Eurostar is set to launch a new direct high-speed rail service from London St. Pancras to Antwerp, Belgium, starting December 14. The journey will take just over two and a half hours, significantly reducing the current travel time of around three hours and 15 minutes, which requires a transfer in Brussels.
Service details and pricing
Eurostar will operate four daily direct services from London to Antwerp. Departure times are 06:16, 08:16, 11:04, and 18:04, with arrival times of 09:57, 11:57, 14:57, and 21:57 respectively. Tickets are already on sale, with prices starting from as low as £51.
However, there is a catch: the return journey is not direct. Antwerpen-Centraal station lacks UK border and customs facilities, and there are no plans to install them in the near future. Passengers travelling from Antwerp to London must book a combined SNCB and Eurostar ticket via eurostar.com, connecting through Brussels-Midi where UK border and security checks are conducted.
Antwerp: a rising destination
Antwerp, a historic port city on the River Scheldt, is often overshadowed by Brussels and Bruges but is gaining popularity. In 2025, the city recorded 3.18 million overnight stays, compared to Brussels' 9.8 million and Bruges' 8 million in 2024. Known as the 'world's diamond capital,' Antwerp boasts Flemish-Renaissance architecture, a charming Old Town, and the impressive 19th-century central station, often called a 'railway cathedral.'
Key attractions include the Plantin-Moretus Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site dedicated to 16th-century printers, and the MoMu fashion museum, reflecting Antwerp's status as a major fashion city. The city is also home to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and the Antwerp Six, a group of avant-garde fashion graduates.
Winter highlights and neighbourhoods
In winter, the Grote Markt square hosts a Christmas market and ice rink, with the Renaissance City Hall and Brabo Fountain nearby. The Cathedral of Our Lady, Belgium's largest Gothic church, is a must-see. For a more local experience, visit Borgerhout, a trendy creative hub in northeast Antwerp, named the world's second coolest neighbourhood. Known locally as 'BoHo,' it features vegan coffee bars, leafy terraces, and a laidback, multicultural vibe. Visitors can explore by renting a bike through the Velo Antwerpen bike-sharing system.
