The best Eurostar destinations to visit for an eco-friendly European escape

We might be biased, but travelling by eco-friendly train really is the best way to take a long-distance trip across Europe and with a whole host of Eurostar destinations to choose from, you can enjoy a hassle-free escape to the continent.

As you make your way through historic towns and across beautiful countryside at a leisurely pace, you’ll have the chance to watch everyday life unfold outside your window, without the stress of airport arrivals and baggage reclaim.

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Luckily, Eurostar has you covered with picturesque routes across Belgium, the Netherlands and France. While the travel time might look longer when you compare flight times to Eurostar train routes, factor in the fact that you’ll be deposited in the city centre - meaning no need to catch a shuttle bus or train at the other end - and shorter check-in times, and travelling by train becomes a no-brainer.

What’s more, with up to 80 per cent less carbon emissions than travelling by plane, the environmental impact of train travel becomes more and more appealing.

But even without considering all that, the sheer ease and comfort of rail travel means you arrive at your destination less stressed, less tired, and in a better headspace to make the most of your trip.

So sit back, relax and enjoy the ride as we introduce you to some of the best places to visit along the Eurostar route, and where to stay once you’re there.

Where does the Eurostar go?

There are more than 20 stops on the Eurostar route, spread across the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and France. From London, passengers can travel directly to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels, Lille, Paris and Disneyland Paris, while connections from those cities can whizz you further afield.

What’s more, between late December 2021 and early April 2022, the Eurostar will pair up with Travelski to offer direct trains from London St Pancras to Moûtiers and Bourg-Saint-Maurice, meaning that avid skiers can swoop to the French Alps in no time, with access to the Three Valleys, Val d’Isère - Tignes and the Paradiski area.

How long does the Eurostar take?

One of the shortest routes on the Eurostar is the one hour 22 minute journey between London and Lille, and getting to Brussels can take only a minute over two hours. The quickest Eurostar from London to Paris lasts just two hours and 12 minutes, whereas travelling all the way from London to Biarritz will take you somewhere between eight and ten hours.

How fast does the Eurostar go?

One of the fastest trains in Europe, the Eurostar reaches 160 kilometres per hour (100 mph) as it travels through the Channel Tunnel. But it goes fastest on lengths of its high-speed train lines, which run through the UK, France and Belgium, reaching a top speed of 300 kilometres per hour (186 mph).

It also clocked up a record speed of 334.7 kilometres per hour on a section of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, which links London with the Channel Tunnel, in 2003.

What are the best Eurostar destinations?

To help you choose the perfect place for a European holiday by train from the UK, we've selected the very best Eurostar destinations, from Paris to Brussels. Here's where to go along the Eurostar route and where to stay while you’re there.