Eurostar check-in times by station, with the EES border checks (2026)
According to Eurostar’s “When to arrive at the station” page, checked on 31 October 2026, you should arrive at London St Pancras International 75 minutes before departure in Eurostar Standard and Plus (45 in Premier) and at Paris Gare du Nord 75-90 minutes before; Eurostar says the arrival time shown on your ticket already allows for any checks under the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), introduced from 12 October 2025.
Eurostar’s help page on EES still describes the first months of the roll-out; the European Commission says EES became fully operational on 10 April 2026 (quoted below).
The time on your ticket comes first. Eurostar says its timings are for guidance and can change, and that your downloaded ticket shows the most up-to-date recommended arrival time. We quote Eurostar’s own pages word for word, with the date we checked them.
Trains to and from London: recommended arrival time
| Station | Arrive: Eurostar Standard and Plus | Arrive: Eurostar Premier | Arrive: Accessible travel | Gates or ticket checks close |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London St Pancras International | 75 min | 45 min | 60 min | 30 min (Premier 15 min; accessible travel 30 min) |
| Paris Gare du Nord | 75-90 min | 45-60 min | 60 min | 30 min (Premier 15 min; accessible travel 30 min) |
| Brussels Midi/Zuid | 45-60 min | 30-45 min | 60 min | 30 min (Premier 15 min; accessible travel 30 min) |
| Amsterdam Centraal | 75-90 min | 30 min | 60 min | 30 min (Premier 15 min; accessible travel 30 min) |
| Lille Europe | 60 min | 30 min | 60 min | 30 min (Premier 15 min; accessible travel 30 min) |
| Rotterdam Centraal | 45-60 min | 30 min | 60 min | 30 min (Premier 15 min; accessible travel 30 min) |
Source: Eurostar: When to arrive at the station (Eurostar), checked on 31 October 2026. Numbers copied from the official table; at Amsterdam Centraal and Rotterdam Centraal the table says “ticket checks close” instead of “gate close”.
When travelling to and from London, there are passport and luggage checks before you board the train. The timings below are just for guidance and can sometimes change. Download your ticket to check the most up-to-date recommended arrival time.
Please arrive at the recommended time and not just before the ticket gates close.
There may be times when you experience queues at the station. This can particularly happen on peak days or when checks take a bit longer.
Source: Eurostar: When to arrive at the station (Eurostar), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Trains between Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Germany
When travelling on our trains (except to and from London), just look for your train on the departure board and head straight to the platform. For stress-free boarding, we’d recommend arriving at the station 20 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Be ready to board at least 5 minutes before departure (10 minutes when travelling from Paris Gare du Nord).
To access the platforms at Amsterdam Centraal or Rotterdam Centraal, you’ll need to scan your ticket’s QR code at the station’s ticket gates.
Source: Eurostar: When to arrive at the station (Eurostar), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
EES: what Eurostar says
From 12 October 2025, we're gradually introducing the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) border procedures.
Source: Eurostar: London St Pancras train station guide (Eurostar), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new border requirement for non-EU nationals (including British nationals). It impacts Eurostar journeys to/from London.
It’s being gradually rolled out from 12 October 2025.
EES isn’t like a travel authorisation or visa – it's completely free and you don’t need to apply for anything ahead of your journey. It all happens at border control at your departure station on the day of travel.
Just arrive at the station at the recommended time stated on your ticket. This timing takes into account how much time you’ll need for all pre-departure checks (ticket, security and border checks). We’ve also allowed for any EES steps you may have to complete at border control, which may include registering your biometrics (face image and fingerprints).
In time, all non-EU nationals required to register for EES (including British nationals) will need to do so every time they enter or leave the EU - so, every time they travel to or from London with Eurostar.
Source: Eurostar Help Centre: What's the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES)? (Eurostar), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
EES kiosks at St Pancras
Travelling in Eurostar Premier or as a Carte Blanche or Étoile Club Eurostar member from London St Pancras International? When you get to Eurostar Departures to start your journey, you may be invited by our station team to register with EES using a pre-registration kiosk. These are located opposite the Eurostar Premier priority ticket gates.
Eurostar Premier priority ticket gates close 15 minutes before departure, but please make sure you arrive at departures with plenty of time to spare.
Source: Eurostar Help Centre: What's the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES)? (Eurostar), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
EES: what the European Commission and GOV.UK say
EES became fully operational on 10 April 2026.
On 30 July 2025, the Commission set 12 October 2025 as the launch date for the progressive start of operations of the Entry/Exit System (EES). The system became fully operational on 10 April 2026.
Official source: European Commission – Smart Borders, page updated 14 July 2026 · European Commission – Entry/Exit System (EES), page updated 10 April 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, any information will be taken at the border before you leave the UK.
Official source: GOV.UK (FCDO) – Spain travel advice, Entry requirements: 'New Schengen entry requirements' · page updated 12 August 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Open Government Licence v3.0
EES and ETIAS: the official status today
Packing? Eurostar luggage allowance: 2 bags + 1 item of hand luggage (Eurostar Premier: 3 bags + 1) · luggage rules on European trains
Questions
How early should you arrive for Eurostar at St Pancras?
Eurostar’s table for London St Pancras International says to arrive 75 minutes before departure in Eurostar Standard and Eurostar Plus, 45 minutes in Eurostar Premier and 60 minutes for accessible travel; the gates close 30 minutes before departure (15 minutes in Premier).
What is the Eurostar check-in time at Gare du Nord?
Eurostar’s table for Paris Gare du Nord says to arrive 75-90 minutes before departure in Eurostar Standard and Eurostar Plus, 45-60 minutes in Eurostar Premier and 60 minutes for accessible travel; the gates close 30 minutes before departure (15 minutes in Premier).
What is the Eurostar check-in time in Brussels?
Eurostar’s table for Brussels Midi/Zuid says to arrive 45-60 minutes before departure in Eurostar Standard and Eurostar Plus, 30-45 minutes in Eurostar Premier and 60 minutes for accessible travel; the gates close 30 minutes before departure (15 minutes in Premier).
How early should you arrive for Eurostar in Amsterdam?
Eurostar’s table for Amsterdam Centraal says to arrive 75-90 minutes before departure in Eurostar Standard and Eurostar Plus, 30 minutes in Eurostar Premier and 60 minutes for accessible travel; ticket checks close 30 minutes before departure (15 minutes in Premier).
What does EES mean for Eurostar passengers?
“The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new border requirement for non-EU nationals (including British nationals). It impacts Eurostar journeys to/from London.” “EES isn’t like a travel authorisation or visa – it's completely free and you don’t need to apply for anything ahead of your journey. It all happens at border control at your departure station on the day of travel.”
Where are the Eurostar EES kiosks?
“Travelling in Eurostar Premier or as a Carte Blanche or Étoile Club Eurostar member from London St Pancras International? When you get to Eurostar Departures to start your journey, you may be invited by our station team to register with EES using a pre-registration kiosk. These are located opposite the Eurostar Premier priority ticket gates.”
This page is information, not legal advice. Border officers apply the rules at the border. Spotted a change? Tell us.