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Getting the Eurostar from London to Brussels

Getting the Eurostar from London to Brussels

It’s no secret that I’m a massive fan of all kinds of planes, trains and automobiles. I love the speed, the excitement of going somewhere new and the chance to sit back, relax and stare idly out the window and watch the world pass me by.

I was more than a little excited to catch the Eurostar to Brussels a couple of weeks ago and I have to say that it was surprisingly smooth and easy. It was so easy that it actually made me feel guilty; It took two hours to get to Brussels, that’s less time than it takes to get to my parent’s house in North Wales, so why have I never been before?

It’s crazy how close we are yet the thought of going to a whole new country seems like such a faff that I never bothered but it was actually easy as pie.

Quick Facts

  • It costs from £69 return and the ticket will take you to any station in Belgium
  • The train takes 2 hours
  • You need to arrive at least 15 minutes before the train leaves
  • If you’re late, they do have a special queue for people taking the next train to leave
  • It will cost more if you travel at the weekend
  • The coffee and food on board is fine but expensive so you’re better off stocking up at the nicer cafes once you get through security. This applies for both London and Belgium stations

Here’s how it went…

I left my house at 7am on a miserable Saturday morning to catch the 8am Eurostar. Just as I was locking the door I had a last minute panic attack: “What if you’re meant to check in an hour before like you do on a flight?”

I spent the next 40 minutes sweating and willing the tube to go faster while I paced around in a circle like a dog trying to find a comfy spot. In situations like this I’m sure the tube driver can sense your intense urgency from the front of the train and purposely slows down and cautions his passengers at every single stop about the dangers of getting your coat stuck in the door.

After sprinting up a marathon of escalators at King’s Cross St Pancreas (with my suitcase in tow!), I arrived with 20 minutes to spare. Phew. This was more than enough time to get through security which was a quick ticket barrier, brief luggage scan and passport check and even I had enough time for a coffee and croissant which made me feel very European.

The train was spacious and comfortable and we arrived in Brussels at 11.04 feeling relaxed and unflustered.

Getting to Ghent

Inside the very pretty Ghent Train Station

If you plan to travel to somewhere else in Belgium, Brussels train station is really easy to navigate. We found the train to Ghent in no time and the trains seem to leave about every 12 minutes.

A return journey from London to Belgium costs from £69 on the Eurostar website. If you plan to travel over the weekend it is a little more expensive but it’s still cheaper than flying when you factor in the price of transport on either side of the airport.

TIP: The train to Ghent was included in the Eurostar ticket but this wasn’t obvious on the ticket. I was later told that this Eurostar ticket would take you to any Belgium station.

If you want to see more from Ghent, you can check out A weekend in Ghent: An Instagram Photo Essay and my stay in the Hotel Gent Clock Tower where I stayed in a magical room surrounding the train station clock!

Disclaimer: The trip to Ghent was sponsored by Visit Flanders but my new found love for the Eurostar is all my own.

Have you ever travelled by the Eurostar? If so, how did you find it?

 

 

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Alexia

Monday 24th of July 2023

I'm going to Tomorrowland this weekend 7/28/23 from USA. My flight arrives at Heathrow at 5:55 am, but my train departs at 8:16 am. Do you think I have enough time from Heathrow to Kings Cross Station? (I would have to go thru customs and baggage claim as well).

Monica

Wednesday 2nd of August 2023

No, I'm fairly certain you'd miss that train.

Francesca

Monday 4th of May 2015

So glad I found this post in your archives. I'm coming back to the UK for a visit in August and we want to take the Eurostar, but I was wondering how easy it *actually* was to get!

TheTravelHack

Monday 4th of May 2015

It's so so easy. Much easier than flying. I hope you have a great trip!

Roxanne Rockett

Thursday 8th of August 2013

Great post! Love the photos (especially the Ghent station one, beautiful!) I did the Eurostar trip from London through Brussels to Prague in January & have been daydreaming about doing it again lately. Thank you for taking me back there!

TheTravelHack

Thursday 8th of August 2013

That sounds great. I've still never been to Prague but it looks so beautiful!

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