7 Eurostar destinations to visit from London in 2026

Emma-Jane Stogdon

Travelling from London to Europe by Eurostar can be a comfortable alternative to flying.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best Eurostar destinations to visit from London, where you’ll need to change trains, and how to plan your journey.

You’ll also learn how setting up a Wise Account can help you manage your spending in Europe. With the linked debit card you can access 40+ currencies and send in 150+ countries with low fees* and a transparent exchange rate.

Learn about the Wise card 💳

Discovering the top Eurostar destinations from London

With Eurostar high-speed trains, you can travel to top European countries. Some Eurostar destinations from London to Europe are direct, while for others you need to book a short connecting train.1

Which countries can you travel to on Eurostar from London?

You can travel with Eurostar to France, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany with high-speed trains from London St. Pancras International station.2

Direct Eurostar destinations from London

You can get direct high-speed rail service with Eurostar from London to the following destinations:

  • Paris Gare du Nord
  • Gare de Lille-Europe
  • ​​Rotterdam Centraal
  • Amsterdam Centraal
  • Brussels Midi/Zuid

Eurostar also offers a seasonal direct and limited service to the south of France, including Avignon, Aix-en-Provence and Marseille in summer.

If you are planning to reach other top destinations in Europe, you can book a connecting train from one of these stations and continue your journey.

Passport and travel document requirements

When you're travelling from London to Europe with Eurostar, one of the first things on your travel checklist must be a valid passport. Just make sure your passport is valid for at least six months and issued within the last 10 years.

If you are a UK passport holder you can visit the Schengen Area visa-free for 90 days or less in a 180-day period.3 Otherwise, you need to request a Schengen visa or other travel authorisation.

Since 12 October 2025, the new EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) has replaced manual passport stamps for non-EU travellers, including British visitors. So when travelling to the EU, your entry and exit will be logged digitally. You'll also have your fingerprints and a facial scan taken the first time that you enter the Schengen zone.

Exploring Eurostar destinations in France

View of Paris from the river at dusk

With Eurostar from London, you can arrive in Paris or Lille, and then the rest of France is yours to explore.

Whether you are planning a family holiday or a romantic trip for two, here are the most popular Eurostar destinations in France to consider.

London to Paris: The most popular Eurostar destination

The Eurostar London to Paris route is one of the fastest ways to get from the UK to France in just a couple of hours.

With the Eurostar direct train from London, you’ll arrive at Paris Gare du Nord station. However, some Eurostar trains also continue to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Terminal 2 TGV, facilitating your journey to fly onwards or switch to another high-speed train in France.

Once in Paris, depending on where you’re staying, you can either walk or use public transportation to visit famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre.

If you’re a food lover, visiting a Michelin-star restaurant in Paris is one of those experiences you will remember for life. Just make sure to book ahead and use a Wise card for your bill payment to convert to euros at the mid-market exchange rate.

Get your Wise card 💳

gb-spend-wise-card-desktop
gb-spend-wise-card-mobile-alt-2

Disneyland Paris

There are no direct Eurostar trains from London to Disneyland Paris at the moment. Instead, you can travel by Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord or Lille Europe and then change to a train for Disneyland Paris Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy.

Just when you are booking your ticket, look for journeys showing “1 change” to see the full Eurostar route in one search.

The Disneyland Paris Eurostar connection is straightforward, making this an easy option if you’re travelling with family or planning a weekend getaway.

📚 Top family holiday destinations in Europe

Other Eurostar destinations in France

Eurostar also runs direct trains from London to other parts of France like Lille.

Once in Lille, you can either explore the historic old town, visit its museums, or use the Gare de Lille-Europe station as a connection to take trains to Belgium or other parts of France.

Connecting services to the South of France

Currently, Eurostar Sun direct trains to the south of France are not available.4 But you can still reach popular destinations such as Marseille, Avignon, Lyon, Valence and Aix-en-Provence with a connecting SNCF train in Lille or Paris.

Here are the best cities in the south of France:

  • Marseille: Visit the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde or go on a day trip to the calanques
  • Avignon: Either wander around the Palais des Papes or plan a day trip to the nearby French countryside, visiting vineyards in Provence
  • Lyon: You can enjoy the most exquisite French cuisine and explore the old town’s traboules in Lyon or take a connecting train to the Alps.

Eurostar Ski (Eurostar Snow train)

Eurostar Ski, also known as the Eurostar Snow train, is a seasonal winter service you can use to travel to a ski resort in the French Alps.

You can take a Eurostar train from London to Lille and then connect to ski trains in Alpine stations like Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers and Aime-la-Plagne.

📚 Ski resorts in France

Travelling to Belgium with Eurostar

Close up of houses in Bruges

Whether you are travelling for a short break or a business trip, Belgium is one of the easiest and fastest Eurostar destinations to reach from London. You can get to Brussels on a high-speed direct train and then continue your journey to visit other beautiful cities in Belgium.

London to Brussels on Eurostar

The Eurostar London to Brussels train takes around 2 hours travelling through the Channel Tunnel and northern France to arrive at the Brussels Midi station.

When in Brussels, you can either explore the city or take a connecting train to get to some of the most beautiful cities and towns in Belgium.

Exploring Bruges and Antwerp

Brussels is well-connected through frequent trains to other cities like Bruges and Antwerp.

In Bruges you can take a canal boat tour, visit the chocolate shops, or simply wander through its charming streets.

Antwerp offers a different ambience. If you love fashion, diamonds, museums and a lively historic old town then Antwerp is the perfect place for you to visit.

Eurostar destinations in the Netherlands

Canal boat on canal in Amsterdam with colourful houses in background

With Eurostar direct high-speed trains, you can travel from London to the Netherlands' Rotterdam Centraal and Amsterdam Centraal stations with stops at Schiphol Airport for easy airport access.5

Direct trains from London to Amsterdam

The Eurostar London to Amsterdam route was affected by terminal works in Amsterdam Centraal, but as of December 2025 Eurostar services are back at full frequency with up to 5 daily departures.

Once in Amsterdam, you can get a bike to explore the city like a local or just simply enjoy a long walk along the canals.

📚 Eurostar London to Amsterdam

Getting to Rotterdam via Eurostar

You can travel to Rotterdam from London with Eurostar in 3 hours and 13 minutes.

From Rotterdam Centraal, you can get connecting trains to other Dutch cities or just go to the city centre and visit the Markthal food market and walk by the waterfront.

Eurostar service to Switzerland

You can’t book a direct train with Eurostar from London to Switzerland. But you can book a ticket with Eurostar to Paris and then a TGV Lyria train to Geneva, Zurich, Basel, or Lausanne.6

Eurostar destinations from London to Germany

You can travel from London to Germany with Eurostar via a connecting train in Brussels with arrivals at Cologne (Köln Hbf) or Düsseldorf (Düsseldorf Hbf).7

Eurostar plans to introduce direct trains from London to Frankfurt and Geneva by 2030.8 In the meantime, to travel to Germany and Switzerland you need to book a short onward connection, usually via Paris or Brussels.

Essential information for your Eurostar trip

How long does the Eurostar take from London to its destinations?

Here are the Eurostar route durations:

  • Paris Gare du Nord: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Brussels Midi/Zuid: 2 hours
  • Cologne Hbf: 4+ hours
  • Lille Europe: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Amsterdam Centraal: 3 hours 52 minutes
  • Rotterdam Centraal: 3 hours 13 minutes

What is Eurostar Plus and is it worth it?

Eurostar Plus is a premium economy class ticket offering spacious seating with extra legroom, a light meal and drinks served at your seat and more ticket options compared to the Standard plan. It can be worth it for long trips, giving you extra comfort and flexibility without paying for full Premier.

How early should you turn up before your Eurostar journey?

Eurostar recommends you arrive 75–90 minutes before departure for Standard and Plus tickets or 30 minutes before departure for Premier. If you need assistance try to be there 60 minutes earlier, as boarding gates close 15 minutes before departure.

What is the shortest Eurostar journey from London?

The shortest Eurostar journey from London is to Lille, taking 1 hour 25 minutes.

Is it cheaper to fly or take the Eurostar?

Flights can look cheaper initially, but if you add baggage fees and your airport transfers, Eurostar offers better value at the same price for routes like London–Paris or London–Brussels. Booking early with Eurostar, you might find cheaper offers for your destination.

What is the cheapest way to book Eurostar tickets?

The cheapest way to get Eurostar tickets is either to book early or wait until the last minute. With Eurostar Snap you’ll get last-minute discounts of up to 50%.

If you are buying Eurostar tickets from London, you won’t need to pay in another currency. But still, by using or adding a Wise card to your Apple Pay or Google Pay you can shop and automatically convert currencies at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees*.

📚 How to use the Wise digital card

Travelling Europe? Take your Wise card

Travelling through Eurostar destinations from London allows you to move across Europe at your own pace. With Wise, you can pay for tickets, accommodation, and everyday spending abroad with low fees and automatic currency conversion at the mid-market rate.

Join Wise today for free 🌍

Sources used:

1. Eurostar.com - visiting Europe by train
2. Eurostar.com - Eurostar route map
3. GOV.UK - travelling to the EU and Schengen area
4. Eurostar.com - South of France destinations
5. Eurostar.com - trains to the Netherlands
6. Eurostar.com - Switzerland by train
7. Eurostar.com - London to Cologne trains
8. BBC.com - Eurostar direct trains to Frankfurt and Geneva

Sources last checked on date: 29-Jan-2026


*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

Money without borders

Find out more

Tips, news and updates for your location