Do you rate Eurostar?

I%26#39;m thinking of taking my partner away for a romantic weekend and Paris is top of the list but given the short time we%26#39;re there I want to make the whole trip special. I%26#39;ve looked at Eurostar but can%26#39;t find a First Class deal, there%26#39;s something called %26#39;Leisure Select%26#39; and this seems similar but wanted to know if anyone else has used it and whether it%26#39;s worth the extra?

Thanks in advance!

Sally

|||

Frankly, for the extra cost, I don%26#39;t think the differences in amenities are worth it of the 2:35 hr. train trip....but then they%26#39;re your hard earned vacation pounds...so spend as you like.

You need to check around and %26#39;..tinker..%26#39; with your travel dates and times, if you proposed itinerary offers you any leeway in the matter. There are often special %26#39;..shopper..%26#39; or %26#39;..clubber..%26#39; weekend promotions offered.

EUROSTAR--

eurostar.com/dynamic/_SvBoExpressBookingTerm…

%26quot;BRITAIN SHRINKER%26quot; Packages--25£ Off Leisure Select 1st Class fares--

www.britainshrinkers.com/home.cfm…

%26#39;..LEISURE SELECT..%26#39; fare category description from EUROSTAR--

%26quot;..Leisure Select is perfect for those of you wishing to treat yourself to a short break in style. You can enjoy a large comfortable seat where we’ll serve you champagne and a three-course meal from our exclusive menu...%26quot;

|||

As usual there is not a lot to add to KDKSAIL%26#39;s excellent post. Just for the reocrd Eurostar used to have first class then last September they divided into business select and leisure select, so tourists didn%26#39;t have to suffer business people having loud meetings and business people didn%26#39;t have to see people enjoying their trip! (and of course make more money!) If anything the service etc. in leisure select is better than the old first class - based on two trips.

|||

The food on the Eurostar is inedible, so I wouldn%26#39;t do it for the meal. Can%26#39;t imagine the champagne being as good as anything you could bring on your own.

Some people feel it is worth the extra expense to ensure no screaming kids, but when my daughter goes on school field trips via TGV/Eurostar/Thalys the SNCF invariably scatters the kids throughout first class, so I would not consider this a guarantee.

In brief, I see little benefit, other than %26quot;feeling%26quot; first class.

|||

Well i am going to play devils advocate and come down on the side of Leisure Select (old First Class). The differences for me are as follows:

Wider seat, only 3 across rather than 4.

Meal service on board. I personally find the meals surprisingly decent. Much better than coach on an airplane. Meals come in handy when you are traveling at meal time and dont want to have to spend time eating somewhere at your destination.

Free newspaper. Nice but I usually bring something to read myself.

More luggage storage due to less seats in compartement.

Tends to be MUCH quieter.

Nicer interiour.

With that said, I must admit that as the Eurostar prices have slowly crept upwards I ride it less and less. Some excellent deals can be had in Second which isnt really the case in First so that should be considered.

|||

morganb - I agree on all counts, sounds as if phread has been unlucky.

As for prices, well as another thread has shown you really have to look at all the options. For a trip before Christmas, on the train we wanted, it was cheaper to go leisure class than standard!