There are so many options in buying a Eurostar ticket. I want to go one-way, mid-week, mid-day in spring, but that costs a lot. I could buy a return ticket and pay less than one way. Will they know if I don't return? Can I sign up for the day return and not use the second half? Is this like the airlines?

Via an email, they quoted me 215 GBP for a one-way trip in first class. That's over $400. That's not even the Premium service category.

Obviously, standard class is looking good, but still very expensive. Any thoughts on how to do this without spending a mortgage payment?

No problem with not showing up, and I don't think first class is worth it. The meal they serve is like mediocre airline food.

Going from where to where??

No problem with day returns though! Just toss the return!

Sorry, I know where I'm headed. London to Paris.

If it's so easy to dump the return ticket, why does anyone bother to purchase one way? Why do they bother selling one ways at astronomical prices that pushes people to buy returns they don't need or want? Some things I will never understand.

I must take back some of what I've said. In looking over the eurostar website, it appears that many of their return tickets are double their one way tickets. Although I still think their pricing system is complicated. I can get a standard return ticket as low as $58 (midweek after 4:00 pm) and a one way ticket for as low as $90. Although first class is expensive, the price of a standard ticket is reasonable enough.

yeah throw the return in the bin...done it and no problems. also standard class is fine. they sell food or bring your own...which is fun to do. if it's too expensive then look at the easy jet/bmi/ryan air type flights...