Eurostar

61103TRA

Transportation

Coach transfer to Eurostar Terminal (departure)

Eurostar

Coach transfer from Eurostar Terminal (arrival)

In each case, the international Terminal shares the Station with national services but these are kept separate.

Procedures for travel, whether London-Paris or Paris-London are similar.

The tickets for Eurostar should be in your TM Packet at the beginning of your trip or, if arriving into London or Paris ahead of your scheduled Eurostar journey and as part of an ongoing trip, at your hotel in that City. If you do not have your tickets or not enough tickets, contact the appropriate Area Office immediately.

Check your tickets for the time of your Eurostar service. This will be stated in LOCAL time and will also be identified by a 4-digit train number.

YOU SHOULD BE AT THE EUROSTAR DEPARTURE TERMINAL 90 minutes BEFORE THE SCHEDULED DEPARTURE TIME.

this allows time for – check-in

– International Border Controls

– Security Screening of luggage and passengers

NOTE: Terminals can be busy and bottle-necks can occur at Border Controls and Security Screening. While Brexit has made this process longer, 90 mins should still be sufficient.

Your coach transfer will have been booked to allow enough time both for travel to the Terminal and for check-in (i.e. approx 1hr ahead of scheduled departure time). The time of your Eurostar service will be included in the booking information for your coach transfer. IF THERE IS ANY DISCREPANCY IN TIMES, CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE AREA OFFICE/DUTY OFFICER IMMEDIATELY.

PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED AT CHECK-IN

Use your coach journey to the departure Terminal to explain the check-in and boarding procedure to the group. This will help you manage the group through these. You can also introduce Eurostar and the Channel Tunnel to them – most groups are excited at the prospect of travelling both by high-speed rail and through the Tunnel.

THE BASICS:

Journey time London-Paris/Paris-London is around 2 hours 15 mins

NOTE: Some services stop at Ashford and/or Ebbsfleet en route. (You can check on the Terminal’s Departure Information Board if this applies to your journey). This adds approx 10mins to the journey time (20 mins if both).

REMEMBER: your journey will be Terminal to Terminal. Remind group of this and that no one should leave the train until the destination Terminal!

Journey time London-Channel Tunnel = approx 45 mins; Paris-Channel Tunnel = approx 1hr 10 mins.

Journey time in the Channel Tunnel = approx 20 mins.

As entry to the Channel Tunnel approaches, yellow safety doors between the Eurostar carriages will close automatically.

Eurostar is bi-lingual (normally, the first language spoken in on-board announcements will be that of the departing Country). EUR and GBP accepted on board.

Toilets are available at the end of each carriage. There is a café-bar facility on board for passengers. Passengers can move freely along the train at all times, even when the yellow safety doors (see above) are closed.

TIME CHANGE! Departure and Arrival times stated on tickets and in announcements will be in LOCAL time.

London to Paris: Clocks +1hr after exiting Channel Tunnel

Paris to London: Clocks -1hr after exiting Channel Tunnel

Immigration and Border Controls

These take place at the DEPARTURE Terminal. Passengers should have their Passports to hand as they begin check-in.

LONDON: UK and French Border control

PARIS: French and UK Border control

In PARIS groups no longer need fill in Immigration forms for the UK.

Normally, there are NO arrival controls

Luggage

Passengers carry their own luggage at all times, whether large or small!

Porterage is not included

Security screening of luggage takes place as part of the check-in procedures. Passengers lift their own luggage on/off luggage scanners before walking through body scanners.

On-board stowage:

Luggage space can be limited, particularly if you have a large group and/or your Eurostar service is busy. You need to be organized to ensure luggage is stowed correctly.

Small and medium-sized bags to be stowed in the luggage racks above passengers seats

Large bags should be stowed in the luggage racks at each carriage entrance.

Eurostar does NOT, as a rule, operate Group procedures for luggage. However, it can be worthwhile asking at check-in (PARIS: and/or at the appropriate boarding door in Departure Lounge), particularly if you have a large group, a lot of large luggage or your Eurostar service is particularly busy.

You may be permitted to begin boarding ahead of general boarding (e.g. 5-10 mins), giving you a head start on grabbing the luggage space for yourself! In any case, ask staff for platform no. in advance.

Eurostar may rarely direct you to stow baggage in either the freight compartment or in a carriage with more extensive luggage racks.

Even though Pax carry their own bags, they should be advised that it will not be easy/possible to access them during the journey (and not until check-in later at hotel). They should have everything they require for the day in their day bag. Sometimes you will be going straight to City Sightseeing.

TIP: Suggested luggage procedure: explain the above to the Group. Ask them to work with you to ensure luggage is stowed correctly. They will need to recognize whether they have a LARGE or SMALL bag. (TM can help with this by identifying this with group at some suitable time before boarding commences)

Recruit 2 or 3 helpers to help you stow bags

Pax pass large bags to helper on platform and then to on-board helper who, with TM can stow large bags in available luggage racks.

Once bags are stowed, Pax can enter carriage, find seats and stow small/med bags in racks above heads.

NOTE: Do not be shy to (politely) ask other passengers who may be trying to board around you, to be patient whilst you board your group or even to stow their smaller bags above their seats to allow you more space for large bags.

Ticketing

Your tickets will indicate:

departure and arrival times of your Eurostar journey (in local time). The service will also be identified by a 4-digit train number. This information will appear on the Departure Information Board at the Departure Terminal and also on each carriage display on the Eurostar service itself (both act as a cross-reference for you once at the departure Terminal).

the carriage number and seat numbers for the group.

Usually, the group will have seating in the same carriage. Seat numbers may not be consecutive subject to the configuration of seating on-board (not all numbers in any run exist as seats) and the reservations we have obtained.

If your group is split between several carriages, put a teacher in charge of each small group.

Once on-board, Pax are required to sit in the appropriate reserved seating.

TIP: To help with smooth boarding, tell group to sit in their assigned seat as stated on their given ticket. Once all passengers are boarded and settled, they can move around/switch seats to sit with their friends. There will be chaos if they try and rearrange themselves whilst everyone is trying to board and stow luggage!

Do not distribute tickets to the group until arrival at the departure Terminal (see below) – also removes risk of them being lost!

NOTE: if there is any problem with your Eurostar service (e.g. substantial delay) you should, if possible, collect the group’s tickets and return them to the London Office at the end of your trip to allow London to follow this up with Eurostar.

Food

Your trip itinerary on the day of your Eurostar journey will suggest when/where/how best to manage this.

The on-board café-bar generally sells a range of sandwiches and other snacks (e.g. crocque monsieur) as well as drinks, at reasonable prices. If your Eurostar journey takes place through lunchtime and/or if Pax have not been able to purchase snacks in advance, this is normally a reliable source of food. They can run out on board so advance purchase is always a safer option.

DO NOT ALLOW GROUP TO DISPERSE IN THE PUBLIC CONCOURSE AREA OF THE TERMINAL to buy snacks – high risk of losing someone! Do not rely on there being time for Pax to disperse and purchase snacks within the Eurostar Departure lounge – you never know how long check-in will take.

No time for photos at platform 9 ¾ !!! It is not in the same building

TERMINAL INFORMATION

London – St. Pancras International

Paris – Gare du Nord

BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS!!!!

There is a risk of pickpockets and gypsies asking “do you speak English?” with clipboards for fake surveys (then asking for money) on the concourse area (and also, particularly, in front of the station). Make group aware – there should be no danger per se, simply the ‘hassle factor’. As the concourse areas are patrolled by Police and Security, the risk has diminished in recent times and is thus better for ‘holding’ the group than outside! Be extra careful when disembarking the bus – these areas are not patrolled and items can be left briefly unattended.

DEPARTURE

General Procedure:

On arrival at the Departure Terminal, unload and check the coach. Tip the coach driver (see Tipping Guide). Lead the group into the Terminal. Gather the group in an area ahead of the check-in turnstiles, where there is space, to make any last pre-check-in checks with the group.

Check-in ► Border Controls ► Security Screening of luggage and passengers ► wait in Departure Lounge. (the order of these varies slightly between London and Paris – see below)

Boarding of your Eurostar service will commence 20 mins ahead of scheduled departure time. Lead group to carriage. Stow luggage and board group.

Enjoy the journey!

On arrival at the Terminal, double-check the Departure Information Boards for your scheduled service.

NOTE: Very occasionally there can be late changes to timings which will not have been notified to us in advance – you will need to act accordingly

It is important that the group stay together throughout check-in and boarding. No one should wander off unless you have given them permission – helps you ensure no one is left behind! Ask a Teacher to assist you by bringing up the rear. Any luggage helpers should be at the front of the group, with you.

Check-in

Check-in is straightforward (validation of ticket by turnstile) – simply feed ticket into the turnstile, retrieve when validated and walk through. This process requires everyone to be in possession of their own ticket.

Group procedure: Eurostar will often assist groups with check-in by validating the group’s tickets en masse; returning them to you and then directing you through an individual turnstile.

Do not distribute tickets to group before arrival at Terminal, as a result

On arrival at the check-in area, identify yourself and the fact that you have a group travelling to a member of Eurostar staff. If they want to follow a group procedure, hand the tickets over and await their return. Distribute tickets to group. Follow Eurostar staff direction.

If no group procedure for your journey, distribute tickets to group

It is worthwhile asking whether Eurostar can assist you with luggage procedures at Boarding (see Luggage above), if you feel it necessary.

Ensure everyone has Passport and ticket to hand

Before leading group through check-in, explain that the first of the group through should gather in a suitable area once in the Departure Lounge, where everyone should then gather together. Obviously, choose a spot where they are not going to obstruct other passengers!

LONDON ST. PANCRAS PARIS GARE DU NORD

Bottle-necks can occur at Border Controls and Security Screening. Particularly if busy, do not under-estimate the time it can take to progress through these.

PARIS: UK Border Control – to ease passage of group, it can help to explain to UK Officials that you have a group travelling, the nature of the group (nationality, school), their trip, destination in UK. Take the lead from UK Border Control Officials and be prepared to stand near the ‘yellow line’ identifying the group to them.

Departure Lounge

Gather the group together in one area – try to choose an area near to your allocated Boarding gate.

Check which is your Boarding Gate– these are allocated by carriage number (different ends of the train are allocated different boarding gates)

Check the Platform number for your service – it is normally obvious once on the platform! But there can be multiple services at the platforms.

If you are being allowed advanced boarding by Eurostar, ensure you have the group ready and waiting at the appropriate Boarding Gate and ahead of time. (If you’re not there, you will lose your opportunity!). Announce yourself and the group to Eurostar staff manning the boarding gate.

NOTE: If check-in staff have not been able to assist you with this, it is worthwhile asking Eurostar staff at LONDON: Information Desk

PARIS: Boarding Gate

They may still be able to assist.

Judge for yourself whether there is time to allow the group the opportunity to buy any snacks, magazines, use toilets. IMPRESS ON THEM THAT THEY MUST RETURN TO YOU BY THE TIME YOU REQUIRE (make this 10 mins ahead of the time you need them there!). You cannot begin to board until they are back! Bags should not be left unattended. Ask the teachers to help you monitor this.

Boarding

Commences 20 mins ahead of scheduled departure time. Will be announced.

There will be a mad stampede for and through the Boarding Gates! Be ready for it!!

Passengers are not usually required to show their tickets at the Boarding Gate but ensure all Pax have them to hand. (Passports not required)

Depending on the allocated carriage for your seating (particularly towards the front e.g. usually London: high numbers; Paris: low numbers), you could have a LONG walk! Your aim is to get your group to the appropriate carriage, luggage stowed (and hopefully before too many other passengers fill the large luggage racks!) within boarding time. You lead the way and set the pace. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE GROUP STAY TOGETHER AND KEEP UP WITH YOU!

Whilst it is serious stuff, treat it as a bit of fun with the group

20 mins is usually ample time, but if the service is busy, you will need every minute of this.

Eurostar staff are helpful and will assist you where necessary. Work with them.

Carriage numbers are painted on the platform edge. They are also displayed, along with the Eurostar train number and destination, by each carriage door.

Don’t use toilets until the train moves – it goes straight onto the tracks!!

ARRIVAL

Disembark from train, checking that nothing has been left behind in carriage. Unload luggage from luggage racks. Lead group from platform to public area of Terminal. Locate coach. Lead group to coach, load luggage and continue with itinerary. Tip coach driver as appropriate (see Tipping Guide).

On arrival, expect minor chaos on-board as everyone tries to disembark with their luggage at the same time! To make life easy, best advice is to ask group to remain in seats until all other passengers have disembarked from your carriage. Operate the luggage loading procedure in reverse.

Ask Pax to gather their belongings and disembark to platform, taking with them any luggage they stowed above their seats.

Luggage helpers can then unload stowed large baggage to platform where everyone can claim their bags.

Check nothing has been left behind in carriage (under seats etc). Ask a teacher to help you with this if necessary.

On exiting the platform area, you enter into the main concourse (public) area of the Terminal. Gather group together in an area where you won’t obstruct others. Where necessary, leave them here whilst you locate coach/use ATM for local currency for Coach Tip.

PARIS: It can take some time to locate the coach. Explain this to the group and leave them on the main concourse area until you return. They should stay together.

NOTE: If your coach is not in rue de Mauberge check the area in front of the Terminal, in case your coach is there. If you are unable to locate the coach, contact coach company and Paris Office.

EUROSTAR FACTS:

– Services began in 1994

– a joint project between UK & French Governments. Inaugurated jointly by HM the Queen and President Francois Mitterrand.

The Tunnel: 31 miles long between Folkestone and Calais coastlines. Not just the one tunnel: parallel service/emergency tunnels also.

The Trains: Based on the French TGV design. 18 or 16 carriages long. Travel at speeds up to 180 mph. (Now possible on the UK side of the Tunnel since the completion of the dedicated High Speed 1 line)

St. Pancras International:

Formerly the London Terminal for the London-Midlands line. (these trains now relocated to a new area at the rear of the International Terminal). Built in 1866 by William Barlow. The construction took 4 years to complete (6000 men, 1000 horses & 100 steam cranes!).

The LMS Company wanted this to be “the most regal entrance to London”.

The single-span arched roof is 100ft high at its apex. The span measures 240ft. A masterpiece of Victorian engineering & construction, on completion it created the largest enclosed space in the world – they claim it still does!

The station was built over a canal – the reason the platforms are raised above ground. The undercroft beneath proved ideal to be used as a giant Beer Cellar, storing beer from the Midlands! This space is now the main concourse area.

– saved from 1960’s development thanks to a campaign led by Sir John Betjemen (1906-1984), Poet and Poet Laureate. He had said it was “..too beautiful & romantic to survive”. His campaign succeeded in achieving Grade 1 Listed status (i.e. architectural protection)..and it has done!

– Eurostar moved in in November 2007 when the UK (finally!) completed the dedicated High Speed rail link to the Channel Tunnel. Terminal restored to its former glory (minus beer cellar). No more, arriving from Paris into “Waterloo” (!) Officially Opened by HM The Queen.

SIR JOHN BETJEMEN statue on platform-level concourse (gent holding his hat in the wind). Commemorates his campaign to save the station. His words engraved at his feet:

“And in the shadowless unclouded glare

Deep blue above us fades to

Whiteness where

A misty sealine meets the wash of air”

“THE MEETING PLACE” 9m high sculpture of a couple greeting each other by Paul Day, on platform-level concourse, beneath station clock

CHAMPAGNE BAR alongside the platforms. Europe’s longest!

STATION HOTEL

This is the front façade of the Terminal and the former Midland Grand Hotel – an amazing neo-gothic creation

design & decoration, in part, inspired by the work of Augustus Pugin (designed the ‘new’ Palace of Westminster aka Houses of Parliament, following the destructive fire early c.19).

the intention: ‘luxury, convenience & comfort in the trappings of a Cathedral’

revolutionary features included: flushing toilets (no chamber pots here!); call bells for room service; in 1899, the world’s first revolving door!

– saved from redevelopment and now, recently reopened in all its glory!

– starring role in: “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” (2002): Harry flies off the top and in front of the Hotel in his flying car. (N.B. Platform 9¾ can be found next door at Kings Cross)

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