The direct routes
From London St Pancras, Eurostar runs direct all year to five cities. Approximate fastest journey times are:
- Lille: about 1 hour 20 minutes.
- Brussels: about 2 hours.
- Paris: about 2 hours 15 minutes.
- Rotterdam: about 3 hours 15 minutes.
- Amsterdam: about 4 hours.
Times vary by train, so check the timetable. Paris has by far the most trains, and Eurostar is adding more daily services to Paris and Amsterdam.
There's no longer a direct Eurostar to Disneyland Paris from London. You can change in Paris or Lille instead.
Best for a day trip
A day trip works best when the journey is short. Remember that France, Belgium and the Netherlands are an hour ahead of the UK, so you lose an hour on the way out and gain it back on the way home.
- Lille is the easiest. You can be there for a late breakfast, spend the day in the Flemish-style old town and be home for dinner. Its Christmas market makes it a good festive day out too.
- Paris is very doable in a day if you pick one or two things, for example a museum and a walk along the Seine. Trying to see everything just means spending the day on the Métro.
- Brussels works too, especially for food: chocolate, waffles, frites and beer, all within walking distance of the Grand-Place.
For Rotterdam and Amsterdam, stay at least one night.
Best for a weekend
- Paris: the classic. Two or three days gives you time for the big sights and a neighbourhood or two.
- Amsterdam: canals, museums and cycling. The direct train is about four hours, which is close to flying once you include getting to the airport.
- Brussels plus Bruges or Ghent: Belgian trains run from Brussels to both in about an hour or less. When you book, you can usually add an onward ticket to any Belgian station for a small extra charge.
- Rotterdam: modern architecture, a big harbour and a lively food scene. It's a good base for The Hague and Delft too.
Where you can go with one change
The Eurostar is a gateway to much of Western Europe:
- From Paris: high-speed TGV trains to Lyon in about 2 hours, to the Alps for Annecy and ski resorts, to Strasbourg in under 2 hours, and down to Nice and the Mediterranean in about 6 hours. To change trains in Paris, you'll usually need to cross the city from Gare du Nord, so leave plenty of time.
- From Brussels: fast trains to Cologne in about 2 hours, and on into Germany.
- From Lille: TGV trains go direct to many French cities, often avoiding the cross-Paris transfer.
Our post on Christmas markets by train from London shows which markets you can reach in a day. Our train holidays page has bigger rail trips.
Check-in and border control
Unlike a normal train, you go through security and passport control before you board:
- Arrive early. Check the recommended arrival time on your ticket. It's usually around 75 to 90 minutes before departure for Standard tickets, and less for Premier. Gates close about 30 minutes before departure.
- Allow extra time at busy times, such as Friday evenings, Sunday afternoons and school holidays.
- The EU's Entry/Exit System means UK passport holders may have their fingerprints and photo taken at the border. It can add time, especially on your first trip since it started.
Liquids aren't limited to 100ml like on a plane, and the luggage allowance is more generous than on a budget flight. Check Eurostar's current rules before you travel.
Tips for cheaper tickets
1. Book early. Eurostar fares usually rise as the train fills up. The cheapest seats go first. 2. Travel midweek. Tuesday to Thursday trains are usually cheaper than Fridays and Sundays. 3. Avoid peak times. Early morning trains to Paris on Fridays and returns on Sunday afternoons are the busiest. 4. Watch for sales. Eurostar runs sales a few times a year. 5. Compare with flying. For Amsterdam, a cheap flight can be quicker and cheaper. For Paris and Brussels, the train usually wins on total journey time.
Where should you go?
If it's your first time, Paris is the obvious pick. For an easy, cheap day out, Lille. For a weekend with a canal-side feel, Amsterdam or Bruges via Brussels. For a festive trip, our Christmas holidays page and our guide to the best Christmas markets in Europe have ideas.
If your group can't agree, our guide to how to decide where to go on holiday lays out a fair way to pick. Everyone adds ideas, gives them points, and a draw picks the winner.
