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Eurostar to cancel direct London-Disneyland Paris train in June 2023

The company says it is focusing on financial recovery post Covid but that it will review its decision in 2024

Eurostar will not operate direct trains between London and Paris Disneyland in the summer of 2023 Pic: Ferreiro / Shutterstock

Eurostar is to suspend its direct train service from London St. Pancras to the Disneyland Paris stop of Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy from June 5, 2023. 

It will still be possible to book indirect trains, such as the one from London to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy via Lille, or by taking the London St. Pancras - Gare du Nord route. 

All direct trains between London and Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy will remain running as normal until June 5 next year. 

Eurostar left open the possibility of reopening the direct train from 2024, saying it will revisit its decision then. 

The company put the move down to focusing on financial recovery following a severe hit caused by the Covid pandemic. 

The London - Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy direct route has been opened and closed several times since the pandemic began in early 2020. 

In 2020, Eurostar bookings dropped by 90% compared to 2019. 

The company also cited changes due to Brexit as a factor that needed to be monitored, with the EU set to introduce new electronic passport control check systems called EES and Etias. 

Read more: EU’s Etias travel authorisation system start date put back again

Read more: Dover Port boss warns of safety issues and delays with new EU checks

Eurostar focuses on main routes

Eurostar has announced a decision to focus on its busiest city centre stations after the Covid pandemic led to the number of bookings plummeting. 

When international travel resumed, Eurostar decided against reopening its Kent stations at Ashford, Ebbsfleet or the French stop Calais-Fréthun. 

“We can confirm that Ashford International and Ebbsfleet International stations will stay closed for the remainder of 2022,” a Eurostar spokesperson previously told The Connexion

“As the business starts its recovery, we need to focus on core destinations where demand is highest. We will review the decision towards the end of [2022].”

No new updates to this decision have as yet been announced. 

As for the Calais-Fréthun stop, Eurostar states: “Due to the impact of coronavirus and the subsequent pressure put on our business, we’ve made a decision to focus on our busiest city centre stations. As a result, our trains are currently not stopping at Calais.”

This does not mean that the routes will not reopen in the future, but it is not certain. 

Elsewhere, another change made by Eurostar during the Covid pandemic is set to remain in effect. The rail company scrapped the stop at Brussels-Midi on the route between Amsterdam and London to get around inconsistent travel restrictions. 

And that change is to remain in effect as it has been found to be simpler for passengers, with the journey time reduced. 

It means it is no longer possible to take the Eurostar between Amsterdam or Rotterdam and Brussels. 

The route between Brussels and London remains open. 

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