ALL ABOARD

One of the great joys about travelling around Europe is being able to hop on a train and glide over a border or two, all with a minimum of fuss. For years, it was something Britain looked upon with envy, until finally the first Channel Tunnel trains began whisking people from England to France in 1994. Nowadays, it’s a great option for anyone travelling to Western Europe and beyond. Eurostar operates direct services from London St Pancras International to cities in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, and the European network opens up even further for those willing to change trains in Eurostar’s hubs – Belgium’s arty Antwerp and German cities including Cologne and Düsseldorf can be reached with a connection.

Rail travel is also a welcome alternative to flying for anyone seeking to avoid air travel. And although Eurostar is the bigger of the two companies that use the Channel Tunnel, there’s also LeShuttle that runs from Folkstone to Calais in 35 minutes (note that LeShuttle doesn’t accept foot passengers). Up to four LeShuttle crossings depart every hour and you can get very reasonably priced tickets. Find out more at leshuttle.com/uk-en. As an introduction to what’s available with Eurostar, we’ve picked out four direct routes from London and given a brief overview of each city and its highlights. But remember that these places are just the start of what can be a much bigger European jaunt, if that appeals.

PARIS

Journey time from London: Between 2 hours, 16 minutes and 2 hours, 37 minutes

Unofficially seen as the flagship Eurostar journey, trains to the French capital arrive in Gare du Nord (technically Paris Nord). Although one of Europe’s busiest rail stations, its 19th-century façade is an undeniably handsome one.

But you (probably) didn’t come to Paris for neoclassical rail hubs, so head out of the station and begin exploring properly. From Gare du Nord, you’re a 30-minute walk from Montmartre, an arty neighbourhood that’s been painted and/or lived in by the likes of Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, van Gogh and many more. Today, it’s as bohemian as ever and houses fashionable cafes, cabaret venues (including world-famous Moulin Rouge), museums and even a few windmills. The Sacré-Cœur basilica is also magnificent.

BRUSSELS

Journey time from London: 1 hour, 53 minutes

In less than two hours you can reach Belgium’s thoroughly continental capital, arriving at Brussels Midi/Zuid station with plenty of great sights nearby. Start with a jaunt through city history at the Halle Gate museum, set in an ancient, preserved city gate, a short stroll from the station.

Brussels is known for both beer and chocolate, so it would be a shame not to sample your fair share of both: try Laurent Gerbaud’s creative chocolates – from black olive ganache to buckwheat praline – or tour the Brussels Beer Project to see what’s brewing. For those who like a bargain (or just a browse), Brussels is a great place for flea markets, chief of which is the Place du Jeu de Balle market, housing over 300 stalls selling vintage jewellery, clothes, antiques and oddities.

AMSTERDAM

Journey time from London: 3 hours, 52 minutes

Direct Eurostar return services from London to the Dutch capital began in October 2020, bringing into play a host of world-famous museums and some of Europe’s prettiest canals. You’ll arrive in Amsterdam Centraal station, set in the thick of the action and a short walk or tram ride from numerous essential sights. These include the harrowing but crucial Anne Frank House, the Rembrandt House Museum and the city’s snaking canal network. A little further out but still a breeze to get to, you’ll find the mighty Rijksmuseum, which showcases Dutch art through the ages, and the Vondelpark, a vast green oasis with miniature gardens and historical monuments hidden among leafy alcoves.

ROTTERDAM

Journey time from London: 3 hours, 16 minutes

It’s not just the Dutch capital that can be reached on Eurostar, as this unarguably lovely city can also be accessed direct from London. In contrast to many other stations you’re likely to arrive into from the Channel Tunnel, Rotterdam Centraal is daringly chic and contemporary, bulging with stainless steel and glass. It’s the perfect introduction to Rotterdam’s passion for blending the ultra-modern with the charmingly quaint.

After you’ve blown your mind by viewing all the bold architectural experiments (from the multi-mirrored Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen – allegedly the world’s first public art storage facility – to the incredible, bright yellow Cube Houses), refuel at Markthal. This food market is packed with stalls, shops and restaurants, set underneath another dizzyingly modern structure – a gleaming, horseshoe-shaped residential complex.