Eurostar launching new UK train route to ‘coolest’ European city this December

Antwerp is just one train ride away (Picture: Getty Images) The Christmas countdown is officially on, so if you’re looking to head off on a festive city break, you’ll want to take note of a new Eurostar destination. From December 14, Eurostar will launch a new high-speed rail service direct from London St. Pancras to Antwerp, Belgium’s ancient port city on the River Scheldt. Currently, Eurostar connects Londoners to Brussels. To get to Antwerp, travellers must alight in the Belgian capital and jump on another service — a train-hopping journey that takes around 3 hours and 15 minutes. With the new service, that time will be just over 2 and a half hours. But, there’s a catch. While the outbound journey will be direct to Antwerp, the same can’t be said for the inbound one. This is because Antwerpen-Centraal has no dedicated UK border and customs facilities — and there’s no plan for one in the near future. Therefore, a direct return route isn’t possible right now. 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. Eurostar is launching the route in December (Picture: Shutterstock/Sergii Figurnyi) How many London to Antwerp services will there be and how much will they cost? Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Still interested in hitting the tracks straight to Antwerp? The return journey is an excuse to do some Christmas shopping in Brussels on the way home, after all. Eurostar will operate five scheduled direct services from St. Pancras to the Flemish city. Daily timings for direct trains from London look like this: 06:16 – 09:57 08:16 – 11:57 11:04 – 14:57 15:04 – 18:59 18:04 – 21:57 Discover your new favourite European city (Picture: Getty Images) For trains with one change, which can sometimes be cheaper, daily timings look like this: 07:04 – 11:36 09:01 – 13:36 13:04 – 17:36 17:04 – 21:36 19:34 – 23:53 Tickets are already on sale, and one-way fares are available for as little as £51. Things to do in Antwerp Antwerp dates back to the Middle Ages, but is often overlooked in favour of Brussels and Bruges. While the city received a record 3.18 million overnight stays in 2025, that pales in comparison to Brussels’ 9.8 million and Bruges’ 8 million day-and overnight tourists in 2024. Still, Antwerp is fast gaining traction, and for good reason. Enjoy the festive season in Antwerp (Picture: Gräfenhain Günter/SIME) From its quirky blend of Flemish-Renaissance architecture and charming Old Town, to a reputation as the ‘world’s diamond capital,’ it’s got all the ingredients for a cultured weekend away. The 19th-century central train station is an attraction in itself. But once you’ve left the railway cathedral — and marvelled at the marble, gold, and dramatic dome — there’s more to see. The Plantin-Moretus Museum is dedicated to 16th-century printers Christophe Plantin and Jan Moretus. It’s also got UNESCO status. Then there’s the MoMu fashion museum, home to quirky and elegant fashion couture. If you didn’t 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. Elsewhere, head to Grote Markt, the city square, filled with restaurants and cafés. It’s also home to the Renaissance City Hall, plus the eclectic Brabo Fountain. In winter, the old city quarter features a Christmas market and ice rink running from December 4, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Our Top Shopping Picks The Orlando holiday deal Disney fans shouldn't miss We're adding this discounted NEOM gift set straight to basket Want an LED face mask for less? This Black Friday deal could save you hundreds This teeth whitening sale could save you up to 64% before Black Friday The best Black Friday sleep deals to upgrade your bedroom with Simba’s 33% off sale Don’t forget to make a pit stop at the Cathedral of Our Lady, Belgium’s largest Gothic church. Go ice skating in Antwerp this winter (Picture: Getty Images) Borgerhout, the world's second coolest neighbourhood If you can peel yourself from the centre, head to Borgerhout, a trendy creative hub in northeast Antwerp, and one of the coolest places in the world. Locals call Borgerhout ‘BoHo’, and the vibe is laidback and multicultural. With special shout-outs to its vegan coffee bars, leafy terraces, and unpretentious DIY spirit, it’s a pretty impressive title for the city’s smallest district. All of which can be experienced by renting a bike through Antwerp’s bike-sharing system, Velo Antwerpen. Read Metro’s full guide to Borgerhout here Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: Keira Knightley is caught in Joe Wilkinson love triangle in Waitrose 2026 Christmas advert Arrow MORE: Most-loved Greek island hotel is a ‘spot on’ 2-star stay with rooms for £64 per night Arrow MORE: Disney delivers most magical Christmas advert of the year to heal your inner child The Getaway Expert Your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro's resident travel expert, Alice Murphy.