Holidays by train from London make for the perfect family-friendly trip. Say goodbye to ears popping painfully, packing fiascos and long security queues. Little ones will love travelling by train and so can you! Thanks to the Eurostar, there are plenty of holidays by train from London to choose from. The difficulty is knowing which destination to visit first! Explore these incredible holidays by train from London and be inspired to book your next family adventure on the Eurostar.
Table of Contents:
- Where Does The Eurostar Leave From in London?
- How Long Does the Eurostar Take?
- Is There Wifi on the Eurostar?
- 10 Family Holidays by Train From London
Where Does The Eurostar Leave From in London?
The Eurostar leaves London from St Pancras International Station. This station is conveniently located in the city centre for an easy start to your family holiday by train from London. You can reach St Pancras International Station:
- By Overground Train – If you live outside of London, national rail services can take you conveniently to St Pancras International.
- By Underground Train – If you live near or in London, St Pancras International is next door to King’s Cross St Pancras Underground station. This tube stop is served by several main lines including the Hammersmith & City, Circle and Victoria lines.
- By Car – If you’d prefer to drive, the station offers a 24hour Click and Park Car Park service.
How Long Does the Eurostar Take?
Depending on where you are travelling to on your holidays by train from London, the Eurostar can take a different amount of time.
- The shortest Eurostar journey – The Eurostar takes only 1 hour 22 minutes to travel from London to Lille in France.
- The longest Eurostar journey – The Eurostar takes 8 hours and 12 mins to travel 515 miles from London to Bourg St Maurice in the French Alps.
- Popular Eurostar journey – The Eurostar takes 2 hours 16 minutes to travel from London to Paris.
Journeys on the Eurostar are generally considered quick as the Eurostar is one of the fastest trains in Europe. It has high-speed train lines running through England, France and Belgium. On these lines the train can reach top speeds of 300 kilometres per hour (186 mph). With those speeds, you can get started on your holidays by train from London in no time!
Is There Wifi on the Eurostar?
Eurostar trains have free wifi running throughout. This complimentary service helps to make holidays by train from London even easier for your family. Keep little ones entertained with on board entertainment. Stream music for the journey. Get some last minute language practice in! Busy parents can even clock in some hours if you are combining business and leisure on a remote working holiday.
10 Family Holidays by Train From London
Without further ado, let’s explore some of the top destinations you could visit on family holidays by train from London.
- Paris, France
- Disneyland Paris, France
- Lille, France
- Strasbourg, France
- Bourg St Maurice, France
- Bruges, Belgium
- Brussels, Belgium
- Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Cologne, Germany
1. Paris, France
Paris is one of the best family holidays by train from London for those looking for a city break. It is beloved by many for its magnificent architecture, delicious food, and abundance of sites. The capital of France, Paris is very family friendly with lots on offer to keep curious minds entertained. Admire art in the Louvre, wonder at the Eiffel Tower and enjoy lots and lots of delicious food.
Eurostar journey time from London to Paris: 2 hours 16 minutes.
2. Disneyland Paris, France
Holidays by train from London don’t come much more family friendly than a trip to Disneyland Paris! The Eurostar takes you directly to the Disneyland park so you don’t have to worry about confusing changeovers. Spend your days making magical memories, enjoying the rides and meeting all your childrens’ favourite characters.
Eurostar journey time from London to Disneyland Paris: 2 hours 49 minutes.
3. Lille, France
Just an hour and a half away, Lille is one of the quickest holidays by train from London. The quaint little city is perfect for families who want a calmer, more peaceful escape. There is still plenty to do here though. Kids and adults alike can be fascinated by the exhibits at Lille’s Natural History Museum. Learn about one of France’s oldest patisseries and enjoy some tasty treats at Meert. Or simply relax in the Parc Du Heron.
Eurostar journey time from London to Lille: 1 hour 22 minutes.
4. Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg is one of the top holidays by train from London for families of history lovers. The capital of the French Grand Est region, Strasbourg is overflowing with culture. The Strasbourg Cathedral of Notre Dame is famed for its stunning sandstone architecture. Transport the family back in time as you stroll through the Petite France region with its buildings that date back to the 1500s.
Eurostar journey time from London to Strasbourg: 4 hours 50 minutes.
5. Bourg St Maurice, France
Holidays by train from London aren’t limited to city breaks. The Eurostar can transport you to Bourg St Maurice for a ski trip in the French Alps! Travelski holiday packages are available Between mid-December and mid-April. Whether you are a family of seasoned skiers or curious about trying ski school for the first time, this is a family holiday by train from London everyone is sure to enjoy.
Eurostar journey time from London to Bourg St Maurice: 8 hours 12 minutes.
6. Bruges, Belgium
The charming destination of Bruges is one of the top holidays by train from London for families with toddlers. The cobbled streets lined with gingerbread-like houses are excellent for easy exploring. Active families can enjoy tandem biking around the sites or boating on the canal. You won’t be disappointed if you choose Bruges for your holiday by train from London.
Eurostar journey time from London to Bruges: 3 hours 25 minutes (with a change at Brussels).
7. Brussels, Belgium
A top contender for one of the best holidays by train from London is Brussels. The capital of Belgium is an easy journey away. Here you will find all sorts of treasures. The MIMA museum will amaze modern art fans. Or if you prefer older artefacts, why not visit the 15th century Grand Palace which is an esteemed UNESCO World Heritage site. This relaxed holiday destination provides an opportunity for fun for all the family.
Eurostar journey time from London to Brussels: 1 hour 53 minutes.
8. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam is a popular destination for people from all walks of life. However, most people don’t know that it is somewhere you can reach on holidays by train from London. The capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is built up around the Amstel River. The city is famed for having more canals than Venice. It is packed full of weird and wonderful museums. Last but not least it has a vibrant, friendly atmosphere perfect for families.
Eurostar journey time from London to Amsterdam: 3 hours 52 minutes.
9. Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Another Netherlands city which deserves a spot on the list of top holidays by train from London is Rotterdam. More modern than Amsterdam, Rotterdam has a unique but equally charming style. Amongst the amazing things to do here is a visit to the Museumpark. When feet get tired and stomachs start growling, visit the 100s of food stalls in the Markthal. Architect Piet Blom’s famous Cube Houses are also a must see. They are even available to rent on Airbnb and are a truly unique type of holiday accommodation.
Eurostar journey time from London to Rotterdam: 3 hours 13 minutes.
10. Cologne, Germany
Last but definitely not least on our list of the best holidays by train from London is Cologne in Germany. This major city is overflowing with eye-catching sites. From the Gothic Kölner Dom Cathedral to the Romanesque churches and pastel coloured houses in the old town. Young minds can be fascinated by the interactive science exhibits in the Odysseum. The welcoming atmosphere will make Cologne a place you and your family will never want to leave.
Eurostar journey time from London to Cologne: 4 hours 20 minutes (with a change at Brussels)
Family Memories to Last a Lifetime
Holidays by train from London make it easier than ever for the family to come together and make memories. If you have children who share your passion for travel, they will adore these destinations. For more inspiration, check out these top Greek Islands for families or these top Italian islands for families. To stay in the loop with our travel advice, follow Virtual Wanderlust on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
