Should we be able to get a refund from Eurostar?

[TerpsichoreanMuse]

We're booked to travel out at 06:24 from Ashford to Paris on 8th May, and then on to Bordeaux for a long weekend for my 60th birthday.

Eurostar are claiming that their trains are still running, so all that they can offer us is a voucher for travel later in the year. We'd rather cancel and use the money to celebrate my 60th at the right time!

However:

1. Holiday makers are not allowed to travel to France (I'm watching our gov.uk travel rules, France has closed to anything except transit, work, returning to a house etc) (Obviously we wouldn't go anyway, but this is actual proof we can't)

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/coronavirus
www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Attestation-de-deplacement-et-de-voyage

1. The Eurostar website says that trains from Ashford are cancelled and that people should travel from St Pancras instead. As our train is so early in the morning, there isn't a train from Ashford to London in time to catch the Eurostar from St Pancras.

www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel-info/service-information/coronavirus-and-eurostar-service

So how can they claim that they are still offering a service and so don't have to offer us a refund?

If they can’t offer it from your original station of choice surely you are entitled to a refund? Sorry that’s not very helpful OP I’m sure somebody who knows more will be along but in my eyes you should definitely be given the option of a refund

Airlines have been using the same excuse here to avoid giving refunds. They claim the planes are flying so they will not refund but you cannot board these flights.

We're meant to be holidaying in France late July, travelling on Eurostar. I know it's not quite the same, but I'll follow your thread with interest OP.

Just a thought, but how did you pay for the tickets? If you used a credit card, you might have protection under s75 of the CCA.

You’ll need to exhaust Eurostar’s procedure, but if they dig their heels in, get their stance in writing and refer to your credit card provider.

I agree with the post above. You will need written evidence that you have made every effort with Eurostar.

Then its credit card company or travel indurance.

Thanks, we did pay on credit card and have travel insurance. Eurostar have refused us once, but that was before the travel restrictions were extended to May. Sounds like card is our next avenue.

I do think it should count as cancelled if it's not from our station, but Eurostar don't seem to agree.