Its been a few years since I travelled on Eurostar, indeed it was still running from Waterloo at the time. One real advantage was you could take food and drink on board and consume your own picnic as you watched the world go by. However recent google searches produce conflicting messages ranging from an outright ban and confiscation at check in/security to others that seem to indicate its OK still although obviously in moderation. If there is a ban presumably you cant even bring back a few bottles of wine in your luggage for consumption at home ?
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Eurostar food and drink policy
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Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
You can indeed take food and drink in, though you need to consume it before the other side if it's fresh food that might be restricted on being taken in. There's a limit on alcohol to stop groups of lads getting excessively drunk (which was previously an issue) but it's fairly generous, it'll only affect you if you are one of those "lads" or an alky.
They have little boxes with holes in so coffee can safely go through the X-ray machine, but you can also buy it inside.
The alcohol policy is a bit "woolly" and is clearly intended to only be applied to people who look like they'll cause trouble, e.g. stag and hen dos, and unlikely to be enforced on a lone or couple/family travelling with a few bottles of plonk to take home.
They have little boxes with holes in so coffee can safely go through the X-ray machine, but you can also buy it inside.
The alcohol policy is a bit "woolly" and is clearly intended to only be applied to people who look like they'll cause trouble, e.g. stag and hen dos, and unlikely to be enforced on a lone or couple/family travelling with a few bottles of plonk to take home.
Thanks for the replies. I did think that the stag/hen/football groups might have been the reason behind the total ban I read about but if thats now been removed and a policy of sensible moderation that the majority would keep to is in place then thats good news. Happy to consume before 'the other side' and I did see notices in Helsinki airport that meat (amongst other things) couldnt be imported from outside the EU and they were still citing BSE as the reason !
hexagon789
Veteran Member
Meat and dairy. Best eat any macaroni or Scotch pies before leaving the train
Luckily I got a good price for Standard Premier on the way out (to Amsterdam) so not worried about the trip there. Coming back standard which actually cost more and no way could I justify premier on the way back given the price differential so was just making sure I could grab something to make a picnic on the way back.Meat and dairy. Best eat any macaroni or Scotch pies before leaving the train
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Yes, you can. I did it both ways (to Brussels and back) a couple of weeks ago.
AlbertBeale
Established Member
I've never had trouble eating on board any food or drink I've taken on with me, nor ever had trouble with, eg, a sarnie or whatever I've carried right through the system to eat after arrival. However, there are in theory rules about not taking things (such as food) which could carry anything infectious and hence spread some disease from one country to another [though I'm a vegetarian and rarely travel with a chicken carcass], which is fair enough - and I think has historically applied in other situations too (like transit between the island of Britain and the island of Ireland).
Though in the same way that the re-established "customs checks" now operate in theory on arrival at Gare de Nord etc, but in practice no-one who looks like a "normal holiday-maker" etc is ever stopped, I assume the "health checks on arriving animal products" rules are also completely nominal.
But on-board eating/drinking your own stuff is not even a theoretical problem - as long as you don't cause a nuisance! (On a recent Brussels-London journey a loud guy in the seat in front of me had clearly been enjoying a bit too much Trappist beer before leaving - but of course if it's consumed before departure there's little to be done anyway...)
Though in the same way that the re-established "customs checks" now operate in theory on arrival at Gare de Nord etc, but in practice no-one who looks like a "normal holiday-maker" etc is ever stopped, I assume the "health checks on arriving animal products" rules are also completely nominal.
But on-board eating/drinking your own stuff is not even a theoretical problem - as long as you don't cause a nuisance! (On a recent Brussels-London journey a loud guy in the seat in front of me had clearly been enjoying a bit too much Trappist beer before leaving - but of course if it's consumed before departure there's little to be done anyway...)
Thanks for all the encouraging responses. I did get a reply from a helpful person at Eurostar who basically said no ban, just be sensible and they had the right to stop excessive amounts being taken on board. It seems the reference I saw to a ban and confiscation was missing the key words 'On night ski trains and for sporting events' so was probably the usual lazy journalist trying to sensationalise things and taking it out of context.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
The ski trains ban alcohol entirely due to the tendency for people to sit up all night drinking and talking loudly, stopping others sleeping. That's very specific to those trains.
Yes thats what I now know. Unfortunately the post just said Eurostar had banned alcohol without bothering to mention it was the ski trains !
Gloster
Veteran Member
It is a few years since I used Eurostar, but they seemed to maintain the post 9/11 ban on opened cans from being taken onboard. It is possible that they had dropped it before I last travelled, but I just didn’t notice as I only ever carried a clear plastics water bottle and bought coffee once through check-in.
Had no problem taking and consuming my own food and beer on either trip recently.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
You can take all that stuff on the Eurostar. You just can't take it off at the other end other than inside your stomach. Flights are generally the same give or take liquids rules.
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It's got nothing really to do with 9/11, and is just because they don't have a means of putting open cans through the X-ray machine without the risk of spillage causing damage. They do allow lidded tea and coffee, there's a special tray with slots to keep it upright.
they really dont care about food from my experince
even post brexit ive taken irn bru and (normal) brownies with me and even when clearly presented in my luggage as it goes thru the scanner never been even ask about them
even post brexit ive taken irn bru and (normal) brownies with me and even when clearly presented in my luggage as it goes thru the scanner never been even ask about them
Only thing ive seen change on Eurostar post Brexit, is Ebbsfleet stop has gone, theres a random customs check / office at Brussels.
Passport checking in London needs a French stamp, and exiting France, Belgium or Holland has become a labour some chore as the queuing has become very slow for passport checking.
Some stuff is now duty free, but is generally rubbish anyway.
otherwise, everything else looks unchanged.
Passport checking in London needs a French stamp, and exiting France, Belgium or Holland has become a labour some chore as the queuing has become very slow for passport checking.
Some stuff is now duty free, but is generally rubbish anyway.
otherwise, everything else looks unchanged.
wellhouse
Member
Can anyone advise how refreshments are served in Standard Premier from Amsterdam to London?
Does service start upon departure from Amsterdam, or is it delayed until departure from Brussels?
Does service start upon departure from Amsterdam, or is it delayed until departure from Brussels?
Gerald Fiennes
Member
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I recall that you get a soft drink or coffee/tea with some nibbles, served by a Belgian crew, they come off at Brux and are substituted by the normal ES crew and the tray snack is then served (Brux being the cold store on the route). But if you want any substantial feeding, best to do so before/after the journey....
_toommm_
Established Member
I brought an open can of energy drink through not realising (somewhat naively) that it might be a bit ‘taboo’. They asked me to go to another customs booth for some reason, although that officer just stamped my passport as leaving England, and that was that.
wellhouse
Member
Thanks.
Planning to drop in to 1e Klas before we board anyway. (with their Interrail discount!)
StephenHunter
Established Member
At Amsterdam? I was told that wasn't a thing when I tried that in 2021.
on that note one thing i discovered last time i was in amsterdam was when i went to the international first class lounge to buy access found out they let you in even with standard premium
wellhouse
Member
Some confusion, I fear.
I was referring to the 1e Clas Restaurant and bar in the former first class waiting room rather than the NS First Class Lounge (though I understand Interrail First Class passes are accepted there)
StephenHunter
Established Member
That's the one I meant too.
yea thats the one i was refering too as well
philthetube
Established Member
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Sort of off topic but does anyone know if walking poles can be carried?
Brooke
Member
Yes, I believe so. I’ve taken walking poles and also crampons in the past (but I never tried an ice axe!)
Here is the link you need: https://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel-info/travel-planning/luggage/sports-and-camping-equipment
Here is the link you need: https://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel-info/travel-planning/luggage/sports-and-camping-equipment
In the mid 2010s I did once take the full set of rucksack, tent, poles and ice-axe with the sharp bits covered in cardboard and tape. I also had cutlery and a stove (but no gas canister) with me. Got questioned by an army patrol in Gare du Nord but Eurostar was fine with it.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Ice axes seem to be a constant debate between Eurostar and the BMC* etc with policy flip flopping by the minutes. I do understand the difficulty given that they would make a very effective weapon. They're not fussy about most climbing gear though, I've taken it on there before. I have heard about them being fussy about butter knives and similar, though, as while you'd have a job doing any damage with one in law they're technically fixed blade knives. The current website policy says knives are allowed if the blade is under 3in even if they don't fold, though, which covers most travel cutlery but I think my normal butter knives in the kitchen are longer.
* British Mountaineering Council
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