I upgraded to first class on Eurostar from London to Brussels for just $12. Here's what I got for my money.

Grace DeanAug 28, 2023, 17:33 IST

Grace Dean/Insider

I upgraded my Eurostar ticket from London to Brussels to first class for only $12 more.
The carriage was significantly more spacious than standard class and I also got a meal.

I took the Eurostar high-speed train from Brussels to London. It only cost $12 more to upgrade to Standard Premier, or first-class – so I went for it.

Grace Dean/Insider

My single journey, which I booked about three weeks in advance, cost $187, including the upgrade. Prices vary considerably depending on time of travel and when you book. Standard Premier usually a lot more than the $12 I paid.

Grace Dean/Insider

My single journey, which I booked about three weeks in advance, cost $187, including the upgrade. Prices vary considerably depending on time of travel and when you book. Standard Premier usually a lot more than the $12 I paid.

One of the first things I noticed was that the Premier Standard carriage was significantly more spacious than Standard class.

Grace Dean/Insider

There was was plenty of space for large luggage, too, partly because there were fewer passengers in each carriage.

Grace Dean/Insider

I was really impressed by having my own single seat, with the nearest passenger across the aisle and no one close by.

Grace Dean/Insider

There were also seats in pairs – in some cases next to and in other cases opposite each other – as well as sets of four around a table.

Grace Dean/Insider

My seat had a tray table that could be pulled down and a rack for magazines or newspapers. It also had a cup holder, a mirror, a lamp, and a USB socket.

Grace Dean/Insider

This is what a Standard carriage on Eurostar looks like.

Eurostar journey London to AmsterdamGrace Dean/Insider

As well as free WiFi – which can be a bit temperamental but is available on the entire train – there were a number of magazines to read.

Grace Dean/Insider

The best part was the free meal.

Grace Dean/Insider

The meal also had other dishes.

Grace Dean/Insider

The upgrade was worth it.

Eurostar journey London to AmsterdamGrace Dean/Insider

I got lucky.

Grace Dean/Insider

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I upgraded to first class on Eurostar from London to Brussels for just $12. Here's what I got for my money.

I took the Eurostar high-speed train from Brussels to London. It only cost $12 more to upgrade to Standard Premier, or first-class – so I went for it.

My single journey, which I booked about three weeks in advance, cost $187, including the upgrade. Prices vary considerably depending on time of travel and when you book. Standard Premier usually a lot more than the $12 I paid.

One of the first things I noticed was that the Premier Standard carriage was significantly more spacious than Standard class.

There was was plenty of space for large luggage, too, partly because there were fewer passengers in each carriage.

I was really impressed by having my own single seat, with the nearest passenger across the aisle and no one close by.

There were also seats in pairs – in some cases next to and in other cases opposite each other – as well as sets of four around a table.

My seat had a tray table that could be pulled down and a rack for magazines or newspapers. It also had a cup holder, a mirror, a lamp, and a USB socket.

This is what a Standard carriage on Eurostar looks like.

As well as free WiFi – which can be a bit temperamental but is available on the entire train – there were a number of magazines to read.

The best part was the free meal.

The meal also had other dishes.

The upgrade was worth it.

I got lucky.