Fare conditions United Kingdom

Fare conditions for international train tickets

Because we want to provide you with the best possible information about your international train tickets, we have made a list of the various fare types and the respective fare conditions for you.

All train journeys to the United Kingdom make use of the Eurostar, the high-speed train line through the channel tunnel, between Brussels, Lille, Paris and London.

There are two types of international train tickets: those for trains that require a reservation, and those that do not.

High-speed trains, such as Eurostar, generally require that passengers reserve a seat, and the tickets are only valid for the specific train, date and class booked, unless otherwise stated in the fare conditions.

International tickets for trains that do not require a reservation, such as the Intercity and local trains, are limited to a specific route, but not to a specific departure time or train, unless otherwise stated in the fare conditions. These international train tickets are valid for a maximum of one day and the validity period is specified on the ticket.

Eurostar

It is important that you check in before the Eurostar service departs.

Be on time at your departure station

Your ticket includes advice on how long in advance you should be at the departure station to ensure a smooth check-in process. The advice varies depending on the ticket/fare, this is listed at the top of your Eurostar ticket. The advice is usually between 45 and 90 minutes before departure.

Check-in

Your ticket/fare determines how long in advance you should check in, this is stated at the top of your Eurostar ticket:

• Business Premier (1st class): no later than 15 minutes before departure from Brussels/Paris/London and no later than 20 minutes before departure from Amsterdam/Rotterdam/Lille.
• Standard Premier (1st class) and Standard (2nd class): no later than 30 minutes before departure at all stations.

Eurostar tickets constitute multiple contracts. Any complaints, delay refunds, compensation claims or damages claims relating to carriers other than NS International that result from a transport contract set up through NS International can be submitted to NS International. Depending on which carrier is targeted in the claim, NS International will either process the claim itself or forward it to the carrier in question.

Reserved seats

If you have reserved a seat, we ask that you be seated in your reserved seat within 15 minutes of boarding the train. If you do not do so, the Train Manager may give your seat to another passenger.

Mobile or homeprint ticket

A Mobile Ticket is a ticket that you can save in the NS International App and display on the screen of your smartphone. If you book a Mobile Ticket for a journey starting at your departure station, then you do not need to check in and out. If you need to pass through access gates or show your ticket, simply use the Mobile Ticket barcode on your smartphone screen. You will receive an e-mail confirmation with a link to the Mobile Subject to alterations Ticket. Opening this link on your smartphone will automatically download and save the Mobile Ticket in the NS International App under ‘My Bookings’. Mobile Tickets are subject to the standard fare conditions.

Homeprint tickets must be printed on A4 paper before you begin your journey. You will receive an e-mail confirmation of your homeprint booking, which also includes a button that lets you print your homeprint ticket.

The following rules apply:

• Mobile/homeprint Tickets are personal and non-transferable.
• To show the Mobile Ticket, you must have installed the NS International App. Use the most recent version of the app.
• You must download the Mobile Ticket in the NS International App before starting your journey. Homeprint tickets must be printed on A4 paper.
• See the homeprint ticket for the rules that apply specifically to this type of ticket.
• Your ticket will be checked based on a valid photo ID. Remember to bring along a valid photo ID (passport or identity card), as the Train Manager/Conductor may ask you to show it.
• Travellers are only permitted to travel on the date and/or train booked, unless otherwise stated in the fare conditions.
• The normal fare conditions apply for exchanges and cancellations (see tables). When changing the travel date for your ticket, the new date must fall within the carrier’s booking period.
• If a refund is requested within two days after the start date specified on the ticket, the refund will be made via the original payment method after these two days, due to the need to retrieve the necessary authentication data.
• For Mobile/homeprint Tickets purchased via the NS International service desk in the service shop, you can request a refund at the NS International desk prior to the start of the journey, or after the period stated above. You can also request a refund via the NS International Customer Service.

Travel tips

Bring your bicycle

The following rates apply to transporting your bicycle on a Eurostar service:

• Booked well in advance via eurodespatch@eurostar.com or on phone number 00 44 344 – 822 58 22 (with the bicycle being transported on the same train): £ 30 per single ticket.
• Booked on the day of departure (with the bicycle being transported on the same train or the first train with available bicycle spots): £ 25 per single ticket. Your bicycle will be available no later than 24 hours after arrival.

You are requested to report to the Luggage Sending/Retrieval desk in Brussels-South/Midi station an hour before the train’s scheduled departure. The same process applies for departures from London St. Pancras. Please report to the Euro-despatch Centre an hour before the train’s scheduled departure.

Bicycles may only be brought aboard Eurostar trains to Belgium and France if both wheels have been removed and if the bicycle is transported in a special bicycle cover (max. 135 x 85 x 30 cm). Folding bicycles are permitted if they are folded up and transported in a cover.
More information about travelling with a bicycle

You can also call the NS International Customer Service on +31 30 2300023 or visit the NS International service desk in the service shop at most major stations.

Travel insurance

It is always a good idea to take out a travel insurance policy when you travel. Travel insurance provides you with security in the event that you need medical assistance, are involved in an accident or lose your luggage.

Cancellation insurance

Certain types of fares are subject to high cancellation fees. It is therefore recommended that you purchase cancellation insurance in advance

Luggage

Each train type has different facilities for transporting luggage. Travellers are required to label their luggage with their first and last name when they are travelling by train to and in France.
More information about travelling with luggage

Pets

Travelling with pets is not permitted in the Eurostar, with guide dogs forming the sole exception. In this case, the dog must have been trained by a member organisation of one of the following associations:

• Assistance Dogs (GB)
• The International Guide Dog Federation
• Assistance Dogs International

Compensation for delays

Eurostar has different rules and regulations regarding compensation for delays. You can find the information on the page Compensation for delays or call the NS International Customer Service on +31 30 2300023.

Under certain circumstances, travellers may be eligible for compensation in the event that their international train experiences a delay. One of these conditions is that the delay must involve a Subject to alterations cross-border route. The compensation is calculated based on the price of a single ticket, including surcharges, but excluding booking fees or transaction fees. Compensation claims amounting to less than €4 will not be paid out. Compensation is usually paid out in the form of a debit to the traveller’s bank account. Compensation requests can be sent to the railway company from which you purchased your ticket, or one of the carriers involved in your international journey. If you wish to receive compensation for a delay, you must submit a compensation request to NS International within three months of your journey.
More information about compensation for delays

Would you like to know more?

You can find travel tips, advice before you leave,up-to-the-minute information, information about planned works, the international Travel Planner and information about discount fares. For more information, please contact us in our online chat, call the NS International Customer Service on +31 30 2300023 or visit the NS International service desk in the service shop at most major stations.

Terms and Conditions

The transport contracts between the traveller and the carrier(s) are subject to the relevant carrier’s general and special terms and conditions. Several carriers may be part to the transport contracts referred to in the previous section, and your journey may consist of several separate transport contracts, even if you are using a single ticket. Please refer to NSinternational.nl/en/terms-andconditions or the point of sale for more information. A copy of the terms and conditions can be provided at no extra charge upon request. Transport contracts entered into with the carriers NS International B.V. or HSA Beheer N.V. (which trade under the brand name NS International) are solely applicable to transport using high-speed trains or cross-border trains. In the event of a transfer to or from said trains, a contract with another carrier may go into effect. The following regulations and conditions apply to the transport contracts referred to in the previous section: EU Directive on Travellers’ Rights, the General Terms and Conditions of NS International, the applicable Train Type Conditions, and the specific Fare Conditions.

Fares United Kingdom Eurostar

London to the Netherlands v.v. travel period before 4 November 2024

* Plus additional payment of any price difference with best available, new fare.
If the new ticket costs less than the original ticket, the price difference will not be refunded.

** Changing means changing the travel date and/or departure time.
Changing passenger name, seat, route or class means cancellation according to fare conditions and booking a new ticket.

Belgium - London and France - London v.v.

* Plus additional payment of any price difference with best available, new fare.
If the new ticket costs less than the original ticket, the price difference will not be refunded.
** Changing means changing the travel date and/or departure time.
Changing passenger name, seat, route or class means cancellation according to fare conditions and booking a new ticket.

Eurostar London v.v. travel period after 4 November 2024

* Plus additional payment of any price difference with best available, new fare. If the new ticket costs less than the original ticket, the price difference will not be refunded. ** Changing means changing the travel date and/or departure time. Changing passenger name, seat, route or class means cancellation according to fare conditions and booking a new ticket.