
Eurostar to resume London-Paris services on Saturday
Eurostar said it expects to resume services between London and Paris on Saturday.
The operator cancelled all 32 trains scheduled to run between the cities on Friday after the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb near tracks in the French capital.
The company said it will run one extra service in each direction on Saturday in addition to its usual timetable.
Thousands of passengers booked on services on Friday saw their travel plans wrecked.
Crowds gathered at London St Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord stations in the hope of boarding afternoon departures as initially only services in the morning were cancelled.
Charlotte Liddell, from London, was planning to travel to Paris on Friday for her hen party.
With some others in the party already in Paris after flying from northern England, said told the PA news agency: 'It's the hen do without the hen!'
She added: 'We're very upset.'
Fran Birch, one of Ms Liddell's maids of honour, said the age of the bomb means the authorities should 'just let it lie'.
Lauren Romeo-Smith, part of a group booked to visit Paris for a birthday celebration, said: 'We would have thought there would be more Eurostar staff.
'We're looking up flights, but our options are limited.'
Eurostar said in a statement: 'Eurostar sincerely apologises for the disruption and understands the inconvenience this may cause.
'We appreciate everyone's patience and co-operation during this time.'
Fridays are one of the busiest days of the week for Eurostar as many leisure travellers embark on international weekend breaks.
Passengers whose trains were cancelled were given the option of requesting a refund or voucher for the value of their booking, or to rebook for travel on an alternative service.
British Airways said it added an extra flight in each direction between Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle on Friday, and is using larger aircraft on the route to further increase capacity.
It was selling seats on one of its flights for £463.
All three of easyJet's flights from Gatwick to Charles de Gaulle after midday on Friday were fully booked.
P&O Ferries said it has added extra sailings for foot passengers between Dover and Calais.
The bomb was discovered at around 4am on Friday during work on tracks in the St Denis area of northern Paris.
This resulted in the suspension of all services to and from Gare du Nord, which is Eurostar's station in Paris.
Gare du Nord also connects Paris with other international destinations such as in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, as well as being used for domestic services.
It is considered the world's busiest railway station outside Japan.
Bombs left over from the world wars are regularly discovered in France, but it is rare for them to be found in such densely populated areas.
Eurostar trains between London and Brussels were unaffected.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time Out
3 hours ago
- Time Out
These are the most Instagrammable attractions in the U.S., per a new study
Let's face it: Few people travel days without taking photos destined to wind up on social media (you know, whenever they finish putting them through several rounds of filters). And even if you're not planning to post 'em to Instagram, you still want to snap beautiful shots, and an amazing backdrop is half the battle. So how do you get a wonderful background to stand in front of? You pick your destination from the most Instagrammable attractions in the U.S. Created by the French online casino comparison company Lucky-7-Bonus, the picturesque list was formed by starting with Tour Scanner's round-up of the 100 best tourist attractions, each of which was then scanned on Instagram to learn how many hashtags it earned. For instance, the number one destination on the resulting list—unsurprisingly, the most magical place on Earth, a.k.a. Walt Disney World—was hashtagged 11,345,400 times by Insta users. Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida features many places to take a fantastic photo across its huge complex, which includes multiple theme parks—with the iconic Cinderella castle and chances to take photos with beloved characters—plus water parks and more than two dozen official Disney resort hotels. But the true winner of this list is New York City. No fewer than six of its attractions land on this top 10 list. And if we expand it from New York City to New York state, a seventh destination gets added! Clearly, New York dominates, including nabbing the second-place spot with Central Park, which has 8,912,000 hashtagged posts. The stunning 843-acre park includes views of wild landscapes (we love the Ramble with its twisting woodland paths) with skyscrapers on the horizon. Don't forget to take a photo at the Belvedere Castle, too. An NYC destination is also third on this list: Broadway, with 7,432,800 hashtags. The avenue is famous for its theaters and getting a photo with a marquee showing the name of the stage production you saw is a tourist favorite. New York State also captures the no. 4 (Times Square), no. 5 (Wall Street), no. 8 (Brooklyn Bridge), no. 9 (Niagara Falls) and no. 10 (Empire State Building) spots on the ranking. So, if you're an influencer, New York has to be on your photo-snapping itinerary! Here's the full list of the top 10 most Instagrammable attractions in the U.S.: 1. Walt Disney World: Florida 2. Central Park: New York 3. Broadway: New York 4. Times Square: New York 5. Wall Street: New York 6. Venice Beach: California 7. Grand Canyon: Arizona 8. Brooklyn Bridge: New York 9. Niagara Falls: New York 10. Empire State Building: New York


The Herald Scotland
6 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
UK agrees to check-free land border for Gibraltar but EU controls for flyers
But those flying into Gibraltar from the UK will face one check from Gibraltarian officials and another by the Spanish on behalf of the EU. An agreement for the future relationship between the EU and the UK in relation to Gibraltar is now a reality. It is a historic agreement. — Fabian Picardo (@FabianPicardo) June 11, 2025 This is because the land border will allow those arriving by air access to the European Schengen free travel area unchecked once they are in Gibraltar. The UK and Gibraltar insisted the changes would not affect the British overseas territory's sovereignty. The airport will operate under a model similar to London's St Pancras station, where passengers pass through both UK and French passport checks to board international trains. Goods and customs checks will also eventually be removed in both directions under the agreement. The move could also see airlines start to add flights to Gibraltar from countries other than the UK in a boost to tourism. Officials say a hard border would have been introduced under the EU's incoming exit and entry control system if no deal was reached, causing delays for some 15,000 people who cross the border every day as every individual passport was checked. Talks on rules governing the border have been ongoing since Britain left the European Union in 2020. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the previous Tory government left behind a situation that 'put Gibraltar's economy and way of life under threat'. President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the deal (Leon Neal/PA) He said the agreement was a 'breakthrough' after years of uncertainty. He said: 'Alongside the government of Gibraltar, we have reached an agreement which protects British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar's economy and allows businesses to plan for the long-term once again. 'I thank the chief minister and his government for their tireless dedication throughout the negotiations. The UK's commitment to Gibraltar remains as solid as The Rock itself.' Spanish foreign minister Jose Albares said the deal marked 'a new beginning' in the relationship between the UK and Spain. He said that Spain 'will guarantee free movement of people and goods', adding that Gibraltar would now be linked to the Schengen Area with Spanish authorities controlling entry and exit. I have always said nothing about Gibraltar, without Gibraltar. — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) June 11, 2025 President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the deal. In a post on X, she said: 'It safeguards the integrity of Schengen and the single market, while ensuring stability, legal certainty and prosperity for the region.' Gibraltar's chief minister Fabian Picardo said the deal would 'protect future generations of British Gibraltarians and does not in any way affect our British sovereignty'. 'Now is the time to look beyond the arguments of the past and towards a time of renewed co-operation and understanding. Now the deal is done, it's time to finalise the treaty,' he said. The Conservatives have said they will carefully review the UK's agreement with the EU on Gibraltar's border to see if it crosses any 'red lines' the party set out during its own negotiations when in government. Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said: 'Gibraltar is British, and given Labour's record of surrendering our territory and paying for the privilege, we will be reviewing carefully all the details of any agreement that is reached.' Mr Lammy held talks with Gibraltar's leaders, members of the opposition and the business community before leaving the British overseas territory to head to Brussels on Wednesday morning. Gibraltar was ceded to the UK by Spain in 1713 and the population is heavily in favour of remaining a British overseas territory. The last time it voted on a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain, in 2002, almost 99% of Gibraltarians rejected the move. Gibraltar also hosts an RAF base at its airport and an important naval facility.


The Guardian
6 hours ago
- The Guardian
From fast-track airport passes to setting a budget: five top tips for a stress-free holiday
The excitement of setting off on holiday can't be beaten. But it's not without its stresses – long lines at security, airport parking and currency confusion can all create a hectic start to a trip. However, a few key tricks can make all the difference to your travels, and allow you to kick off your trip in style. Here's how you can upgrade your own holiday. If there's one thing you can be sure of, it's that going on holiday is going to cost you money. But whether you're planning a budget city break or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, it always pays to think about how you can make your everyday spending work for you. One of the best ways to do this is by getting a credit card that allows you to accumulate points as you spend. For example, the Barclaycard Avios Plus credit card* gives you 25,000 Avios – the currency of the British Airways Club – if you spend £3,000 in your first three months, and 1.5 Avios for each pound you spend on eligible purchases (all for a £20 monthly fee). How you spend your Avios is up to you. You could use them on flights to your next dream holiday or on extras such as cabin upgrades, hotels, car hire, experiences, and more. Alternatively, if you are a Barclays Premier Banking1 customer, Barclays Avios Rewards2 can help you collect at least 1,500 Avios every month, and offers perks such as an Airport Lounge Membership with Assurant and DragonPass. You could also receive a 25,000 Avios joining bonus3 if you're opening your first account and complete a full switch using the Current Account Switch Service within three months. And if you regularly fly with British Airways or partner airlines, keep an eye on your current Avios balance – it might already be higher than you think! *Representative example. 80.1% APR representative (variable); purchase rate 29.9% p.a. (variable); based on a £1,200 credit limit; monthly fee, £20. The approval of your application depends on financial circumstances and borrowing history, so do the terms you may be offered. The interest rates may differ from those shown. T&Cs apply. There's no denying that airports can be stressful at peak times, but with a bit of planning, you can make the whole experience a lot more enjoyable. Alleviate pre-departure panic by booking your airport parking as far in advance as possible, and weigh up the benefits versus the cost – for example, if you're taking off very early in the morning, paying for a parking space closer to the terminal might be well worth the extra money. Or, sometimes it's worth taking public transport the night before and staying at one of the airport hotels. Not only can it end up working out cheaper, but starting your trip round the corner (and with a fry-up in your belly) drastically reduces any travel stress. The airport chaos of 2022 taught us the value of arriving early to get through security, but one surefire way to eliminate any stress is to buy a fast-track pass and glide right past those lines. The majority of airports sell these in advance on their websites, with discounts the earlier you book. If you really want to kick off a trip in style, the airport lounge is the way to go. While some airline lounges are only for their customers, most airports have general lounges that you can book. They are, however, more expensive when bought on arrival, so purchase a pass in advance for the best rate. Lounge access also comes as a perk with some credit cards and bank accounts – for a monthly fee, Barclays Travel Plus Pack4 (£22.50 a month) includes six annual visits to more than 1,000 airport lounges with the DragonPass Premier+ app5, as well as discounts on fast-track security and airport parking. If you have a Barclaycard Avios Plus credit card* or Barclays Avios Rewards you will also get Airport Lounge Membership, so you can enjoy discounts on lounge passes and fast-track security. *Representative example. 80.1% APR representative (variable); purchase rate 29.9% p.a. (variable); based on a £1,200 credit limit; monthly fee, £20. The approval of your application depends on your financial circumstances and borrowing history, so do the terms you may be offered. The interest rates may differ from those shown. T&Cs apply. Even though contactless payments and card machines are now found all over the world, sorting out currency ahead of a trip can still cause confusion. In some countries, such as Japan, for example, cash is still king, so you'll need to order your currency in advance. But in places where card payments are accepted, it's usually easier to stick to them (plus, you'll avoid the inconvenience of coming home with currency that's too pricey to bother exchanging back into the pound). There's often confusion about exchange rates and fees when using cards internationally, but using something such as the Barclays travel wallet6 keeps things nice and easy. You simply create a travel wallet within your own account and buy Euros or US dollars, ready to spend on your existing debit card7. For some people, the process of planning a trip is almost as exciting as being on holiday – looking up the best local restaurants, finding the coolest coffee shops and planning which beaches to hit. If that sounds like you, scope out some of the reliable local influencers, search the location-tagged photos on Instagram and read up on some of your favourite travel publications. If you'd like a helping hand, the Barclays Travel Plus Pack also includes a 24/7 concierge service, for help with booking flights, hotels and events, with exclusive discounts too. However much you plan in advance, be sure to allow a little room for spontaneity. Sometimes the best find is the one that comes from a chat in the local coffee shop, where someone tells you about a cool craft beer spot. Or the market only the locals know about that you stumble upon on a walk. It's hardly the most exciting part of organising a holiday, but working out your budget is important nonetheless. Be realistic about how you want to spend your time and how much it will cost – for example, if you love spending the day on a sun lounger with a cocktail in hand, an all-inclusive trip may work out the best in terms of value. Once you've worked out how much you want to put aside, you can make use of savings tools offered by your bank – Barclays has a savings goal8 on its app9, so you can keep on track. One thing you don't want to skimp on is travel insurance, even on a trip within the UK. Get good insurance and you'll be covered for everything from missing bags to flight cancellations and delays, which is a big reassurance when you're spending thousands of pounds on a holiday. The Barclays Travel Plus Pack was named a Which? Best buy in June 2024, so you can enjoy your holiday without worrying, knowing that you're in safe hands. It also includes complete breakdown cover in the UK and Europe, so you can take a road trip safe in the knowledge that you're covered if you break down. To find out more about Barclays travel perks, visit 1 Join Premier Banking by opening a Premier Current Account. You also need a gross annual income of at least £75,000 paid into the account, or a total balance of at least £100,000 in savings with Barclays, in eligible investments, or a mix of both. 2 You can opt in to Barclays Avios Rewards if you're a Premier Banking customer or have a personal wealth current account with Barclays – you'll need to register for the Barclays app and have a British Airways Club account too. There's a £12 monthly fee and you have to opt out of Barclays Blue Rewards and go paperless for all your accounts and services with Barclays. To access Barclays Avios Rewards in the Barclays app, you need to be over 18. You can join Premier Banking if you have an income of £75,000 or £100,000 to save or invest with Barclays. T&Cs apply. 3 To qualify for the 25,000 Avios joining bonus, you'll need to join Barclays Avios Rewards – within four months of opening your first Barclays current account. Then, you'll need to complete a full switch of your old current account to Barclays, using the Current Account Switch Service – within three months of joining Barclays Avios Rewards. You will then receive your joining bonus in the fourth month of Barclays Avios Rewards membership. 4 Terms, conditions, exclusions and eligibility criteria apply. You must have a Barclays current account, be 18 or over and hold this product for at least six months from the date of purchase – then you can cancel at any time. 5 Terms and conditions apply for the DragonPass Premier+ app and fast-track security. 6 T&Cs apply. You need to be 16 years or over to access this product or service using the app. 7 No transaction fees apply when paying with Euros and US dollars from your travel wallet. There is a 2.75% margin applied when purchasing your currency. If you pay in British pounds on your debit card while abroad, a transaction fee will still apply. 8 You must have a Barclays or Barclaycard account, have a mobile number and be aged 16 or over to use the Barclays app. T&Cs apply. 9 You must be 11 or over to use the app. T&Cs apply.