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Question

Reservation Costs are Inconsistent, are they even sold out too?

  • December 12, 2025
  • 5 replies
  • 44 views
A

Hello Everyone, 

 

Currently planning a trip that’ll be taking place in 3 weeks. I’ll be traveling from the Lake District (UK) to Paris Nord in one day--yes, I know it will be long journey. Currently I’m running into the issue that the seat reservations will cost anything from $95 to $76 for either 1st or 2nd class (64 and 80 Euros for the respective classes); this is specific to my Eurostar transfer in London to then Paris. Not only does this not match the reservation table per Eurail page, it also shows that all reserve-able seats are sold out. So I am very worried that i’m running out of options. 

 

I am also extremely confused and hope that someone has experienced something similar. If the reservations for the Eurostar truly cost $76 to $95, so be it. But will I not be able to travel on my London to Paris leg of the trip if I do not have a reservation? I’ve already tried contacting Eurostar but have not received any helpful response. 

If anyone has any helpful guidance, it’ll be greatly appreciated!

5 replies

R
Railmaster
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  • rvdborgt
  • Railmaster
  • December 12, 2025

Pass reservations from London to Paris are €35 in 2nd and €40 in 1st class. The prices you mention sound like regular ticket prices, not pass reservations, assuming it's for one person. On which website is that?

Eurostar pass reservations best booked on raileurope.com, in euros, so you avoid any additional fees. Eurail themselves have a €2 booking fee per person and train and Rail Europe charge around 5% extra in other currencies than euro.

Please mention date and departure time you are trying to book.

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.
A

I’ll be leaving the Lake District on Jan 2nd. From what I have planned I’ll be taking the 7:30am service out of the Lake District. I will be traveling with my partner, so 2 people in total--not sure if this changes anything.

The page which i’m referring to is from Eurail itself.

 

I appreciate your tip on booking seat reservations through raileurope.com!

R
Railmaster
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  • rvdborgt
  • Railmaster
  • December 12, 2025

With 2 people, Eurostar will be €70 in 2nd and €80 in 1st class. If you book via Eurail, it will be €4 more.

Eurostar availability on 2/1 is very limited (it's a very busy period) and you should book ASAP:

There is no pass holder availability in 2nd class anymore, only in 1st class, and only in some trains. As I wrote, book on www.raileurope.com, use "Add rail pass” on their website and set currency to euro. "Lake district” isn’t a station, but wherever you start, the 17:31 should be reachable.

In general, use this page as a guide for pass reservations:

https://www.seat61.com/interrail-and-eurail-reservations.htm

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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ralderton
Railmaster
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  • ralderton
  • Railmaster
  • December 13, 2025

Where are you starting from?

Oxenholme is marketed as ‘Oxenholme Lake District’, but the first train from there thati can see on the 2 January is at 0832, and there are major construction works that week: you’ll be taking several trains and a bus, and it takes 7 hours to get to London instead of 3!

If you’re going from Penrith North Lakes, you might be better arranging a taxi to take you north to Carlisle. There you can go via Newcastle or Leeds to London.

Check train times on the Avanti website - don’t rely on Rail Planner

https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/travel-information/christmas

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Full steam ahead
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  • Al_G
  • Full steam ahead
  • December 13, 2025

Via Carlisle and Newcastle to London Kings Cross would be one option, Carlisle and Leeds to to London Kings Cross another or if you are in the south of the lake district via Carnforth or Lancaster and Leeds would also work.

If you want to avoid the cost of taxis then there are bus routes available from Stagecoach to those locations. https://www.stagecoachbus.com

https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/Cumbria/Lakes%20Connection/Winter25/Lakes%20by%20Bus%20Guide%20Winter%202025%2026%20WEB.pdf

104 Penrith -Carlisle https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/Cumbria/Carlisle/CNL%201224%20104%20WEB.pdf

555 Keswick - Windermere - Kendal - Carnforth - Lancaster https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/Cumbria/Lakes%20Connection/Winter25/Winter25_555.pdf

Bus fares are capped at £3 per person per journey in England

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