The little-known trick that could save you hundreds when travelling to Europe by train
A LITTLE known trick when buying Eurostar tickets could save you a fortune — but only if you get a certain type of ticket.
The hack works by covering you if you miss your train, allowing you to ride on the next service without needing to buy another ticket.
However, you’ll need to purchase a special type of ticket, known as a ‘CIV ticket’, and you can only do this at staffed ticket offices in specific train stations in the UK - not online.
Having this ticket type means that if miss your Eurostar train because you are delayed due to another rail company, Eurostar would be obliged to put you on the next train - for free.
And with some Eurostar tickets costing hundreds of pounds, it could save you cash - here's how.
What is a ‘CIV ticket’?
CIV stands for ‘Controlled International Voyage’ and relates to a type of international train ticket used for travel between countries that are members of the ‘CIV system’ - an international agreement between railway companies in Europe and some other countries that makes international train travel easier.
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CIV train tickets are typically used for longer-distance journeys between different countries in Europe that involve multiple train operators.
While not specific to Eurostar, these special types of tickets are recognised by the service as it’s a participating railway company and so is subject to the CIV regulations.
This includes ticket validation, passenger rights, and the responsibilities of railway companies.
In the UK, these ticket types can be purchased at most railway stations and need to be booked to a destination called ‘London International CIV’. They can be used with a Eurostar ticket or Stena Line Rail and Sail ticket to the Netherlands.
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When travelling from London to Paris, for example, you’d have to request a London International (CIV), for use with onward Eurostar tickets.
According to , CIV tickets are such a “closely guarded secret” that even ticket office staff aren’t always familiar with these fares, so you might need to quote the destination code ‘LNE’ when booking one.
"They are usually a similar price to a regular off-peak ticket…but with more generous peak restrictions if you need to leave early on a Monday-Friday and with CIV protection for missed connections with Eurostar if your UK train runs late," the website reads.
The tickets come in two versions: Advance, which must be booked in advance and is only valid for a specific time, and Euro Open/Euro Saver - a more expensive but flexible ticket, usually valid on any train that day.
CIV tickets can also be used with railcards, however, you’re likely to miss out on the cheaper ticket deals train lines offer by booking online.
Last month, Eurostar launched its summer sale with tickets at a bargain price of £39.
There are 68,000 cheap tickets for travel from London to Paris, Brussels, Lille or Rotterdam.
The promotion covers journeys taken between now and August 24.
