VisaHQ’s live-update feed on Sunday, December 28 flagged residual congestion on the Paris–London–Brussels corridor after Boxing Day’s record passenger volumes. Early-morning trains departing Gare du Nord faced 15- to 45-minute delays attributed to “technical issues” with platform allocation and return-train sequencing in the Channel Tunnel.
Eurostar said no trains were cancelled, but it urged travellers to arrive at least 90 minutes before departure. The operator’s app showed check-in queues spilling outside the main hall between 06:00 and 08:00. French border police, who conduct exit checks in the station, ran only six of the ten e-gates because some hardware had been repurposed for EES trials.
![Eurostar Warns of Post-Christmas Delays Out of Paris Gare du Nord]()
Corporate travel managers should note that Eurostar’s flexible-ticket inventory is close to zero until January 2. Employees missing their booked slot may have to purchase new fares at last-minute prices, potentially breaching travel-policy caps. Eurostar says it will waive change fees only if delays exceed 60 minutes.
With air-traffic controllers threatening New Year’s strikes, the rail link remains the preferred alternative to short-haul flights, but capacity will stay tight. Firms are advised to stagger travel dates or consider daytime Thalys services via Brussels for non-urgent trips.
Eurostar said no trains were cancelled, but it urged travellers to arrive at least 90 minutes before departure. The operator’s app showed check-in queues spilling outside the main hall between 06:00 and 08:00. French border police, who conduct exit checks in the station, ran only six of the ten e-gates because some hardware had been repurposed for EES trials.
Corporate travel managers should note that Eurostar’s flexible-ticket inventory is close to zero until January 2. Employees missing their booked slot may have to purchase new fares at last-minute prices, potentially breaching travel-policy caps. Eurostar says it will waive change fees only if delays exceed 60 minutes.
With air-traffic controllers threatening New Year’s strikes, the rail link remains the preferred alternative to short-haul flights, but capacity will stay tight. Firms are advised to stagger travel dates or consider daytime Thalys services via Brussels for non-urgent trips.
Source: VisaHQ Global Mobility Alert
