Eurostar Snap: How to save up to 50% on international travel

Eurostar has reintroduced their 'Snap' ticketing scheme, which offers passengers up to a 50% discount on their international travels. The catch? Flexibility is a must — you'll only find out which train you're on 48 hours before departure.

The high-speed rail operator hopes to fill empty seats on their trains by incentivising spontaneous travel. Passengers who want to book a specific service can still do so in the usual way, up to months in advance. On the other hand, Snap travel to and from London can be booked two weeks in advance, and eight days for continental routes.

The window for a Snap ticket is anytime between 6:00 am and 10:30 pm, so it requires being able to get to your selected station for a potential early start. Equally, you might miss out on an afternoon in your destination city if you're allocated to a late evening service.

Snap travel is in standard class, so two larger items of luggage and one item of hand luggage can be brought on board. Snacks and refreshments can be purchased on the train, but are not included. There are both UK and EU plug sockets. However, unlike a standard class ticket, the Snap ticket is neither exchangeable nor refundable.

Fares start at £35 each way and can be up to 50% cheaper than a standard ticket. Not always though, because standard tickets can sometimes be found for £39 in advance — at that point, the peace of mind of choosing your departure time is probably worth £4.

Snap fares are available exclusively on the Eurostar website.

"Snap has been a customer favourite, and we’re thrilled to bring it back year-round, offering a smart solution for travellers who can be flexible with their schedules.

"It’s a smart way to travel, ensuring no seat goes unused – a win for our customers, a win for Eurostar, and a win for the planet."

François Le Doze, Chief Commercial Officer, Eurostar