Eurostar serves several destinations in France and Belgium including Paris, Lille, Brussels and Disneyland Paris. Some trains also travel through to Avignon. Tickets for onward travel with other operators such as Thalys are available, but to obtain the best rates for wheelchair travel, book directly.
Planning the Journey on Eurostar
When planning travel with Eurostar there are some important things to consider.
- Each traveller requires a valid passport for travel to and from United Kingdom.
- Which Eurostar destination is required?
- Eurostar tickets must be booked in advance.
In common with most train travel in United Kingdom, disabled passengers receive a better service if their requested assistance is booked in advance. Eurostar’s passenger charter asks that this is booked at least 48 hours in advance. It is probably better to book assistance at the same time as booking train tickets.
Eurostar Ticket Choices for Wheelchair Users
A wheelchair user and an accompanying passenger have a choice of tickets, comparable with standard class prices. Each Eurostar train has just two dedicated wheelchair spaces, both in first-class carriages. There is a companion seat and a special wheelchair space just inside the carriage door.
The positioning of the wheelchair space allows easy access to the disabled-accessible toilet at the end of the carriage. The toilets are roomy and allow manoeuvrability for wheelchairs. It is also worth remembering that using a toilet at 200 miles per hour is not easy. All the stations have well-equipped accessible toilets, and these may prove a better option.
Currently wheelchair travellers have a choice of travelling leisure select or business select. The cost is the same, but the standard of service is slightly higher in business select.
Eurostar is changing the titles of accommodation from 1st September 2010. If booking to travel after that date, the choice is standard premier, or business premier; more details can be found from Eurostar.
Facilities Available Onboard Eurostar
A wheelchair user and companion enjoy all the facilities of First Class. Once on the train enjoy professional service, a glass of champagne, wine with a three-course meal and hot drinks. All this is included in the price.
If you are able, and seats are available, feel free to sit at a normal first class seat. This may be more comfortable to eat and drink, but may not be an option for everyone. Eurostar has a special table attachment, which raises the drop-down table attached to the rear of seats to a more practical and stable height for a wheelchair user.
A Typical Eurostar Lunch Menu
A typical lunch menu in Leisure Select consists of:
- Starter – usually vegetarian – such as marinated vegetables and Parmesan and choice of bread roll
- Choice of main course:
- one hot, like ham hock cottage pie and vegetables
- one cold, and often vegetarian, such as goat’s cheese and caramelised onion tart.
- Dessert – cold, such as strawberry shortcake or chocolate mousse
- Choice of wines
- Tea or coffee.
Water is served with meals.
The meals are usually themed for the country of departure. Travelling from London, the menu will be English; from Brussels it will be Belgian and from Paris, it will be French.
Disneyland Leisure Select on Eurostar
The Disneyland services have a reduced alcohol service. Alcohol is not served in Leisure Select on morning outbound services, only in the buffet, and champagne is not available.
Eurostar Assistance for Reduced Mobility Passengers
Eurostar offer several services for anyone with reduced mobility. These include meeting and assisting through check-in and customs, assistance onto the train with ramps and helping with transferring trains. All travellers have to do is sit back and enjoy the luxury that Leisure and Business Select on Eurostar afford.
If the public want to see how disabled train travel in the UK has improved over the last 25 years, they can do no better than to look at Eurostar services. Gone are the days of travelling in cold guard’s vans surrounded by post and livestock. Their replacements are first class travel, champagne and a three-course meal at amazing prices.
Denise Oyston - I am a Further Education Lecturer, specialising in IT. I am interested in basic skills teaching, especially literacy and numeracy as well ...
