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seat reservations on eurostar

  • December 24, 2024
  • 3 replies
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  • Rail rookie
  • 1 reply

Hi everyone, my plan was to travel to Scotland this winter break with my interrail pass.

To make it to Scotland, I have to crosse the gap between Belgium and the UK with the train.

The only trains riding this gap however are from Eurostar. I can’t afford the expensive seat reservation which the interrail app tells me are necessary.

so my question is, are the seat reservations for Eurostar between Brussels and London crucial? 

please let me know 🙏 

Best answer by thibcabe

Yes, they're mandatory. You won't get past the security and border controls without one.

Reservations are also limited on Eurostar services (passholder quota). Trains are almost completely sold out until early January.

What would be your travel date? Alternatively there are Flixbus from Belgium/the Netherlands to London or Stena Line ferry from Hoek van Holland to Harwich. The latter is esp. convenient as you can spend the night onboard. Neither are cheaper than Eurostar though.

If you mention the travel dates we'll try to help.

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  • Full steam ahead
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  • December 24, 2024

Yes, they're mandatory. You won't get past the security and border controls without one.

Reservations are also limited on Eurostar services (passholder quota). Trains are almost completely sold out until early January.

What would be your travel date? Alternatively there are Flixbus from Belgium/the Netherlands to London or Stena Line ferry from Hoek van Holland to Harwich. The latter is esp. convenient as you can spend the night onboard. Neither are cheaper than Eurostar though.

If you mention the travel dates we'll try to help.


  • Author
  • Rail rookie
  • 1 reply
  • December 24, 2024

Thanks for the reply! 
my travel date would be friday the 27th of this month. So in a few days. 
I didn’t know there was a ferry between Hoek van Holland and Harwich so this could be my live saver. 
 

I think this option is cheaper though, because the cheapest 2nd class travel with Eurostar is €220 on my chosen date. This is a one-way ticket.
The one-way ticket with the ferry however is €80.


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  • Full steam ahead
  • 4921 replies
  • December 24, 2024

Yeah I was speaking about Eurostar reservations (30€ with Interrail) vs ferry tickets.

Eurostar availability looks like this out of Brussels:

- 26th December: 17:56, 20:56

- 27th December: 20:56

Stena Line offers a little discount for Interrail travellers (discount code EURAIL2024) so the ticket would cost 61.40€.

You would arrive in London around the same time as the 20:56 Eurostar so really choose which option is more fun. Perhaps ferry to the UK and train back! ;)

(Or you could get the overnight ferry for 130€ incl. cabin and no need to bother with accommodation in London!).


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