Eurostar London to Antwerp

[otter11]

Eurostar are launching direct London to Antwerp trains from December.

Just outbound currently with no plans for a direct return service.

Head for Points article with details of new route

 

[Mike395]

They're all Amsterdam services - so it's just adding an additional stop at Antwerp (which makes sense as trains basically crawl through it anyway so might as well stop) - but good news nonetheless.

 

[STINT47]

Good new but why only on the outbound? After some time in Antwerp I'm sure people will want to go home again as one way traffic cannot be that big of a market.

 

[NCT]

Good new but why only on the outbound? After some time in Antwerp I'm sure people will want to go home again as one way traffic cannot be that big of a market.

Border facilities and sealing off platforms.

 

[danielhogg2005]

Good new but why only on the outbound? After some time in Antwerp I'm sure people will want to go home again as one way traffic cannot be that big of a market.

For return services Antwerp would need to install border checks and a security hall, something which will take a while to install.

 

[rvdborgt]

Good new but why only on the outbound?

I'm not sure where you could fit in border controls for a reasonable price and also seal off a platform without hindering other trains.

After some time in Antwerp I'm sure people will want to go home again as one way traffic cannot be that big of a market.

Eurostar offer journeys with a change for the return, including a ticket for the connecting domestic train.

 

[Trainbike46]

For return services Antwerp would need to install border checks and a security hall, something which will take a while to install.

According to the article in the first post, there are no plans to install these facilities at Antwerp, presumably for the reasons listed by rvandeborgt

I'm not sure where you could fit in border controls for a reasonable price and also seal off a platform without hindering other trains.

Good new but why only on the outbound? After some time in Antwerp I'm sure people will want to go home again as one way traffic cannot be that big of a market.

I'd add that Eurostar has a history of offering certain routes directly in one direction only, including:
- The south of France services (were direct from London, Lille shuffle on the return)
- Eurostar snow/ski services (direct from London, Lille shuffle on the return)
- Amsterdam/Rotterdam (when they started, they were only direct from London, and used a Brussels shuffle on the return)

And Lille to Brussels/Rotterdam/Amsterdam is only offered in that direction.

Overall, I would say that it is customer-friendly to serve Antwerp even if only in one direction, especially as it likely doesn't extend journey times at all

 

[Citybreak1]

This is great news

 

[Amalie]

I haven’t checked timings, but with the upcoming ICE between Antwerp and Cologne, this might make for an enticing route from the UK to Germany, as a pleasanter alternative to switching in Brussels Midi.

 

[A S Leib]

I haven’t checked timings, but with the upcoming ICE between Antwerp and Cologne, this might make for an enticing route from the UK to Germany, as a pleasanter alternative to switching in Brussels Midi.

The 06:16 is due to get to Antwerpen Centraal at 09:57, leaving a comfortable amount of time for delays or getting food (stretching legs...) for the 11:01 to Köln, but the arrival before the 19:01 departure's 14:57, so mainly helping people who'd have wanted to see Antwerp rather than very time-conscious travellers.

 

[Amalie]

The 06:16 is due to get to Antwerpen Centraal at 09:57, leaving a comfortable amount of time for delays or getting food (stretching legs...) for the 11:01 to Köln, but the arrival before the 19:01 departure's 14:57, so mainly helping people who'd have wanted to see Antwerp rather than very time-conscious travellers.

It’s certainly not for time-conscious travellers. Antwerpen-Centraal to Köln Hbf would be slower compared to Bruxelles-Midi, even if the connection time were improved.

 

[mad_rich]

- Eurostar snow/ski services (direct from London, Lille shuffle on the return)

The original ski service had full departure facilities at Bourg and Moutiers (though not Aime-la-Plagne). No need for Lille shuffle. I don't know how it was ever cost effective to provide security and 2x border control for 2 departures a week in winter, but they managed it. I guess being a small, underused station helps.

 

[TheWierdOne]

The original ski service had full departure facilities at Bourg and Moutiers (though not Aime-la-Plagne). No need for Lille shuffle. I don't know how it was ever cost effective to provide security and 2x border control for 2 departures a week in winter, but they managed it. I guess being a small, underused station helps.

The border force officers travelled out and back with the train I believe, staying overnight. The security was essentially a fence, and the passengers were put straight onto the train rather than hanging about in a departure lounge.

 

[Farigiraf]

Given that it'll be just the one service, does Antwerp have any chance of being added to Eurostar Snap?

 

[mad_rich]

Given that it'll be just the one service, does Antwerp have any chance of being added to Eurostar Snap?

Nothing to stop you buying a Snap fare to Rotterdam or Amsterdam and getting off in Antwerp - there are no ticket checks on exit.

(Although will all the Amsterdam trains stop there?)

 

[Farigiraf]

(Although will all the Amsterdam trains stop there?)

Although higher frequency is more useful, in the specific case of people choosing to use Eurostar Snap due to Eurostar price gouging, having just the one Amsterdam train stop at Antwerp somewhat helps, as the vague 'time slots' matter less if you know exactly which 1 service you're buying at ticket for

 

[Trainbike46]

Four of the five Amsterdam trains will stop in Antwerp