Eurostar Reports Bumper Half-Term

LONDON, February 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Eurostar, the high-speed passenger service between the UK and mainland Europe is reporting that it has carried 10%* more passengers over this half-term school holiday, compared to the same holiday period last year.

Over 230,000 people from across the UK and Europe will travel on Eurostar over the course of the week for a late winter break. A combination of attractive prices, Valentine's Day and good ski conditions have made this a bumper half-term for Eurostar.

Nick Mercer, Commercial Director for Eurostar, said: "This has been one of our busiest February half-term weeks for several years. School holidays are always popular, but our service is particularly busy this year. With the perfect skiing conditions we are enjoying at the moment our direct ski services to the French Alps are virtually sold out next week.

"For families thinking about a last minute break we still have availability towards the end of the half-term week, with children under the age of four travelling for free. A short break can cost less than you think particularly when you take into account all the discounts you get on museums, galleries, restaurants and shopping with our Eurostar Plus scheme."

Eurostar Plus launched in 2010 to offer added value to Eurostar's leisure travellers. The Eurostar Plus collection includes Plus Shopping, Plus Culture and Eurostar Plus Gourmet, with more info on the latter available here: http://www.eurostarplus.co.uk/gourmet.

For more information, to book Eurostar tickets or purchase Eurostar gift vouchers visit http://www.eurostar.com or call 08432-186-186.

Note to editors:

* From Friday 11 February 2011 to Sunday 20 February 2011, compared with Friday 10 February 2012 to Sunday 19 February 2012

About Eurostar:

Eurostar is the high-speed train service linking St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International, Lille, Calais, Disneyland Resort Paris, Avignon and the French Alps, offering passengers convenient travel from London to Amsterdam, train London Paris and a Brussels train.

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.

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 100 million passengers between London and the Continent. Following their refurbishment these trains will continue to form a core part of the Eurostar fleet. The new Eurostar e320 will carry more than 900 passengers at speeds of up to 320kph.

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.

PR contact:
Aude Criqui
Senior Press Officer
Eurostar Press Office
Times House
Regent Quarter
Bravingtons Walk
London
N1 9AW
+44(0)20-7843-5405
http://www.eurostar.com

SOURCE Eurostar