2 hours to London, 4 hours to Lyon. With hundreds of delayed and cancelled flights in Belgium this summer, those could be your waiting times at the airport. But it is also how long it takes to travel to these European cities by train, which allows you to hop off right in the centre.
With comfortable seating, stunning views and a more sustainable footprint, train travel beats taking a flight in many ways. Travel overnight to arrive at your destination in the morning, or choose to enjoy the views during the day. Sadly, it is not always the cheapest mode of transport, but hopefully one day it can and will be.
Either way, exciting European cities are still just around the corner. Travelling by train can even save you time. To inspire your next city trip by train, here are 10 cities, from closest to furthest, to travel to and from Brussels in less than 5 hours.
1. Rotterdam: 1 hour
From unique museums to modern architecture and from diverse food to great shopping and nightlife, the port city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands has it all. At just an hour away, this destination is closer to Brussels than Ostend.
Tickets are €19 and up, meaning paying the city a visit would cost less than €40 when booking ahead.
Credit: Markthal Rotterdam
2. Paris: 1.5 hours
The famous city of love, art and poetry, Paris is easy to reach from Brussels. Hop on a train at Bruxelles-Midi and get off at Paris-Nord 1,5 hours later to indulge in the beauty the French capital has to offer.
Thalys offers one-way trips from €26,30 when booking ahead, so with great planning you can visit Paris for about €50 in total.
3. Cologne: 2 hours
As one of Germany's biggest and most diverse cities, Cologne is bustling with life and character. Climb up 500 steps to visit the Cologne Cathedral, explore the historical Old Town, and live it up with food and drinks in the Belgian Quarter - because there is truly no place like home.
You can find train tickets from Brussels to Cologne for €19, so a trip to this German city will cost at least €40.
4. London: 2 hours
Another must-visit by train is London, the beating heart of the UK. After just two hours on a comfortable Eurostar train, you’ll be right in the heart of the British capital. With museums, cafes and nightlife, London never gets boring.
Train tickets to the UK are more expensive than within the EU. One-way tickets start from €57, so expect to pay at least €120 for a return trip.
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5. Amsterdam: 2 hours
This Dutch destination is known for more than its tolerant cannabis policy, as the lush parks, intriguing museums and exciting nightlife make the city a vibrant hub.
A return trip to Amsterdam costs around €50 when booking far in advance.
6. Luxembourg: 3.5 hours
Luxembourg might be lesser-known, but that doesn’t mean it’s less worth visiting. The small capital is full of history, has great public transport and offers scenic views. Don’t miss out on the fortified medieval old town.
Taking the train from Brussels to Luxembourg costs €21,50, so a return trip is around €40.
Credit: Visit Luxembourg
7. Lyon: 4 hours
France’s third-largest city is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the best of the country’s gastronomy. Well-worth a visit if you want to experience everything France has to offer.
Train tickets from Brussels to Lyon start from around €40, meaning a return trip will cost at least €80.
8. Wiesbaden: 4 hours
Just a stone's throw away from Frankfurt is Wiesbaden, which is often overlooked by travellers. The architecture and wine alone are worth paying the city a visit, but as one of Europe's oldest spa towns it is also home to the (smelly) hot springs Kochbrunnen.
Taking the train from Brussels to Wiesbaden costs about €50. For a return trip, you will pay over €100.
Wiesbaden Marktkirche. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
9. Brighton: 4 hours
West of Brussels lies Brighton, right on the British coast. If the beach and scenery aren’t enough to convince you to visit, the tasty food and rocking art scene might change your mind.
Though exciting, taking a train to Brighton is quite expensive. Expect to pay at least €200 for a return trip.
10. Nantes: 5 hours
The perfect destination for a city break, Nantes is a vibrant student city with plenty of history, culture and fun. Wines and French food are mouth-watering, and the old town is absolutely stunning.
The TGV takes you from Brussels to Nantes for €39 if you book well in advance. A round trip therefore costs at least €80.
