• Direct high-speed rail travel from central London to major European cities
• City-centre to city-centre journeys, with no airport transfers required
• A choice of travel classes, with enhanced comfort, flexibility and catering available
• Generous luggage allowance compared with most airlines
• Excellent onward connections for tailor-made journeys across Europe
• Travel through the Channel Tunnel linking the UK with continental Europe

For many European rail holidays, Eurostar is the simplest way to begin your journey from the UK. Departing from central London and arriving directly into cities such as Paris and Brussels makes it particularly convenient for both short breaks and longer multi-destination holidays.

From there, Europe's extensive high-speed and intercity rail networks make it easy to continue further afield, whether you are travelling to the south of France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany or beyond.

Eurostar operates 364 days a year, making it suitable for everything from summer holidays to winter city breaks and Christmas market trips. Services can be particularly busy around school holidays, Easter, Christmas and other peak travel periods, so booking ahead is advisable.

Eurostar services began in 1994, following the opening of the Channel Tunnel between Britain and France. The introduction of direct passenger trains between London, Paris and Brussels transformed rail travel between the UK and continental Europe.

High-speed services later moved to London St Pancras International, with the network expanding to include destinations in the Netherlands. Today, Eurostar forms one of the most important international rail links between Britain and mainland Europe.