Eurostar will introduce a new direct train service from London St Pancras to Antwerp-Centraal, Belgium, beginning December 14. The announcement was made this week, allowing travellers to book journeys to Belgium's second-largest city.
The new direct route is expected to reduce travel time to approximately two hours and 45 minutes. Currently, journeys to Antwerp involve a change at Brussels, taking around three hours and 15 minutes.
Up to four daily trains, which currently operate between London and Amsterdam, will incorporate the direct connection to Antwerp. These services will include existing stops at Lille-Europe, Brussels-Midi, Rotterdam-Centraal, and Amsterdam-Centraal.
However, the direct service will only be available for outward journeys from London to Antwerp. Eurostar stated that a direct return route to London would necessitate dedicated UK border and customs facilities at Antwerp-Centraal, for which there are no current plans.