Meanwhile in Brussels, The European Commission has ow taken action to break the monopoly on a high-speed rail networks operating between France, Belgium and Britain. They won a pledge from existing market incumbents Eurostar and Thalys etc to drop any existing barriers to outside competitors, leaving the way clear for new Eurostar deals across Europe in the near future.

The European Union’s executive arm had been asked to approve the creation of “New Eurostar” – a joint venture between the French, Belgian and British state railway companies, which also control the Eurostar service between London, Paris and Brussels.

The commission gave the New Eurostar project a green light, but only after the three companies committed themselves to facilitating “the entry of new rail operators on the London-Brussels and London-Paris routes,” a statement said.

Joaquin Almunia EU Competition Commissioner wants more varied Eurostar Deals

A spokeswoman for Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said the action was taken in light of the EU’s decision to liberalise international rail services as of January 1, 2010.

Amelia Torres said.

In the future, we expect more diversification of services, more choice for consumers, more innovation and lower prices as a result of greater competition

Eurostar Deals to Frankfurt and Madrid

As an example, she raised the prospect of “passengers being able to travel from Frankfurt to London or from Madrid to London without changing trains.”

The commission specifically insisted that potential newcomers to the Eurostar rail network should be able to use station infrastructure and access passenger information currently in the hands of the “New Eurostar” joint venture.

The incumbent companies also pledged to be ready to make space for rivals in their Eurostar timetables.

At weekends sometimes, the cost of going first class on the Eurostar may be only slightly more than second. So if you appreciate the additional comfort, leg room, and dining on the move with a three-course meal then that’s well worth considering but check the times below to see which meal you would be served with:

• Breakfast is served on all trains departing up to 11:00 with a choice of hot or continental breakfast.
• Lunch is then served on all trains between 11:00 and 14:00 with a choice of 2 main dishes
• The afternoon meal is served on all trains departing between 14:00 and 17:00 with 3 courses consisting of starter, light hot main course and pastries
• And then a three course dinner is served on all trains departing after 17:00 with a choice of 2 main dishes

Free newspapers and magazines are provided in the first class carriage, and the seats are more spacious, reclining and have generous legroom which could be a deal maker for particularly tall people with long legs that might get squashed in behind the seat in front on second class. The First Class seats also benefit from having either a slide-out table or a fixed table shared with adjacent passengers, so it’s easier to work on your laptop conducting business deals at 186 kph!