Tired of long airport queues, delays, luggage restrictions, or the fear of your luggage not turning up on the other side? If yes, then do your bit for the environment by choosing a greener travel option, and travel Europe by train.
According to BBC news traveling by train VS plane can reduce carbon footprint by over 50%, and Eurostar state on their website that your one flight can be the same carbon footprint as taking 13 Eurostar journeys which is mind-blowing right?. I’m not saying to never fly again, but if we can take a train to our next adventure, why not?
Eurostar and, Interrail, Eurail have made it easy for us to travel Europe by train at affordable prices and reach our destination in good time. Euro can take you direct to 6 Europe city destinations. Interrail, Eurail can take you between 33 Europe countries, interrailing you all around Europe by train via different routes which is great for a summer break.
Travelling Europe by train also allows for greater flexibility and gives a new sense of adventure. In this article I will be focusing on traveling Europe with Eurostar from London. However, before we discover the exciting destinations and what they have to offer, first let’s discover the benefits of travelling by train VS plane.
Benefits Of Travelling Europe by Train VS Plane
Flexible Train Tickets
Eurostar tickets can be exchanged fee-free up to 7 days before departure, unlike plane tickets where you are tied in from purchase unless you pay a fee. More flexibility allows for less stress in case your travel plans change for any reason.
Less Restrictive Luggage Allowance
Eurostar allows 2 suitcases and one hand luggage, all included in the ticket price. There are no hidden luggage fees like plane tickets, and a bonus is there is no weight limit. Which means we can pack the extra pair of shoes and bring home more souvenirs.
Avoid Long Airport Security Lines.
Arriving at the airport 2-3 hours before your flight adds to your travel time, and waiting in long airport queues is no fun. With Eurostar, you can arrive 45-90 minutes before.
Stay Connected
As you are not thousands of miles up in the air, you can stay connected throughout the journey with family and friends or catch up on some work if needed.
Less Stress on Your Body
Plane travel can add stress to your body. It can affect your ears as the pressure on flight changes. Your body also takes in less oxygen the higher the altitude, and you become more dehydrated with a dry throat and runny nose. I mean who wants all that just before a vacay? Train travel reduces all these symptoms as you are close to the ground.
City Centre Drop Off
Most trains will end their journey in the city centre or nearby. This means you can start your travel adventure sooner rather than traveling to your hotel for an hour from the airport.
Explore Europe with Eurostar
Travel Europe by train From London
Eurostar Travel Destinations
Paris, France
Paris is a city of art, fashion, food, and culture. The broad boulevards and the River Seine crisscrossing the city landscape, famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Arc de Triomphe make Paris a top Eurostar destination.
The Eurostar from London St Pancras International will get you to Paris Gare Du Nord in 2hrs 37 minutes. Prices range from £39-£149 one way, depending on the month of travel and time of day you book. On average, a return ticket is around £168.
If it will be your first time in the city, use my 3-day Paris itinerary as a guide to get the best out of your first trip to Paris.
Disneyland Paris
Disney is a magical experience, no matter your age. I have visited 3 Disney parks in different countries as an adult without kids and loved it. I felt like I had the chance to live out my childhood again. You can’t help but feel the magic. I went to Disneyland Paris back in 2014, but I am definitely due for another visit soon.
You can get to Disneyland Paris from London St Pancras in just 2hrs 45-minutes. The park has two theme parks, hotels, shopping, dining, golf, and an entertainment complex. It is perfect for a weekend break. If a weekend break is not in the budget you can just go for the day or one night.
The average price for a return ticket from London St Pancras to Disneyland Paris is around £211.
However, please note that from June 2023, Eurostar will no longer offer a direct train for the rest of the year. You will have to get a connecting train in Lille.
Park Tickets start from £55, and hotel and ticket packages begin from £923 based on a 3-day, 2-night stay for two adults and 1 child or from £1104 for 2 adults and 2 children.
Brussels Belgium
Brussels is known for its food scene, beautiful architecture, gothic cathedrals, and having the best beer and chocolate in the world.
The Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels Midi takes around 1hr 53 minutes. Tickets range from £39-£134 each way. The average return is £113. If you can be flexible with dates, watch for the deals. I managed to get a return ticket for £78 in August with the perfect train times.
The top attractions to visit when in Brussels are The Atomium, where you can see views of Belgium from above. The Royal Saint Hubert Galleries shopping arcade for those who like to shop, and the Grand Place to see beautiful architecture in the central square. The main activities travellers love is the beer tours and chocolate-making workshops.
If you want a little more to do, I would suggest you take a day trip to Bruges by train or opt to stay a night or two. Bruges is the capital of West Flanders in the northwest of Belgium. I really enjoyed my time here and decided to cut my visit to Brussels short to stay longer in Bruges as I felt it had more to offer. It is known as the Venice of the North with its canals. It is also Famous for its lacemaking, cobbled streets, and medieval buildings. If you wish to discover more about this picturesque city, click HERE for your 2-day Bruges itinerary.
Lille, France
Lille is perfect for that spontaneous day trip or overnight stay. It has many art galleries and houses one of the largest art museums in France, the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lillie.
Visiting this quaint city over the Christmas period will give you an added spark to your trip as it has a small Christmas market and festive Ferris wheel, which I loved and provides a great view of the main square, Grande Place.
A must-try culinary sweet treat is the famous stuffed waffles called Gaufre fourree and the best place to get one is at Meert. These waffles are sandwiched thin and filled with vanilla cream.
The Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille takes around 1hr 22-minutes and is priced from £39-£179 one way depending on the time and date of booking. Average return ticket cost around £88 which was what I paid.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Visit one of Europe’s quirky capitals. Amsterdam is known for its deep-fried snacks, canals, architecture, and museums such as The Anne Frank House and Van Gogh art museum. The nightlife is lively, with bars, clubs, and adult entertainment in the Red Light District. It’s truly a city packed with variety to suit every type of traveller.
The journey from London St Pancras to Amsterdam Central takes around 3hrs 52 minutes. A one-way ticket starts from £39-£109. However, the average return ticket is around £113.
If you want to visit this iconic city for a long weekend, click HERE for your 3-day Amsterdam Itinerary to ensure you experience all what the city offers.
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Rotterdam has the largest seaport in Europe and is known for its modern architecture, including the Erasmus Bridge, Cube Houses, and the Market Hall.
You can do many tours and experiences, including historical, walking, bike, and cultural tours. Or, if you are a foodie like me, there are culinary experiences to choose from. Check out things to do in Rotterdam HERE.
The Eurostar journey to Rotterdam from London St Pancras takes around 3hrs 13minutes, and ticket prices start from £54-£149 one-way. An average return ticket costs around £138.
Conclusion of Train Travel
Opting to travel Europe by train can reduce the carbon footprint by over 50% VS traveling by plane. You can save time from going through airport security and enjoy fewer luggage restrictions. Plus you can start your holiday faster as most trains drop you directly into the city centre. So what are you waiting for? Book your next adventure and explore Europe with Eurostar.
Useful Links
Earn points while you travel Europe by train with Club Eurostar
Hotel Bookings
Combine and save with ticket and hotel options on Eurostar packages
Browse many accommodation types with ease at Booking.com