Eurostar: History, Owner, Countries It visits, Rates, Eurostar closure, Countries suspended, Time Taken to each country, Stops along the line, How to book, Recent News And Everything To Know
History and Ownership:
- Eurostar, majority owned by the French state operator SNCF, has been a vital link between the United Kingdom and mainland Europe.
- It began operations in 1994 and also revolutionized travel by offering direct train services through the Channel Tunnel.
Owner:
Eurostar is a joint venture between three railway companies:
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- SNCF (France)
- SNCB (Belgium)
- LTI Group (formerly known as London and Continental Railways)
Countries Visited:
Eurosta connects several major cities, including:
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- London (United Kingdom)
- Paris (France)
- Brussels (Belgium)
- Also Amsterdam (Netherlands)
- Lille (France)
- Avignon (France)
- Also Marseille (France)
- Rotterdam (Netherlands)
- And more!
Rates and Booking:
- Eurostar offers various fare classes, including Standard, Standard Premier, and also Business Premier.
- Passengers can book tickets online through the Eurostar website.
Travel Times:
- London to Paris: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Also London to Brussels: Approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes
- London to Amsterdam: Approximately 4 hours
- London to Rotterdam: Approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes
Stops:
- Eurosta trains generally make limited stops, depending on the route.
- The most common stops are:
- Ebbsfleet International (UK)
- Ashford International (UK)
- Also Calais Frethun (France)
- Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy (France – for Disneyland Paris)
Closure and Recent News:
- Amsterdam-London Route Closure:
- Due to the refurbishment of Amsterdam’s Centraal station, Eurosta services between Amsterdam and London will be suspended for six months from June 2024 to early 2025.
- Passengers heading to London will need to change trains in Brussels, Belgium during this period.
- However, one-way Eurostar travel from London to Amsterdam remains available.
- The station overhaul also aims to enhance security and also border facilities.
- Future Expansion:
- From 2025, Eurosta plans to increase train capacity, allowing 400 passengers per train initially, rising to 650 later that year.
- Eurosta continues to evolve, balancing customer needs, environmental impact, and also business considerations.
Remember, Eurostar bridges cultures and offers a seamless way to explore Europe’s vibrant cities!