Great Britain might be an island, but that does not mean that the only ways out of there are by plane or boat. Since 1994, the Channel Tunnel (also known as the Eurotunnel or the Chunnel) that runs for 31.5 miles under the sea allows high-speed trains to connect cities in England and continental Europe directly. This feat of technology meansfday that you can get from London to Amsterdam in just four hours, or even from London to the beautiful capital of the European Union, Brussels, in record time — and record comfort.
Photo: Pieter Beens/Shutterstock
Ride the Train Between London and Brussels in the World’s Longest Undersea Tunnel
- Is there a high-speed train from London to Brussels?
- Does the Eurostar go direct from London to Brussels?
- How long does it take from London to Brussels on Eurostar?
- How much is a train from London to Brussels?
- Can you do a day trip to Brussels from London?
- Where to stay in London and Brussels to be near the Eurostar train stations
Is there a high-speed train from London to Brussels?
The Eurostar is a high-speed train that connects London (St. Pancras International) to Brussels (Brussels-Midi/Zuid) multiple times per day, throughout the day.
The train between London and Brussels stops in two cities in England (Ebbsfleet and Ashford) before reaching France and stopping in Calais and Lille. From there, the train enters Belgium and stops in the capital of Brussels.
Does the Eurostar go direct from London to Brussels?
The Eurostar goes directly from London (St. Pancras International) to Brussels (Brussels-Midi/Zuid). It stops in four locations on the way (two stops in England and two stops in France), but passengers do not leave the train or need to connect, they remain in the same seat, on the same train that will get them all the way to Brussels.
How long does it take from London to Brussels on Eurostar?
Photo: Alexandre Rotenberg/Shutterstock
The Eurostar between London and Brussels takes around two hours. During the journey, the Eurostar reaches speeds of 186 miles per hour.
Because the Eurostar is an international train, passengers must arrive at the train station early to go through passport control and luggage check. In London St. Pancras International, passengers are asked to arrive at the station from 90 to 45 minutes before departure, depending on the class of service you chose. In Brussels-Midi/Zuid, passengers are asked to arrive at the station from 120 to 45 minutes before departure.
How much is a train from London to Brussels?
Photo: Pieter Beens/Shutterstock
The price of a ticket to ride the train between London and Brussels varies according to your dates of travel and the class of service you want, from $68 in Standard class to $433 in Business Premier.
To get the best price on Eurostar tickets, it is recommended that you book early, especially if you have a narrow window of time to travel. If your dates are flexible, however, check out Eurostar’s booking system and look for the best deal on their calendar.
Eurostar trains have three classes of service: Standard, Standard Premier, and Business Premier. Here is what you get in each of those classes of services:
- Standard: includes two pieces of luggage and one hand luggage.
- Standard Premier: includes two pieces of luggage and one hand luggage; a spacious seat; and a light meal and drinks served at your seat.
- Business Premier: includes three pieces of luggage and one hand luggage; a spacious seat; hot meals designed by Raymond Blanc, served with champagne at your seat; as well as access to lounges in London and Brussels so you can wait for your train in comfort.
Can you do a day trip to Brussels from London?
Because the high-speed trains between London and Brussels are so frequent and fast, it is possible to take a day trip to Brussels from London. You can easily take the first Eurostar from London at around 6:15 AM and the last one to get back from Brussels at around 9 PM — just make sure to book your tickets in advance so you get the best price. One day will allow you see some of Brussels’ highlights and eat a few waffles; however, one day is not enough to properly explore the Belgian capital.
Where to stay in London and Brussels to be near the Eurostar train stations
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Georgian flat in Islington, London
This modern two-bedroom and two-bathroom home has a generous 500-square-foot outdoor space with patio furniture where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a meal. The property is fitted with professionally cleaned linens, fluffy towels, as well as foam mattresses, high-speed WiFi, cable TV, a hair dryer, dyson heater/fan, separate washer and dryer, and Le Creuset pots and pans in the kitchen. The owner stocks the kitchen with essentials, including herbs and spices, and the bathroom has complimentary toiletries including Jason shampoo, conditioner, and body cream. This Airbnb is conveniently located near public transit routes; the Angel subway station is a mere five minutes away on foot and St. Pancras International is 20 minutes away on foot and 12 minutes away on the subway.
Eight guests, two bedroom
Price: $680 per night
Stylish Regency apartment in Camden, London
This spacious and bright 1820s apartment has been recently renovated to provide guests with a beautiful space fitted with all the modern conveniences. Guests can relax in the luxuriously furnished living area that includes a 40-inch smart TV, Bose sound system, and super-fast WiFi connection. Other amenities include a king-size memory foam bed with a goose down duvet, large sofa, and reading chair. There is also a fully equipped kitchen, large shower with two heads, and plenty of storage space. The apartment is close to Camden Lock Market, the Mornington Crescent subway station, and St Pancras International train station.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $159 per night
Modern and cozy apartment near the Brussels-Midi/Zuid train station
This one-bedroom apartment located just five minutes on foot from the Brussels-Midi/Zuid train station is tastefully decorated to make guests feel right at home. There is a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, oven, toaster, coffee machine, kettle, etc., and a spotless and modern bathroom with toiletries. There are two balconies for guests to enjoy their morning coffee al fresco if they wish, and a living room featuring a TV with cable and Netflix for comfy nights indoors.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $154 per night
Luxurious apartment, a stone’s throw from Brussels-Midi/Zuid train station
This light-filled and spacious one bedroom-apartment is as peaceful as it charming. The wooden floors give an elegance to this gorgeous property that is furnished sparingly and with taste, with quality furniture and textiles of calming hues. There is a fully equipped kitchen and a non-working fireplace in the living room. The bathroom is a sparklingly clean and beautiful take on a retro design. 
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $104 per night