A historic day for rail travel in Britain, Wednesday 14 November 2007 saw both the opening of the UK's first high speed rail line, High Speed 1, and the launch of Eurostar services from the train operator's new home, St Pancras International Station. Five days later, on 19 November, the first Eurostar services departed the new Ebbsfleet International Station in Kent.

All GRJ holidays to Europe now start and finish at St Pancras International instead of Waterloo. The move to St Pancras International, served by High Speed 1 cuts journey times from London to Paris and Brussels by 23-25 minutes. This means London to Paris in just 2 hours 15 minutes on most services, while the journey to Brussels will take only 1 hour 51 minutes.

Almost half of all Eurostar trains now call at Ebbsfleet International. This state-of-the-art station is well-located for GRJ travellers living south of London, and is a good choice for other travellers by car, as 2,500 secure parking spaces are available.

All good news for Great Rail Journeys' travellers!

For more information about the two stations and joining your Great Rail Journeys holiday, please click on one of the links below:

St Pancras International

After six year programme of restoration and modernisation costing £800m, St Pancras International is now open for business. In addition to a dramatic facelift, the old St Pancras station, built by the Midland Railway in 1864, has been transformed into a rail terminus with an impressive array of facilities.

Station facilities

• A range of shops, including a mix of independent, boutique and high street retailers as well as a daily farmers' market will be opening in the coming weeks and months. At present, the following outlets are open: WH Smiths, M&S Simply Food, Accessorize and the Body Shop.
• A selection of restaurants and bars including a world-class brasserie are due to open in the near future. Currently the food outlets on the station include Caffé Nero, Pain Quotidien (café), a pasty shop, sandwich shop and Europe's longest champagne bar
• Left luggage
• Wireless internet access 
• Toilets
• Group Welcome desk… keep your eyes peeled for Great Rail Journeys staff

Please note that cash points have yet to be installed in St Pancras International Station. At present, the closest cash point is in the underground station. The nearest Bureau de Change is in Kings Cross Station.

< Back to the top

Getting there

St Pancras International is located in the heart of London, close to the British Library and next to Kings Cross Station.

By train: We can arrange rail tickets and seat reservations from any station in the United Kingdom. Please call our Customer Services team on 01904 527105 if you would like us to organise this for you. Plan your journey to St Pancras International by train on www.nationalrail.co.uk

By tube: St Pancras International is well served by the Northern, Metropolitan, Piccadilly, Victoria, Hammersmith & City and Circle lines. Plan your route to St Pancras International by tube on the Transport for London website, www.tfl.gov.uk

Below is a list of London mainline stations, and the approximate journey times from these stations to St Pancras International, as stated on the Transport for London website.

Please ensure you allow sufficient transfer time when connecting between London stations - particularly during rush hour when journeys make take longer - and don't forget to take into account the time required to purchase tickets.

< Back to the top

Meeting your group

Please follow the signs for Eurostar Departures, and make your way to the Group Welcome Desk. This is located opposite the Eurostar check-in, between the Self-Service Ticket Area and Marks & Spencer Simply Food. As well as your Tour Manager, we have on duty 'Meet & Greet' staff. They are there to help unite you with the group and to help you check-in. They are looking out for your GRJ luggage labels, so make sure they are displayed proudly on your luggage.

< Back to the top

Check-in

To check-in, all you have to do is insert your ticket into the machine and then walk through the gate. If you need help, Eurostar staff are always around, and they will be pleased to check you in, although they are not able to offer you assistance with your bags. We will provide you with a time to meet the group at St Pancras. If in doubt, it is best to arrive with plenty of time to spare.

Please note: many of the food and retail outlets in the Departure Lounge are not open for business yet so there is currently a very limited choice of places to eat, drink and shop once you have checked-in. You may wish to make your purchases before you proceed through check-in.

< Back to the top

Ebbsfleet International

This modern, purpose built station is located in North Kent, in close proximity to the Dartford Crossing and the Bluewater Shopping Centre.

Station facilities

• A selection of cafes
• Currency exchange
• Newsagents
• Cash machines
• Ticket office
• Wireless internet access
• Lounge facilites open to all travellers
• Separate lounge for Business Premier and Eurostar carte blanche holders
• Toilets

Getting there

By train: Although a high-speed domestic rail service is not due to begin operation from Ebbsfleet International until 2009, there is a high-frequency Fastrack bus service which links to local railway stations at Dartford, Greenhithe, Northfleet and Gravesend. These stations are all served by Southeastern trains.

Eurostar and Southeastern have teamed up to offer free standard class travel to all Eurostar travellers to and from Dartford, Greenhithe, Northfleet and Gravesend from anywhere on the Southeastern network in Kent, East Sussex and south east London. Travellers simply have to show their passport and Eurostar ticket or ticket confirmation when asked by a member of the Southeastern team. Please note: terms and conditions apply. Click here for details.

By bus: The Fastrack 'virtual tram' system which serves the Ebbsfleet area connects the Southeastern stations of Dartford, Greenhithe, Gravesend and and Swanscombe to Ebbsfleet International as well as serving the Bluewater shopping centre, a major hub for local bus services. Eurostar customers are entitled to free travel to and from Ebbsfleet International from anywhere on the Fastrack bus network. Travellers just have to show their passport and Eurostar ticket or ticket confirmation to the driver on the outbound and return journeys. Please note: terms and conditions apply. Click here for details.

By car: Located less than 3 miles from Junction 2 of the M25, and very close to the other major road links of the M2, M20 and A2, you will find this station easy to reach by car. Plan your journey to Ebbsfleet by car at www.theaa.com.

Secure parking facilities: There are 2,500 parking spaces within 5 minutes' walk from check-in. The daily rate is currently £11.50 per day, and the weekly rate is £69.00. No pre-booking required but it is possible to do so at www.ebbsfleetgateway.com.

By coach: From 10 December 2007, Ebbsfleet International will be served by National Express coaches on the Dover-Canterbury-London Victoria route.

< Back to the top

Meeting your group 

You will not be met by any Great Rail Journeys staff at the Ebbsfleet Terminal, but Eurostar staff are there to show what to do and answer any questions you may have. It is very easy at Ebbsfleet; you will be shown where to wait for your particular carriage, and once the Eurostar arrives, you will board the train and be greeted by your Tour Manager. You can then relax on-board and begin to get to know the rest of the group.

Please note: If you are joining at Ebbsfleet on a separate Eurostar service from the rest of the group, instructions will be provided with your final documents.

< Back to the top

Check-in

To check-in, all you have to do is insert your ticket into the machine and then walk through the gate with your baggage. If you need help, Eurostar staff are always around, and they will be pleased to check you in, although they are not able to offer you assistance with your bags. Minimum check in is 30 minutes before departure. If in doubt, arrive with time to spare.

< Back to the top