London to Brussels

Ghent is an old city with a contemporary flavor, where modern life is set amidst a classical background. The relaxed lifestyle of the city allows you to enjoy life in the most laid back manner possible. Ghent is easy to get to by train from all Belgian and major European cities. It takes only half an hour from Brussels South Station. Thanks to the Eurostar and Thalys high speed trains, you can go from Ghent to Paris in hardly 2 hours and to London, Amsterdam and Cologne in under 3 hours.

Eurostar London-Ghent trains

With simple straight links at Brussels Midi station, the beautiful city of Ghent is tantalizingly near for UK travelers. Combining the high speed Eurostar with SNCB express trains from Brussels, a Eurostar Ghent weekend trip is really easy. The Eurostar journey time from central London or the new Ebbsfleet terminal in Kent is just over 3 hours, and is the fastest and most convenient way to get to the historic cobbled streets of the medieval city. You only need to check in 30 minutes before your Eurostar train's departure time, and make a quick change of platforms in Brussels. This means that passengers have the time to rest and sop up the experience of luxury continental train travel at a top speed of 186 mph.

Get on the Eurostar from London-Ghent and you will have more time to relax and have fun and spend less time travelling. Eurostar trains are the fastest, most comfortable way to take a city break from London to continental Europe. Eurostar trains can travel at a top speed of 186 miles an hour, so journey times are surprisingly short; London-Ghent by Eurostar takes only 2 hours and 55 minutes with a change at Brussels Midi. The less time you spend getting to Ghent, the more time you have to enjoy yourself!

Ghent by Eurostar - A laid back historic city full of character

A Eurostar city break in Ghent will discover an attractive, compact metropolis that knows how to enjoy itself. Ghent is full of beer houses and cafes that exemplify the city's laid back, yet youthful charm appeal. The many historical landmark in the city make for excellent sightseeing. The ancient Belfry provides a bird's eye view of the city's skyline and the Gothic architecture of the Saint-Bavo Cathedral is glorious to behold. You can hire a water taxi where the rivers Leie and Scheldt merge, or cycle around the winding cobbled lanes and unearth new surprises along the way, such as elegant cake shops selling delectable chocolate confections or curious antique stores with their one off souvenirs.

The two main stations in Ghent are:
Gent-Sint-Pieters Station
from here tram no. 1 will get you straight to the city centre (Korenmarkt). Korenmarkt is about 3.5km and 9 minutes drive from the Gent-Sint-Pieters Station.
Dampoort Station
From here trolleybus no. 3 and buses numbered 17, 18, 38 and 39 will also get you straight to the city centre (Korenmarkt). Korenmarkt is about 6km and 11 minutes drive from the Dampoort Station.

You can reach the Brussels Zuid station from Gent-Sint-Pieters railway station in half an hour by the 'IC' Inter City or 'IR' InterRegio trains. From Brussels the Eurostar and Thalys high-speed trains can rush you off to Paris in an hour and a half and to London, Amsterdam or Cologne in two and a half hours.