EUROSTAR HIGH SPEED - LONDON TO BRUSSELS
Taking the Channel Train To Brussels from St. Pancras International
Making a fast escape from London to the continent is now a journey generally taken through the channel tunnel on the Eurostar. It long distances for a weekend on the Mediterranean flying may still be the option, but going to Belgium for wartime anniversaries, a quick sampling of Belgian beer or chocolates, a trip to the Rhine in Germany, or a round trip of capitals, 2 hours on the train with the convenience of rail station departure and arrival, the smooth fast and comfortable Eurostar is the ticket.
The International Terminal at St Pancras station is refurbished as a purpose built departure point for the sleek slippery yellow and blue express trains. Tickets require check-in a half hour before departure, but it’s a good idea to allow a bit more time at St Pancras as the line to enter the separated boarding area can be long, especially for the Paris trains. The London to Brussels line is a little less crowded. The boarding area and process feels much like an airport departure with security lines, so be prepared. The boarding area has its own café if you arrive especially early to get through the security station. Once boarding opens, the process is once again like a train station with elevators and ramps to the platform.
The route to Brussels takes just under two hours with both first class and second class seating. A hint – they both get there at the same time. There is a meal service provided at your seat in route. The Eurostar arrives at the Brussels Midi Station (Gare du Midi, also called Brussels Zuid - South - just to add a little confusion). The Midi station is where the international and through express trains connect. As the name indicates it is in a southern area of the city. Trains lines connect to the Brussels Central Station (Gare de Bruxelles-Centraal) in the old heart of the city and the Airport Station (Nossegem) north of the city. There are not a lot of touristy sites to visit around the Midi so if killing time, you’ll want to take an underground to the Central. Rental Car pickup locations for Hertz, Avis, Budget and Europcar, Sxt and others are near the Midi Station with offices inside the terminal. Brussels Midi has its own enclosed Channel Terminal, separate from the BCNF ticketing center for the reverse journey.
From Brussels if not staying in the city, connecting trains include the Thalys High Speed train with runs to Paris, Cologne and Amsterdam, German ICE (Intercity Express) bullet trains speeding onward via Liege (see Liege Guillemins Terminal) to Germany. Regional trains throughout Belgium, to Brugge, Ghent, Antwerp and in 2014, the WWII Battle of the Bulge war memorial sites (see Battle of the Bulge Belgium) in east Belgium and the WWI trenches of Ypres (see WWI Tours by Train).
Tickets for the Eurostar can be purchased in advance through the Eurostar website or for travelers from the US, Canada and Australia through Rail Europe, especially if the trip includes rail travel to other destinations, either with point to point tickets or one of the available Eurail Passes. Eurostar ticketing is discounted with a Rail Pass (see How Rail Passes Work). Ticket prices can vary depending on the hour and time of year as discounted tickets can sell out for rush hours, holidays and high traffic days. The more in advance you purchase the more options available. All seating on the Eurostar is reserved. Tickets are sold as restricted, the cheapest, allowing no changes of time or date, or flexible at a slightly higher price which you can change the time and date of travel. First class ticketing is Premier class. Passengers on Eurostar is allowed 2 pieces of luggage (no weight requirements unless taking your pet elephant) and 1 carry-on bag.
Rail Europe Eurostar Booking Center
St Pancras International Terminal in the Chelsea section of London is connected by underground tunnels to Kings Cross Station, with a number of London tube train lines serving both terminals. Train service connects directly from Gatwick Airport via Victoria and Luton has a direct train. From Heathrow or Stansted, trains connect to underground lines to St Pancras. From Heathrow the Heathrow Express goes to Paddington Station with an underground connection to St Pancras on the Circle Line. National Express bus services also connect from the airports to St Pancras. The cheapest ways from the airports to the Eurostar are usually by bus. Next is normal rail service or Underground tube, though beware of repair or other delays on various lines. The Express train lines have a premium cost, and offer the most convenience, though still don’t get you there without a connection, so allow time.
If you’re visiting London before heading off to the continent, you might be looking for hotel convenient to the Eurostar Terminal. Two streets over from the station is the freshly minted Pullman Hotel London for the upscale experience. Another block away is a Premier Inn, a popular discount hotel chain, and a number of small tourist hotels can be found just south of the station, or a luxury option is the St Pancras Renaissance, right in the station. If connecting to other trains in Brussels a new Pullman Hotel has just recently opened right at the Brussels Midi station.
You’ll spend much of your time in London in other areas of the city than around the Eurostar International Terminal, but some nearby activities and tourist sites include the British Library right next door with its historic collection of books and manuscripts, just down Euston Road with a bus is the 221 Baker Street museum
(see Sherlock Holmes Baker Street) and Madame Tussauds. © Bargain
Travel Europe
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SEE ALSO:
THALYS HIGH SPEED PARIS TO BRUSSELS
EUROSTAR
CHANNEL LONDON TO PARIS
EUROPE
HIGH SPEED TRAINS - TGV - ICE
