Eurostar Ski Train: on sale 8am Wed 17th July + 12 useful things to know

The Eurostar Ski Train goes on sale at 8am on Wednesday 17th July 2019.

Here are 12 useful things to know about it – all of which you can read more about in our Snowcarbon guides:

Guide to the daytime Eurostar Ski Train
Guide to the overnight Eurostar Ski Train

1.    Daytime travel dates

London to the French Alps, daytime:
The first daytime outbound train is Saturday 21st December 2019.
The final daytime outbound train is Saturday 4th April 2020.

French Alps to London, daytime: 
The first daytime returning train is Saturday 28st December 2019.
The final daytime returning train is Saturday 11th April 2020.

View the daytime Eurostar Ski Train Timetable

2.    Overnight travel dates

London to the French Alps, overnight:
The first overnight outbound train is Friday 20th December 2019.
The final overnight outbound train is Friday 3rd April 2020.

French Alps to London, overnight: 
The first overnight returning train is Saturday 28st December 2019.
The final overnight returning train is Saturday 11th April 2020.

View the overnight Eurostar Ski Train timetable

3.    Out by day, back by night?
You can combine daytime and overnight trains, if you want – i.e. go out overnight and come back by day, or vice versa.

4.   One-way only (if you like!)
You can book one-way, in either direction. This used not to be the case, but fortunately it is now. Imagine, booking a one-way ticket to the Alps and just skiing for the rest of your life…oh come on, you’d miss the UK after a while…

5.    Predicted prices
Adult return fares start at £160 this year.  Our ‘guesspectation’ is that for Xmas, New Year, and Easter, tickets will cost around £300 - £400 return.  And at February half term, £500 - £550 return. Tickets for February half terms sold out last year within a few hours. Fares for children aged 4 -11 are about 30% less than adult fares. Children under 4-years-old can travel for free without a reserved seat.

6.  Additonal Sunday - Sunday option (for Feb half term only, though)
At February half term only, Eurostar will also run a Ski Train service that works for Sunday-to-Sunday holidays. This train departs overnight from London on Saturday night, arriving in the French Alps on Sunday morning, and returns the following week — travelling in the daytime on Sunday.

7. Book Ski Train now, choose ski resort later
 If you buy a Ski Train ticket, it will be valid for any of the destination stations: Moutiers, Aime la Plagne or Bourg St Maurice. Although when you buy the ticket you have to specify which station you are travelling to, your ticket is valid to and from any of these stations.  That means that you can buy your Ski Train ticket before choosing your ski resort. And if you’d like help choosing resort and accommodation, do get in touch — we’ll be happy to advise on great places. 
NB: the train doesn’t call at Aime la Plagne on the return (it never does) — you get  on at Bourg St Maurice instead.

8. Get on at Ashford or London
Similarly, if you haven’t decided whether you want to get on or off at Ashford or London, your Ski Train ticket is valid from either. As a rule, if you are certain of which station, book from that station. If you are not certain, book from London and then make sure that you are checked in at either station by the check-in time stated on your ticket.

9.   Engineering works for some dates at Ashford
No trains will stop at Ashford on 27, 28, 29 December, 4, 5 January, 22 or 23 February as the station will be closed for engineering works. If you are travelling on ski trains on these dates, you’ll need to board and alight in London.  Six dates of engineering works at Ashford? Whatever they are doing, it better be good!

10. A little tipple, Sir and Madam?
Booze is banned on the overnight train. You can’t bring it on board, and Eurostar doesn’t sell it at the bar.  However, you can bring bubbles, wine and beer onto the daytime train — and bubbles, wine and beer also sold at the café-bar.

11.  Choosing seats
If you book by phone with Eurostar Reservations (03432 186 186, £10 fee per booking, not per ticket) you can choose your seats at the time of booking.  If you book online, you can only choose your seats after you’ve booked your tickets.

12.  Groups of 10 or more
If you are booking for 10 people or more, you need to contact the Groups Department (0344 822 4800; groups@eurostar.com) because online you can only book seats for up to 9 people.

As ever, if you'd like to contact Snowcarbon we'll be happy to help with questions and guidance on rail travel, and suggestions for fantastic ski resorts and accommodation.

Best wishes,
Daniel Elkan
(Snowcarbon Founder)