Planning a trip that includes a ride on a Eurostar train but you’re not sure how much luggage you’re allowed to bring? This detailed guide on Eurostar’s luggage allowance has all the information you need!
Eurostar is not really strict about their luggage allowance. Many people, myself included, have traveled on these trains for years without even being aware of a restriction for luggage size, so you should be able to bring everything from your European packing list.
Nonetheless, it’s important to be aware of the different rules that are in place, so you can’t be caught off guard. Here’s everything you need to know about the luggage allowance and rules on Eurostar trains!
Eurostar has a pretty generous luggage allowance for all passengers, and let me tell you right away that they’re not too strict about enforcing their policies. If you’re not obviously struggling with your luggage or traveling with a bag that’s twice the size of their allowance, it’s highly unlikely anyone will give you a second look.
Every Eurostar passenger is allowed two pieces of luggage up to 85 cm long. Each passenger can also have one piece of hand luggage, usually a purse, a laptop bag, or a briefcase.
There’s no weight limit for luggage you can take on board Eurostar trains, but it is stated that as a passenger, you must be able to handle all your luggage on your own. In other words, don’t pack a bag that’s so heavy you can’t carry it yourself because the personnel working at trains and platforms are in no way obligated to help you bring your bags on board.
Another thing to note is that the Eurostar baggage allowance for Business Premier passengers includes up to three pieces of luggage that measure no more than 85 cm long.
Eurostar allows assembled bikes only on trains that run between London and Brussels. Travelers riding the train between Paris and London cannot bring an assembled bike on board. Instead, the bike must be disassembled, packed into a box, and dropped off at the luggage area before boarding.
All passengers are allowed to bring musical instruments that are up to 85 cm long and any guitars for free. They will count towards your existing luggage allowance, so you can bring a musical instrument and an additional large suitcase if you want. It’s important to note your guitar must be packed in its case.
For instruments that are between 85 and 135 cm but are not guitars, it won’t be quite as simple. You can email Eurostar and book a dedicated space for your instrument, and you can even purchase a ticket just for the instrument. The third option is to send it via courier services, which is also your only option if you have an instrument that’s more than 135 cm long.
Golf bags (maximum dimensions 120 x 35 x 35cm) will count toward your luggage allowance and you can take them on board any Eurostar train. Skis or a snowboard can also count toward your luggage allowance, but on trains that are traveling towards Marseille, Lyon, Avignon, and Bourg-St-Maurice, you can take them in addition to your registered luggage, so as a piece of extra luggage.
Pools, snooker cues, darts, and bats are also allowed on board trains if they are kept in protective cases. Tents and other shelter types are also allowed, so long as they don’t exceed the 85 cm luggage restriction.
Windsurfing and surfing equipment is not allowed on Eurostar trains, and the same goes for sports equipment that is considered dangerous. This includes crossbows, longbows, spears, swords, starting pistols, and some other items. If you’re traveling with any of these items, you will need to get a courier service to transport them to your destination instead.
Relics from any military sites you might have visited during your travels through Europe are strictly prohibited on board all Eurostar trains. This includes (but is not limited to) munition, explosive devices, historical weapons, cartridges, military shells, and even decorative shells.
Other prohibited items on Eurostar trains include unlicensed firearms, explosives, ammunition, furniture, perishables (meat, dairy, and fish products), hoverboards, e-scooters, lighter fluid, and knives. For a more detailed look into what you can and can’t bring on board Eurostar trains click here.
Eurostar has fees for excess and oversized baggage, and it’s generally cheaper to pay for these more than two days before your train is supposed to leave. For oversized luggage, the fee is 65 Euros if you pay it more than 48 hours before departure, but 80 Euros if you’re paying it less than 48 hours before departure.
For excess baggage (i.e. a third suitcase) that weighs a maximum of 30 kilos, you can pay 40 Euros (more than 48 Euros before departure) or 60 Euros (less than 48 Euros before departure). Sports equipment is 50 or 70 Euros, and musical instruments are 40 or 60 Euros.
Eurostar’s rules for luggage are pretty lax, and they’re not very strict in practice either. Workers will rarely measure or weigh your bags, so you can probably get away with heavy luggage that’s a bit bigger than allowed. The only time you might get in trouble is if the personnel notices you’re struggling to carry your own luggage.
You can put away smaller suitcases in overhead racks, and larger bags should be stored in luggage racks that can be found at the end of every train car. Luggage storage on trains is not guaranteed unless you reserve a space, since the racks are filled on a first-come first-served basis.
Yes, you can take food in your luggage on Eurostar. However, keep in mind that if you’re traveling to and from the UK, there might be certain restrictions on fresh foods that you’re allowed to bring into the country. So, make sure to consume any fresh food that you might not be permitted to enter the country with to avoid having any issues.
You can bring several unopened bottles of alcohol on board Eurostar trains. Their alcohol policy states that “passengers with large quantities of alcohol must use a courier service”, but they don’t state what they consider to be a large quantity.
Eurostar limits alcohol consumption on board to make travel safe and pleasant for everyone, but they’re not very strict if you’re just transporting bottles and have no intention of drinking them on the train.
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!