Does anyone have any recent examples of how long it takes to get through security for the Eurostar at Gare du Nord (traveling to London)? My tickets say to arrive 45-60 minutes before departure, but my coworker mentioned that her daughter recently took the Eurostar (from London to Paris) and arrived an hour early and was not allowed through security. I realize this was traveling in the opposite direction, but I just figured I'd better check on recent experiences. Better safe than sorry. I'd hate to miss our train!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
It is an airport style of security plus immigration checks. We were there about 90 minutes early and lines were long but it was a bank holiday weekend, and slowly moving. We probably cleared in 45 to hour so we did sit around for awhile waiting for the train. Something else was going on if she could not board or clear security. On the surface doesn't make much sense. Nothing wrong with going an extra 30 minutes early.
Posted by
Paris
10221 posts
The problem is that in March and part of April, the French customs officials at Gare du Nord were striking, thus throwing all “average” advice through the window (I don't know what the problem would have been coming from London). The best you can do is keep up with Eurostar on Twitter and their website to see if they are encountering any of these unusual problems that would warrant an earlier arrival at the station.
I got lucky and went a weekend four weeks ago when the French customs officials were not striking; I got to the station about an hour and fifteen minutes before my train's departure and made it through all the various lines in plenty of time. I usually plan on being at Gare du Nord about one hour before departure, and hopefully this will be fine in your case.
But I honestly would advise signing up for Twitter (you don't have to tweet!) and following various Eurostar accounts. The day before and day of traveling, do a search by “Eurostar “ and switch to “Most Recent” tweets and read down for a while — this will give you an idea of anything's amiss as people are quick to complain!!!
The Eurostar website today, for example, says that Gare du Nord is “exceptionally” busy and that lines are thus taking longer.
The main thing is to check these sources closer to the time of your planned travel; I recommend the day before and day of.
Posted by
OP
33 posts
Thank you both for your replies! I have followed Eurostar on twitter and will take all advice. For now, I'll plan on being 90 minutes early, just to be on the safe side.