First, don’t bring a full glass bottle of water in your coat pocket. It’s a rookie mistake that leads to wet trousers and a sad sandwich. Instead, bring an empty reusable bottle and fill it at the fountains near the platforms in St Pancras or Gare du Nord—the water is free and surprisingly good.
Second, if you’re carrying a multitude of fancy toiletries, pack them in your main suitcase. Eurostar’s luggage allowance is generous: two bags per person, weighing up to 85kg combined. That’s enough for a month’s worth of serums, sunscreens, and that expensive French shampoo you hoard from Biarritz.
Eurostar Liquids: What You Can Bring & Restrictions | ZadRails
Third, remember that alcohol is fine, but open containers aren’t. You can bring a sealed bottle of Champagne for romantic vibes, but if you’ve cracked it open, security might raise an eyebrow. Nobody wants to explain why you’re carrying an open bottle of Merlot at 8 AM—unless you’re going to a very specific kind of party.
Fun Facts That Make You Look Clever
Did you know that the Eurostar security screening is actually a joint effort between British and French authorities? That’s why it feels like a polite compromise between two nations. Also, the tunnel itself is 50 kilometres long, and you’re allowed to bring your own food—so that liquid cheese fondue? Absolutely permissible.
Another little gem: the famous “Eurostar shuffle”—the dance you do when trying to fit your oversized holdall into the overhead rack—is only possible because liquids are allowed. A full litre of shampoo acts as a great counterweight. It’s the unspoken physics of train travel.
