Eurostar allows Standard and Plus passengers 2 large bags plus 1 hand luggage item, with no weight limit but a size cap of 85 cm on London routes and 75 cm on continental routes. Premier passengers get 3 large bags. Extra bags cost €30–€60 depending on how and when you book.

Eurostar carries around 11 million passengers a year through the Channel Tunnel, connecting London St Pancras with Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and beyond. For most of those travelers, the experience is far more relaxed than flying   no weight limits on standard luggage, no liquid restrictions, and no baggage carousel on arrival. But Eurostar’s luggage rules do have specifics, and getting them wrong can cost you €30 or more at the station.

What Is the Eurostar Luggage Allowance by Ticket Type?

Eurostar’s luggage allowance depends on which fare you book. Eurostar rebranded its ticket tiers in late 2024, so the table below uses the current names.

Hand luggage refers to small, soft-sided items: handbags, laptop bags, briefcases, and small backpacks. It is not a third full-sized suitcase.

What Is the Eurostar Luggage Size Limit?

The size limit depends on your route. On London routes  St Pancras to Paris, Brussels, or Amsterdam  each large bag must fit within 85 x 53 x 30 cm. On continental routes that don’t pass through London (e.g., Paris to Brussels), the maximum drops to 75 x 53 x 30 cm.

What Is the Eurostar Luggage Size in Inches?

For travelers more familiar with inches:

Most standard airline-size checked suitcases (27″–29″) sit well within the London route limits. The 85 cm measurement applies to the longest point of the bag  think of it as the diagonal height of a wheeled suitcase, not just its height when standing upright.

Is There a Weight Limit for Eurostar Luggage?

No. Eurostar imposes no official weight limit on standard luggage for any ticket type. You can pack a 28 kg suitcase and Eurostar will not fine you. The one condition: you must be able to carry and store your bags yourself. There is no porter service at stations, and train staff are not required to help lift luggage into the overhead racks or carriage-end storage areas.

For the Registered Luggage Service (oversized or extra items), each pre-booked item must weigh 30 kg or less.

Do You Check In Luggage on Eurostar?

Eurostar does not operate a traditional checked baggage system like airlines. All luggage travels with you in the cabin  there is no hold, no baggage drop, and no baggage carousel at your destination. Instead, Eurostar uses a Registered Luggage Service for oversized items, bikes, and extra bags on selected routes. This is a pre-booked add-on, not standard check-in.

For customs and security purposes, all bags pass through X-ray screening before boarding, similar to airport security  but faster. At London St Pancras, Paris Gare du Nord, and Brussels-Midi, plan for 2–5 minutes through the scanner outside of peak times.

What Are the Excess Baggage Fees on Eurostar?

Fees vary depending on whether you pre-book the Registered Luggage Service (at least 48 hours before departure) or pay on the day of travel.

Practical cost scenario: If you’re traveling London to Paris with a third suitcase and don’t pre-book, you’ll pay €30 at the station   but the bag must fit in a case no longer than 200 cm. Oversized items that exceed the on-the-day limit may be refused boarding entirely.

The Registered Luggage Service is only available on selected trains between London and Paris and London and Brussels. It is not yet available from Ashford, Ebbsfleet, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Lille, or ski destinations.

What Are the Rules for Special Items on Eurostar?

Bikes

• Folding bikes and children’s bikes travel free in a bike bag, counting as one of your standard luggage items
• Disassembled bikes in a non-rigid cover (max 135 x 85 x 30 cm) can be added via the Registered Luggage Service for €45 pre-booked or €30 on the day
• Fully assembled bikes are only accepted on London–Brussels services and must be standard road bikes

Musical Instruments

• Instruments under 85 cm travel within your standard allowance at no extra charge
• Instruments 85–136 cm require the Registered Luggage Service (from €35, pre-booked at least 48 hours ahead)
• Instruments over 136 cm (e.g., a cello or double bass) require advance arrangement via Eurostar’s customer service team; a companion seat may be booked at extra cost

Sports Equipment

Skis and snowboards count as separate from your regular allowance  they don’t eat into your two-bag limit. They must be in a protective case with straps attached. Eurostar operates a seasonal ski train from London St Pancras to the French Alps (Chambéry, Moûtiers, Bourg-St-Maurice) on Saturdays from December through early April.

Medical Equipment

Medication is permitted. For larger items like oxygen cylinders or insulin syringes, bring a letter from your doctor. Note: Eurostar can only accommodate one oxygen cylinder per train.

What Items Are Prohibited on Eurostar?

The following cannot travel on Eurostar under any circumstances:

• Firearms, including replicas and deactivated weapons
• Military shells and artillery casings (even decorative souvenirs  these regularly cause station evacuations)
• Explosives and flammable substances
• E-scooters and hoverboards (including batteries) on London routes
• Lithium e-bike batteries carried separately from the bike
• Knives, scissors, and sharp tools in the cabin (these may travel via registered luggage by prior arrangement)

Post-Brexit food note: As of 2025, certain dairy products, meats, and fresh produce are restricted from being brought into the UK from the EU. Check the latest UK government guidance on GOV.UK before packing food on inbound London journeys.

One thing Eurostar does not restrict: liquids. Unlike flying, there’s no 100 ml limit. Bring a full-size shampoo bottle, a 750 ml bottle of wine, or a large water bottle without worry.

Where Do You Put Your Luggage on a Eurostar Train?

Once on board, there are two storage options:

• Overhead racks above every row of seats  suitable for hand luggage and soft bags; shallower than airline overhead bins
• Carriage-end luggage areas at the entrance of each car  open metal racks designed for full-sized suitcases

Storage is first-come, first-served. There is no assigned space. On busy departures  particularly summer weekends and holiday periods  the carriage-end racks fill quickly. Boarding early gives you a significantly better chance of storing your bag near your seat rather than three carriages away.

Can You Keep Your Suitcase With You on Eurostar?

Yes  but with limitations. A standard suitcase will not fit under a seat or in the overhead rack. It needs to go in the carriage-end luggage area. You can sit in an aisle or end-of-carriage seat to keep an eye on it, but there is no guarantee of visual contact throughout the journey. Eurostar states clearly that it cannot be held liable for theft or loss.

How to Keep Luggage Safe on Eurostar

• Use a luggage strap or a small combination padlock on the zipper
• Never leave your passport, phone, or valuables in a checked bag at the carriage end
• Label every bag with your name, seat number, and contact details
• On busier trains, board as early as permitted to secure space closest to your seat

Where Is the Best Place to Sit on Eurostar for Luggage?

Seats at the end of each carriage are closest to the dedicated luggage storage areas. Aisle seats in those end rows let you stand quickly and keep an eye on your bags without blocking other passengers. If you’re traveling with multiple large bags, requesting or selecting a seat close to a carriage entrance at booking increases convenience significantly.

Do You Really Need to Be 90 Minutes Early for Eurostar?

The recommended arrival times vary by departure station and ticket type. The 90-minute figure is sometimes quoted for Paris and Amsterdam departures  but it is not universal.

For non-London continental routes, 20 minutes before departure is sufficient  boarding works like a standard European train. The 75–90 minute window for London, Paris, and Amsterdam reflects passport control and security screening, which happen before boarding on these routes.

Eurostar’s Luggage Delivery Service: An Alternative Worth Considering

Eurostar partners with Sherpr Luggage Buddy for door-to-door luggage delivery. If you’re on a multi-city trip and don’t want to drag suitcases through the Paris Métro or Brussels tram network, Luggage Buddy picks up your bags from your home or hotel and delivers them to your destination. Same-day, next-day, and economy options are available. It’s worth comparing this against the Registered Luggage Service, especially for heavy or bulky items on routes where pre-booking is available.

Frequently Asked Questions: Eurostar Luggage

Can I bring two suitcases on Eurostar Standard?
Yes. Standard and Plus ticket holders can bring two large bags (up to 85 cm on London routes) plus one hand luggage item. There is no weight limit, but you must be able to carry and store them yourself.

What happens if my bag is 86 cm  one centimeter over?
Items exceeding the stated maximum dimensions may be charged €30 per item at the station, or refused boarding. For bags between 85–200 cm, pre-booking via the Registered Luggage Service (from €35) is the safer option.

Is there a cheaper way to add extra luggage on Eurostar?
Yes  if you pre-book at least 48 hours before departure, fees range from €35 for excess luggage, compared to €30 on the day. However, sports equipment and bikes cost more pre-booked (from €45) than on the day (€30), making same-day addition the better value for those items.

Can children bring the same amount of luggage as adults?
No. Children aged 4–11 are limited to one large bag and one hand luggage item  half the adult standard allowance. Plan accordingly on family trips.

Do skis count toward my standard two-bag allowance?
No. Skis and snowboards are counted separately from your regular allowance. They do not reduce your two-bag limit but must be in a fully covering protective case with straps attached.

Can I bring a full bottle of wine or perfume on Eurostar?
Yes. Eurostar has no liquid restrictions of any kind. You can carry full-size toiletries, bottles of wine, or large water containers freely. Alcohol is permitted in personal quantities.

Is the Registered Luggage Service available on all Eurostar routes?
No. It is currently only available on selected trains between London and Paris, and London and Brussels. It is not available from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Lille, Ashford, Ebbsfleet, or ski stations. Check “Manage your booking” online to confirm availability on your specific train.

Can I take a foldable e-scooter on Eurostar?
No. E-scooters and hoverboards  including their batteries  are prohibited on London routes regardless of size or whether they are folded.

What’s the penalty if I bring more bags than my allowance?
An unauthorized extra bag discovered at the station or on board will incur a fee of €30 per item. In some cases, the item may be refused boarding entirely if it doesn’t meet size requirements.

Does Eurostar Premier include luggage porter service?
Not automatically, but Premier passengers can add VIP Meet & Greet luggage porterage (for 5–10 items per booking) and chauffeur services through  at an additional cost. This is the closest Eurostar gets to a full-service baggage experience.