Business travellers heading into France by high-speed rail faced a disrupted first working day of 2026. Eurostar’s live travel-updates page flagged multiple issues early on 2 January, including seating-plan changes, a train-type substitution, and cascading delays at Paris-Gare-du-Nord and London-St Pancras triggered by technical problems and heavy passenger volumes.
As of 07:11 CET, Eurostar listed separate alerts citing "operational restrictions" both in London and Paris, alongside partner-network difficulties in Belgium and the Netherlands. Some services previously cancelled over the holiday period were reinstated, but a fresh set of trains was showing as delayed or cancelled, complicating day-trip itineraries.
For travellers suddenly needing to verify visa status or secure last-minute travel documentation amid these schedule shifts, VisaHQ’s France portal (https://www.visahq.com/france/) provides rapid Schengen visa checks, digital applications and courier options—helping businesses keep plans on track even when transport isn’t.
![Eurostar Warns of Widespread Delays on 2 January — Paris & London Hubs Hit by Operational Glitches]()
Corporate mobility managers should advise travellers to build extra buffer time into meetings, use the Eurostar app for real-time push alerts and check whether flexible tickets can be re-routed onto Thalys (now under Eurostar Group) for intra-Benelux journeys. Those connecting to flights via Charles-de-Gaulle or Heathrow should allow at least a three-hour margin.
The disruption comes just days after power-supply failures halted Channel Tunnel traffic, highlighting the fragility of Franco-British winter operations. Eurostar has not yet provided an estimated time of resolution but says updates will continue throughout the day.
Companies relying on day-return rail trips for UK–France commuters—popular since Brexit curtailed spontaneous fly-in meetings—should have contingency plans such as video alternatives or overnight accommodation allowances.
As of 07:11 CET, Eurostar listed separate alerts citing "operational restrictions" both in London and Paris, alongside partner-network difficulties in Belgium and the Netherlands. Some services previously cancelled over the holiday period were reinstated, but a fresh set of trains was showing as delayed or cancelled, complicating day-trip itineraries.
For travellers suddenly needing to verify visa status or secure last-minute travel documentation amid these schedule shifts, VisaHQ’s France portal (https://www.visahq.com/france/) provides rapid Schengen visa checks, digital applications and courier options—helping businesses keep plans on track even when transport isn’t.
Corporate mobility managers should advise travellers to build extra buffer time into meetings, use the Eurostar app for real-time push alerts and check whether flexible tickets can be re-routed onto Thalys (now under Eurostar Group) for intra-Benelux journeys. Those connecting to flights via Charles-de-Gaulle or Heathrow should allow at least a three-hour margin.
The disruption comes just days after power-supply failures halted Channel Tunnel traffic, highlighting the fragility of Franco-British winter operations. Eurostar has not yet provided an estimated time of resolution but says updates will continue throughout the day.
Companies relying on day-return rail trips for UK–France commuters—popular since Brexit curtailed spontaneous fly-in meetings—should have contingency plans such as video alternatives or overnight accommodation allowances.
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