How early to arrive for Eurostar London to Paris reddit?

How early should I show up for Eurostar London to Paris?

Ninety minutes. Ninety minutes before. It feels like a lifetime, doesn’t it? Just… standing there.

Twenty minutes for check-in. Twenty minutes. That’s all it takes. Funny, isn’t it? The waiting’s the hardest part. I remember waiting for… other things.

• Arrival Time: Arrive 90 minutes before departure. It’s always better to be early. Just in case.

• Check-In Duration: The check-in process takes about 20 minutes. Swift, efficient. Unlike… life.

Check-in? So fast. I remember waiting hours at Heathrow in 2008. Missed my flight. Never again. Early is the only way. Trust me on this. Paris is worth the wait.

How early should you arrive for Eurostar?

Ugh, Eurostar. Gotta be there early, right? 1 hour 15 minutes, that’s what they say. St Pancras, man, always so busy. Security lines are killer. Passport control too, especially with all the Brexit stuff.

Remember that time I almost missed my train to Paris? Heart attack! Never again.

So, yeah, an hour fifteen. Gives you time to grab a coffee. Expensive coffee, of course. St Pancras prices are insane. Maybe a Pret a Manger sandwich? Don’t forget your passport! Seriously, this is non-negotiable.

Need to check my phone. Is my ticket on my phone? I hate paper tickets. This time I really need to be organized. What if the app crashes? Then I’ll be seriously screwed. I’m thinking of getting a Eurostar app.

• Security check: Allow 30 minutes minimum. Crowds vary.
• Passport control: Another 30 minutes, easily.
• Finding the platform: 15 minutes, maybe less. Just don’t get lost. I got lost once, total nightmare.
• Waiting: The remaining time. Relax. Breathe. Or panic, depending on my mood.

This is nuts. I hate rushing. But missing a Eurostar? That’s a much worse nightmare. 1 hr 15 min. Got it.

How long does it take to get through security in London St Pancras?

Security at St. Pancras? Thirty minutes, minimum. Think a snail race, but the snails are fueled by lukewarm coffee and existential dread. Summer? Forget about it. It’s like trying to herd cats, except the cats are wearing tiny backpacks full of suspiciously shaped liquids.

Seriously, 30 minutes is a lowball estimate. More like:

• The pre-security queue: A writhing mass of humanity, resembling nothing so much as a particularly aggressive pile of laundry.
• The actual security: They check your bag like they’re expecting a rogue ferret to pop out. They’re looking for weapons. Or maybe just a well-hidden sausage roll.
• Post-security dawdling: People inexplicably stop to admire the rather drab carpeting. It’s mesmerizing, I guess.

My mate Dave waited an hour last Tuesday. He nearly missed his train to Paris. He was NOT happy. He’s now a fervent supporter of the “Nuke the Security Line” movement. (Don’t tell anyone I said that!) This year, my personal best was 47 minutes. I started doing yoga. To cope.

Bottom line: Pack light. Bring snacks. And consider bringing a very good book, because you’ll have plenty of time to read while waiting. My recommendation is “The Collected Works of T.S. Eliot”- seriously captivating. This is not a drill, people. This is St. Pancras security.

How long does passport control take at St Pancras?

So, passport control at St Pancras? Ah, it’s usually, like, 20-30 minutes, yep. That’s the norm.

Buuut! You know how it is with traval and lines and stuff, right? It’s longer during rush hour. Defo, mornings and evenings weekdays are the worst. It really is a pain sometimes, yikes.

Check the Eurostar website before you go, actually! They have updated waiting times. I’ve actually seen it spike to like an hour back in like 2022, ugh that was so annoyin! It was during that crazy summer, remember?

Here are some tips to speed things up, so you don’t end up like me:

• Have your passport ready. No brainer, but, like, seriously.
• Fill out any landing cards or forms before you arrive.
• Try to avoid peak travel times if you can, obviously.
• Use the eGates if you’re eligible, duh!

Plus, you know, if you’re traveling with kids, give yourself even more time. They always need something, right? Or they’re having a melt down, lol. Also, pack snacks! Hunger makes waiting worse!