The recommended arrival time for Eurostar depends on the route and class of travel:
- For journeys to and from London (e.g., London St Pancras International), it is advised to arrive 75 to 90 minutes before departure for Eurostar Standard and Eurostar Plus tickets. For Eurostar Premier, arriving around 30 to 45 minutes prior is sufficient. Ticket gates close 30 minutes before departure for Standard and Plus, and 15 minutes before for Premier.
- For other routes between Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Germany (no border checks), it is recommended to arrive at least 20 to 30 minutes before departure.
- The check-in process including security and passport checks can take approximately 20 minutes, so arriving earlier helps avoid stress and queues, particularly on peak days.
- For those traveling with accessibility needs or special assistance, 60 minutes before departure is a good guideline.
In summary, for most Eurostar trips to and from London, arriving 90 minutes before departure is a safe recommendation. For other routes, between 20 and 30 minutes before is generally enough. Boarding gates close about 15 to 30 minutes before the train departs, so arriving only right before that is not recommended.
