Connection time from domestic to Eurostar services at St Pancras

[paulcleaver]

I've had a look in the forums but can't see the answer.

I'm thinking of travelling on an East Midlands Trains service scheduled to arrive at St Pancras at 06:19, to then take a Eurostar service scheduled to depart at 06:50.

Is that connection too tight, or would I be ok?

Thank you for your help.

 

[EM2]

Eurostar check-in closes 30 minutes before departure, so I'd say that's way too tight.

 

[ainsworth74]

Unless you're travelling in Business Premier you need to check in at least 30 minutes prior to departure (BP can check in 10 minutes before). So that is very tight but, as far as I'm aware, Eurostar don't actually turn people away unless they turn up only a few minutes before departure. The 30 minutes thing appears to be to ensure they don't have a train load of people arriving two minutes before departure.

Also ensure your ticket to St Pancras is actually to London International (CIV) this means that in the event of delays you'd be covered by the international conditions of carriage and allowed to get the next Eurostar to your destination.

 

[Groningen]

You are sure that your train arrives at 6.19 in London. Never had delays in the past? Ha; i see: Leicester 04:45 - Kettering 05:05 - Wellingborough 05:17 - Bedford 05:38 - Luton Airport Parkway 05:56 - London St. Pancras 06:19. Yes; there is no earlier train or you have to arrive at 23.38 and wait 7 hours.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

If it was me, I'd certainly be doing the all nighter at St Pancras.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Also ensure your ticket to St Pancras is actually to London International (CIV) this means that in the event of delays you'd be covered by the international conditions of carriage and allowed to get the next Eurostar to your destination.

I think that is highly questionable if the OP is deliberately not planning to arrive (minimum connection period at St P + 30 minutes) before departure.

 

[paulcleaver]

Thank you all for your replies.

My dilema was to travel down earlier and stay overnight or risk the morning service.

Would a xxxx to London CIV ticket be valid, if I did indeed encounter a delay, given the difference between scheduled arrival at 06:19 and Eurostar departure 06:50 is 31 minutes?

 

[ainsworth74]

I wouldn't chance it.

 

[yorkie]

Would a xxxx to London CIV ticket be valid, if I did indeed encounter a delay, given the difference between scheduled arrival at 06:19 and Eurostar departure 06:50 is 31 minutes?

They won't knowingly sell you a ticket with an invalid connection time.

 

[westcoaster]

Thank you all for your replies.

My dilema was to travel down earlier and stay overnight or risk the morning service.

Would a xxxx to London CIV ticket be valid, if I did indeed encounter a delay, given the difference between scheduled arrival at 06:19 and Eurostar departure 06:50 is 31 minutes?

The first southbound is pretty reliable but varies week to week depending on engineering work, and what route it takes.
Where abouts will you board out of interest.

 

[paulcleaver]

Lesta me duck

The 03.05 Megabus arrives Victoria Coach Station at 05:50 am and is £1, but then Ive still got to race it across to St Pancras before 06:20.

I think I will bite the bullet and stay the night in London.

 

[ainsworth74]

I would in your situation.

 

[Abpj17]

I'd be happier staying over - or at least staying over closer to London. The Hilton Hampton next to Luton Airport can be reasonable in advance or if you are willing to brave it the EasyHotel in Luton is close to the station. The train isn't as quick as EMT, but there are services through the night into St P.

The gap seems too small to risk - you might get away with it as St P may be quieter than early, but, particularly Monday morning/post engineering works there can be inbound delays on the domestic lines.

 

[Greenback]

You need to stay overnight. The chances of something going wrong and delaying your arrival at St Pancras are not insignificant!

 

[Hophead]

Get the last train south; faff about for a while; head down to Gatwick; faff about some more; get an early train back up....