Check In at St Pancras

[JEM4]

I am trying to organise my journey to St Pancras and just wanted some advice on how much time to allow for check in. I understand that they recommend 15 mins to get from the St Pancras Domestic Train to International check in.

So we have two trains one arrives 55 mins before final check in, the earlier
1hr 25 mins before final check in.

We have 2 adults, one silver adult (OAP makes her sound too old) and 3 young ones including a buggy so don't want a mad rush but we also don't want the kids getting bored before we have even got on the Eurostar.

What you experienced travellers recommend.

Forgot to mention we have to go the manual check in desk as we changed our seats.

 

[ema74]

I think you'll have to be there 30mins before departure but if you're like us, you'd give yourself an hour to an hour and a half... They're very helpful, always have the Disney band playing songs there and lots and lots of kids running around. There's Cafe Nero to have a little snack and coffee and the Eurostar desk where you can pick up activity kits for the little ones. And a WH Smiths to look around and pick up magazines...

The kids won't be bored believe me!

You'll be fine, the train is fab!

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Wish they had a Disney band at Ashford.

 

[liberty]

I was just wondering do they have the disney check in at st pancreas?, like they had at waterloo?

 

[ema74]

I was just wondering do they have the disney check in at st pancreas?, like they had at waterloo?

yes, it's wonderful and a lot nicer than the one they had at waterloo

 

[liberty]

Ohh nice!, thanks for the info

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

yes, it's wonderful and a lot nicer than the one they had at waterloo

Whats it like? Its got to be better than the boring check in at Ashford

 

[liberty]

lol, yeh i wondered what its like!.lol

 

[JEM4]

Thanks for the replies, we will go for the earlier train just to be safe. I don't think we will be treated to the Disney band though as we are not going direct, we are changing at Lille, which is whole different panic, maybe another post, another time.

 

[ema74]

Whats it like? Its got to be better than the boring check in at Ashford

Aaaaah, you just have to come to London and see...

Seriously, it looks quite 'posh', very shiny and just new! Let's see how long it lasts like that

There're not a lot of shops there, a few I'd say, but it's all marble and glass. A little bit different from their Waterloo terminal, guess cause of the money they spent on it.

 

[Danbex]

i think half the problem at waterloo was because so many people turned up far too early,consequently by the time check in opened their was a massive queue. no need to panic 30 mins is ample as the check in is really smooth

 

[torsie24]

Check in really is very quick and simple at St Pancras, but I gt the panics when I have a journey deadline. Our train leaves at 8.50, so I'm aiming to be there by 8am. But will more likely be about 7.45 and the online tube planner is always pretty generous.

 

[Dimplenose]

At Waterloo I remember more cafes in the Eurostar terminal than after check-in at St Pancras, although there is a lot of seating now. This weekend (travelling to Paris not DLRP) I spotted one small cafe Nero, a tiny WHSmith and a small bar and nothing else. There were lots of cafes before check in but you are not allowed to take cups of coffee through check-in.

If you are interested in art there is a nice touch screen area from the National Gallery where you can learn about some of their pictures. It helps to pass the time anyway.

ETA. The London Underground info gave me much too much time to get to St Pancras from Waterloo (it used to be so convenient for me). The plan was to arrive a 7:30 (I would still have had an hour to spare) but I got there at 6:45!!!! Most of the shops etc. on the main station weren't even open. At least it meant I didn't have to struggle with my case on packed underground trains.

 

[mummyal]

I know for me personally, I always like to allow plenty of time, esp if travelling on public transport etc in case of delays. So, I would go for the earlier train. I hate the last minute rush and the stress of worrying that I'll not get there on time (if there are delays) etc.

 

[ema74]

I know for me personally, I always like to allow plenty of time, esp if travelling on public transport etc in case of delays. So, I would go for the earlier train. I hate the last minute rush and the stress of worrying that I'll not get there on time (if there are delays) etc.

I agree with you Alice... I hate being late, I get really stressed and annoyed so for me it's better to be early and wait than rushing around...

 

[jane130]

Sounds great , we have just been planing our journey from bristol to st pancreas and was dreading the kids getting bored during the wait . Might just go for the earlier train now and leave ourselves plenty of time .


can anyone tell me what time rush hour of the london underground really starts - not looking forward to it with 3 kids and suitcases

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Sounds great , we have just been planing our journey from bristol to st pancreas and was dreading the kids getting bored during the wait . Might just go for the earlier train now and leave ourselves plenty of time .


can anyone tell me what time rush hour of the london underground really starts - not looking forward to it with 3 kids and suitcases

I would say rush hour would be from 7.30am onwards....I don't live in London but when i had to get the train to London for 4 weeks 2 years ago it was very busy then.
Hopefully someone can help you out better than me

 

[liberty]

I used to live in London, and i would agree, but i would say more like 6.45- 9ish. I suppose it just depends on what day/ weather outside/ tube station ect.

 

[jane130]

oh well looks like we might hit rush hour then