Eurostar with just turned 4 year old

[OrangeClouds]

Friends of mine are staying in Paris this summer and their DD is practically the same age as my DS1, so I was wondering about going to see them on the Eurostar with DS1, leaving DH at home with DS2. Probably just for an overnight stay on a Saturday.

DS1 likes trains but I am wondering if 1hr train to London, tube to St Pancras, check-in time and then 2hr15 on the Eurostar would be too much, especially on two consecutive days. I have read on other threads on here that there is a a family carriage. Has anyone used this? Was it any good?

Also, DS1 has DH's surname and I don't, is this a problem within the EU, would I need his birth certificate?

Thanks!

I would take the birth certificate and a letter signed by your DH giving you permission to take him out the country/travel.

Eurostar with children is a doodle. I much prefer it to flying although you do have to handle all your luggage. You can walk up and dkwb the train, there are bound to be other families and it'll be a bug adventure I think there's a branch of Hamley's trainside at St Pancras too...

Honestly a train journey with ONE four year old will be totally great (just don't expect to read your book!).

Agree about the birth certificate and letter, you'll probably be fine, but best to have them just in case.

Families carriage is fine (though with just 2 of you not so important) book well in advance to make sure you get in.

NB that there is very limited food etc once you've checked in, so do your shopping etc (including a picnic for the train perhaps, if you can carry it) in the huge shopping area at St Pancras and check in at the last moment.

For the ultimate cheat, bring a portable DVD player/netbook and a Disney movie. But 2 hrs 15 mins isn't that long if you've got books, toys, and a load of CBeebies magazines.

Thanks everyone, really good advice! I'm quite excited about the idea now!

From 4 ds gets a seat IIRC? It will be fine. We moved to Belgium when dd was 2 and spent the first month going back and forth to the UK house. We have done various trips ever since. Second the advice for the dvd player, or a heap of magazines and felt tip pens.

Little hint, when dd was small and didn't get a seat, I used to ask the host/hostess person if the train was full. Quite often we got moved into first class. Brucey bonus!

Orangeclouds, there are many many people with kids aged 4 and younger who catch a Eurostar train from St Pancras, Ashford or Ebbsfleet for the 2 1/2 or 2 hr journey to Disneyland. They have two active days in the parks then catch the evening train home again. The kids seem to love the train, especially as they are not restricted to sitting all the time as they are in a plane. Many of them have a long drive or train journey to London or Ashford to begin with, the same as you do.

When you book you can request a table seat, so your son can do colouring, or play card games etc, and easier for eating and drinking.

Some people travel to London or Ashford the previous afternoon or evening and stay in a Holiday Inn, Premier Inn or Travelodge, so they don't have to be up so early in the morning if they live further away. Are you able to do this?
We have stayed in the Royal Scot Travelodge, just down the road from St Pancras station.