Review: Eurostar Premium Class (high-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris)

The Luxury Travel Expert

Oct 18

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

Last summer (July 2023), I enjoyed a phenomenal safari & beach holiday in South Africa and Mozambique, probably my best holiday ever. You can read my trip reports here

Review: Eurostar high-speed train Premium Class from Amsterdam to Paris (today)
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Today: Review of Eurostar's Premium Class from Amsterdam to Paris

A few weeks ago, I traveled onboard a high-speed train from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Paris Gare Du Nord. Thalys was until recently the commercial name of this high-speed train service between Paris and Amsterdam, but Thalys and Eurostar merged in September 2023. This means there is now one single rail network connecting France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK. Eurostar trains will retain their dark blue livery, while Thalys trains will retain their deep red livery (although Thalys is now branded as Eurostar).

The Eurostar (ex-Thalys) trains are a marvel of technology and reach a maximum speed of 186 miles per hour (300 km per hour). With large sections of high-speed rail track in place in the Netherlands, Belgium and France, the journey from Amsterdam to Paris can be made in under 3 hours 20 minutes. This includes short stops which are made along the way in Schiphol, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels (where passengers get on or off the train). Compared to flying, the Eurostar (ex-Thalys) trains also have the convenience of departing and arriving in the heart of the city – with a generous luggage allowance.

Eurostar (ex-Thalys) offers 3 classes onboard its trains: Standard Class (2nd class); Comfort Class (1st class without food, drinks and lounge access); and Premium Class (fully flexible tickets with complimentary food, drinks and lounge access). Premium Class – which I tried out during my journey - aims at business travelers. My Premiums Class experience with Eurostar (ex-Thalys) felt like a rip-off though: the tired seat, the inedible snacks (and the lack of a real meal) and the underwhelming lounge in Amsterdam were a huge disappointment and did not justify the high cost. I advise to book a Comfort Class ticket with Eurostar since the extras of Premium Class are just not worth it.

Have you ever traveled in Premium Class with Eurostar (ex-Thalys)? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

I made a YouTube video with my impressions onboard, which you can watch here: