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The best Eurostar destinations for a fly-free European escape
From Paris to Rotterdam, these are the Eurostar destinations you can visit from the UK
We might be biased, but travelling by eco-friendly train really is the best way to take a long-distance trip across Europe and with a whole host of Eurostar destinations to choose from, you can enjoy a hassle-free escape to the continent.
As you make your way through historic towns and across beautiful countryside at a leisurely pace, you’ll have the chance to watch everyday life unfold outside your window, without the stress of airport arrivals and baggage reclaim.
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Luckily, Eurostar has you covered with picturesque routes across Belgium, the Netherlands and France. While the travel time might look longer when you compare flight times to Eurostar train routes, factor in the fact that you’ll be deposited in the city centre - meaning no need to catch a shuttle bus or train at the other end - and shorter check-in times, and travelling by train becomes a no-brainer.
What’s more, with up to 80 per cent less carbon emissions than travelling by plane, the environmental impact of train travel is even more appealing.
There is also the ease and comfort of rail travel, which means you can arrive at your destination feeling less stressed or tired, and in a better headspace to make the most of your trip.
So sit back, relax and enjoy the ride as we introduce you to some of the best places to visit along the Eurostar route, and where to stay once you’re there.
Where does the Eurostar go?
There are more than 20 stops on the Eurostar route, spread across the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and France. From London, passengers can travel directly to Brussels, Lille, Paris, Disneyland Paris, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, while connections from those cities can whizz you further afield to the likes of Bordeaux and Provence.
How long does the Eurostar take?
One of the shortest routes on the Eurostar is the one hour and 22-minute journey between London and Lille, and getting to Brussels can take only a minute over two hours. The quickest Eurostar from London to Paris is just two hours and 12 minutes, while travelling from London to Biarritz will take you somewhere between eight and 10 hours.
How fast does the Eurostar go?
One of the fastest trains in Europe, the Eurostar reaches 160 kilometres per hour (100 mph) as it travels through the Channel Tunnel. It goes fastest on lengths of its high-speed train lines, which run through the UK, France and Belgium, reaching a top speed of 300 kilometres per hour (186 mph).
It also clocked up a record speed of 334.7 kilometres per hour on a section of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, which links London with the Channel Tunnel, in 2003.
What are the best Eurostar destinations?
To help you choose the perfect place for a European holiday by train from the UK, we've selected the very best Eurostar destinations, from Paris to Brussels. Here's where to go along the Eurostar route and where to stay while you’re there.
Paris
One of the best Eurostar destinations, the French capital can be reached directly from London St Pancras in just over two hours. Paris has it all. Enchanting Haussmannian architecture, world-renowned sights, a thriving art scene, the dramatic Eiffel Tower, and the rich collections of the Louvre. But when you’re not on the trail of its bucket-list sights, take some time to really get to know the city by going off the beaten track.
Leave your itinerary behind, pick an arrondissement and simply stroll the streets looking out for traditional bakeries, chic independent stores and Gothic design.
Where to stay: Stay right in the heart of the action at the Hôtel Duc de St Simon. From here, you can walk to the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Seine. With space at a premium in Paris, the courtyard garden and terrace are both a real bonus. Relax at the hotel bar before getting your beauty sleep in the soundproofed bedrooms.
Rotterdam
You can reach this cool Dutch city on a direct train from London in three hours and 13 minutes. Europe’s largest port and the Netherlands' second city is best loved for its modern architecture and urban design rooted in innovation and sustainability – must-see examples include the redeveloped Kop van Zuid docklands with their Rem Koolhaas designed De Rotterdam tower, the gloriously reimagined Centraal Station and the unique Markthal or Market Hall.
Other things to do in Rotterdam include leisurely boat trips on the city’s canals and rivers and people-watching everywhere from grand cafés to hipster pop-ups, all serving coffee roasted in this caffeine-fuelled city itself.
Where to stay: You’re within waking distance of all the main sights when you stay the Mainport Design Hotel with its river and skyline views. The most luxurious rooms with their private saunas and whirlpool baths will tempt you to stay in, however, as will the spa with its Finnish sauna and hammams.
Aix-en-Provence
Take the Eurostar from London to Paris or Lille and change on to a connecting TGV InOui train to reach Provence in just over six and a half hours. Once the capital of Provence, the city of Aix-en-Provence is filled with grand, stately buildings. But it’s the city’s markets that are the real draw, with abundant displays of fresh fruit and veg, local lavender products, cured meats and, of course, the region’s cheeses.
It’s also the perfect city to base yourself in to explore the stunning Provence countryside, whether you choose to cycle along sunflower fields or take long walks past rolling hills of lavender that stretch far as the eye can see.
Where to stay: A little outside the city centre, Château de Saint-Girons allows you to truly make the most of your trip to Provence. Housed in a chateau that dates back to the 18th century, the typical Provençal home features shuttered windows, tiled roofs and high ceilings. Take a dip in the pool, relax on the terrace, or explore the gardens before heading out into the countryside.
Brussels
It takes only around two hours (sometimes less) to reach Brussels directly from London. Thought the Belgian city was just the headquarters of the European Union? Think again. Brussels is so much more than a political hub. Alongside the historical architecture of the Grand Place, the Royal Palace and the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert, the city has a playful side.
First, there’s the Manneken Pis, the city’s 17th-century weeing statue. Then, there’s the Tintin sights – a huge Tintin mural, the Comics Art Museum, and even a Tintin boutique. Don’t miss sampling the city’s lively restaurant scene, either.
Where to stay: Within walking distance of Brussels' top sights, the stylish apartments at Sweet Inn make the ideal city centre retreat. You can cook meals in the kitchen, and relax on the comfortable sofas in front of the TV after a long day of exploring on foot.
Bruges
Eurostar trains to Brussels include a ticket for any local train of your choosing within 24 hours of your arrival, and within 24 hours of your departure. This makes it easy to travel on to Antwerp, Bruges or Ghent. If you can only choose one, pick Bruges. You can reach Bruges in three hours and 25 minutes via Eurostar to Brussels and a local train.
When you arrive you’ll be greeted by a fantastically well-preserved Medieval city. Narrow cobbled streets, colourful gabled houses, and church spires overlooking calm canals mean Bruges’ reputation as a fairytale city is well deserved.
Where to stay: With its corniced ceilings, traditional furniture, chandeliers, and roll-top baths, B&B De Corenbloem Luxury Guesthouse feels like a luxurious home from home. In fact, you’d never know how close it is to the city centre, with its large garden and country house appeal.
Bordeaux
It takes five hours and 55 minutes to reach Bordeaux from London, with a change in Paris. A trip to Bordeaux could easily be spent travelling across the surrounding countryside going from winery to winery on the trail of your favourite red in this famous wine region. But that would be to ignore one of the most popular cities in France.
Bordeaux boasts a host of historic buildings and cultural sights, including its famous wine museum, the Cité du Vin. One of the best ways to experience the city is to join the locals walking along the pretty Garonne River.
Where to stay: For a city hotel that feels more like a countryside retreat, stay at the Casa Blanca B&B. Situated within walking distance of the CAPC and Place de La Bourse, one of the highlights here is the plant-filled conservatory, with its trailing ivy and chic furnishings. Repurposed furniture, private balconies and city views make this a cut above the standard hotel.
Amsterdam
Take the Eurostar in London and you can enjoy strolls along the canals of this Dutch city in just three hours and 55 minutes. Amsterdam is one of Europe's greatest cities, with so much to do on a city break. First, there’s the canals that criss-cross Amsterdam, lined by pretty houses, which make it such a delight to stroll or cycle around. Then, there’s the wonderful collections on display in the Museum Quarter.
And in this creative city, there’s always a new independent shop to find, an innovation in eco-friendly living to try, or an inventive new restaurant menu to sample.
Where to stay: The Blossom House is a stylish guesthouse in the centre of the city – the Anne Frank Museum is just around the corner, and the Prinsengracht runs from the end of the street. Tea and coffee facilities and streaming services in every room, mean there’s all the comforts you’d expect, too. Be aware that the top floors are only accessible by stairs.
Lille
The shortest Eurostar journey, you can arrive in Lille in just one hour and 22 minutes from London. Part of the joy of this lively university city is its walkability: its compact historic centre with the 17th-century Flemish brick townhouses, UNESCO-listed town-hall belfry, Gothic Palais Rihour, old stock market and 19th-century cathedral can be explored wholly on foot.
Along the way, refuel on some of Lille’s famously wonderful food and drink, from Michelin-starred restaurants and cosy bistros to craft beer bars and pâtisseries including iconic Meert, with its famed waffles loaded with sugar, butter and Madagascan vanilla.
Where to stay: Part of the Relais & Châteaux group, the Clarance Hotel Lille occupies an 18th-century mansion built for a countess, tucked away in a secluded garden where organic fruit, vegetables and herbs are lovingly grown for its Michelin-starred restaurant, where the head chef is Alexandre Miquel. Among it 27 rooms and suites with classic-meets-contemporary decor are the loft-like Clarance Suite with its private entrance, balneotherapy tub and wonderful views over the Old Lille roofscape.
Cologne, Germany
One of the lesser known Eurostar destinations, Cologne can be reached in just over five hours on the train, with an easy change in Brussels. This historic city is one of Germany's oldest and most beautiful, with its striking Gothic cathedral and more than enough museums and galleries to keep any culture fan entertained. Located between Düsseldorf and Bonn, it sits scenically on the river Rhine.
The Christmas markets are famous here, full of local products and delicious chocolate, while the warmer months can be spent wandering the pretty streets. You can also get an authentic taste of the city in its thriving food scene, with classics like Himmel un Ääd, which is mashed potato served with with apple puree, onions, bacon and fried black pudding.
Where to stay: Just a few minutes' walk outside the centre of the city, you'll find 25Hours Hotel The Circle, housed in a spectacular rotunda that gives this Cologne outpost of the hotel group its name. Housed in a listed building in the Friesenviertel district, the interior style is 'retro-futurism', best discussed from the eighth floor restaurant and bar, which have unique views of the cathedral.
More travel ideas by train:
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