Back to Ask the Shaman

Consumer Rights

How to get a refund from Eurotunnel and Eurostar during Covid

Summary

Eurotunnel, also referred to as the Channel Tunnel or the Chunnel, is one of the most popular ways to get to France from the UK, transporting 21 million people in 2019 via the Eurostar train. However during Covid-19, Eurostar and Eurotunnel had to cancel 90% of its bookings leaving millions of paying passengers fighting for a refund. The UK regulator the CMA is even conducting an investigation into whether airlines breached consumer rights laws during Coronavirus. But unlike airlines, travel agents aren't regulated. If you're one of the many unlucky Eurostar customers waiting on a cancelled flight refund due to Coronavirus travel bans, you have a few options. Some options require more time than others, and with varying chances of working. You can call, email or use social media to get in touch directly with Eurostar. Unfortunately, this is what everyone else is doing (2 million others) so you'll have to join the queue. Telephone| 03432 186 186 ---|--- Website| https://www.eurostar.com Twitter| @Eurostar Time Taken:| 6-10 Months ---|--- Chances of working:| Moderate Cost:| Free These sites help you send a polite letter of complaint, based on EU law. Unfortunately this can be like.

Key information

  • Eurotunnel, also referred to as the Channel Tunnel or the Chunnel, is one of the most popular ways to get to France from the UK, transporting 21 million people in 2019 via the Eurostar train. However during Covid-19, Eurostar and Eurotunnel had to cancel 90% of its bookings leaving millions of paying passengers fighting for a refund.
  • The UK regulator the CMA is even conducting an investigation into whether airlines breached consumer rights laws during Coronavirus. But unlike airlines, travel agents aren't regulated.
  • If you're one of the many unlucky Eurostar customers waiting on a cancelled flight refund due to Coronavirus travel bans, you have a few options. Some options require more time than others, and with varying chances of working.
  • Telephone| 03432 186 186 ---|--- Website| https://www.eurostar.com Twitter| @Eurostar
  • Time Taken:| 6-10 Months ---|--- Chances of working:| Moderate Cost:| Free
  • These sites help you send a polite letter of complaint, based on EU law. Unfortunately this can be like screaming at a brick wall (or banging your head against it), since a lot of the time the airline has already reimbursed the travel agent so they claim it's not their problem anymore.
  • Even worse, if you do win your case through a complaints site, they'll take 25% of your refund, leaving you with no holiday and no money to book one in the future.
  • Time Taken:| 2-3 hours ---|--- Chances of working:| Moderate Cost:| 25% of your refund
  • You can ask your bank or credit card company to process a refund, also called a chargeback. During Coronavirus, this has become more difficult, and can take months.
  • Time Taken:| Months ---|--- Chances of working:| Moderate Cost:| Free
  • By using a licensed solicitor to commence legal proceedings against the travel agent, you can get them to sit up and pay attention.

Practical guidance

  • Source: [How to get a refund from Eurotunnel and Eurostar during Covid](https://lawhive.co.uk/knowledge-hub/travel-agent-refund/how-to-get-a-refund-from-eurotunnel-and-eurostar-during-covid)

Related topics

Consumer RightsFaulty Goods and ServicesTravel Agent Refund

Sources

  • Lawhive — [How to get a refund from Eurotunnel and Eurostar during Covid](https://lawhive.co.uk/knowledge-hub/travel-agent-refund/how-to-get-a-refund-from-eurotunnel-and-eurostar-during-covid) — `raw/lawhive/travel-agent-refund-how-to-get-a-refund-from-eurotunnel-and-eurostar-during-covid.md`

This is signposting information from the Legal Shaman wiki, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified solicitor for your situation.

How to get a refund from Eurotunnel and Eurostar during Covid | Ask the Shaman | Legal Shaman