London to Paris/Brussels by Eurostar

[knagelli]

Hi experts , Looking for tips and suggestions on where to book the train tickets from London to Brussels and Brussels to Paris in April 2023 for a family of 3 ( flights booked for MEL --> LHR and CDG--> MEL). I have been checking online and looks like Eurostar is the most feasible option however reading some reviews it doesn't seem to be great. Is there is anything else that I need to check and how soon do I have book the train tickets so I don't pay skyrocket prices.

Appreciate any useful information and thanks for your time.

 

[mrsterryn]

Havnt done for a couple of years but I have taken quite a few trips London /Brussels /Paris and Paris Disney
We would usually do the Premier seats.
They suited us fine.
However not sure how the exiting UK goes now with UK not being in the EU

 

[Quickstatus]

Check out: Seat 61

 

[drcam]

I booked a through train from London to Cologne via German railways, in 1st class ostensibly, but I still found myself in second class for the Eurostar portion. Wasn't impressed

 

[get me outta here]

I looked at this youtube review recently

 

[cjd600]

We just booked for late April, London-Paris (family of 4)
On our train, Premier seats were cheaper than Standard.

 

[VPS]

It’s very efficient but the terminal can be a zoo. If you can do premier then do it. You’ll get lounge and priority screening.

 

[Melburnian1]

Eurostar itself is fine, far better than flying, but unfortunately as VPS implies, when trains run late, the London St Pancras post-security waiting area becomes overcrowded. Suitcases blocking seats mean many more have to stand.

Passing through security was very quick. I didn't see any need for 'priority screening' but perhaps at times it's useful.

Business premier is normally highly priced, and will be a lot of money for a family, so one of the other two classes should be sufficient unless your budget is champagne-like. Even with Global first class Eurailpasses, we couldn't obtain entry to the lounge, yet some other rail operators allow entry to their lounges.

Given Easter Sunday is 9 April 2023, I'd be booking immediately. Last year I booked about four months in advance and had no trouble securing quota-controlled passholder places (discounted) from London to Paris as like you, was doing an open jaw air journey in to London and out from a European city.

I endorse use of the Seat 61 website. What he doesn't know isn't worth printing: step-by-step instructions for the more complex rail journeys.

 

[knagelli]

Thanks everyone for the tips and suggestions , I finally managed to book the train tickets from London to Brussels and Brussels to Paris. I could manage to reserve the standard premier tickets on both legs for around 800 AUD , not sure if that is expensive or not but happy that I am able to secure the seats.

 

[Pvcmenace]

Did this last September, was second train of the morning as was the cheapest available time of the day. Security and passport was fairly quick and effortless but once inside it was as described a bit of a zoo.

But the trip is so short the standard seats were fine.

 

[Mr H]

It’s very efficient but the terminal can be a zoo. If you can do premier then do it. You’ll get lounge and priority screening.

Just for clarification - Standard Premier class does not get lounge access. You have to pay a heap extra for Business Premier to get the lounge, and then the same seating as for Standard Premier.