A major power outage in the Channel Tunnel has thrown New Year's Eve travel plans into disarray for thousands of passengers, with Eurostar cancelling dozens of trains and leaving families scrambling to reunite with loved ones across the UK and continental Europe - UKJNews

London/Paris, Dec 31, 2025 – A major power outage in the Channel Tunnel has thrown New Year's Eve travel plans into disarray for thousands of passengers, with Eurostar cancelling dozens of trains and leaving families scrambling to reunite with loved ones across the UK and continental Europe. The disruption, which began on December 30, halted all services between London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, affecting an estimated 25,000 travellers during one of the busiest periods of the year. The fault, attributed to a power supply failure impacting overhead cables, led to the suspension of Eurostar operations for several hours on Tuesday, with passengers stuck on trains overnight in some cases – including one service bound for Paris that was immobilized outside the tunnel for over 10 hours with limited facilities. "It was a nightmare," shared one traveller on social media, describing how their family's New Year's celebration in Rotterdam was cancelled after arriving in London only to learn of the shutdown. Many reported poor communication from Eurostar, with warnings of possible last-minute cancellations even as services partially resumed.

As of this morning, Eurostar has restarted operations, but the knock-on effects linger: the first trains to Paris and Brussels/Amsterdam were axed, and delays are expected throughout the day. The company advised passengers not to travel unless essential, stating, "We plan to run all services today, however due to knock-on impacts there may still be some delays and possible last-minute cancellations." Long queues have formed at London's St. Pancras International, with services running busier than usual as rescheduled passengers flood the network.

The human toll is evident in stories of fractured family gatherings. One French family of eight, stranded en- route to London, resorted to sharing dorm rooms after being told to arrange their own accommodations – a challenge amid the holiday rush. Social media is rife with similar accounts: "Boos all around as Eurostar cancellations ruin NYE plans," posted one user, echoing the frustration of those unable to reach partners or relatives in time for midnight toasts.

Hotel prices in affected cities have surged due to the influx of displaced travellers. In London, luxury New Year's Eve packages start at around $316 for boutique stays, climbing to $451 or more for high-end options with views of fireworks. Paris fares are equally steep, with festive dinners adding €405-€470 per person at upscale venues, and overall rates in central areas exceeding $1,000 for qualifying rooms amid the world's most expensive NYE destinations. Booking sites report a spike in demand, pushing even basic accommodations higher as stranded passengers compete for limited availability.

For those seeking alternatives, the broader transport picture offers mixed relief:

Rail: Beyond Eurostar, UK domestic services are mostly running as usual but may end earlier on New Year's Eve, with some disruptions on Cross-Country lines. In Scotland, snow and ice warnings could slow journeys, with risks of cancellations. A new operator is eyeing routes to rival Eurostar, but that's not immediate help.

Road: Eurotunnel's LeShuttle (for vehicles) faces severe delays of up to six hours from Calais to Folkestone, with three-hour queues reported for drivers. Ferries across the Channel are operating but expect heavier traffic due to the rail fallout.

Air: No widespread cancellations for UK-Europe flights as of now, but prices have risen sharply – some routes doubling due to demand from rerouted Eurostar passengers. Holiday strikes loom in parts of Europe, including a nationwide ground services walkout in Italy from December 31 to January 1, potentially causing delays at airports. Travelers should check with airlines like British Airways or EasyJet for updates.

Eurostar has promised compensation for affected passengers and urged checking their website for real-time info. As the clock ticks toward 2026, many are left hoping for a smoother start to the new year than this chaotic end to 2025.