25 August 2015

Eurostar reports record breaking numbers

• Over 148,000 passengers are booked to travel on Eurostar over the August bank holiday weekend
• Eurostar breaks record for largest number of passengers ever carried in one month with over 1 million passengers in July
• 100,000 tickets sold to date for the new all year round South of France service
• Eurostar launches express sale from £32 one way

 
Eurostar, the high-speed rail service linking the UK and mainland Europe, announces the highest ever number of passengers transported in one month with 1 million customers having travelled in July 2015. This milestone marks a year-on-year increase of 5.1% in passengers compared with the same period last year (2015: 1,017m, 2014: 968,000).
 
With the introduction of the new direct service from London to the South of France, and ticket sales for core destinations at an all-time high, Eurostar sales are going from strength to strength as travellers choose the train over the plane.
 
Nicolas Petrovic, Chief Executive, Eurostar, said:
“We have seen unprecedented demand over the summer months as customers are taking advantage of our frequent services and new routes. With passenger numbers increasing year-on-year, we are looking forward to the arrival of our new trains. The combination of more seats, superior comfort and state-of-the art design is set to transform the travel experience.”
 
August bank holiday weekend sales
 
Eurostar is set for a cracking August bank holiday weekend as over 148,000 passengers are expected to travel with the high-speed rail operator. 
 
Friday 28^th August is the busiest day for departures from the UK, with over 38,000 people travelling on this day alone, looking to make the most of long weekend.
 
New South of France service reaches 100,000 ticket mark
 
Only four months after Eurostar’s new all year round direct service from London to the South of France embarked on its inaugural journey on 1 May, the high-speed rail operator has sold over 100,000 tickets to date. 
 
Eurostar has seen a strong response for the route, which runs between London and Lyon, Avignon and Marseille, as passengers are drawn by the wide-ranging gastronomic and cultural attractions of the region. The new service, which offers UK travellers a seamless, leisurely journey from the heart of London to the Mediterranean, has revolutionised cross-channel travel offering a more convenient alternative to flying. 
 
As summer is coming to an end, many customers are now booking the service to Lyon for their winter ski trips. With its proximity to the French Alps, the gastronomic capital of France provides a convenient  gateway with easy road and rail connections to a range of popular ski resorts.
 
                 
Record number of destinations on sale from £32 one way
 
Eurostar is offering Brits the chance to head to Europe for less with a record number of destinations on sale. From a seaside escape to the South of France to a festive Christmas Market in Bruges, holidaymakers are spoilt for choice. The thirteen day ticket sale will run from 27 August – 8 September and travel is valid from late September 2015.
 

Fancy a French escape?

• Single fares in Standard from only £40 to Lyon and £45 to Avignon or Marseille direct from London St Pancras or Ashford International, for travel from 25 September – 25 April 2016.
• Standard Premier fares from just £85 one way to Lyon and £95 one way to Avignon and Marseille¹. With more spacious surroundings and a light meal served at your seat, passengers can enjoy a little bit of luxury on their high-speed rail journey across the French countryside.

 
Offers for Paris, Lille, Brussels

• 140,000 seats available at £32 one way for standard travel from London, Ashford or Ebbsfleet to Paris, Brussels, Lille or Calais for travel from 22 September – 16 December 2015.
• Travel to any Belgian station including Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp at £35 one way in Standard class or £87 one way in Standard Premier².

 
For more information or to book Eurostar tickets visit www.eurostar.com or call the Eurostar contact centre on 03432 186 186.
   
Notes to editors
 
Terms and conditions for promotion:

• ¹This offer is for a promotional return fare of £40 one way, based on a £80 return in Standard and £85 one way based on a £170 return in Standard Premier on Eurostar direct services from London St Pancras International and Ashford International to Lyon Part-Dieu, and £45 one way based on a £90 return in Standard and a £95 one way based on a £190 return in Standard Premier to Avignon TGV and Marseille Saint-Charles.
• ²This offer is for a promotional return fare of £32 one way, based on a £64 return in Standard and £79 one way, based on a £158 return in Standard Premier on Eurostar direct services from London St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International or Ashford International to Paris Gare du Nord, Lille-Europe, Calais-Fréthun and Brussels-Midi.
• The offer is subject to availability and there may be limited availability for travel on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
• The promotional fare will be available as of 27.08.2015.
• Based on bookings made between 27.08.2015 and 08.09.2015 for travel to Lyon, Avignon and Marseille between 25.09.2015 and 25.04.2016. Bookings cannot be made for travel to Lyon, Avignon and Marseille on 16.10.2015 to 19.10.2015, 23.10.2015 to 26.10.2015, 30.10.2015 to 31.10.2015, 19.12.2015, 26.12.2015, 02.01.2016, 13.02.2016, 20.02.2016, 25.03.2016 to 09.04.2016
• Based on bookings made between 27.08.2015 and 08.09.2015 for travel to Paris, Lille, Calais, and Brussels between 22.09.2015 and 16.12.2015. Bookings cannot be made for travel to Paris, Lille, Calais, and Brussels on 02.10.2015 to 05.10.2015, 16.10.2015 to 19.10.2015, 23.10.2015 to 08.11.2015 inclusive
• Fares valid for travel any day of the week subject to availability and schedules
• Promotion valid for Adult passengers (Child passengers can be booked on the discounted Adult fare or at normal Child fare)
• A £4 fee will apply to all credit card bookings, no charge is made for payments with a debit card
• For full terms and conditions visit Eurostar.com

 
 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, Avignon and the French Alps.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.