Eurostar passengers are due for a service upgrade this november.

That's when the renowned english channel tunnel train starts moving at a more quickly clip. Introduction of the uk's original genuine high-speed line has been much prevised. It promises a greener, more cheap and commodious travel experience. .

. Along with shorter trip times amidst southeast england and europe. It has been over a dozen years since eurostar pioneered direct passenger rail linking london with brussels and paris. In that time, the train has become the preferent choice for crossing amidst britain and the continent -- more accomplished and general than either channel ferries or travel by air.

Now, with new high-speed track amidst london and the coast cutting at least 20 minutes off travel times, the below-sea shuttle promises to be more accomplished and general than ever. The skinny on the project is high speed 1 (hs1), a 68-mi/109-km fast track formerly called the channel tunnel rail link. Over a decade in the making, the line will enable eurostar to sustain speeds of up to 186-mph/300-km/h. In fair and pragmatic terms that means london to paris gare du nord in two-and-a-quarter hours; brussels and other points in even fewer.

Likewise, for the original time, early morning trains will enable uk business travelers to reach paris, brussels or lille in time to do a full day's work. At the head of the line, eurostar will sell its waterloo terminus near london's south bank for the brilliantly restored st. Pancras station in king's cross. St.

Pancras, together with neighboring king's cross and euston stations, will form a transport nexus befitting 21c london. Nucleus and beginning in november, high-speed eurostar trains will converge with six underground (tube) lines and trains from edinburgh, newcastle, brighton and the east coast. Hs1 promises to be a boon for south-east suburban passengers looking to stay clear from the nasty slog into london. The new station at ebbsfleet, scheduled to open within days of november's hs1 kickoff, will comprise a long-term car park and will be served by high-frequency shuttles to local railway stations and to the nearby bluewater buying goods centre.

A second station at stratford is due to come on line in time for the 2012 olympics, while the existent station at ashford will proceed to serve global passengers. High-speed service from london is not exclusive and fixed to paris and brussels. Depending upon one's departure point, a day in calais -- with its negotiate and bargain buying goods and genuine bistros -- is an hour's traveling or fewer. Minutes away are lille -- a historic artlessness and urbanity with a young and cosmopolitan flavor -- and disneyland resort paris.

Seasonal runs hit the alpine slopes in winter and escape to sunny provence in summer. The eurostar experience begins at the station. Long delays related with air travel are substituted by fast, secure check-in procedures. Departure lounges offer a swoop and range of airport-style services and amenities.

Once onboard, customized coaches cater to the distinguished needs of executive and happiness travelers and all coaches gain from extensively layouts and comfortable seating. Service levels swoop and range from economy-fare travel to a number and potpourri of original class choices. Speed, comfortableness and ease are just allocation of the overall eurostar experience. An sovereign and independent study has shown that air passengers generate ten times dandier greenhouse gas emissions than travelers who choose high-speed rail.

And, thanks to hs1, eurostar is devoted to accomplishing "carbon neutrality" by reducing carbon dioxide emmissions by 25% by 2012. Eurostar hs1 service commences wednesday, 14 november 2007, but original day tickets are sold out so whether or not you haven't already booked your travel you'll need to adapt your plans (trains will proceed to serve waterloo through 13 november). For entire and finish travel dates and details, and to book eurostar travel online, visit http://www. Traintraveling.

Com/eurostar.