Now that the Omicron virus is receding, the French authorities have relaxed restrictions for non essential travel. As part of their recovery plans, Eurostar have launched at the beginning of February a massive sale of 48 000 seats to Paris, Lille and Brussels from £70 return – £78 to Amsterdam, This covers the period from February 21 to May 19 2022 – certain holiday dates are excluded. Currently you need to be double vaccinated and show proof of a negative Covid test taken within the previous 24 hours -different rules apply to Brussels and Amsterdam.
This could be a loss leader, or at best a slender profit. The tolls for the Channel tunnel operators Getlink are £31.50 return per passenger. In addition a proportion of the per train cost usually £4050 based on 70% load factor (2019)= £13 return per passenger. Further, there are unknown. amounts for track access charges for HS1 and SNCF.. Incurring the very high fixed costs of infrastructure continue to put rail at a disadvantage when compared to low cost airlines.
Train frequency to Paris is now 7 a day, 4 a day to Lille and Brussels and 2 a day to Amsterdam. This is augmented at peak times with up to 11 trains a day to Paris. Direct trains to Disneyland Paris restart on 25th March 2022. However, it is unlikely that trains will all at Ebbsfleet, Ashford and Calais in 2022. The ski train to Bourg St Maurice has been contracted to Travelski and is only sold as a package including train tickets, 7 day lift pass and accommodation and runs every Friday to 8th April 2022. The Eurostar South of France service is suspended for the 2022 season.
