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Eurostar pass quotas

  • December 28, 2023
  • 6 replies
  • 236 views
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Hi all,

I wondered if someone can shed some light on whether there is a guaranteed Eurail pass seat reservation quota for every Eurostar train, or whether only specific routes at specific times have a pass quota (and can the quota change depending on the demand for direct ticket bookings on eurostar.com)?

The reason I ask is that I’m planning to travel with my family by Eurostar from London to Brussels in mid July. When I look at tickets on the Eurostar website for our day of travel there are some trains that are showing as fully sold out (for economy seats). Given the seat reservations for Eurail pass holders open up 6 months in advance, I’m wondering if it might still be possible to reserve a seat with the pass on trains that show as fully sold out? I’m guessing not, but thought I’d ask the experts on here!

cheers,

Nick

Best answer by thibcabe

You can check (and already book) passholder reservations through https://www.b-europe.com/EN/Booking/Pass#TravelWish

It indeed works by buckets. Usually the quota sells out at 170-180€ per ticket per my experience.

I don't know if it's the case here : sometimes Eurostar does not release tickets until 6 months or less due to possible change in timetables (because of works mainly).

6 replies

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Full steam ahead
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  • Al_G
  • Full steam ahead
  • December 28, 2023

There aren’t quotas as such.

Passholder reservations are available until the general fares reach their highest 2 or 3 fare brackets, at which point no passholder reservations are bookable on that train.

The fare bracket prices remain fixed but they can and do vary how many seats are available to each band based on expected demand.

 

Edit: This is the arrangement for Eurostar to/from UK, for ex-Thalys Eurostar services it is a variable quota that they set for passholders.

Hektor
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T
Full steam ahead
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  • thibcabe
  • Full steam ahead
  • Answer
  • December 28, 2023

You can check (and already book) passholder reservations through https://www.b-europe.com/EN/Booking/Pass#TravelWish

It indeed works by buckets. Usually the quota sells out at 170-180€ per ticket per my experience.

I don't know if it's the case here : sometimes Eurostar does not release tickets until 6 months or less due to possible change in timetables (because of works mainly).

N
R
Railmaster
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  • rvdborgt
  • Railmaster
  • December 28, 2023

I see loads of pass holder seat availability e.g. on 14/15/16/17 July.

If you don't then please mention your travel date and the number of seats you need.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
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  • nph2000
  • Author
  • Right on track
  • December 28, 2023

Thanks all for the helpful responses - much appreciated. I did not know it was possible to check and book passholder reservations through https://www.b-europe.com/EN/Booking/Pass#TravelWish - v useful info!

I am looking to travel from London to Brussels the morning of Friday 12 July, 4 seats required. Using the b-europe.com site I can see that there are seats available on the 9:01am and 7:04am trains, but as expected nothing for the 8:16am train which is the one sold out on eurostar.com.

Thanks again.

 

T
Full steam ahead
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  • thibcabe
  • Full steam ahead
  • December 29, 2023

Since this train shows as not available in all classes (incl. the always available Business Premier) the likely reason is works planned somewhere in the Netherlands (it continues to Amsterdam) = train not on sale yet.

I'd wait a few weeks and see what happens. Check regularly the website.

N
N
  • nph2000
  • Author
  • Right on track
  • December 29, 2023

Thanks a lot @thibcabe, good to know.

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