22 August 2017

All aboard! Eurostar is set for a bumper bank holiday

• Over 142,000 passengers are booked to travel on Eurostar over the August bank holiday weekend – an 8% rise year on year
• Friday 25^th August is the busiest day for UK departures with over 13,000 people travelling to Europe
• Paris is the most popular destination with over 24,000 Brits heading to the capital

 
Eurostar is set for a busy August bank holiday weekend as over 142,000 passengers are expected to travel with the high-speed rail operator – an 8% rise in passenger numbers compared to the equivalent period in 2016*.
 
Friday 25^th August is the busiest day for departures from the UK, with over 13,000 people travelling on this day alone, looking to make the most of long weekend. Over 64,000 departures are expected from the UK across the four days.
                          
Paris is the most popular destination, with over 24,000 Brits escaping the UK for a mini break in the French capital.
Mary Walsh, Director of Communications for Eurostar commented: “We’re looking forward to welcoming passengers on board, as they set off for the August bank holiday weekend. With complimentary wi-fi and over 300 hours of on board entertainment across our new fleet, now is the ideal time to take the train to mainland Europe.”
With quick and convenient check-in, a seamless city-centre to city-centre journey, and a generous baggage allowance, Eurostar is the ideal way to travel to mainland Europe. Passengers travelling on the new e320 train can sit back and unwind in more spacious surroundings and enjoy free wi-fi and over 300 hours of entertainment – all streamed straight to their phone, tablet or laptop.
 
For more information or to book Eurostar tickets visit www.eurostar.com or call the Eurostar contact centre on 08432 186 186.
  Notes to Editors

• *Period from Thursday 25 August 2016 - Monday 29 August 2016 compared to Thursday 24 August 2017 -  Monday 28 August  2017

 

• Customers travelling by Eurostar can enjoy a range of benefits including:

• Seamless city centre to city centre travel, with stations located in the heart of our destinations
• Fast and convenient check-in - passengers are asked to arrive only 30 minutes before departure (or 10 minutes if travelling Business Premier)
• Generous, free-of-charge baggage allowance with each passengers allowed 2 bags/suitcases and 1 piece of hand luggage
• No queues or baggage reclaim upon arrival - simply take your bag with you on board
• Comfort and space on board to work or unwind

 
About Eurostar

1. Eurostar is the high-speed train service linking St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International, Paris, Brussels, Lille, Calais, Disneyland Resort Paris, Lyon, Avignon, Marseilles and the French Alps.

 

1. The current Eurostar train was first introduced into service in 1994 carrying 750 passengers and operating at speeds of up to 300kph.  Since then, the fleet of 28 trains has carried more than 150 million passengers between London and the Continent.  Following their refurbishment these trains will continue to form a core part of the Eurostar fleet. The new e320 will carry around 900 passengers at speeds of up to 320kph.

 

1. Eurostar was established in 1994 as a partnership between three railway companies: SNCF, SNCB and LCR (London and Continental Railways). On 1 September 2010, Eurostar became a single, unified corporate entity owned by three shareholders: SNCF, SNCB and LCR. LCR’s holding was transferred to the Treasury in 2014, and sold by the UK government to a consortium comprising Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec (CDPQ) and Hermes Infrastructure on 28th May 2015.

 

1. Eurostar is a founder member of Railteam, a partnership between Europe’s leading high-speed train operators that is developing simpler ways to book and travel on the fast-expanding, European high-speed rail network.

 

1. Eurostar and Eurotunnel are entirely separate companies.  Eurostar operates high-speed passenger trains, while Eurotunnel operates vehicle shuttle services and the Channel Tunnel itself. Eurostar is Eurotunnel’s biggest customer.

 
 
For more information:
Eurostar Press Office 
020 7843 5500
press.office@eurostar.com