Know Before You Go: Eurostar
Read below for helpful information regarding traveling on Eurostar.
Checking In
Eurostar has a minimum of a 45-minute check-in, we recommend checking in 90 minutes prior to departure as you will need to go through customs and luggage screening. Please be sure to allow plenty of time at the station, particularly during busy periods. The ticket gate closes 30 minutes prior to departure.
If you are travelling from Brussels within Belgium, please note that your Eurostar ticket will also cover your onward and return travel to your final destination, provided this journey is made within 24 hours. Eurostar Plus class Eurostar tickets also entitle you to first-class travel on these connecting Belgian services.
Luggage
If your vacation includes a trip onboard Eurostar, there are no weight restrictions or liquid restrictions for your bags. But they will be scanned before you board the train as part of the check-in process.
- Adult passengers are entitled to two large pieces of luggage plus one piece of hand luggage.
- Child passengers are entitled to one large piece of luggage plus one piece of hand luggage.
- Eurostar Premiere passengers are entitled to bring three large pieces of luggage on board plus one piece of hand luggage.
What qualifies as a large piece of luggage? Rucksacks, suitcases, and ski equipment that measure up to 85cm. Handbags, laptops, briefcases, backpacks, and smaller bags are allowed to be carried on as hand luggage. At every Eurostar terminal, luggage trolleys are available if needed.
Connections
If you are continuing to another destination by train on the same day as your Eurostar journey, you will likely need to change train stations either by metro or taxi. We’ve included directions by metro below.
If you are connecting to Paris Stations from Gare du Nord
To Gare de Lyon
At the end of the Eurostar platform, look for signs to the RER line D direction Melun/Malesherbes. Note: Trains may be shown as going to Melun, Malesherbes or Corbeil-Essonnes, these all stop at the Gare de Lyon.
To Gare Montparnasse
At the end of the Eurostar platform, turn left and follow the signs for Metro line M4. Take metro line M4 direct to Montparnasse Bienvenue (follow signs 'M4 direction Mairie de Montrouge'). At Montparnasse, it's a 700-metre underground walk from the metro station to the mainline TGV platforms.
To Gare de l'Est
The station is an easy 10-minute walk from Gare du Nord to Gare de l'Est. Although one stop on lines M4 and M5 you'll walk as much going up and down the stairs to the Metro. To Gare Saint Lazare Follow signs for RER line E direction Haussmann Saint-Lazare for one stop.
If you are connecting from Paris Stations to Gare du Nord
From Gare de Lyon
Take RER line D in the direction of Creil (northbound). This is a direct train with just one intermediate stop, Chatelet-les-Halles.
From Gare Montparnasse
At Gare Montparnasse, walk around 700m through an underground subway to get from the main train station to the Metro at Montparnasse Bienvenue. From Montparnasse Bienvenue look for Metro line 6 northbound (direction Nation) and travel 3 stops to Denfert-Rochereau. There, transfer to RER line B in the direction of Charles de Gaulle. Travel 5 stops to Gare du Nord.
From Gare de l'Est
Walking between Gare de L'est and Gare du Nord is a simple route that takes less than ten minutes. Although one stop on lines M4 and M5 you'll walk as much going up and down the stairs to the Metro.
From Gare Saint Lazare
Follow signs RER line E direction Tournan & Chelles Gournay for one stop to Magenta, which is connected to Gare du Nord.