Advance passenger information (API)
Everything you need to know about Advance Passenger Information (API) when travelling to/from London.
Please provide your information before you travel
We’re now required by the UK government to collect Advance Passenger Information (API) for you and anyone else on your booking before you travel to/from the UK.
You won’t be able to get your tickets until you’ve completed this information.
What is Advance Passenger Information (API)?
Advance Passenger Information (API) is required by the UK government for people leaving or entering the UK, as part of their border control measures.
You and everyone on your booking must provide the following information as it appears on your travel document (in most cases, your passport):
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Nationality
- Travel document type
- Travel document number
- Travel document country of issue
- Travel document expiry date
Important: national ID cards can only be used in a limited number of cases. If in doubt, please use your passport or check if you’re eligible to use your national ID card before completing your API.
Who needs to provide their API?
Everyone who has booked a Eurostar ticket to or from London. API is not needed for children under 4 who travel without a ticket on an adult’s lap. But if you have booked a ticket for a child under 4, you will need to complete their API too.
How do I provide my API?
On eurostar.com:
- Go to Manage your booking.
- Enter your booking reference and last name.
- Follow the instructions.
In the Eurostar app when adding a booking:
- Add your booking and select View booking.
- Select the Add passenger information button.
- Complete your API to get your tickets.
In the Eurostar app when making a booking:
- Complete your booking.
- Select the Go to your booking button on the confirmation screen.
- Select the Add passenger information button.
- Complete your API to get your tickets.
In the Eurostar app when viewing an existing booking:
- Find your booking under Your bookings and select the journey details.
- Select the Add passenger information button.
- Complete your API to get your tickets.
When do I need to provide my API?
You need to provide your API as soon as possible before departure. You won’t be able to collect your tickets until you do.
Do I still need to bring my passport and/or travel documents when travelling?
Yes, you do. Your passport (or other valid travel document) will be checked by border staff at the station before departure. Please get to the station at the recommended arrival time to ensure you have enough time for ticket, security and border checks.
Important: UK border rules are changing. You may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if you don’t currently need a visa to enter the UK. Make sure you have everything you need well ahead of your journey. Otherwise, you won’t be allowed to travel. Find out more.
Frequently asked questions
If you’ve provided incorrect information or changed your passport, you can resubmit your API before departure. You won’t be able to update the existing form as details are encrypted as soon as they are submitted. But you will be able to complete a new form which will replace the old one.
You don’t have to submit API for everyone on your booking all at once.
You can either:
- Complete your own API and provide API for the other passengers later.
- Let each passenger on your booking complete their own API in Manage your booking.
Important: each person’s ticket(s) will only be released when their API is complete. So, make sure everyone provides their APIwell before departure.
No, you don’t. You just need to provide API once for each passenger on your booking. You’ll then receive your outbound and return tickets.
Yes, but you can save your API data to your Eurostar account. Log in and either save your details directly in your account or save them when filling in your first API form.
To use your saved info:
- Log in to your Eurostar account.
- Access the API form in Manage your booking.
- Select your saved info within the form.
Please note: you can only save your own info to your account.
If Manage your booking or the API form are temporarily unavailable, please wait for a little while and try again. Technical issues are rare and usually resolved quickly.
If technical issues persist and your journey is imminent, please contact us for help.
Your API data is:
- Encrypted as soon as it’s submitted.
- Only used for border security measures.
- Securely transferred through a dedicated system to relevant authorities.
- Only stored in our systems for up to seven days after your travel date.
Please note: if you save your API data to your Eurostar account, it will only be deleted when you delete your account or the data itself.
You may also like
Travel documents
What travel documents do you need to travel on Eurostar? Find the answers you need here.
Customs
Everything you need to know about custom regulations when travelling between the UK and Europe.
Luggage allowance
All you need to know about luggage allowances when travelling on Eurostar.