Comparison of Eurostar Standard and Standard Premier Classes on the Journey from London to Brussels
Eurostar Offers Comfortable and Flexible Overland Travel
Eurostar, an icon of European transport, provides a quick, smooth, and comfortable way to travel across the continent. Known for its eco-friendly approach, Eurostar promises a faster and greener journey than flying, a claim supported by independent research.
For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, Eurostar Standard offers a basic fare with no meals or drinks included. Passengers can bring two suitcases and one piece of hand luggage with no weight limits. Ticket changes are allowed up to one hour before departure, but refunds require a fee, and there is no access to lounges or priority boarding.
On the other hand, Eurostar Standard Premier offers a more luxurious experience. With larger, more comfortable seats featuring vast amounts of legroom and a slight recline, it provides a more relaxed journey. The ticket price includes a premium meal and drinks served at the seat, access to a priority boarding lane, and an exclusive lounge before departure. Ticket flexibility is greater, allowing last-minute changes and exchanges, with an all-day boarding guarantee. An extra third suitcase is allowed for luggage.
The price difference between Standard and Premier is not always large, and the value of included meals and drinks alone is approximately €15. Other benefits like more spacious seating, priority boarding, lounge access, and flexible ticket changes add to comfort and convenience. If you value a more relaxed and convenient journey, especially on longer trips like London to Brussels or Paris, upgrading to Standard Premier can be worthwhile.
Here's a comparison of the two classes:
| Feature | Standard | Standard Premier | |-----------------------|---------------------------|--------------------------| | Seat Comfort | Basic, smallest seats | Larger, comfortable, more legroom, recline | | Food & Drinks | None | Premium meal and drinks included at seat | | Luggage Allowance | 2 suitcases + hand luggage | 3 suitcases + hand luggage | | Boarding & Lounge | Regular boarding, no lounge | Priority boarding, exclusive lounge access | | Ticket Flexibility | Changes allowed up to 1 hour before departure, refunds with fee | Free changes last minute, all-day boarding guarantee | | Price Difference | Lowest fare | Higher fare, but benefits may justify cost |
The Eurostar check-in and security process are quick and efficient, with no lengthy waits. The Standard Premier tickets are designed to help you make the most of your journey, with complimentary magazines available onboard. Eurostar also offers 2 for 1 entry to some of Europe's most popular museums and galleries in Paris, Lille, and Brussels.
Eurostar offers three ticket types: Standard, Standard Premier, and Business Premier. The author has tried out both classes of Eurostar's service to compare their differences. Eurostar tickets offer journey flexibility, with direct trains to many cities in France and Belgium, and connections to The Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland via partner companies like Thayls. Each seat in Standard Premier has an individual power socket.
In conclusion, if your budget allows and you prefer additional comfort and flexibility, upgrading to Standard Premier for overland Eurostar travel is generally worth the extra cost. For short trips, or if you are fine with minimal services, Standard is sufficient.
- For those who want to save on food and drinks during their travel, Eurostar's Standard class is a budget-friendly option, offering seat comfort but no meals or drinks included.
- For those who value a more luxurious travel experience, Eurostar's Standard Premier class offers larger, more comfortable seats, a premium meal and drinks, priority boarding, and lounge access, which may justify the higher fare.
- Eurostar doesn't limit passengers in Standard class to just two suitcases; Standard Premier passengers can bring three suitcases, offering a bit more flexibility in terms of luggage.
- In addition to comfortable travel, Eurostar offers other perks like quick check-in and security, complimentary magazines onboard, and even 2 for 1 entry to certain museums and galleries in select cities.
