New Eurostar Train London to Antwerp: Direct Route Launches December 2026

Eurostar will launch a direct high-speed rail service from London St Pancras to Antwerp-Centraal on 14 December 2026, cutting travel time by more than 30 minutes compared with the current indirect route via Brussels. The announcement, made in late July, gives travellers a new city-centre-to-city-centre option that bypasses the Belgian capital entirely on the outbound leg.

Four daily trains will operate from London, with timings scheduled at 06:16–09:57, 08:16–11:57, 11:04–14:57, and 18:04–21:57. The direct journey takes 2 hours 41 minutes, down from the current 3 hours 15 minutes required to change trains at Brussels-Midi. Eurostar said the service will use existing London–Amsterdam trains that stop at Lille-Europe, Brussels-Midi, Rotterdam-Centraal, and Amsterdam-Centraal, with Antwerp added as a direct call.

“Adding Antwerp as a direct stop on our London-Amsterdam services will make journeys to the city quicker and more convenient, providing customers with a more comfortable city centre to city centre travel experience,” Eurostar said in a statement.

Return journey requires a Brussels connection

The direct service is one-way only. Eurostar has no current plans to offer a direct return from Antwerp to London because Antwerp-Centraal lacks dedicated UK border and customs facilities. Passengers travelling back to London must book a combined SNCB and Eurostar ticket via Brussels-Midi, where UK border and security checks take place. The connection adds roughly 30 minutes to the return journey but allows travellers to spend time in Brussels before boarding.

This asymmetry is common for Eurostar routes that stop at stations without full UK border infrastructure. The operator has not indicated whether it will install facilities at Antwerp in the future.

€2bn fleet investment for extreme heat

The route launch coincides with a broader fleet modernisation. Eurostar is investing €2bn (£1.7bn) in up to 50 new double-decker all-electric Celestia trains from French manufacturer Alstom. The order covers 30 firm trains with an option for 20 more, part of a growth plan targeting 30 million annual passengers.

The Celestia trains are designed to withstand temperatures up to 55°C, with upgraded air conditioning capable of operating at that level. The specification follows intense European heatwaves, including a record-breaking 37.7°C in the UK in June. Eurostar upgraded its Alstom order earlier this month to “be prepared for the future,” the company said.

“We’ve confirmed an order for 30 trains, with an option for a further 20, marking a significant step in our growth journey to 30 million annual passengers,” Eurostar noted.

What to do in Antwerp

Antwerp, Belgium’s ancient port city on the River Scheldt, is often overlooked in favour of Brussels or Bruges. The city is known for two things: fashion and diamonds. The Antwerp Six — a group of avant-garde designers who rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s — put the city on the global fashion map. Visitors can explore their legacy at the ModeMuseum Antwerpen or shop emerging designers on Nationalestraat and Kammenstraat.

Antwerp’s diamond district is the largest in the world, with roughly 50% of the globe’s rough diamonds passing through for polishing. The district sits a short walk from the central station, making it a convenient stop for travellers interested in the trade.

For food, Belgium’s famous fries — known locally as frîtes — are a must, and Frituur LO is a well-regarded spot in the city centre.

Impact on European rail travel

The direct London–Antwerp service adds to a growing network of high-speed connections from the UK to continental Europe. Eurostar already serves Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Lille. The Antwerp extension gives travellers a direct link to a city that combines cultural tourism with a major commercial hub.

The route is expected to appeal to weekend travellers, business visitors, and those exploring Belgium beyond Brussels. The 2-hour-41-minute journey time is competitive with air travel when factoring in airport transfers and security queues, particularly for city-centre departures and arrivals.

For travellers considering a pre-Christmas break, the 14 December launch date positions the service for the holiday season. The four daily departures provide flexibility, though early morning and late evening slots may suit different trip types.

Eurostar’s fleet investment also signals confidence in long-term demand for cross-Channel rail. The Celestia trains, with their higher capacity and heat resilience, are designed to handle increased passenger volumes and more extreme weather conditions — a practical response to climate trends affecting European infrastructure.

For those planning a trip, the return journey via Brussels offers a chance to explore two Belgian cities in one trip. Booking a combined SNCB and Eurostar ticket through eurostar.com is the recommended method for the return leg.

The new service is part of a broader shift toward rail as a preferred mode of travel for medium-distance European routes, driven by speed, convenience, and lower carbon emissions compared with flying. Eurostar’s investment in new trains and expanded routes reflects that trend, with Antwerp now directly connected to London for the first time.