Tier 4 Eurostar Question

[EnriqueEspaña]

Looking for advice and other people's thoughts on the matter...

I have travel booked with Eurostar on the 28th London - Paris, and return ticket on 7th January from Lille to London. I am self employed and currently have a contract with a very large company I will not name specifically but is named after a large south american forest/river. I have paperwork that denotes me as an essential worker as I work in operations and distribution. I had a feeling that air travel would not be secure and thought that with Eurostar being partly owned by SNCF it would be less likely to have travel restrictions enforced on the French side (to reiterate i have all the paperwork that permits me to travel for essential work). However, the situation is changing quickly and if Eurostar is also cancelled, does anyone have any idea how I can get to Orleans in France without driving? Or does anyone realistically think Eurostar will still run some services. My return journey would have to be modified as I would imagine all trains that stop at Lille would be ex-Brussels that have already stated a ban on train travel to the uk. Any help would be appreciated as if I cant complete this contract my personal finances will not be in a good state. Even if your not sure your suggestions would work, I am just looking for ideas, I am fully capable of researching the technical details and seeing if its worth investigating further.

Thank you so much in advance.

 

[malc-c]

Can't answer your questions, but with a lot of countries now banning travel between them and the UK (granted it's mainly flights, but trains to Belgium have also been included, so possibly ferries may follow for personal travel next) you may find making that journey almost impossible. Maybe it's worth giving Eurostar a call. Their website hasn't been updated since 18th December

Good luck with your endeavours, and hope you get the contract.

 

[EnriqueEspaña]

Can't answer your questions, but with a lot of countries now banning travel between them and the UK (granted it's mainly flights, but trains to Belgium have also been included, so possibly ferries may follow for personal travel next) you may find making that journey almost impossible. Maybe it's worth giving Eurostar a call. Their website hasn't been updated since 18th December

Good luck with your endeavours, and hope you get the contract.

Thanks, I have found their website has been updated very frequently actually, there have been updates on both the 19th and 20th! With regard to the ferries it seems like it may be my only bet, but being a foot passenger could be a problem. I do have a car but no insurance to drive abroad, so that would be an extra expense to consider. I would normally look at Seat 61 but i am not sure how much information would be accurate in these weird times.

 

[Ianno87]

Thanks, I have found their website has been updated very frequently actually, there have been updates on both the 19th and 20th! With regard to the ferries it seems like it may be my only bet, but being a foot passenger could be a problem. I do have a car but no insurance to drive abroad, so that would be an extra expense to consider. I would normally look at Seat 61 but i am not sure how much information would be accurate in these weird times.

Seat 61 does have a Covid-changes page, but Mark Smith seems to have (despite best efforts) trouble keeping up with absolutely everything, given the pace of changes. Dropping him a Tweet / e-mail might be worthwhile.

 

[EnriqueEspaña]

Seat 61 does have a Covid-changes page, but Mark Smith seems to have (despite best efforts) trouble keeping up with absolutely everything, given the pace of changes. Dropping him a Tweet / e-mail might be worthwhile.

Now that I didn't know, thank you for the suggestion. Starting to contemplate traveling to Eastern Europe by plane and having to make my way back accross to France through Mainland Europe.

 

[EssexGonzo]

I would seriously consider checking out the insurance costs for your car. It may not be much and Orleans is an easy drive from the French ports. It certainly sounds easier than travelling to Eastern Europe.

Most car policies cover driving in the EU and will continue to do so after 1st January.

 

[duesselmartin]

One year ago that situation would have sounded like bad science fiction.
What would be the situation for foreign nationals like me travelling home via France and Belgium? With Germany considering suspending flights, would I be grounded?

 

[EnriqueEspaña]

I would seriously consider checking out the insurance costs for your car. It may not be much and Orleans is an easy drive from the French ports. It certainly sounds easier than travelling to Eastern Europe.

Most car policies cover driving in the EU and will continue to do so after 1st January.

I will have to check my policy I am just reluctant to drive with all the additional costs of petrol, parking and possibly having to buy extra's to my insurance policy. Before I take the car I need to check that ferries will not be restricted to 'Cargo only'.

One year ago that situation would have sounded like bad science fiction.
What would be the situation for foreign nationals like me travelling home via France and Belgium? With Germany considering suspending flights, would I be grounded?

Join the club! I have an Irish mum, British dad, born in Spain, raised in England with Irish and Spanish citizenship. In the previous lockdown I have travelled through France to cross into Spain for both work and leisure. With regards to through travel or 'transit' there were no restrictions on travelling through a country so long as borders were open and you had proof of travel to your final destination outside of the country. I think your only problem would be like me, the lack of transport options apart from private car. It is worth noting that with queues of lorries backing up at UK ports, there may be limited space on ferries available. However depending on where in Germany you live, flying to Poland and getting the train/coach across the border actually could make some sense for your situation.

The irony to this all is that I have a very good knowledge of current regulations regarding international freight but when I need to transport myself I am left inadequately informed.

 

[miami]

The statement from French Prime Minister Jean Castex said: "The 48-hour time limit is intended to achieve two objectives:

"To allow time for coordination between EU Member States in order to define a common doctrine on the regulation and control of travel from the United Kingdom;

"To prepare operationally for the secure reopening of flows from the United Kingdom from December 22nd, based on a mandatory testing system at the start of the journey;

"We will pay particular attention to the specific situation of French nationals who plan to return to France to spend the festive season with their families. We are already encouraging them to make arrangements for a PCR test in the coming days."

 

[Wolfie]

I would seriously consider checking out the insurance costs for your car. It may not be much and Orleans is an easy drive from the French ports. It certainly sounds easier than travelling to Eastern Europe.

Most car policies cover driving in the EU and will continue to do so after 1st January.

Check your driving licence too.

 

[EnriqueEspaña]

The statement from French Prime Minister Jean Castex said: "The 48-hour time limit is intended to achieve two objectives:

"To allow time for coordination between EU Member States in order to define a common doctrine on the regulation and control of travel from the United Kingdom;

"To prepare operationally for the secure reopening of flows from the United Kingdom from December 22nd, based on a mandatory testing system at the start of the journey;

"We will pay particular attention to the specific situation of French nationals who plan to return to France to spend the festive season with their families. We are already encouraging them to make arrangements for a PCR test in the coming days."

Yes this is slightly more positive news.

Check your driving licence too.

My Licence should be fine, I had it re-issued in Spain 2 years ago.

It will be interesting to see what measures are put in place. There were many ways to circumvent the previous travel regulations, I would hope they have learned from this.

 

[leytongabriel]

Thanks, I have found their website has been updated very frequently actually, there have been updates on both the 19th and 20th! With regard to the ferries it seems like it may be my only bet, but being a foot passenger could be a problem. I do have a car but no insurance to drive abroad, so that would be an extra expense to consider. I would normally look at Seat 61 but i am not sure how much information would be accurate in these weird times.

As a fellow foot passenger I can report that Newhaven - Dieppe has been OK ( there's a liimit but I 've always found a ticket) but Portsmouth - Caen says no foot passengers till March. You can get round this by booking youself in with a bicycle as you then join the vehicular traffic queue.

 

[Bletchleyite]

As a fellow foot passenger I can report that Newhaven - Dieppe has been OK ( there's a liimit but I 've always found a ticket) but Portsmouth - Caen says no foot passengers till March. You can get round this by booking youself in with a bicycle as you then join the vehicular traffic queue.

Just to clarify that doesn't just mean "book a bicycle ticket", you would have to actually be riding one even if you just lock it up at the other side for the duration of your trip. The reason this is allowed is because you can cycle to the ship; the issue is the shuttle bus.

 

[leytongabriel]

Just to clarify that doesn't just mean "book a bicycle ticket", you would have to actually be riding one even if you just lock it up at the other side for the duration of your trip. The reason this is allowed is because you can cycle to the ship; the issue is the shuttle bus.

YES , sorry if that was unclear. They ask you to walk the bike on/off and leave it with the cars. An unfolded folder is OK if that's easier.

 

[EnriqueEspaña]

Thank you to everyone that replied, the good news is that as I type this message I am currently sat on Eurostar with two beers. The bad news is its Heineken!

 

[davetheguard]

Thank you to everyone that replied, the good news is that as I type this message I am currently sat on Eurostar with two beers. The bad news is its Heineken!

Despite serving Belgium with all its wonderful beers, unfortunately Eurostar have never really stocked anything very exciting. As a result, I've always brought my own before getting on at Brussels; the only problem is you have to remember to pack a bottle opener.

 

[MarcVD]

the only problem is you have to remember to pack a bottle opener.

As far as I know, E* still doesn't prohibit swiss army knives. I always carry mine with me, except in planes.

 

[rutravel123]

Thank you to everyone that replied, the good news is that as I type this message I am currently sat on Eurostar with two beers. The bad news is its Heineken!

Hi Enrique, congrats on getting through! Do you mind sharing what the journey was like, ie were there any additional checkpoints eg by police? Did they ask you to prove the reason for your travel before boarding?

I'm in a similar position to you, but with an onward ticket to Mexico, ultimately to get back to the US for school - long story - valid reason according to all the rules but as it's a corner case I'm worried about not having the right paperwork...

Thank you!

 

[EnriqueEspaña]

Hi Enrique, congrats on getting through! Do you mind sharing what the journey was like, ie were there any additional checkpoints eg by police? Did they ask you to prove the reason for your travel before boarding?

I'm in a similar position to you, but with an onward ticket to Mexico, ultimately to get back to the US for school - long story - valid reason according to all the rules but as it's a corner case I'm worried about not having the right paperwork...

Thank you!

No problem. Arrived at St.Pancras and asked firstly for proof of negative covid test. Showed the text from NHS on my phone. Then proceeded to the barriers as usual to scan my ticket. Then uk passport control checked my passport. Next stopped by French Police asking for where I was travelling to and why. Was asked to show my onward travel tickets from Paris to Orléans as proof of what I told them. After that passed onto French border control, they checked my passport and passed me through to the bording lounge. Things to note:

1) I used my Irish passport.
2) I live in a tier 4 restricted area but was not asked about this at any point in the process
3) There are documents you need to fill in before leaving uk for travel within france that you must have but was never asked for this either.

My general sense was that as usual security was lax as usual with Eurostar. Didnt ask me to seperate my liquids in a clear bag, tried to hurry everyone through security. Seemed more interested that I didnt have covid than the reason for travel.

I don't encourage it but, basically, i get the feeling that you can travel for non essential reasons because no one really cares as long as you dont have covid. Maybe secuirty would have reacted differently to me if I presented a UK passport, but I can't know this for sure.

All the checks seemed very half arsed which is unsurprising as Eurostar is majority owned by SNCF (read French government) and really needs to get its passengers back travelling i have travelled with them 4 times since the covid pandemic start and the trains are full of fresh air. They must be losing money hand over foot.

 

[Ianno87]

My general sense was that as usual security was lax as usual with Eurostar. Didnt ask me to seperate my liquids in a clear bag, tried to hurry everyone through security.

I don't recall bagged liquids being a requirement on Eurostar ever, that's an aviation thing.

OT, but I'm convinced that Eurostar is a bit "security theatre". There's no reason why it's any more or less vulnerable to threat than any other domestic rail service on either side of the Channel.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I don't recall bagged liquids being a requirement on Eurostar ever, that's an aviation thing.

Indeed. Unlimited amounts of liquids in sealed containers are allowed on E*, other than alcohol which has limits due to issues with people getting drunk on board. E* security is basically airline security before the liquids thing. The only reason they are required to be sealed is because unsealed liquids (e.g. coffees) make a mess of the inside of the expensive X-ray machine if they spill.

OT, but I'm convinced that Eurostar is a bit "security theatre". There's no reason why it's any more or less vulnerable to threat than any other domestic rail service on either side of the Channel.

It was a fairly high profile target for the IRA, which was still going when it opened in the 90s. The problem now is would you be the person who signed off on its removal?

 

[paul1609]

OT, but I'm convinced that Eurostar is a bit "security theatre". There's no reason why it's any more or less vulnerable to threat than any other domestic rail service on either side of the Channel.

I think that's a bit naive to be honest. On the world stage there's plenty of organisations that would love the media attention that "Bomb closes Channel Tunnel for 2 years killing 300 American Tourists" headlines would bring. Rather less would be interested in blowing up the 10.40 from Blackpool North. Lockerbie was 32 years ago and still makes regular headlines.

 

[Roast Veg]

Having been detained in the E* prison cells for a few hours, I can assure you that it's a little bit more than theatre.

 

[miami]

I think that's a bit naive to be honest. On the world stage there's plenty of organisations that would love the media attention that "Bomb closes Channel Tunnel for 2 years killing 300 American Tourists" headlines would bring. Rather less would be interested in blowing up the 10.40 from Blackpool North. Lockerbie was 32 years ago and still makes regular headlines.

So cars are turned upside down looking in every bag and potential hiding place when they get on eurotunnel?

 

[theironroad]

Having been detained in the E* prison cells for a few hours, I can assure you that it's a little bit more than theatre.

Was this in London?

Never would have thought of Eurostar having their own cells.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Was this in London?

Never would have thought of Eurostar having their own cells.

They have two secure compartments on each train designed for holding "persons of interest".

 

[paul1609]

So cars are turned upside down looking in every bag and potential hiding place when they get on eurotunnel?

I rather think its easier to profile vehicles with API and ANPR for spot check. You probably don't get accused of racial profiling either.
If I go through with my pickup truck on my own I will invariably be selected for spot check.

 

[Roast Veg]

Was this in London?

Never would have thought of Eurostar having their own cells.

This was in St Pancras station, accessed from the inbound direction (i.e. from france). I believe there are three "questioning" rooms, with some rather sturdy locks. It's operated by the border police. Not to be confused with the BTP office area which is out past the entrance to the Thameslink platforms - which was where I was escorted to once the border control were done with me.

 

[Wolfie]

This was in St Pancras station, accessed from the inbound direction (i.e. from france). I believe there are three "questioning" rooms, with some rather sturdy locks. It's operated by the border police. Not to be confused with the BTP office area which is out past the entrance to the Thameslink platforms - which was where I was escorted to once the border control were done with me.

There is no such thing as "the border police". There is Border Force which has police backup from what used to be known as Special Branch.

 

[popeter45]

They have two secure compartments on each train designed for holding "persons of interest".

only on the 373's as i think plans where at one stange to allow on board customs checks with these to hold anybody who was refused UK entry till they would chuck them off at the next stop