Eurostar will launch a new direct high-speed rail service from London St. Pancras to Antwerp, Belgium, starting December 14. The service will cut travel time to just over two and a half hours, compared to the current three hours and 15 minutes via Brussels.
Service Details and Pricing
Four daily direct services will operate from London to Antwerp, with departures at 06:16, 08:16, 11:04, and 18:04, arriving at 09:57, 11:57, 14:57, and 21:57 respectively. Tickets are already on sale from as little as £51.
However, the return journey will not be direct due to the lack of UK border and customs facilities at Antwerpen-Centraal. Passengers traveling from Antwerp to London can book a combined SNCB and Eurostar ticket via Brussels-Midi, where border and security checks are conducted.
Why Visit Antwerp?
Antwerp, a historic port city on the River Scheldt, is often overlooked in favor of Brussels and Bruges but is gaining popularity. It recorded 3.18 million overnight stays in 2025 and is known for its Flemish-Renaissance architecture, Old Town, and status as the world's diamond capital. The 19th-century central train station itself is a major attraction.
Key sites include the Plantin-Moretus Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site dedicated to 16th-century printers; the MoMu fashion museum; Grote Markt square with its Renaissance City Hall and Brabo Fountain; and the Cathedral of Our Lady, Belgium's largest Gothic church. In winter, the old city quarter hosts a Christmas market and ice rink.
Borgerhout: World's Second Coolest Neighbourhood
Borgerhout, a trendy creative hub in northeast Antwerp, is considered one of the coolest places in the world. Known locally as 'BoHo', it features vegan coffee bars, leafy terraces, and a multicultural DIY spirit. Visitors can explore by renting a bike through the Velo Antwerpen bike-sharing system.
