A major upgrade programme worth up to £100 million is being launched to dramatically cut waiting times for Eurostar passengers at London St Pancras, with the goal of creating a streamlined, airport‑style “turn up and go” experience.
London St Pancras Highspeed, the company that operates the station and the high‑speed line to the Channel Tunnel, plans to eliminate the long queues and crowded holding areas that have become a hallmark of peak‑time departures. The ambition is to reduce current arrival recommendations — often 60 to 90 minutes before departure — to as little as 15 minutes.
Robert Sinclair, chief executive of London St Pancras Highspeed, said the current setup is no longer fit for purpose, with overcrowded lounges and passengers frequently forced to sit on the floor during busy periods. The new plan aims to transform the experience into one that mirrors the efficiency of London’s most streamlined airports.
Three‑Phase Upgrade to Boost Capacity
The project will be delivered in three stages.
The first phase focuses on security and border processing, with redesigned layouts intended to increase throughput by 2,700 passengers per hour.
A second phase, due for completion in 2028, will improve the international departures area and its connection to the main concourse, easing passenger flow and reducing bottlenecks.
Longer‑term enhancements will then be explored to support future growth, particularly as new operators enter the market.
Preparing for Virgin’s Arrival
The overhaul is scheduled to be completed before Virgin Trains launches its own cross‑Channel service later in the decade. Sinclair said the station has sufficient overall capacity for multiple operators, but the pressure points lie in security and departures — areas this project directly targets.
A New Approach to Queues and Boarding
One of the most significant changes will be a reconfiguration of the current queueing system. Lines will be turned sideways and extended into an unused arrivals hall, allowing the number of security lanes to double. This mirrors techniques used in airport security design and is expected to sharply reduce waiting times.
The improvements will also allow passengers to board earlier, up to 30 minutes before departure, compared with the current 10–15 minutes. The intention is to eliminate the need for a crowded holding area altogether.