Yes and no. For the next year, buses replace trains between Vigo and Valença.

Biometric checks stalled again for cross-Channel travellers Fears of Easter chaos over scaling up of new EU border system are eased, with no facial IDs for Eurotunnel and Eurostar passengers

Well no surprise here....

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...

Screenshot of Facebook Messenger post from Eurostar: Hi Phil, The Entry/Exit System (EES) at St Pancras International station have been gradually introduced since from October 12, 2025, with selected passengers invited to participate in the new checks. By April 10, 2026, the system will be fully operational, and all eligible non-EU passengers will need to complete EES requirements every time they enter or leave the EU. Kind regards, Emma

Had this response from Eurostar. They are going on the same lines as what has been announced by the EU - i.e. fully up and running with European Entry/Exit (EES) system by 10 April. That's less than two weeks away.

And will it be .co.uk or .gov.uk?

I wonder if those from European Sleeper kept quiet during this presentation yesterday about carriage 33 (regular seats) on last night's Paris to Berlin was defective. Passengers emailed just 6 hours ahead.

How would this work for non-EU passport holders with an EU residency?

Is there a possibility for non-EU travellers to opt-out from biometrics, as it has been possible until now in airports?

That I'm not sure of.

If EES registration is in place it will probably be much slower than previously. At least you've a Metro into Rotterdam every 20 minutes. If you come back the same way and EES is in place, you'll be checked again. Allow extra time. Ship may not wait. Passengers have been left behind at EU airports.

In Britain at least, when we have rail replacement buses, wheelchair accessible taxis will be sourced for those that pre-book. Absolutely no way train operators could just turn passengers away like that. Likewise the "no pets" ruling for this closure ought not exclude assistance dogs.

The EES process needs to be done on departure too. So passengers have been turning up at airports in good time and missing their flights as emigration control was slowed down.

Tech issues delay EU border checks at Port of Dover and Eurotunnel French authorities are having technical problems with the Entry/Exit System at borders in Kent.

Various press articles have mentioned this: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Does that include Google (Maps)? Personally I think that lends itself extremely well to providing updates including any delay or cancellation for the train etc. you're waiting for etc.

Having worked in pax rail info for 8 years for a UK TOC, WhatsApp worked well for us for 1-2-1 contact. But agree, not for broadcasting. I'm no fan of automated broadcasts going out on message based apps. We "handcrafted" our broadcast tweets very well. Pleased to say same team still does on BS.

It's capturing your biometric information which will be is needed for all non-Schengen passport holders. During this trial period apparently any registrations aren't permanent and next time you still have to go through the same again assuming that terminal, airport etc. is facilitating it.

minutes to over an hour. I do wonder if the EU have bitten off more than they can chew with introducing a system like this.
@jonworth.eu @seatsixtyone.bsky.social

Apparently also software compatibility issues. So the 10 April deadline when everyone that has to have EES registration carried out is now pushed back until at least September. Reports for arriving passengers at EU airports is a complete mixed bag - non existent to working and a few

Schengen EES terminals at St Pancras station close to the Thameslink area underneath the station departure board. This is zone A. Around 25 terminals. Locked up and terminals switched off. Two sets of shutter doors pulled down and the area is being used for storage of testator barriers.

Another view of zone at EES registration terminals at St Pancras taken yesterday, Monday 23 March.

This is the zone C EES registration area on the mezzanine floor at St Pancras. It's an empty retail unit in between Benugo cafe and a beauty salon. The wooden door was locked and not possible to see through the glass panels.

This is zone B EES registration terminal at St Pancras and the one that has no doubt been seen by departing passengers as it's close to the fast track gates. Again glass doors locked and all 7 terminals powered off.

Well I had an opportunity to pass through St Pancras. No further progress with EES. All three areas still locked up. Details in the alt-text. One unconfirmed source saying staff have been hired for the kiosks & are being used elsewhere while everyone waits for the French govt authorise their use.

The reporter definitely has got his facts wrong about booking sleepers in advance. They go on sale around two months before at the same time as seats.

Going to Europe this summer? Prepare for a long queue As the continent completes its rollout of a new biometric entry system for non-EU residents, many destinations are bracing for long airport queues. Here's how to avoid the worst of it.

Anyone with a non-EU passport travelled on Eurostar recently? I've not had a look around St Pancras in the last month or so. Last time I passed through none of the 50 or so EES terminals were switched on. And only three weeks to go before its fully implemented.

www.bbc.co.uk/travel/artic...

Our ticketing systems in Britain are pretty basic when it comes to this. In France or Germany for example, your Railcard is linked into an online account and you can only buy reduced fares if the system knows your reduction card is genuine. AFAIK same for station self service ticket machines.

Those coming in on a train that has originated at Milton Keynes or whatever, arrive into Euston on different platforms to the Overground so they pay the higher Watford fare. Their choice. If you want the cheaper fare, you take the slower train. No different to Heathrow Express vs the Elizabeth Line.

One option (for contactless) is to treat Euston like Paddington for the Heathrow Express. So passengers tapping in at Watford Junction can jump on the Overground to travel all the way to Euston, tap out and be charged a cheaper zoned fare.

Watford rail and Tube fair fares petition gets 2,000 signatures Campaigners say Watford passengers pay up to £1,000 a year more than those using similar stations.

Maybe put Watford Junction into Zone 9. But asking for it to be moved to zone 6 will mean other station closer to London like Bushey will need to re-zoned? And who pays for this? It's certainly not for the tax payers of London to subsidise fares outside.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

People trying to rebook seem to get search results via the same or similar way as they are still open. Emirates will offer you a flight this coming Friday say from London to Dubai which is plain daft.

Certainly a lesson to be learned for the future about transiting the Middle East for long haul flights. Whilst not the airline's fault, they could do better. They could close off all flights on their booking system for next few days.

So passengers are now having re-book at their own cost and may not get their refund once their Middle Eastern airline get through their growing pile of claims. And travel insurance may well not pay out as the situation probably gets classified as "war". And no help from the airlines themselves.

I'm feeling sorry for the thousands who are stranded in countries in SE Asia, Australia etc. if they are booked with Middle Eastern airlines like Emirates via Dubai. EU261 if flying back to the EU or UK won't apply as they are non-EU airlines. Outbound from EU/UK is fine.

I can almost hear your blood pressure rise during that thread. A completely ludicrous new policy.

It's those that were in transit in Dubai etc. when all this kicked off are the ones that might regret the decision to have booked that route. Insurance for consequential loss (hotels, meals) whilst stranded unlikely to be covered. Airlines like Emirates will be snowed under for months with claims.