Eurostar Standard v Premier: How do the carriages compare? From private lounges to champagne on demand

Premier

Starting with the most expensive offering, I travelled Business Premier between London St Pancras and Paris Gare Du Nord. Premier sets itself apart from the moment you arrive at the station, with its own fast-track security and border control and access to a Business Premier lounge.

Premier passengers are advised to arrive 30 to 45 minutes before the train is scheduled, but the gate stays open until 15 minutes before departure for those running late. Despite travelling on a busy Saturday morning, getting through the checks was remarkably smooth and stress-free compared to airport travel.

Premier has the largest luggage allowance of all the classes. Customers are allowed three pieces, plus hand luggage, meaning nothing needs to get left behind. Unlike most airports, Eurostar's security does not have 100ml liquid limits.

While Standard ticket holders wait in the main concourse, Premier guests can slip off to a quieter retreat. In the Business Premier lounge, find comfortable seating, complimentary drinks - think champagne, beer, coffee and soft drinks - and snacks, as well as a wide selection of newspapers and magazines.

Well-positioned departure boards and clear tannoy announcements make it easy to keep track of all services, so you can fully unwind without worrying about missing your train.

When it was time to board, I found my carriage and was greeted by a friendly member of staff who quickly directed me to my seat.

In the Premier carriage, space and service are top priorities. Seating is comfortable with plenty of legroom, and the carriage has a relaxed atmosphere.

Expect small extra conveniences like drink holders and reading lights, with plugs and free Wi-Fi available for all passengers (including Standard). As it was morning, the ticket included a breakfast service.

Croissants, a smoothie and yoghurt were served as standard, with the choice of a fruit dish or cooked breakfast as the main dish. Eurostar has a partnership with Michelin-starred chefs for its Premier meals, which is evident in the attention to quality and presentation.

Travellers are treated to complimentary hot and cold drinks served straight to the seats while enjoying sweeping views of the British and French countryside out the windows. There is a seasonal menu rotation, so regular passengers do not need to worry about eating the same meal trip after trip.

Business Premier returns start from £209, but keep an eye out for promotions as discount rates are sometimes available. Premier tickets include flexibility, allowing guests to exchange dates as many times as needed or receive a refund with no fee up to two days after departure.

Standard

The return journey in Standard offered a more stripped-back experience. Tickets start from £39 each way (£78 return), making this one of the most affordable and efficient international routes in Europe.

The boarding process follows the same principle as Premier - go through security and border control. Even in Standard, my experience was remarkably smooth and quick at Gare Du Nord, but it is worth noting that queues at security and border control can be long without fasttrack, particularly at busy times.

The carriage seating is more compact than Premier, but it is still comfortable. For those used to exploring the UK by train, it is noticeably roomier than many standard UK trains, adding an element of luxury to the basic-fare journey. Instead of complimentary, seatside dining, food and drinks are available to purchase at the café-bar.

There is a range of drinks, both hot and cold, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, on sale, as well as various meal deals promising great value. Holidaymakers cannot bring quite as much luggage, but the ticket still comes with a generous allowance of two pieces, plus hand luggage.

All the other benefits of travelling by Eurostar remain. The journey time is the same, you can access free Wi-Fi throughout, and you have the same stunning views of northern France and the English countryside.

Disembarking is as quick and simple. Both Premier and Standard passengers enjoy easy arrival - step straight from the train and into the city, as passport control is already taken care of in the departure city.

In comparison, Business Premier feels tailored for those prioritising time, space and a touch of indulgence, while Standard delivers excellent value and efficiency. Both share the same core strengths: speed, convenience and the unique pleasure of stepping off a train in the heart of another capital.