Eurostar Joins Eurail Group Giving Pass Holders New Lower Fares and Easier Booking Options

PR67057

UTRECHT, the Netherlands, Jan. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

    Key Routes Between London & Paris and London & Brussels

    Now Bookable Using Eurail Train Passes

    Eurail [http://www.eurailgroup.org/eurail-vendors ], which simplifies rail

travel throughout 28 European countries with its series of flexible rail

Passes, is adding Eurostar, the high-speed passenger rail service linking the

UK with mainland Europe, to its membership group from 2017 onwards. With the

new partnership, Eurail Pass holders travelling on Eurostar will enjoy new

special fares and greater availability of seat reservations, providing even

more value for money than ever before.

     (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150803/254117LOGO )

    Eurail Global and applicable Select and One Country Pass holders looking to

discover multiple destinations as they hop on and off Europe's rail network can

secure Eurostar Pass holder fares from EUR30 one way in Standard class or EUR38

in Standard Premier with their Eurail Pass, making it easier to incorporate a

high-speed journey under the Channel into their unique rail journey.

    The fares will be available between London, Ebbsfleet and Ashford

International and Paris, Brussels, Lille, Calais and Disneyland Paris.

    For close to 60 years, Eurail Passes have been providing international

visitors the ability to go from local stations to far-flung destinations,

stopping wherever they like along the way to explore the cultures, cuisine and

characters of Europe.

    With Eurail Passes available from three days to three months in duration,

they offer great savings for shorter breaks as well as longer escapes, and have

a number of bespoke offers for youth, small groups and families, designed with

all travellers in mind.

    "Rail is a great way to explore Europe, and our new partnership with Eurail

offers Pass holders great value fares, so it's never been easier to use our

stylish and comfortable cross-Channel services as part of a European

adventure," said Darren Williams, Head of Sales, Eurostar.

    "We have long anticipated this Eurail-Eurostar partnership and know it will

be incredibly well-received by Eurail customers," said Silvia Fischer, Eurail

Group G.I.E. Sales & Marketing Manager. "Particularly as Eurostar stations are

cantered on thriving hub destinations, the addition of this new service for

Pass holders makes exploring Europe in 2017 all the more attractive."

    Offering a seamless city-centre to city-centre journey, a generous baggage

allowance with no weight restrictions, free wi-fi and over 300 hours of on

board entertainment on the new e320 trains, a Eurostar journey is a great

addition to any European rail adventure.

    For more information or to book a Eurostar Pass holder fare visit

Eurail.com

[http://www.eurail.com/europe-by-train/high-speed-trains/eurostar#reservations

], selected Eurail points of sale, or call the Eurostar contact centre on +44

(0)1233 617 575. Note: this special fare is available to Eurail Pass holders

only.

    Eurail Passes can be booked up to 11 months in advance and used to travel

in up to 28 European countries. Available from a worldwide network of

Authorized General Sales Agents, Eurail Passes offer travellers the flexibility

to create their own unique rail itinerary across Europe. For more information,

visit: http://www.eurailgroup.org/eurail-vendors.

    Suggested Tweet: @Eurail [http://www.twitter.com/eurail ] & @Eurostar

[http://www.twitter.com/eurostar ] partner: use Passes to cross Channel to

mainland #Europe http://www.eurail.com #Train #TravelTuesday #Eurail #London

    About Eurail G.I.E.

    Established in 2001, Eurail Group G.I.E. is the organisation dedicated to

the management of Eurail and Interrail products, for both non-European and

European residents respectively. Owned by over 35 railway and shipping

companies, Eurail Group G.I.E. partners with hotels, transport companies and

attractions to offer additional special benefits to all Eurail Pass holders.

Visit http://www.eurailgroup.org for further information.

    About Eurostar

    1. Eurostar is the high-speed train service linking St Pancras

International, Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International, Paris, Brussels,

Lille, Calais, Disneyland Resort Paris, Avignon and the French Alps.

    2. The current Eurostar train was first introduced into service in 1994

carrying 750 passengers and operating at speeds of up to 300kph.  Since then,

the fleet of 28 trains has carried more than 150million passengers between

London and the Continent.  Following their refurbishment these trains will

continue to form a core part of the Eurostar fleet. The new e320 will carry

around 900 passengers at speeds of up to 320kph.

    3. Eurostar was established in 1994 as a partnership between three railway

companies: SNCF, SNCB and LCR (London and Continental Railways). On 1 September

2010, Eurostar became a single, unified corporate entity owned by three

shareholders: SNCF, SNCB and LCR. LCR's holding was transferred to the Treasury

in 2014, and sold by the UK government to a consortium comprising Caisse de

Depot et Placement du Quebec (CDPQ) and Hermes Infrastructure on 28th May 2015.

    4. Eurostar is a founder member of Railteam, a partnership between Europe's

leading high-speed train operators that is developing simpler ways to book and

travel on the fast-expanding, European high-speed rail network.

    5. Eurostar and Eurotunnel are entirely separate companies.  Eurostar

operates high-speed passenger trains, while Eurotunnel operates vehicle shuttle

services and the Channel Tunnel itself. Eurostar is Eurotunnel's biggest

customer.

SOURCE: Eurail Group G.I.E