Taking a Baby on Eurostar: Tickets, Passports, Pushchairs and Luggage

A train from London to Paris or Brussels avoids the airport routine of security queues and hold luggage, which makes it an appealing first trip abroad with a baby. This guide sets out what Eurostar publishes about tickets, seating, passports, pushchairs and luggage for families with babies and toddlers, so the logistics can be planned before the booking is made. Policies are set by the operator and can change, so the pages cited below should be checked at the time of booking.

Tickets and seats for under-4s

Eurostar says children under 4 can travel free without a ticket, as long as they sit on an adult’s lap throughout the journey. Alternatively, a ticket can be bought for the child. Its “Travel with children” page says this may suit a family that wants the child to have their own seat, or an adult travelling alone with more than one young child (Eurostar, “Travel with children”).

The separate “Travel with babies” page adds that a paid child ticket guarantees a separate seat, and that this can help if a parent is travelling solo with a baby, is bringing more than one young child, or wants the child to sit independently. It lists using a car seat on the journey as another reason to book a seat, and it says a car seat is not essential on Eurostar (Eurostar, “Travel with babies”). Families choosing seats can use Manage your booking to pick where to sit once booked, including seats around a table where space allows.

Passports

Eurostar states that even the youngest travellers need their own passport when travelling to and from London, and that a valid passport is required for all journeys to and from London, even with parents. It advises checking the passport expiry date before the journey, because entry requirements vary by destination (Eurostar, “Travel with babies”). Timing a first passport is covered in our guide to a baby’s first passport, and the birth certificate comes from registration, as explained in our guide to registering a baby’s birth.

Eurostar also says the documents checklist should include tickets if a seat has been booked for the baby, and parental authorisation if required. Anyone under 18 travels under the responsibility of a parent, guardian or person authorised by the parents.

Pushchairs

Eurostar says a pushchair can be taken on board free of charge in addition to the luggage allowance. It must be folded before boarding and stored in one of the baggage racks near the seat (Eurostar, “Luggage allowance”). The “Travel with babies” page notes that a compact, easy-fold pushchair can make moving through stations smoother, especially for a parent travelling alone or juggling bags. Our guide to train travel with a baby in Great Britain covers domestic rules, which are separate from Eurostar’s.

Luggage

Eurostar’s luggage page lists the allowance for a standard ticket as two pieces of luggage and one small item of hand luggage. Children can bring one bag and one piece of hand luggage. In Eurostar Premier the allowance is three pieces of luggage plus one hand luggage item. On routes to and from London, a bag can be up to 85 cm long, and on other routes 75 cm. There is no strict weight limit per bag, and Eurostar’s guidance is that a bag which can be carried safely is acceptable. It also says there are no liquid restrictions, with limits on alcohol (Eurostar, “Luggage allowance”).

The “Travel with babies” page says there are no special baby bag rules, so nappies, spare clothes and toys can be packed within the normal allowance. Where extra luggage is needed, the options differ by route. On London routes, excess baggage must be booked in advance through the Registered Luggage Service, which the page says is limited to selected trains between London and Paris and between London and Brussels, with each item at 30 kg or less. On routes within Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Germany, extra items can be added on the day for €30 each.

On board

• Baby changing: Eurostar says every train has baby-changing facilities, and on its trains between France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany they are in coaches 7, 17 and 27.
• Assistance: Eurostar says it does not offer priority boarding or dedicated family lanes for all families, but a parent travelling alone with a young child may be helped by the assistance team, which it recommends booking at least 24 hours before travel. Staff at the station can also help on the day.

Fares for older children

For families with a toddler who will turn 4 soon, Eurostar says fares for children aged 4 to 11 in Eurostar Standard or Plus may be discounted by 30 per cent in peak periods and 30 to 50 per cent off-peak on routes to and from London. Children aged 4 to 11 must travel with a responsible person aged 16 or older, and child tickets can only be booked with an adult ticket. There are no children’s discounts in Eurostar Premier (Eurostar, “Travel with children”).

A quick checklist

• check the baby’s passport is valid for the whole trip;
• decide between a lap journey and a paid seat;
• pick a pushchair that folds quickly and fits a luggage rack;
• measure bags against the 85 cm limit on London routes;

The bottom line

Eurostar’s published policy lets children under 4 travel free on an adult’s lap, with a paid seat available for families who prefer one. A folded pushchair travels free in the luggage racks on top of the allowance of two bags and a hand-luggage item per standard ticket, with bags up to 85 cm on London routes. Every baby needs their own valid passport for journeys to and from London, and every train has baby-changing facilities. These are the operator’s own rules, so confirm them at booking.

Sources

• Eurostar, “Travel with children”
• Eurostar, “Travel with babies”
• Eurostar, “Luggage allowance”