Eurostar has confirmed a new direct train route between London and Antwerp, its first direct connection to the Belgian city, starting this December.
Quick Answer
Eurostar will launch direct trains from London St Pancras International to Antwerp-Centraal starting December 14, 2026. The new stop is being added to the existing London-Amsterdam service, running up to four times daily and cutting the journey to 2 hours and 41 minutes, about 34 minutes faster than the current route, which requires changing trains at Brussels-Midi.
Key Takeaways
- Direct London-to-Antwerp Eurostar service begins December 14, 2026.
- The journey takes 2 hours 41 minutes direct, down from about 3 hours 15 minutes with a change at Brussels.
- Up to four trains a day will run in the London-to-Antwerp direction on weekdays.
- The service is one-directional for now: there is no direct Antwerp-to-London train, since Antwerp-Centraal lacks UK border and customs facilities.
- One-way fares start from £51 or €58, with tickets already on sale.
How the New Route Works
The direct service is being added to Eurostar’s existing London-to-Amsterdam route, which already stops at Lille-Europe, Brussels-Midi, and Rotterdam-Centraal. From December 14, some of those trains will also call at Antwerp-Centraal, giving passengers a through journey without changing trains partway.
Direct departures from London are scheduled at 06:16, 08:16, 11:04, and 18:04, arriving in Antwerp at 09:57, 11:57, 14:57, and 21:57.
Why There’s No Direct Return Service
Passengers travelling from Antwerp back to London will still need to change trains at Brussels-Midi. That’s because Antwerp-Centraal does not have the dedicated UK border and customs facilities required for trains departing directly to the UK. Eurostar has not announced a timeline for adding those facilities.
Context: Eurostar’s Expansion Plans
The Antwerp stop is a confirmed addition, unlike some of Eurostar’s other announced ambitions. The operator signed a memorandum of understanding earlier this year to explore a direct London-to-Switzerland connection, and did the same for Cologne and Frankfurt routes in late 2025. Those remain preliminary agreements rather than confirmed launches, and if they proceed, they aren’t expected until the 2030s. The Antwerp route, by contrast, is confirmed and has a firm December 2026 start date.
FAQ
When does the new Eurostar London-Antwerp route start?
December 14, 2026.
How long is the direct journey?
2 hours and 41 minutes, about 34 minutes faster than the current itinerary via a change at Brussels-Midi.
Can I take a direct train from Antwerp back to London?
Not yet. Return journeys still require changing trains at Brussels-Midi because Antwerp-Centraal lacks UK border and customs facilities.
How much do tickets cost?
One-way fares start from £51 or €58, and tickets are already on sale.
Sources
- Railway Supply — Direct London to Antwerp Trains From Eurostar
- Time Out London — Eurostar’s new direct route to Antwerp
Finance Writer | Wall Street Sights
Gulraj Ansari covers U.S. markets, business, investing, artificial intelligence, and global economic trends. His reporting focuses on delivering clear, research-backed, and reader-friendly financial insights.
