport strike on Wednesday 09 September 2026 in the Netherlands.

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“No national or international trains will be able to run on the Dutch network on that day. There will also be some disruption on the evening of Tuesday 08 September and the morning of Thursday 10 September.

“If you’re due to travel with Eurostar, you can check whether your journey is affected by the strike on our live train info page. We’ve also contacted all affected passengers whose contact details we have. If you have a connecting journey, please get in touch with the relevant train company for more information.

“We know how important your travel plans are and we’re sorry for the disruption this strike will cause.

“If your Eurostar train can no longer serve your departure and/or arrival station, you can choose one of the following options:

• Exchange your booking for free to travel in the same travel class at a different time or date. It only takes a minute to rearrange your trip.

• Cancel your booking and claim an e-voucher. You will have 12 months from the date of your disrupted journey to redeem it on eurostar.com.

• Cancel your booking and get a refund. You’ll receive a refund for the value of your ticket but not for any booking or exchange fees. We’ll process your request within 28 days.

“You have three months from the date you were due to travel to claim your preferred option.

“Thank you for your patience and understanding. We apologise again for the disruption to your journey.”

Due to the early hours of the strike ending, services on Thursday morning could be affected too with several Eurostar journeys in showing as ‘Not available’.

In Amsterdam, metros, trams, buses and ferry services have been suspended.

In Rotterdam, the metros, trams, buses are suspended as well, and in The Hague, trams and buses are not running.

A Eurostar spokesperson told Sun Travel: “Following the national public transport strike on Wednesday 9 September 2026 from 2AM until the 10^th of September at 2AM in the Netherlands, no Eurostar trains will be able to run on the Dutch network on Wednesday.

“Affected passengers have been notified and can obtain a reimbursement or change their tickets free of charge. We apologise for the inconvenience.

“Trains on the other Eurostar routes are running normally.”

AROUND 25 EUROSTAR journeys to and from two popular cities have been cancelled tomorrow due to a nationwide strike.

Industrial action across the Netherlands means there will be no public transport in destinations like Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Tomorrow there will be no services on trains, buses, trams or metros across the Netherlands – including Eurostar services.

The strike is being held by the country’s largest trade union for staff who operate public transport with the walkouts scheduled for 2am on Wednesday and 2am on Thursday.

According to next Wednesday’s Eurostar schedule there are usually five direct services to Amsterdam from St Pancras each day and nine indirect routes with Eurostar.

As for return trains there are usually five direct routes and six indirect back to London.

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When it comes to Rotterdam there are usually five direct services and eight indirect routes scheduled mid-week.

Returning to London are five direct routes and six indirect.

But none of these will be running tomorrow due to the strike action.

Due to the early hours of the strike ending, services on Thursday morning could be affected too with several Eurostar journeys in showing as ‘Not available’.

On its website, Eurostar said: “No national or international trains will be able to run on the Dutch network on that day.

“There will also be some disruption on the evening of Tuesday September 8 and the morning of Thursday September 10.”

It continued: “If you’re due to travel with Eurostar, you can check whether your journey is affected by the strike on our live train info page.”

“We’ve also contacted all affected passengers whose contact details we have.

“If you have a connecting journey, please get in touch with the relevant train company for more information.

“We know how important your travel plans are and we’re sorry for the disruption this strike will cause.”

The operator added that if your Eurostar train is no longer running, you can either change your booking for free, cancel your booking and get an e-voucher or cancel your booking and get a full refund.

In Amsterdam, metros, trams, buses and ferry services will all be suspended.

In Rotterdam, the metros, trams, buses will be suspended as well, and in The Hague, trams and buses will not be running.

A Eurostar spokesperson told Sun Travel: “Following the national public transport strike on Wednesday 9 September 2026 from 2AM until the 10^th of September at 2AM in the Netherlands, no Eurostar trains will be able to run on the Dutch network on Wednesday.

“Affected passengers have been notified and can obtain a reimbursement or change their tickets free of charge. We apologise for the inconvenience.

“Trains on the other Eurostar routes are running normally.”

Thinking of heading to Europe’s Christmas markets this year? Here are some destinations you can reach directly on Eurostar, making them ideal for a day trip or a quick overnight break

A European Christmas market is an amazing way to get into the festive spirit. The historic city backdrops, authentic food and drink, and unique gifts all make it a must-do in the run up to Christmas.

Eurostar can be a good alternative to flying for short breaks, as it allows you to get to the heart of the city for a day trip or quick overnight stay, without the hassle of the airport. (Although do factor in the logistics of getting to London from where the trains depart).

If you’re already starting to count down the days until Christmas, we’ve got you covered with some of the top markets you can reach by Eurostar this winter…

1. Lille Christmas Market

Lille is Eurostar’s shortest route from London at around 90 minutes, so it’s ideal for a Christmas market day trip. Lille Christmas Market takes place on Place Rihour, just a 15-minute walk from the Eurostart terminal, making it an easy location to get to.

The event runs from November 19 to December 30, and is open seven days a week with Fridays and Saturdays seeing the event stay open until 10pm. In the square you’ll find a huge Ferris wheel covered in lights and around 90 wooden chalets selling food, drink, and crafty items. It’s relatively small compared to some of Europe’s other giant markets, but Lille’s red-brick Flemish architecture and cobbled streets make the whole city perfect for a Christmas break.

2. Paris – La Défense Christmas Market

Paris has a few festive markets around the city, and La Défense Christmas Market is the largest, running daily from mid-November until early-January, with exact dates not confirmed yet for 2026.

Running on La Défense Esplanade, it includes an ice skating rink, carnival rides, and hundreds of stalls selling mulled wine, tartiflette, and raclette. However, it’s worth noting that the market can get incredibly busy as it’s in a Paris business district, so you may want to visit during off-peak times.

Another option is the Tuileries Garden Market, set in a park between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, a sprawling market which takes up about half a mile of space. It runs for about six weeks from mid-November, again no dates are confirmed yet, and features 80 wooden chalets, a Ferris wheel, and lots of festive activities in this lively space.

3. Brussels – Winter Wonders

Brussels has a compact city centre that makes it ideal for a short break, and from the Eurostar station you can take a quick 10 minute journey to get to Winter Wonders. Taking up several streets in the Belgian capital, this sprawling Christmas market runs from November 27 to January 3 and features over 200 stalls.

At the heart of the market, in the beautiful Baroque Grand-Place, you’ll find the giant Christmas tree and a sound and light show. The market also has an ice rink and Ferris wheel, and closes daily at 10pm, so you can enjoy the festive atmosphere when the sun goes down and the Christmas lights turn on.

4. Antwerp Christmas Market

Eurostar launches a new direct service to Antwerp on December 14, and this city full of unique architecture, from ornate medieval buildings to quirky art nouveau structures, is the ideal backdrop to enjoy a Christmas market.

In the centre you’ll find the Grote Markt and Handschoenmarkt full of handmade crafts, local treats like Antwerp’s hand-shaped biscuits, a huge ice rink and plenty of festive bars. An adjacent street is turned into a giant light tunnel, perfect for exploring after dark, and the market is open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays for festive night owls.

5. Amsterdam Christmas Market and Village

Amsterdam, Eurostar’s longest direct route from London, has multiple Christmas markets and events, but perhaps its best-known takes place in Museumplein, the city’s largest square. This area, popular with tourists thanks to its several attractions such as the Van Gogh Museum, is transformed into a Christmas village complete with live entertainment, 45 festive stalls, and a roaming acappella choir.

But if you prefer something a little less traditional, visit the Funky Xmas Market on December 20 in Westerpark. The event brings together the work of artists and creatives from across this colourful city, with lots of unique and quirky ideas for loved ones who are difficult to buy for.

6. Rotterdam – Scandinavian Christmas markets

Enjoy the ultimate hygge atmosphere at one of Rotterdam’s Scandinavian Christmas markets, which are held in traditional Seamen’s Churches across the city. Rotterdam has always had close ties to Scandinavia thanks to its large harbour, so you can enjoy the Scandi-vibes at traditional Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish markets, which are mostly held during November.

If you’re visiting in December, then Deliplein Winterplein is a two-week community festival where the Katendrecht neighborhood is turned into a winter wonderland. It kicks off with a parade and tree lighting, and includes lots of live music events, visits from Santa, and creative workshops. It’s a more community-focused alternative to the usual touristy Christmas markets.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

WE all know to take good care of your passport, but what happens if someone steals it?

One couple missed out on their holiday and lost thousands of pounds when their passport was stolen at a busy train station.

Talking to The Telegraph, Reverend Bruce Johnson and Sarah Johnson said they had their passports stolen in London St Pancras.

The couple were heading to Amsterdam when they discovered their travel bag with their documents had been nabbed.

Usually, Brits can opt for a premium one-day service for passport renewals if there is a problem with their documents, for example if it is damaged.

But, this service cannot be used when a passport is lost or stolen.

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In this case, it requires extra checks from the “Lost, Stolen and Recovered” team at HM Passport Office.

The quickest option for anyone with a stolen passport is the one-week Fast Track service.

As the couple were heading on their holiday on the same day, their plans were completely ruined.

Rev Bruce Johnson told the publication: “After speaking to the Home Office plus the Dutch embassy, they wouldn’t accept our other forms of ID, such as driving licences.

“So we had to go home – and lost the whole holiday.”

Eurostar refunded the couple’s tickets, but the loss of everything else from accommodation to train and taxi fares and replacement passports has cost them £2,219.

The couple’s travel insurance policy did not cover passport theft either.

Having a passport stolen is not uncommon – the Passport Office reported that almost 370,000 passports were reported as lost or stolen in the UK in 2025 by November.

This is 62 per cent more than all of 2024.

Advice on the GOV.UK website reads: “You must cancel a lost or stolen passport as soon as possible.

“This will reduce the risk of anyone else using your passport or your identity. You can report a lost or stolen passport for someone else if they cannot do it themselves.”

Advice from the Post Office reveals that if your passport has been stolen, you won’t be able to get a replacement quickly.

It says: “You usually can’t use the one-day Premium Service to replace a lost or stolen passport. This is only for renewing an existing adult passport, where you still have your old one.

“In rare cases, such as a serious illness or bereavement, you may be able to get urgent help. If this applies to you, you’ll need to contact HM Passport Office directly to discuss your situation.

“If you need a replacement quickly, the 1 week Fast Track service is usually the fastest option.”

For the one-week fast track, the earliest time you can get an appointment is the day after you apply.

The new passport is delivered by courier a week afterwards.

This costs £192 for an adult passport and £156.50 for a child passport.

If you want to find out more about other passport rules, head here.