Eurostar has announced that from 14 December passengers will be able to book direct journeys from London St Pancras to Antwerp-Centraal, adding a city‑centre rail connection between the UK capital and one of Belgium’s largest ports and commercial centres.
What the new service will look like
Up to four trains a day which currently run on the London–Amsterdam route will introduce Antwerp as an additional direct stop, retaining existing calls at Lille‑Europe, Brussels‑Midi, Rotterdam‑Centraal and Amsterdam‑Centraal. The company said the change will make journeys to Antwerp “quicker and more convenient”, giving travellers a true city‑centre to city‑centre option.
- Start date: 14 December
- Frequency: Up to four outward services per day from London
- Stops: Lille‑Europe, Brussels‑Midi, Rotterdam‑Centraal, Amsterdam‑Centraal (plus Antwerp on the outward leg)
Passengers should note that the direct connection will apply only to the outward leg from London; Eurostar said there are currently no plans to operate a direct return service from Antwerp to London because that would require dedicated UK border and customs facilities at Antwerp‑Centraal.
“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.”
How to travel back to London from Antwerp
Eurostar advised that customers wanting to return to the UK can book a combined ticket via the Belgian national operator SNCB that connects with Eurostar services at Brussels‑Midi, where UK border and security checks are conducted. That arrangement preserves pre‑departure formalities for passengers heading to the UK.
| Outbound (direct) | Inbound (recommended) |
|---|---|
| London St Pancras → Antwerp‑Centraal (direct) | Antwerp‑Centraal → Brussels‑Midi → London (via combined ticket) |
Fleet upgrades and climate preparedness
The announcement coincides with Eurostar confirming enhancements to its new fleet in response to intensifying heat across Europe. The operator said it will equip the next generation of trains with air conditioning capable of operating at temperatures up to 55°C, a clear move following recent heatwaves and record highs in the UK.
Eurostar has been rolling out a major investment plan for new rolling stock. Last year it announced a €2bn (about £1.7bn) programme for up to 50 double‑deck, all‑electric Celestia trains. The company has so far confirmed an order for 30 trains, with an option for a further 20, as it targets growth to 30 million annual passengers.
What this means for London travellers
For Londoners, the new stop offers a more direct route to Antwerp’s central station, which may appeal to both business travellers and tourists seeking to avoid airport transfers. By slotting Antwerp on the London–Amsterdam services, Eurostar is expanding point‑to‑point rail options from St Pancras without the need to change at Brussels for outbound journeys.
However, passengers planning a return from Antwerp should factor in the additional transfer at Brussels‑Midi to complete border formalities. Those transfers may add time to journeys and will require coordination between Eurostar and SNCB timetables.
Practical points for booking and travel
Travellers should book through Eurostar channels for the direct outward service. For return journeys, combined SNCB and Eurostar tickets will be the route to secure a single itinerary through Brussels‑Midi. It remains essential to check the timing of connections and the location of passport checks at Brussels‑Midi before travel.
The move underlines an ongoing shift in European rail travel: operators are expanding services and adapting equipment as climate extremes upend previous operational assumptions. For commuters and holidaymakers leaving from London, a new direct rail gateway to Antwerp will be available from mid‑December, but the practicalities of returning to the UK remain anchored to Brussels’ border facilities.
Further timetable details and ticketing information will be published by Eurostar ahead of the service launch.
