Anyone who has swanned through St Pancras, blinked, quaffed a glass of Champagne, read a glossy magazine and ended up in Paris will be familiar with the teleporting charms of the Eurostar. Blissfully devoid of the airport liquid malarkey, the baggage torment and the punitive two-hour wait to board a plane, Eurostar is the cortisol-free dream mode of transport, the sort that gets you oh-so-smoothly from A to B. Add to this its eco-credentials with a reduced carbon footprint via train travel, as well as a list of new destinations, and Eurostar could just be our favourite way to travel. Amsterdam has slipped onto the list, Champagne is an easy chug on from Paris and Brussels’ cool, brooding boutique hotels are an easy whoosh from London. So, if you’re planning a European honeymoon, or simply a romantic city jaunt, here’s why our Editors love Eurostar.
Why our Editors Love Eurostar
Kendra Leaver-Rylah: Co-Founder of TWE
‘There really is nothing more decadent than travelling by Eurostar for a last-minute getaway to see Paris’ twinkling lights. I love the idea that you can swing by for lunch and make it home to London in time for supper.
Airports (especially when travelling with families), in comparison can feel like a real faff. Being based in London, it’s a short cab ride for us, delicious coffee choices on arrival then onto a seamless security check, and before you know it you’re in the French capital. Paris is also really having a moment – transcending its cliché (the macaroon sort which we still adore) and making waves again across the arts, architecture and design, fashion, restaurants and hotels. The city is brimming with renewed creativity. Why wouldn’t you hop on the Eurostar to be at the very centre of it all.
What’s more, trains for me have always been deeply romantic. From edging on to find your seats to watching the world go by as you chat over lunch. It’s much less stressful than flying and is bookended with coffees and greetings, rather than snaking security and baggage lines. There’s also no request to put your laptop away or turbulence ending happy hour. I love using the time to really lean into a magazine with a glass of red wine – it’s a luxury that our manic modern lives rarely afford.
Unbeknownst to many, you can take Eurostar to the Champagne region, hopping off onto a shorter train en route. It’s a smooth, hassle-free way to arrive at one of Champagne’s top-drawer hotels such as the elegant Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa One Eurostar, where guests are greeted with a chilled glass of the region’s namesake sparkling wine. From here, it’s a long stretch of drinking, eating, cellar touring and history. I loved my last trip here as it felt as though I’d stepped into lunch at St Pancras and ended up on a balcony overlooking the rolling vine-coated hills of Champagne.’
Alice Liveing: Wellness Editor
‘Eurostar is something I use for both work and pleasure. I recently whizzed into Paris on Eurostar to give a talk at the L’Oreal Head Office, and last month my fiancé treated me to a Parisian weekend (again, by Eurostar). Paris by my fiancé and we came again by Eurostar. It’s always a seamless and easy journey – suddenly, you’re there.
I find that the check in/security and general airport process is a lot more complicated than that of the Eurostar’s. I love the ease of a quick bag check before hopping straight on to the train. It feels much more convenient. Better still, the wifi’s strong enough for me to get some work done while journeying back and forth. As a content creator, I also very much appreciate having chargers at every seat which allows me to continue editing and uploading throughout my journey, without my battery dying.
I recently joined The Wedding Edition trip to Champagne, which we travelled to by Eurostar. There is nothing better than the excitement of all travelling somewhere together and we ended up chatting the whole way there and back.’
Anisa Sojka: Hair & Style Editor
I’ve only ever taken the Eurostar to go to Paris. It’s so quick and convenient – you barely feel like you’re travelling to another country. The best part for me is arriving in the city centre without having to then drive into the city from the airport, or on departure, having an easy exit without all the transfers. It’s honestly less complicated than journeying from East to West London and passport control never seems to take that long.
I’m always so grateful for the USB ports! I mainly go on work trips so my devices are always in need of top-ups en route. You never know if you’re going to get one of these on an aeroplane. I love travelling with friends on the Eurostar as it’s the same feeling as sitting together in the comfort of a café. Just with beautiful views as the countryside whooshes past.
Yasmine Naghdi: Principal with The Royal Ballet
I love taking the Eurostar as it’s a more eco-friendly way to travel, but also for the scenic journey through both English and French countryside – it’s calming.
If I’m completely honest, I prefer it to air travel as I like the secure feeling of remaining on the ground. There’s also less fuss with checking in baggage and the risk of your suitcase going missing.
Ultimately, it’s just so efficient (when all running on time of course) and there is something soothing about a train ride, as if time is suspended. I always find the staff to be super friendly and helpful, which adds to the charm, and the seats are far more comfortable than on a plane. The bathrooms are well-kept – something I’ve noticed.
Even though The Wedding Edition team had a speedy 36 hours in Champagne, the Eurostar made the travel time so seamless, comfortable and quick. It felt like an easy work commute with friends rather than travelling miles across the English Channel! Truly stress free!
Isabella Foulger: Co-Founder of TWE
The last time I used the Eurostar was to go to Paris for my husband’s birthday, this was a few years ago, but each time I travel, the same feeling of regret that we don’t use it more often creeps in. Weekends to Paris should be a regular occurrence in all Londoners’ diaries, but in general, the Eurostar is just so easy and hassle-free. There’s also something very relaxing and romantic about travelling by train. This probably stems from the fact I met my husband on a train but that’s a whole separate story…
My favourite thing to do on Eurostar is to nab a window sea and watch the countryside roll on by, changing abruptly from England to France. It’s far more spacious and comfortable than flying and the wifi makes it easy to catch up on work whilst on board.
I’ve always thought that the Eurostar is the perfect mode of transport to kick start a celebration, particularly for engagements, hen dos, honeymoons or just a romantic weekend away. Couples or groups can relax and really lean into the journey, even toasting it with a glass of Champagne, in a way that they can’t on a flight. I think sitting opposite friends on tables has a lot to do with this – it mimics the character and comfort of a restaurant. My husband and I even took a special bottle of Champagne on board the last time we travelled together on Eurostar, which set the tone for a fun weekend away.
For a smooth start to your honeymoon, hen do or romantic trip away, visit: eurostar.com/uk
Related Content: A Romantic Guide to Champagne
Related Content: An Insider’s Guide to Paris
