Is Eurostar the best way to travel between London and Europe?

For many travellers, flying seems like the obvious choice when travelling from London to mainland Europe. However, Eurostar offers a fast, comfortable, and convenient alternative that takes you directly from city centre to city centre.

Whether you’re planning a weekend in Paris, a business trip to Brussels, or a multi-country European adventure, Eurostar is often one of the smartest ways to travel.

Quick answer

Eurostar connects London with major European cities, including Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, via high-speed rail, offering city-centre arrivals, generous luggage allowances, and a more relaxed travel experience than flying.

Why choose Eurostar?

Eurostar combines speed with convenience.

Some of its biggest advantages include:

• City-centre to city-centre travel
• No airport transfers
• Generous luggage allowance
• Comfortable seating
• Free Wi-Fi on most services
• Lower carbon emissions than flying

For many routes, the overall journey time is comparable—or even faster—than taking a flight once airport procedures are taken into account.

Most popular Eurostar routes

The most searched Eurostar routes include:

• London → Paris
• London → Brussels
• London → Amsterdam
• Paris → Brussels
• Paris → Amsterdam

These routes are popular for both leisure and business travel, with multiple daily departures.

If you’re wondering which European train routes are most popular overall, explore our guide to the most popular train journeys in Europe, where we compare travel times, highlights, and why millions of passengers choose rail every year.

Is Eurostar better than flying?

For journeys of up to four hours, many travellers find Eurostar more convenient than flying.

Instead of travelling to airports outside the city, passengers depart from central stations, avoiding lengthy security and boarding procedures.

Benefits include:

• Fewer transfers
• More comfortable boarding
• More productive travel time
• Easy access to public transport on arrival

Still deciding between rail and air? Our comparison of travelling around Europe by train or plane explains when each option makes the most sense.

When should you book Eurostar tickets?

Eurostar fares are generally released several months before departure and tend to increase as availability decreases.

If you’re travelling during:

• Summer
• Christmas
• Easter
• School holidays
• Weekends

it’s recommended to book as early as possible to secure better prices.

Looking for more booking advice? Read our guide on when to book train tickets in Europe to learn how pricing works and how to find the best fares.

Can you continue your journey beyond Paris or Brussels?

Absolutely.

One of Eurostar’s biggest advantages is that it connects seamlessly with Europe’s extensive rail network.

From Paris you can easily continue to:

• Lyon
• Marseille
• Nice
• Strasbourg

From Brussels you can travel onwards to:

• Bruges
• Antwerp
• Cologne

From Amsterdam you can continue to:

• Rotterdam
• Utrecht
• Berlin

This makes Eurostar an excellent starting point for a multi-country rail adventure.

Planning to visit several countries? Discover how to plan a train trip across Europe step by step, including itinerary ideas and booking tips.

Tips for travelling on Eurostar

To make your journey even smoother:

• Arrive early for check-in and security.
• Keep your passport handy for border controls.
• Book popular departure times in advance.
• Pack light to make station transfers easier.
• Download your ticket before arriving at the station.

First time travelling by train in Europe? Avoid common pitfalls with our guide to 10 mistakes first-time travellers make when taking trains in Europe.

Final thoughts

Eurostar has transformed the way travellers move between the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. Fast, comfortable, and conveniently located in the heart of major cities, it offers an excellent alternative to flying for many popular routes.

Whether you’re planning a city break or the first leg of a longer European rail adventure, Eurostar makes exploring Europe easier than ever.

Compare Eurostar routes, schedules, and fares to start planning your next European journey by train.