Eurostar has announced it will begin offering a direct train service from London St Pancras International to Antwerp from December 14, cutting the journey time to just 2 hours and 41 minutes.
Currently, passengers travelling to the Belgian city must change at Brussels Midi, making the trip take around three-and-a-half to four hours. The new direct service removes the need for that connection, with up to four trains a day expected to run.
Direct service details
Antwerp will become an additional stop on Eurostar's existing London to Amsterdam line, which already calls at Lille-Europe, Brussels-Midi, and Rotterdam-Centraal. The route will take passengers directly to Antwerpen-Centraal station.
Return journeys will remain less convenient for now. Antwerpen-Centraal does not currently have facilities to process departing international travellers, such as a UK border or customs and security desks, so passengers heading back to London will still need to connect via Brussels-Midi.
Christmas market and city sights
The launch comes just in time for Antwerp's month-long Christmas market, held in the city's central square. The market is known for its gigantic Christmas tree, hundreds of wooden chalets selling handmade items, a Ferris wheel, and a sparkling ice rink, set against traditional guildhalls, cobblestone streets, and a fountain.
Outside the festive season, Antwerp offers plenty for visitors. The Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady houses Baroque artworks by Rubens, while the Plantin-Moretus Museum contains some of the world's oldest printing presses, along with antiques, tapestries, and books. The MAS - Museum aan de Stroom - is recognisable by its boxy red brick design and features exhibitions on the city's history, culture, and arts scene.
Eurostar's expansion plans
A statement from Eurostar said: "Adding Antwerp as a direct stop on our London–Amsterdam services will make journeys to the city quicker and more convenient, providing customers with a more comfortable city centre to city centre travel experience."
Eurostar is also exploring further expansion. It has said it wants to offer London to Switzerland trains in the future, and last year committed to direct Cologne and Frankfurt trains, though these routes may not be available until the early 2030s. The company faces competition from rivals planning Channel Tunnel services, including Virgin Trains, which has announced intentions to run up to 20 daily return journeys connecting London to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam as early as 2030.
