Destinations Europe Top Eurostar Destinations from London Top Cities and a Suggested Itinerary for Northern Europe By Martyn Lambourne Updated on 07/03/20 Fact checked by Jillian Dara Fact checked by Jillian Dara Instagram Emerson College Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes. TripSavvy's fact-checking Eurostar is the high-speed rail link connecting London to Paris, Brussels and beyond. The convenient city center train stations mean that travel time is far shorter than by plane, when you consider check-in times, getting your luggage and transferring from the airports). In fact, Eurostar carries more passengers than all of the airlines combined on both routes out of London. Why Take the Eurostar? London is usually the shortest path from the U.S. to a major airport in Europe, and often the most inexpensive choice for non-stop flights. It's natural to start your vacation in London, and when you're through visiting, Eurostar is right there at St Pancras station—and Paris just over two hours away. If you only have a short time to see Europe and want to see some of Europe's Best Cities, Eurostar is a fast, convenient way to tour London, Paris, and cities in bordering countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. The fastest London to Paris trains take just over two hours, while the London to Brussels journey is exactly two hours long. Other travel times are listed with the relevant city, below. And if you're tempted by Business Premier Class, you'll also get fast-lane check-in, four-course lunch or dinner service with wine and a free taxi service from your arrival point to any city destination Suggested Itinerary Starts in London (for as many days as you can afford), for either Lille (one day) or Paris (again, as long as you can afford) on the Eurostar. Alternatively, skip both and head straight to Brussels (two days). From there a loop takes you to Amsterdam (three days) through Antwerp (one day), then on to Cologne (one day). From Cologne, you can return to Brussels or Lille in anticipation of the return trip on the Eurostar. 01 of 08 Paris, France Chesnot/Getty Images The classic Eurostar route. It takes just over two hours to get between two of Europe's greatest cities, meaning it's possible to visit Paris as a Day Trip from London! Compare Prices on Paris Hotels on TripAdvisor Paris Train Stations Skip-the-Line Louvre Tickets Where to Next? View Map Address Paris, France Get directions Web Visit website There are high-speed trains from Paris all over Europe. Maybe you feel like heading south to Barcelona. 02 of 08 Brussels (and the rest of Belgium) TripSavvy / Gautier Houba On the London to Brussels route, your Eurostar ticket is good for continuing on to any station in Belgium. Thus, if you didn't want to see Brussels, you could go on to Ghent, Brugge, Damme, or anywhere else in Belgium that captures your fancy, without paying extra. Brussels Travel Guide Compare Prices on Brussels Hotels on TripAdvisor Brussels Day Trip from London Where to Next? View Map Address Brussels, Belgium Get directions Web Visit website Brussels is in the heart of Europe, with high-speed trains to Paris and to Amsterdam. 03 of 08 Disneyland Resort Corentin-Foucaut/Creative Commons Europe's only Disneyland theme park is close to Paris. Buy Disneyland Resort Tickets Compare Prices on Hotels near Disneyland Where to Next? View Map Address Bd de Parc, 77700 Coupvray, France Get directions Web Visit website Most visitors to Disneyland head to Paris afterward. There are also direct trains to Brussels. 04 of 08 Lille Tobias Van Der Elst/Creative Commons The first stop on the French side of the tunnel is Lille, close to the Belgian border. Lille is close to some historic World War I battlefields. See also: Compare Prices on Hotels in Lille on TripAdvisor Tour of Lille by Convertible 2CV Things to Do In Lille Where to Next? View Map Address Lille, France Get directions Web Visit website Belgium is the obvious next stop. Continue to 5 of 8 below. 05 of 08 Lyon Todd Gipstein/Getty Images The capital of the Rhone region and good for access to the Beaujolais Vineyards. Lyon is said to have the most restaurants per capita in France. Journey time is four-and-three-quarter hours from London. Lyon Travel Guide Compare Prices on Hotels in Lyon on TripAdvisor Where to Next? View Map Address Lyon, France Get directions Web Visit website To the Cote d'Azur or into Spain. 06 of 08 Avignon Pamela Bonello/Getty Images View Map Address Avignon, France Get directions Web Visit website Avignon is a walled city in southern France's Provence region. Avignon is also considered the capital of the famous Cote du Rhone wine region. Avignon is reached easily by fast TGV train from Paris. The main attractions in Avignon are the 14th century Palace of the Popes and the 12th century Avignon Bridge called the Saint-Benezet bridge after the young shepherd who heard divine voices instructing him to construct it. Both are UNESCO world heritage sites. Tour Provence from Avignon Read Reviews of Hotels in Avignon 07 of 08 Amsterdam James Martin, Europe travel View Map Address Amsterdam, Netherlands Get directions Web Visit website You have to change in Brussels, but the train to Amsterdam is still faster than flying when you take into account check-in times and airport transfers. Top European Cities: from the Cheapest to the Most Expensive Compare Prices on Hotels in Amsterdam Skip-the-line Van Gogh Museum and Canal Tour Windmill Tour of Holland from Amsterdam 08 of 08 Marseille Alpha du centaure/Creative Commons View Map Address Marseille, France Get directions Web Visit website A direct train from London to the south coast of France? Incroyable! Journey time is six-and-a-half hours, with departures once per day. Best of Provence Day Trip from Marseille Top Rated Hotels in Marseille on TripAdvisor Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email