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Keen to visit Paris or Brussels on a budget this summer? You can now get cheap Eurostar tickets by using a 30% off code.
This Eurostar sale won't last long though - it allows the discount code to be used 30,000 times before it becomes inactive.
Read on to find out how to get cheap fares.
Independent recommendations and inspiring destination ideas from the experts. £4.99 a month, cancel any time.
Join Which? TravelThe code 30SUMMERDISCOUNT expires on 1 July. But it could expire before if it's used 30,000 times; there is a cap on how many people can use the summer code.
Check the Eurostar site for tickets.Eurostar Flash Deal
When we analysed a year of Eurostar ticket prices, we found the average one-way fare to Paris was £79. One week before departure, the average cost shoots up to £143.
Average prices to Brussels were very similar.
If it’s not important when you travel, you will always get the best deals on Eurostar tickets by waiting for their sales.
We looked at a return ticket from St Pancras International to Gare du Nord from 19 July to 22 July. The cheapest return fare totalled £128.
After we applied the code, the tickets cost £89.60 instead. And there were cheaper fares available. For instance, we spotted several £39 one-way fares in August and September (before the code was applied).
The discount is available on most departure dates between 3 July and 30 September.
This does include weekend dates, but there are some blackout dates where the code won't work.
The code applies to standard (economy class) and standard premier tickets. Standard class tickets can be exchanged up to one hour before departure without paying a fee, although you will pay any fare difference. Tickets can be refunded seven days before departure, but there is a £25 penalty.
The Olympics start in Paris on July 26. However, the discount code won't apply on various dates during the Olympics. We tried three different weekend journeys (Friday to Monday) during the Olympic games, and we couldn't use the discount code.
However, when we tried a weekday that wasn't a Monday, we were able to benefit from the 30% off code.
For instance, the opening weekend is one of the off-limits dates because it wouldn't let us use the discount on a journey departing on Friday 26 July and returning Monday 29 July.
While we're not expecting a full sale. The 30% off code works on loads of dates during the school summer holidays (just avoid Olympic weekend dates).
When we checked, plenty of days in August had both outbound and inbound departures to Paris and Brussels starting at £39. Again, those departures are off-peak – in the early morning, or late evening. If you do want to travel on Eurostar during the school summer holidays, you should book as soon as possible. Our research has found the prices will only rise.