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 far in advance you should arrive at the departure station to ensure a smooth check-in process. This advice varies depending on the ticket/fare and 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.

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 ticket or homeprint ticket

A mobile or homeprint ticket is a digital ticket. In your booking confirmation, you'll find the Load your tickets in the app button to load the ticket into the NS International App. The ticket will be stored under ‘My bookings’. Using the Print tickets button, you can print the ticket (again) yourself. The ticket must be printed unchanged on blank/white A4 paper before the start of the journey. Double-sided printing is allowed, as long as the square barcode remains clearly readable.

The following applies to these tickets:

• The ticket is personal and non-transferable.
• You show the ticket via the NS International App. Use the latest version of the app.
• Once the square barcode or PDF has been saved in the NS International App, the ticket can always be retrieved, even without an internet connection.
• To pass through ticket gates and during ticket inspection, use the barcode from the mobile ticket on your smartphone.
• Specific homeprint rules can be found in the terms of use on the homeprint ticket.
• Ticket inspection may include ID verification. Carry a valid photo ID (passport or ID card), as the train manager/conductor may request it.
• Travel is only allowed on the booked date and/or train, unless stated otherwise in the fare conditions.
• The usual fare conditions apply for changes and cancellations (see the tables). If you request a change to a new travel date, this new date must fall within the booking window of the carrier.
• If a refund is requested within 2 days after the ticket's start date, the refund will be processed via the original payment method. After 2 days, processing may be delayed due to pending inspection data.
• For tickets purchased at the NS International desk in the Service Shop, a refund request can be submitted at the desk before departure or after the specified period. You can also contact NS International Customer Service to request a refund.

Bring your bicycle

On the direct Eurostar service to London, it is only possible to bring a disassembled bicycle packed as luggage.

• One packed bike per person.
• The bike must be folded (folding bike) or disassembled (standard bike or adult balance bike).
• The bike must be packed in a bike bag that fully encloses the bicycle. The longest side (length, width, and/or height) may not exceed 85 cm.

More information about travelling with a bicycle

You can also call NS International Customer Service at +31 30 230 00 23 or visit the NS International desk in the Service Shop at 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

Eurostar tickets involve multiple contracts. A complaint, refund request due to delay, compensation claim, or damage claim related to carriers other than NS International—resulting from a transport contract entered into via NS International—can be submitted to NS International. Depending on the carrier the claim concerns, NS International will either process the claim directly or forward it to the relevant carrier.

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, you can contact us via chat, call NS International Customer Service at +31 30 230 00 23, or visit the NS International desk at a major station.

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

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.

* 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.