Eurostar is celebrating its 30th anniversary this week. On November 14, 1994, the high-speed rail company launched its first trip to London Paris service, departing from Waterloo.

Services have been running from London St Pancras since 2007, during which time high-speed rail has remained a popular way to reach the continent. Eurostar carried 18.6 million passengers in 2023, an increase of 23% compared to 2022.

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To celebrate this milestone, the train operator is offering a 30% discount on all adult Eurostar tickets to and from St Pancras. The sale applies to trips to Paris, Lille, Brussels, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, and in all ticket classes.

The discount is valid for most travel dates from November 26, 2024 to February 13, 2025, although it excludes some dates, so check the terms and conditions before booking.

The price reduction is automatically applied to all bookings, but travelers will need to act quickly.

The sale ends at 11:59pm on Thursday November 14 and prices vary depending on the class you book and the date you book for, although we’ve found one-way fares to Paris for just £27.

Most tourists will want to spend a night or two in mainland Europe and hotel prices can add up. It is, however, entirely possible to explore on a budget, especially when Eurostar prices are so affordable. Here’s how to do it.

Paris

A visit to the French capital is, they say, always a good idea – and it’s particularly appealing in the run-up to Christmas.

The Tuileries Christmas market, which attracts around 13 million visitors each year, is worth the detour alone. Part Christmas-themed carnival, part Christmas market, it’s the perfect place to sip mulled wine and ride a giant Ferris wheel with stunning views of Paris and get into the festive spirit.

Eurostar has a break from December 10-12, with return tickets from St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord and two nights at the three-star Timhotel Paris Gare Du Nord, right next to the station, for £175 based on two people sharing.

If you want to go alone, there are prices on the same dates for £81 return per person and three star. Good News Hotela quick hop to the popular Musée des Arts et Métiers, offers two nights room only for £117 per person, meaning your trip will cost £198 each.

Brussels

No one enjoys the gloomy month of January, but a visit to Brussels could be the perfect opportunity to start the year off on the right foot.

There are seemingly endless options for fondue – the perfect pick-me-up for cold days – including the ever-popular Les Fondus de la Raclette. No trip to Brussels is complete without a visit to Delirium Café, where you can taste over 2,000 beers from around the world and relax in the dark bars.

At the time of writing, tickets are available for just £27 each way from St Pancras to the Belgian capital (using the discount) and for a two-night stay, from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th, at three- star Ibis Brussels Center Ville costs just £61 per person. This works out to £115 each.

Brugge

If you’ve been wanting to go to Belgium, but have checked Brussels off your list, try Bruges. Thanks to Eurostar Any Belgian station The ticket, which covers travel from London to anywhere in Belgium and back, makes it easier to see more of the country.

Take the Eurostar to Brussels, then simply change to an SNCB train to continue your journey to Bruges. January is a great time to visit, as all the crowds surrounding the popular Christmas market have left, leaving you free to explore the city’s pretty canals, cobbled streets and medieval buildings, like the 14th-century Stadhuis with its carved and ornate ceiling.

You can get a return ticket from St Pancras to Bruges for £79 return from January 6-8, and two nights at the four-star NH Brugge in the historic center cost £75.50 per person. It’s just £154.50 each.

Lille

This French city is an ideal choice for a Valentine’s Day getaway.

Home to quaint cobbled streets and charming cafes and bars, there’s plenty to do for a romantic weekend, from visiting the expansive Palais des Beaux-Arts museum to strolling hand-in-hand through the Citadel Park . If you’re feeling upbeat, Lille is also home to three Michelin-starred restaurants: La Laiterie, Le Val d’Auge and L’Arbre.

A return from London to Lille from February 13-15 will cost you £66 per person and a two-night stay at the three-star Hotel Chagnot in the city center costs just £57 per person. This works out to £123 per person.

Amsterdam

Good news for Netherlands lovers: Eurostar’s direct London-Amsterdam service resumes from February 10, 2025, following the completion of the new terminal in the Dutch capital.

Amsterdam is one of the most visited cities in the world, with more than 23 million arrivals in 2023 – and for good reason.

Stroll along its elaborate canal system flanked by narrow houses with gabled facades, or admire the works of Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum and, if you really want to immerse yourself in the spirit of Amsterdam, rent a bike and ride one of the city’s countless bikes. paths.

Although direct trains are not yet available to book separately, Eurostar is offering a two-night trip to Amsterdam on the launch date, February 10, until February 12. Return tickets and three-star stay Ibis Amsterdam City West Hotel will cost £177.50 each, based on two people sharing a room.