Check in is really very simple and much quicker than at air ports, just walk to the automate barrier and either insert your ticket or scan it (See the animation on how to scan your ticket http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/travel_information/at_the_station/scan_ticket.jsp). Wait until the barrier opens to go in. There is plenty of room and time to take your luggage through the barrier.
Next step is to queue up (only at busy times) to go through the X-ray scanners and metal detectors. Once you pass this you might be invited (asked?) for a bag check, this involves opening your bags, emptying them and taking a few swabs of the inside of your bags and doing a test (probably a chemical test) this takes only a few minutes.
Next you present your passports to the French border police, and go and find a place to sit. Toilets are located at the far end of the terminal.
Eurostar London Check in times - before departure
- Carte blanche holders 10 minutes
- Business Premier 10 minutes
- Carte Classique 30 minutes
- Leisure Select 30 minutes
- Standard travelers 30 minutes
- Special Travel Needs 45 minutes
Boarding Eurostar London
Boarding begins about 30 minutes before departure, it’s always best to move along and board as quickly as possible, as we found time runs when boarding this train. Compared to air ports, the walk to the train platform is much shorter, you will not have to walk miles to get to the platform. While seats are pre allocated (and not on a first come first served basis) you can get conveniently located storage space if you are one of the first to board. In our experience, storage space, especially located near your seat is somewhat limited. Overhead storage is enough for a medium sized bag, the luggage space near doors on both sides are plenty and tend to run out fast !
Seating arrangements on Eurostar
The standard class offers plenty of leg room. Seating can be selected at booking time, to be either aisle seat or window seat. Seats are arranged in twos on each side of the train (with a small fold able meal table at the back of the seat like on an air craft), which is ideal for couples, or as 4 seats around a table which is ideal for families or groups or if you working on a laptop. Check https://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/travel_information/on_board/seating_plan.jsp for seating plans.
Food on Eurostar
One of the nicest things of traveling by Eurostar is the in train meal, while this is not included with standard class Eurostar train tickets, it’s one of the small luxuries that I don’t mind paying for. If you are traveling by standard class, the bacon and egg muffins from the restaurant car is especially nice. There is a range of food available from vegetarian to non vegetarian, snacks, alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. You might end up in a queue at the restaurant car as everyone seems to love the onboard food. Buying food on the train is more expensive than buying it from outside, however you can pay either in Euros or Pounds.
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