Eurostar Standard vs Premier Standard

Tickets for sale now for December start at £41 per person in Standard vs. £110 for Standard Premier and I would not be inclined to spend the higher amount. It's only a 2.5-hour ride, pretty comfortable in both classes. (I've ridden it a few times in Standard.) If you do choose Standard Premier, then I'd try to select two seats facing each other around a table for 2 (instead of a table for 4 and instead of side-by-side), but you can't do that until you have paid for the tickets and there are only a few of those spots. See seating charts.

As Indicated, the trip goes by fast, and standard should be fine. I've ridden in both only because I had to buy an emergency ticket on a bank holiday weekend a couple years ago, and there were only about four seats left on the train. You can buy coffee, drinks, sandwiches, snacks, etc. inside the waiting area before boarding if you'd like to take something on board with you.

We use the Eurostar between London and Paris every year. We always have found the standard coaches very roomy and very comfortable. I doubt the Premier is worth the extra money for a two-hour train ride. You do know tickets went on sale 6 months prior to your travel date and some of the cheaper fares go quickly so you should book right away. We always purchase a carnet of French metro tickets in the departure lounge at St. Pancras. You can also purchase them on board the Eurostar in the snack bar coach. We also always take a taxi from Gare du Nord to any hotel in central Paris for around 20 Euros. We print off a copy of our hotel's website, complete with the address, to hand to the taxi driver even though we speak a little French. Go to www.seat61.com for all manner of tips and advice about train travel in Europe.

I used to think it was worth the upgrade to what is now called Standard Premier back when the trips took longer and when the train used to go in and out of London Waterloo. We used to get pretty good food and drink back when it thought it was first class, and decent service, as well as the slightly better seats.

Now, what is left of the food is now cold and on small airline trays, the coffee cups are microscopic, although if you can catch the eye of the server you can get a refill, and the slightly better seating is barely worth it for such a short trip as it is now.

It is rare that I use the upgrade now.

Yes at one time the equivalent of 'Premier Standard' then 'Leisure Select' has the same meals as as what is now Business Premier, but no longer. As well as the small tray, you do get a bigger seat and electrical sockets which are more limited in standard. The last time I went on eurostar it was looking decidedly tatty, but the new trains coming should spruce things up a bit.

Thanks all! Looks like we will be going Standard!

Here is the specific page on Man in Seat 61 on All Things Eurostar, if it will help with your decision ;-)