There’s more than one train company in Europe, but there’s only one Eurostar.
This carrier connects London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, and more with fast, direct routes that you’ll find more comfortable and convenient than making the connection by train.
Imagine waking up in London and falling asleep in the French Alps. Picture yourself having breakfast at a cafe in Amsterdam, a beer with lunch in Brussels, and a Michelin-star dinner in Paris, all on the same day.
Eurostar trains put the best of Western Europe at your fingertips for your travels.
Image Credit: Getty Images. Image Location: Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France
Where does Eurostar go?
Eurostar trains provide direct service to select cities in the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
London is Eurostar's UK destination. Eurostar serves the French cities of Lille and Paris. Rotterdam and Amsterdam are the cities in the Netherlands that have Eurostar stations, while the same can be said in Belgium for the city of Brussels.
If you don’t mind a connection, Eurostar trains can be the first step on a journey even farther into the top European countries and destinations.
Is Eurostar direct from Paris to Amsterdam?
Yes, Eurostar now offers direct service between Paris and Amsterdam. As of October 2023, trains under the Thalys brand became Eurostar trains. The two companies merged to extend route range and give travelers like you a swift way to travel between Europe’s best capital cities.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The best Eurostar trips from London
Eurostar London to Amsterdam
Duration: 4 hours
Stations: London St Pancras International | Amsterdam Centraal
Getting from London to Amsterdam no longer requires changing trains in France or Belgium, which is ideal for the traveler tight on time. Let these new Eurostar trains whisk you to Amsterdam where you can check out dozens of museums on the cheap, find free things to do with kids, and maybe munch on a pastry at a local coffeehouse.
Read also: the best things to do in Amsterdam
Eurostar London to Disneyland Paris
Duration: 4 hours
Stations: London St Pancras International | Lille | Disneyland Resort (Marne La Vallée/Chessy)
Although the direct Eurostar train between London and Disneyland Paris Resort stopped running, you can still get to Sleeping Beauty Castle with ease by making a connection in Lille and jumping on a connecting service to Marne-la-Vallée - Chessy. For the park’s 30th anniversary in 2023, new rides and shows have been added - check out the best Disneyland Paris rides and attractions before you book your ticket.
Eurostar London to the French Alps
Duration: 8 hours
Stations: London St Pancras International | Lille | Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Take the Eurostar snow train from London, with a transfer in Lille, and you’ll hit the slopes of the French Alps in no time. The Eurostar ski train route leaves for the Alps on Saturdays and returns to London on Sundays, which means you’ll have the tough responsibility to spend an entire week roughing it in a swanky French ski lodge.
Eurostar London to Brussels
Duration: 2 hours
Stations: London St Pancras International | Brussels-Midi/Zuid
The Chunnel is an unforgettable experience, but no one said you need to make Paris your final destination when you cross the English Channel. Leave London behind and gorge on the delights found in Belgium’s capital city. Brussels is an epicenter of culture, cuisine, and communities in Europe that you’ll wish you visited sooner.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Jorg Greuel. Image Location: Grand-Place, Brussels, Belgium
How to get to Switzerland and Italy from the Eurostar
Switzerland
Unfortunately, Eurostar does not offer direct trains into Switzerland. However, you can take a Eurostar train from a city like London to Paris then take a TGV train to the Swiss city Geneva which borders France.
Italy
Sadly, the Eurostar trains do not offer direct service into Italy. That doesn’t mean you’ve got to hike from the French Alps to the Italian Alps. Start in Amsterdam, for instance, and take the Eurostar to Paris. Then, take a TGV train to Turin if you’re interested in truffle hunting, Milan if you need some retail therapy, or another Italian city that’s super accessible by rail.
Tickets, please!
Ready to ride the Eurostar to Paris, London, Brussels, and more? Download the Trainline app today and book your Eurostar tickets instantly.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Photo and Co. Image Location: St Pancras International Station, London, UK