Eurostar, the high-speed rail service connecting the UK with mainland Europe, has announced a partnership with Swedish fintech giant Klarna to introduce Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) payment options for passengers booking travel across its network.
The collaboration will enable travellers to spread the cost of their journeys across several instalments, marking Eurostar’s first venture into the increasingly popular BNPL market, and Klarna’s first partnership with a major train operator.
Flexible Payment Options
Under the new arrangement, passengers booking tickets through Eurostar’s website and mobile app can choose to split payments into interest-free instalments when purchasing tickets above a minimum spend threshold. The service will be available across Eurostar routes, including connections between London and European destinations such as Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.
The move comes as part of Eurostar’s ongoing efforts to digitalise and improve the customer booking experience, while making European rail travel more accessible to a broader range of travellers.
About the Partnership
Klarna, founded in Stockholm in 2005, has established itself as one of the world’s leading BNPL providers, currently operating in 26 countries. The company specialises in offering flexible payment solutions that allow consumers to pay for purchases in instalments without interest charges, provided payments are made on schedule.
This new partnership is part of Klarna’s continued expansion in the travel sector, having previously announced similar arrangements with a number of airlines and online travel agencies.
Raji Behal, Head of Western and Southern Europe at Klarna, hailed the significance of this partnership:
“Hello, bonjour, and bienvenue to a smoother way to book your Eurostar trip. Eurostar has changed the way we travel between the UK and Europe—now Klarna is changing the way we pay for it. Whether you’re heading to Paris for a weekend getaway or Brussels for business, you can now check out with Klarna and choose to pay in full or split the cost over time. Fast, flexible, and now even easier to book—just like train travel should be.”
Francois Le Doze Chief, Commercial Officer at Eurostar, added:
“At Eurostar, we’re always looking for ways to enhance the customer experience and make high-speed rail the most convenient and accessible way to travel in Europe. By partnering with Klarna, we’re giving our passengers more choice and flexibility at checkout, making it even easier to plan their journeys across our expanding network. Whether it’s a luxury weekend getaway to Paris or booking one of our great value Train + Hotel packages in Amsterdam, Klarna’s flexible payment options align perfectly with our vision of seamless, sustainable, and customer-friendly rail travel.”
Growing BNPL in Travel
The new partnership reflects the continuing growth of BNPL services across all sectors of consumer spending, with the travel industry increasingly adopting these payment solutions to meet evolving customer expectations around payment flexibility.
The BNPL model has gained significant traction in recent years, particularly among younger consumers who may prefer alternatives to traditional credit options. According to industry data, the UK has seen substantial growth in BNPL usage, with services extending beyond retail into sectors like travel, healthcare, and professional services.
Wider Context
The introduction of BNPL services by Eurostar aligns with similar initiatives from other travel providers seeking to offer greater payment flexibility as the industry continues its post-pandemic recovery.
For Eurostar, which has been expanding its routes and services in recent years following the challenges of Brexit and the pandemic, the partnership represents another step in enhancing its digital customer experience and competitive positioning in the European travel market.
The service will be gradually rolled out across Eurostar’s markets, including the UK, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, with potential for integration with additional services in the future.
As BNPL continues to gain mainstream acceptance, such partnerships highlight how alternative payment methods are becoming an integral part of the travel booking experience, providing consumers with more options to manage their travel expenses.
