Eurostar check-in procedure

With Eurostar, border and luggage checks take place before departure, so we ask our passengers to arrive at the station early enough to complete them.


These timings are just for guidance and can sometimes change. It’s a good idea to download your ticket to check the most-up-to-date recommended arrival time.


IMPORTANT: Please come to the station early and not just before the ticket gates close. This will ensure that you have enough time to go through all checks before your train departs.

IN THIS ARTICLE

Advance passenger information

From 1 April 2024, Eurostar is required by the UK government to collect Advance Passenger Information (API) for anyone on your booking before they travel to/from the UK.

Your customers won’t be able to get their tickets until they’ve completed this information.

Please find all the details in the dedicated page here

Changes to UK entry rules

From November 2023, some of your customers travelling to the UK without a visa may need to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Please find all the details in the dedicated page here

Eurostar check-in time

How early you check in for your train depends on your travel class.


To view the check in time for the city of your departure, click on the respective city name below:

  • London St Pancras International
  • Rotterdam Centraal
  • Amsterdam Centraal
  • Brussels Midi/Zuid
  • Paris Gare du Nord






Eurostar check-in process

  • Eurostar passengers require a valid passport or identity card. You will pass through UK, French, Dutch or Belgian customs depending on the journey you are undertaking.
  • From 01 October 2021 onwards, EU, EEA and Swiss national identity cards will no longer be accepted as a travel document to enter the UK: a passport is now required. 
  • Non-EU passengers are responsible for checking if a visa is required for travel, prior to purchasing tickets.
  • Children under 4 years old travel free with Eurostar, so they don’t have to be included in your booking and won’t require a ticket. They won’t have a luggage allowance or a seat, so they will need to sit on the lap of a parent or guardian. However, all children will still need their own passports.

Exit checks are now in place when leaving the UK. Your passport will be checked by UKBA security staff before being checked by French passport control. This will only take a few minutes.

Collecting Eurostar tickets

If you have collect-at-station tickets that you’re picking up on the day of travel, be sure to leave a little extra time in case there’s a queue. 

Manual check-in for Deutsche Bahn tickets

If you have a Deutsche Bahn ticket that includes travel on the Eurostar (for example a London Sparpreis fare), you will need to go to the manual check-in desk. Simply present your print-at-home Deutsche Bahn ticket to staff, who will print a boarding pass for you.

Eurostar luggage allowance

  • The ticket price includes 2 luggage per pax (up to 85cm long). You don’t need to check in luggage as long as it's within your allowance. There is no luggage weight restriction on Eurostar; you just have to be able to carry your bags onto the train. 

Departing from Amsterdam on Eurostar?

  • Get to the station at the recommended arrival time to allow plenty of time to get through border controls and security. Once you’ve scanned your ticket at the NS gates, head to platform 15b, where Eurostar trains depart from. The terminal is located at the far end of platform 15b. Once you arrive, your tickets will be checked. You’ll then go through security and passport control in the building at the end of the platform. You can then relax in the departure lounge, where you’ll find seating areas, plugs and vending machines, until it’s time to depart.