Rotterdam to London by train is one of those travel moves that just makes sense. You leave Rotterdam Centraal, and you arrive in London St Pancras International without airports, long transfers, or that weird moment where you forget what day it is.
What the route looks like from Rotterdam
Eurostar has been running direct Rotterdam to London trains since 2018, and the service now offers five daily connections. With a journey time of around 3.5 hours, it’s a solid option for a day trip, a long weekend, or a business visit.
You start at Rotterdam Centraal, then travel straight to London. The big perk is the city-centre to city-centre flow. You arrive in London already “in it”, instead of still being 45 minutes away from anything you actually came to do.
This route is often framed as a more sustainable way to travel between Rotterdam and London, especially compared with flying. It also keeps the journey practical: you’re not travelling to the airport, waiting around, then travelling back into the city again.
First stops after you arrive in London
St Pancras is a gift of an arrival. You step out into one of London’s great transport hubs and, crucially, you don’t have to think too hard. King’s Cross is next door, the Underground is underneath you, and the city’s buses, bikes and black cabs are lined up outside. This is one of the best connected stations in the city, which makes it ideal for first timers. From here you can reach most central areas without changing more than once.
Three low effort neighbourhoods to start with:
Bloomsbury and the British Museum area
A calm first wander with leafy squares, bookish streets, and a big cultural hit that doesn’t require you to know London. It’s also an easy walk or short bus ride from St Pancras.
Coal Drops Yard and Regent’s Canal
Right behind King’s Cross you’ll find modern London with good food, shops, and space to breathe. From here you can follow the canal for a slower, prettier route towards Islington.
Soho and Covent Garden
If you want London to feel loud and alive immediately, head west. It’s busy, yes, but it’s also full of easy wins: theatres, record shops, street performers, and places to eat at any hour.
A quick note on travelling to the UK
Because you’re travelling to the UK, expect extra steps compared with a domestic train. Bring the right travel documents and check Eurostar’s latest guidance before you go, as rules and procedures can change.
Useful links
- Eurostar route info (Rotterdam to London): https://www.nsinternational.com/en/trains/eurostar-to-london/
- Eurostar travel updates: https://www.eurostar.com/travel-info/travel-updates
- St Pancras International station: https://stpancras.com/
