Eurostar Premium Review: Only Just Worth It With a Good Deal

The online booking process was straightforward, without any of the pop-ups or add-ons you find with a budget airline.

Each passenger is allowed two pieces of luggage plus one piece of hand luggage. Eurostar Premier allows a third piece of luggage too.

A flight between London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. But there’s a further commute to the airports than to the train stations, plus a longer wait at security, not to mention the lack of a chance to take in views of the English and French scenery.

On the one hand, it’s just like a regular tunnel, albeit 31 miles long. However, the Channel Tunnel is a remarkable feat of engineering.

It took six years before it opened in 1994, with boring machines starting from either side, meeting underneath the sea.

I last took the Eurostar from London St. Pancras station almost exactly two years earlier, for the previous Paris Air Show. Back then, the lines were enormous and snaked through the concourse, but this time I barely had to queue.

Unlike the French side, I didn’t have to remove my laptop from my bag, which made security quicker. Neither station requires you to remove liquids, like most airports.

Boarding began after a short wait, and I was impressed to see a staff member guarding a velvet rope by the Eurostar Plus car at the back of the train.

He checked off my name on an iPad, directed me toward my seat, and the nearest luggage rack — a small touch of luxury which elevated the experience.

The Eurostar Plus car is arranged in a 1-2 layout rather than the usual 2-2. Since I was traveling by myself, this was ideal as it gave me much more space and privacy than usual.

Unlike most airlines, you don’t need to pay extra to choose your seat.

However, many of them have a limited window view, so it helps to book well in advance.

On the left, you can see a flip-down cup holder and a small light. There was another reading light to my left by the window, two seatback pockets, and a small mirror at the top.

The seat reclined within its shell, which meant I didn’t have to worry about irritating the passenger behind me.

Two staff members came down the aisle with a trolley, with a vegetarian or a meat option. I went for the chicken with chickpeas, peppers, and broccoli.

Dessert was a small popcorn and chocolate affair, and I found the chocolate was almost too rich.

I would’ve preferred a hot meal, like what’s available in Eurostar Premier. Also, I was a bit surprised that I was only given a 150ml (5 fl oz) can of Coca-Cola.

I didn’t have huge expectations, but the service wasn’t as good as premium economy on a flight.

Still, it was a benefit that I didn’t have to get up from my seat. Although I did miss the fun experience of walking to and ordering from the onboard café.

From then on, I enjoyed the comforts of my seat, reclining and taking in the views of the French countryside.

My economy seat still had a footrest, but it was harder to use, with less space and no recline.

Having somebody sit next to me also felt a bit claustrophobic, especially on a hot summer day where temperatures exceeded 90 degrees.

I bought a soda in the waiting area before boarding. After a busy week of work, I spent most of the journey back to London reading a novel.

If there’s a conveniently timed train where Eurostar Plus is just a few extra bucks, it’s worth booking it, especially if you’re on your own. The free meal may also mean you save a bit of money.

Although if I were traveling in a couple or as a family, I think the benefits of space would feel less valuable.

As well as Paris, you can also take the Eurostar from London to Brussels and Amsterdam.