![\"Grote](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_306667654-6163.jpg\")
\n\t\tAntwerp is just one train ride away (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tAntwerp is just one train ride away (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
We know it\u2019s the middle of summer<\/a>, so don\u2019t hate on us.<\/p>\n We\u2019re just giving you a heads-up on a new European train journey<\/a> that\u2019s perfect for a pre-Christmas break.<\/p>\n From December 14, Eurostar<\/a> will launch a new high-speed rail service direct from London<\/a> St. Pancras to Antwerp, Belgium<\/a>\u2019s ancient port city on the River Scheldt.<\/p>\n Currently, Eurostar connects Londoners to Brussels<\/a>. To get to Antwerp, travellers must alight in the Belgian capital and jump on another service \u2014 a train-hopping journey that takes around 3 hours and 15 minutes.<\/p>\n With the new service, that time will be just over 2 and a half hours.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tAsk Metro<\/p>\n Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about \u2013 powered by Metro and trusted publications.<\/p>\n But, there\u2019s a catch.<\/p>\n While the outbound journey will be direct to Antwerp, the same can\u2019t be said for the inbound one.<\/p>\n This is because Antwerpen-Centraal has no dedicated UK border and customs facilities \u2014 and there\u2019s no plan for one in the near future.<\/p>\n Therefore, a direct return route isn\u2019t possible right now.<\/p>\n Instead, customers travelling from Antwerp to London can book a combined SNCB and Eurostar ticket on eurostar.com, connecting via Brussels-Midi where UK border and security checks take place.<\/p>\n \t\t Still interested in hitting the tracks straight to Antwerp? The return journey is an excuse to do some Christmas<\/a> shopping in Brussels on the way home, after all.<\/p>\n If so, Eurostar will operate four scheduled direct services from St. Pancras to the Flemish city.<\/p>\n Daily timings look like this:<\/p>\n 06:16 \u2013 09:57<\/p>\n 08:16 \u2013 11:57<\/p>\n 11:04 \u2013 14:57<\/p>\n 18:04 \u2013 21:57<\/p>\n Tickets are already on sale and are available for as little as \u00a351.<\/p>\n Things to do in Antwerp<\/p>\n Antwerp dates back to the Middle Ages, but is often overlooked in favour of Brussels and Bruges.<\/p>\n While the city received a record 3.18 million overnight stays in 2025, that pales in comparison to Brussels\u2019 9.8 million and Bruges\u2019 8 million day-and overnight tourists in 2024.<\/p>\n \t\t Still, Antwerp is fast gaining traction, and for good reason.<\/p>\n From its quirky blend of Flemish-Renaissance architecture and charming Old Town, to a reputation as the \u2018world\u2019s diamond capital,\u2019 it\u2019s got all the ingredients for a cultured weekend away.<\/p>\n The 19th-century central train station is an attraction in itself. But once you\u2019ve left the railway cathedral \u2014 and marvelled at the marble, gold, and dramatic dome \u2014 there\u2019s more to see.<\/p>\n The Plantin-Moretus Museum is dedicated to 16th-century printers Christophe Plantin and Jan Moretus. It\u2019s also got UNESCO status.<\/p>\n Then there\u2019s the MoMu fashion museum, home to quirky and elegant fashion couture.<\/p>\n If you didn\u2019t know, Antwerp is actually a major international fashion city, also known for the Antwerp Six, a group of avant-garde graduates, and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, head to Grote Markt, the city square, filled with restaurants and caf\u00e9s.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also home to the Renaissance City Hall, plus the eclectic Brabo Fountain.<\/p>\n In winter, the old city quarter features a Christmas market and ice rink.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget to make a pit stop at the Cathedral of Our Lady, Belgium\u2019s largest Gothic church.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t\t\tBorgerhout, the world’s second coolest neighbourhood\t\t\t<\/p>\n If you can peel yourself from the centre, head to Borgerhout<\/a>, a\u00a0trendy creative hub\u00a0in northeast Antwerp, and one of the coolest places in the world.<\/p>\n Locals call Borgerhout \u2018BoHo\u2019, and the vibe is laidback and multicultural.<\/p>\n With special shout-outs to its vegan coffee bars, leafy terraces, and unpretentious DIY spirit, it\u2019s a pretty impressive title for the city\u2019s smallest district.<\/p>\n All of which can be experienced by renting a bike through Antwerp\u2019s bike-sharing system,\u00a0Velo Antwerpen.<\/p>\n Read Metro\u2019s full guide to Borgerhout here<\/a><\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"LONDON,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_296648235-ef86.jpg\")
\n\t\tEurostar is launching the route in December (Picture: Shutterstock\/Sergii Figurnyi)
\nHow many London to Antwerp services will there be and how much will they cost?<\/p>\n![\"Antwerpen](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_306667648_1785231765.479-5f13.jpg\")
\n\t\tDiscover your new favourite European city (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Belgium,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_306667651_1785231761.483-e2a8.jpg\")
\n\t\tGo ice skating in Antwerp this winter (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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