Train Rotterdam – London

Which train companies offer the train journey from Rotterdam to London?

When you have decided to take the train to London instead of the car, it is nice to know which train companies offer this journey. The direct Rotterdam to London train is only provided by Eurostar. However, it is possible to travel including a transfer, so you only board the Eurostar at Brussels-Midi. The journey between Rotterdam and Brussels is then provided by IC Brussels or Thalys.

Eurostar is the only provider that offers direct train journeys from the Netherlands to London. The major stations on this route are Amsterdam and Brussels, but the train also runs between Paris and London.

IC Brussels is the direct train to and from Brussels. For example, you can travel from Rotterdam to Brussels-Midi with IC Brussels and then change to the Eurostar there.

Thalys brings passengers in Western Europe to Paris. It also offers the Amsterdam-Paris train at high speed.

The departure stations to London in Rotterdam

If you have booked a ticket for the Rotterdam-London train, your journey starts at Rotterdam Central Station. However, it may be that you first travel from another Dutch train station to Rotterdam and then take the train to London.

Rotterdam Central Station

Perhaps the most beautiful train station in the Netherlands: Rotterdam Central Station. From this station, the Eurostar Rotterdam-London route passes through Brussels and then takes the Channel Tunnel, also known as the Eurotunnel, from Calais to England. Rotterdam station is very easily accessible by train, metro, tram and bus:

• Trains: Intercity and Sprinter
• Bus lines 33, 38, 40 and 44
• Metro lines D and E
• Tram lines 4, 7, 18, 21, 23 and 25.

The arrival stations in London from Rotterdam

No matter where you depart from, the Eurostar Rotterdam London direct always stops at the same train station in London: St Pancras Int’l. This is the international train station of the city, located next to the well-known King’s Cross.

London St Pancras Int’l

As mentioned, the Rotterdam to London train, like the other international trains, stops at London St Pancras Int’l. Not only does the Eurostar, but also the French Thalys train journey stop and start here.

Upon arrival at this train station, there are multiple options for further travel in London. For example, use the London Underground or take a regional train. You could even choose the typical red double-decker busees. Access to and from the station : 

• Train, within London and beyond
• Piccadilly, Victoria, Northern, Circle, Metropolitan, and Hammersmith & City Line underground lines
• Bus lines from Midland, Euston Road, and Pancras stops

Trains from London to Rotterdam

On the return journey, you would of course choose the London to Rotterdam train. If you get off one stop later, it is also possible to end your journey in Amsterdam. Just like on the outbound journey, it is mandatory to purchase a train ticket online in advance.

To save money, it is advisable to buy a return ticket directly when booking. This way, you can be sure that you can travel back on the desired day and for a reduced price.

Train times

On weekdays, the London to Rotterdam train departs much earlier than the Eurostar from Rotterdam. The first train leaves at 06:16, heading towards the Channel Tunnel to then drive through to France, Belgium, and eventually the Netherlands. On weekends, the first direct train departs at 08:16.

On Saturdays, the last train leaves at 15:04, but this is a train with a transfer. The last direct train departs at 11:04. On Sundays, just like from Monday to Friday, the last direct train departs at 18:04.

• The first departure time for the London to Rotterdam train is 06:16, for 5 days per week
• The last departure time from London St Pancras is at 18:04, for 6 days per week

How long does a train journey from London to Rotterdam take?

The Eurostar from London to Rotterdam takes just 3 hours and 16 minutes to reach its final destination, Rotterdam. This means that the return journey is even 3 minutes shorter than the same journey on the outbound route. Some direct journeys can also take 3 hours and 28 minutes.

However, the travel time may increase if you opt for a train journey with a transfer in Brussels. In that case, you will be on the road for at least 3 hours and 58 minutes. This gives you over 45 minutes to change platforms in Brussels and catch the right train to Rotterdam. The arrival of the London to Rotterdam train is different in that case because you will not arrive in Rotterdam with the Eurostar. You will transfer to the IC Brussels or the Thalys.

How much does a train journey between London & Rotterdam cost?

Because the Eurostar London to Rotterdam timetable varies per journey, the price is not always the same either. With plane tickets, it is often cheaper to fly with a transfer, but this is not the case for train journeys. Therefore, journeys with transfers are often even more expensive than direct journeys.

The price also depends on the class in which you travel, just like on the outbound journey. Standard is the cheapest and simplest class to travel by train from London to Rotterdam. If you book a return ticket directly, you will also save money compared to two separate tickets. Whether you book last minute or months in advance can also affect the price, with earlier bookings often resulting in significant savings.

The lowest price for the train from London to Rotterdam is €57.00 (Standard) while the highest price for the same train journey is €414.40 (Business Premier).