Can I get off a Eurostar train at an earlier stop? [duplicate]

For an upcoming Eurostar journey I'm considering taking, I've noticed a very odd pricing situation. For some reason, the cost of a ticket on the 19:34 Lille & Brussels service is cheaper if I book to Brussels rather than Lille, even though Brussels is further away!

In this case, I know that the Eurostar will stop in Lille (not all do, so you have to check). However, I'm not sure if I would be allowed to get off early? (In this case, I'm interested in booking a ticket to Brussels but getting off in Lille, but I guess it could apply equally to buying a Brussels or Paris ticket and getting of in Calais, or booking a London ticket and getting off in Ashford or Ebbesfleet)

What are the rules on getting off a Eurostar and ending your journey at a station earlier than the one you were booked to go to? (This is somewhat the inverse of this question on boarding a Eurostar late)

Best Answer

As far as I could see, last year, when I was waiting for a TGV at Lille Europe station, an Eurostar train for Brussels called on the same platform I would board my train later. Doors opened, passengers got off then the train departed. In this part of the station like any other in France, the access is open; the usual Eurostar security checks are only for accessing the UK-bound platform. I think this is specific to Lille.

Therefore, you should be able to get off and simply walk out. Double-check your specific train calls at Lille anyway.

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Can you get off the train at an earlier stop?

Yes, you can break your journey while travelling with an Anytime Single or Return ticket. This means you can get off the train at any connecting stop and leave the station, before boarding a later train to complete your journey.

Can you get an earlier train with the same ticket?

You can only take the train for which you have been issued a ticket for. If you wish to depart earlier or later, you will have to cancel and re-book your ticket, if your fare conditions allow this. Once you have done this, you can then choose a new departure time for your ticket.

Does it matter if you get on an earlier train?

As long as you don't plan on getting on the first train before 09:30 (peak time) the it doesn't matter. When you book the ticket online it just assumes the journey time you selected is the one you'll embark on, but it doesn't matter as long as it's still in off-peak time.

Can I break my Eurostar journey?

8.1 Stop-overs en route, other than those necessary for transfers, are not permitted. If you break your journey, you will not be entitled to continue it later. 8.2 Tickets for Eurostar train services do not include the cost of travel between different stations in any one city.

Eurostar - Alstom TMST E300 vs Siemens E320

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