Top Eurostar cost cutting tips

MSE_Jenny

Updated 6 May 2008


If you fancy a jaunt across the channel, there are a host of ways to slash the cost of Eurostar tickets.

• Get 2for1 Eurostar tickets from Ashford or Ebbsfleet
  
  Eurostar has repeated its offer of a limited number of 2for1 tickets via its website, meaning two can travel for just £58. The offer’s valid for a standard return from Ebbsfleet International to either Paris, Brussels or Lille, or from Ashford International to Paris.
  
  To grab your 2for1 tickets, visit the promotional page and book before 31 May 2008. The offer’s valid for travel between 6 May and 31 August 2008. Thanks to MoneySaver Moneysal for the update.

• Get 2for1 Eurostar tickets at Kent's Bluewater Shopping Centre
  
  If there's no availabilty under the first offer, and you live within in travelling distance of Kent's massive Bluewater shopping centre there's an alternative. Buy anything there and you get a 2for1 Eurostar voucher, letting you buy two tickets for as little as £58. The offer’s valid for a standard return from Ebbsfleet International to either Paris, Brussels or Lille; or from Ashford International to Paris.
  
  To grab your 2for1 tickets, buy anything at Bluewater 1 April and 31 May 2008. Chewing gum counts. Then take the receipt down to the Eurostar shop inside the shopping centre. You'll be given a voucher with a code. To book, go to the Eurostar promotion page and enter the code.
  
  You have to get the voucher and book your tickets before 31 May, and the offer’s valid for travel between 6 May and 31 August 2008. Thanks to MoneySaving Piblet for the update.

• Free train travel for Eurostar travellers to Ebbsfleet & Ashford
  
  Anyone with a Eurostar ticket can travel free to and from Ebbsfleet International or Ashford International, on that day. You can do it on Southeastern train services, from anywhere on the Southeastern network in Kent, East Sussex and south east London– all you need to do is show your ticket and passport. The Eurostar website has full details and a map of participating stations.
  
  This makes the Bluewater 2for1 offer even better value, because if even if you don't live nearby, you can travel part of the way for free if you don't mind the extra journey time.
  
  
• Grab tickets with Nectar points
  
  While not the best deal out there, if you've got unused Nectar points, you can also spend these on Eurostar tickets. Standard select returns cost from 14,000 points (roughly £75 worth of points), depending on availability, to Paris, Brussels and Lille. Call Nectar to redeem this on 0870 4 100 100. Bookings must be made 14 days in advance. See full details.
  
  For more tricks to get more from your loyalty points read the full Loyalty Schemes article

• Grab bargains while you’re there
  
  Once you’ve crossed the channel, there are some great value things to buy when you get there; as well as the usual cigarettes and alcohol. The Great ‘What to buy on a day trip to France’ Hunt has masses of MoneySavers' top tips on shopping continental style.
• Look out for special offers
  
  The Telegraph newspaper often runs 2for1 Eurostar offers. We will keep you updated when there's an offer on in the free weekly MoneySaving email.

If you have any other Eurostar cost cutting tips, please post them below. This post has been updated so some of MoneySavers' posts below may refer to an earlier offer.

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