To celebrate his graduation as a therapist and before starting his new career, Oscar from Denver in Colorado decided to take a vacation and travel to London on his own. Oscar and I have known each other for two years, but we never actually met in person. Until in June 2024. His vacation presented an opportunity to finally meet, so I booked a day trip on the Eurostar from Brussels to London and show him the essentials of the capital of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 

This is not a review in the strict sense of the term. Danny and I have used the Eurostar in Standard Premier many times before and besides a gradual decline in the offering which seems to have stopped for the time being, nothing has really changed. 

Before 4 November 2024, Eurostar offers three classes: Standard, Standard Premier and Business Premier. After 4 November 2024, this becomes Eurostar Standard, Eurostar Plus, or Eurostar Premier. We’ll have to check if something in the offering changes then or not. 

I took the first Eurostar in the morning from Brussels-South (Midi, Zuid) to London St. Pancras International, scheduled at 7.56 AM and the last Eurostar home scheduled at 7:34 PM. 

The journey to London

The first train of the day was a Eurostar e320 built by Siemens Mobility, which calls the EMU Velaro. The Standard Premier Seats are comfortable, have some recline, a USB A port, a power outlet – either continental European or UK type – and if you sit in a solo seat, you’re very comfortable.

Breakfast is served until 10.15 AM and is not copious, but you’ll be fine. It features: cantaloupe melon and watermelon salad, organic strawberry yoghurt, fair trade banana bread, tea or coffee, a bottle of water and juice. 

All was fine. We had a delay of 15 to 20 minutes because passport control took longer than expected. 

The journey back to Belgium

My return train was an older one, a Eurostar e300, also known as a British Rail Class 373 or TGV TMST. These were built by GEC Alstom and Brugeoise et Nivelles in de 1990s. They were refurbished recently.

The seats are similar and feature again some recline, a UK or continental power outlet and a USB A port.

Unfortunately this time I did not sit in a solo seat, but opposite someone I don’t know at a table. This meant less leg room. Also, both our seats’ power outlets did not work. The lack of leg room was pretty annoying, as I had been standing for so long. More on that later. 

My light, cold meal consisted of Suffolk chicken with sundried tomato and basil, orzo pasta salad with Mediterranean vegetables, lemon and thyme crème fraîche. The dessert was a Belgian chocolate and biscuit triffin with strawberry compote. 

I also received a small bottle of water, an apple juice (I avoided alcohol on that hot day) and tea or coffee. 

The refurbishment of the old Eurostar EMUs turned out okay, but the old seats were more comfortable. 

The issue: capacity

There is a big issue with travelling to England by train. Actually there are two. There’s only one tunnel, and the Channel Terminal at St. Pancras is cramped. 

As there is only one tunnel under the Channel, any issues will cause delays. The tunnel is a funnel. Three companies want to offer competition: Evolyn from Spain, Virgin Group from Britain and Heuro from the Netherlands. They promise lower fairs. 

I suppose the Channel Tunnel can handle more trains through its bowels, but can the Channel Terminal in St. Pancras cope? That space is tiny.

In June 2024, passengers for three trains were pushed together in the waiting area. Two to Paris and one to Brussels. All of them had delays so all seats were taken and I had to stand for some two hours. Quite unpleasant after a day of 32,000 steps in London. 

The issue is less an issue in Paris-North and in Brussels, as they only host passengers to one destination: London. But London hosts passengers to Paris, Brussels and when Amsterdam Central is open, to Amsterdam. 

I don’t want to imagine even more passengers inside. I also don’t think St. Pancras International can increase its hosting capacity, as Brussels is doing. 

The UK is not and has never been part of the Shengen Area so there are border checks. And there’s airport style security. 

Being early and getting delayed

Eurostar asks to be 45 to 60 minutes before departure in Brussels. If you turn up less than 30 minutes before departure, you will be refused to board. I was there at 6 AM and that was too early. The terminal wasn’t open yet. Next time I’ll take a train later from Antwerp to Brussels.

In London, passengers are asked to 60 to 90 minutes before departure. I was. Again I was too early. 

My return train left St. Pancras with 40 minutes delay. On the journey, we were delayed even more due to another Eurostar hitting a deer. I had to run for my last train to Antwerp. I made it, just. I will definitely avoid the last Eurostar next time. Too stressful. 

Taxi

New at Eurostar is you get a QR code to scan. If you don’t make it to a last connecting train, you can book a taxi via this online application. The taxi will be paid for by Eurostar.

But I do wonder if I was eligible as my ticket was to Brussels and not to ‘Any Belgian Station‘. 

So?

It wasn’t a straightforward journey. To avoid this, I will avoid booking the last train. Although that’s no guarantee.