Eurostar to Launch Direct London-Antwerp Service
Trains from London St Pancras to Antwerpen-Centraal begin December 14, 2026, cutting the journey to two hours and 45 minutes.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Europe
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Eurostar will start direct train service from London St Pancras to Antwerpen-Centraal on December 14, 2026, removing the need to change at Brussels-Midi. Tickets for the direct services have gone on sale, with one-way fares starting at £51.
Why it matters
The route makes Antwerp far easier to reach from the UK for travelers who previously faced a change of trains and a longer trip. Eurostar says the change makes journeys to the city quicker and more convenient.
The new service runs five times a day and cuts the trip to 2 hours 45 minutes, compared with about 3 hours 15 minutes now via Brussels-Midi. One-way tickets begin at £51, and the timetable has been announced although the route has not yet opened.
The players
Eurostar
Eurostar is the high-speed rail operator linking London with Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam through the Channel Tunnel.
The details
Eurostar confirmed the route over the summer and added Antwerp as a direct stop on its London-Amsterdam services. Antwerpen-Centraal has no UK border and customs facilities, and passengers returning to London must book a combined SNCB and Eurostar ticket connecting through Brussels-Midi.
Timeline
Summer 2026: Eurostar confirms the London St Pancras to Antwerp route.
December 14, 2026: Direct London-Antwerp service launches with five daily trains.
Travel Outlook
The Antwerp launch extends the model Eurostar already uses on its London-Amsterdam services, where Antwerp is now a direct stop. It adds another city to a cross-Channel network that has grown beyond the Paris and Brussels core routes.
Travelers can now reach Antwerp from London in about 2 hours 45 minutes without changing trains, but returning requires a combined SNCB and Eurostar ticket via Brussels-Midi. Booking ahead of the December 14 start may help secure the £51 starting fare.
The takeaway
Direct rail links are reshaping how easily travelers can reach secondary European cities without connecting through a major hub. Anyone planning a trip to Antwerp from the UK should check the return booking requirement before purchasing.
What happens next
Direct London St Pancras to Antwerpen-Centraal service launches on December 14, 2026, with five daily departures.
Further reading
For more on Europe's rail connections, explore our Europe coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Time Out Worldwide.
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