How long does getting of the Eurostar take?

[stormflm595]

Hi all,

can anyone tell me from their experience how long it takes to get off the Eurostar and through border control once back in London? I need to sort my train home to Sheffield but not sure how long to give us. Thank you!

[mickchick]

That's a 'how long is a piece of string?' question. Getting through the immigration process is usually quite quick, but now there is increased security and random double-checks which can slow everything down. Last week it took me an hour from disembarking the train to getting out onto the station concourse. Other times it's just a matter of minutes. So much of the security is affected by whatever else may be happening with terrorism, illegal immigration etc. In the present circumstances, border officials are being extra vigilant.

[stace&tink]

We came home on Eurostar Sunday... we were in our car within 15 mins of getting off the train. We were one of the first few groups off the train though. I guess queues behind us got longer.

[HappyPanda]

It normally takes us about 30 minutes from getting off the train to getting out to the underground. We've done it in 15 before but also had one time it took 90 minutes so I'd err on the side of caution if it's a non-refundable train you are booking.

[northpetherton]

May Half Term the train was full it took us 1hour from the train getting in to us getting in a taxi. We were in the middle of the train. I hope this helps

[mrsbenny]

I Usually allow two hours between getting off the train and our train home departure from kings cross.

[Tinkjon]

You go through passport control etc. in France though, don't you? Once back in England you just get off the train and leave, just as if you were getting off a British train... Or at last that's how it was on the indirect train, maybe direct is different?

[stormflm595]

Thanks all! Might be best to just spend the extra and buy an open return

[stormflm595]

Originally Posted by Tinkjon

You go through passport control etc. in France though, don't you? Once back in England you just get off the train and leave, just as if you were getting off a British train... Or at last that's how it was on the indirect train, maybe direct is different?

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I'm not sure Tinkjon, this my first time using the Eurostar. I used to fly so I'm just going by how it is coming back when you go through the quick counter if you're a resident and show your passport quickly.

[Yorkie Girl]

We were in carriage 17 last week, so one of the farthest to walk. There was a small queue through passport control but it maybe took us 30 mins in total to get out into St Pancras. We wondered if there would be passport control because there isn't when arriving in France, but there definitely was when we came back in.