Eurostar connects with key UK rail operators for online sales

Passengers using some of the UK's key rail networks are now able to book through-fares to Continental Europe online that include both the domestic and international portions of their journey thanks to an integration initiative by Eurostar.

The high-speed international rail player has worked with Fujitsu Services to connect its online ticketing platform with the systems of seven UK train operators: Chiltern Railways, East Midlands Trains, First Capital Connect, Hull Trains, London Midland, National Express East Coast and Virgin Trains. This means that ttravellers from 68 UK cities and towns can book tickets to Brussels (and any station in Belgium), Disneyland Resort Paris, Lille, Paris and 75 other connecting destinations in France.

Eurostar plans to embark on a secondary phase of the project later this year that will see it link up with more mainline stations and operators to provide the through-fare purchasing option.

"This is one of a number of key customer service initiatives designed to make the whole travelling experience for passengers as easy as possible," said Jamel Chandoul, head of distribution and commercial systems at Eurostar.

"With this new ticketing system many travellers can now book their entire journey from their local mainline station to Continental Europe through one joined-up service - making their Eurostar experience even better."