Today I want to share about the best day trips from London to Europe. From famous cities to beautiful towns, there are a lot of great trips you can take from the UK capital to the continent. Whether you love discovering the big urban centers or getting off the beaten path, there’s a day trip you’ll want to take to Europe.
Day Trips from London to Europe
The best day trips from London to Europe range from French cities to grand duchies. Some feature medieval old towns, while others are known for their contemporary charms.
Whatever your interests, these European day trips will get you in the traveling spirit and inspire your upcoming adventures.
Tips for Day Trips from London to Europe
One day is a short amount of time to see the places on this list. If that’s all you have, there are a few things you can do to maximize your experience.
First, try to leave on the first train or flight of the day and return on the last. That will give you as much time as a day will allow. Remember to factor in travel distances from stations and airports, too, as transfers will eat into your time in the destination.
Second, factor in the time of year you’ll be taking your day trip from London to Europe. Days are short and daylight hours few in the winter months, so you’ll need to be prepared for darkness.
On the other hand, going in summer will mean daylight during your whole visit. You can check sunrise and sunset times before you book to see how much sun you’ll see (or not) during your trip.
Third, plan an itinerary and check opening hours before you travel. With such a limited time, you’ll want to make sure everywhere you plan to tour, eat, and see is open when you arrive.
Fourth, try not to cram too much into one day. You’ll probably be tired from waking up early to travel, so give yourself some time to relax while you’re in town. You can always return in the future to see more if you love the place.
Fifth, research how to get around before you go. The metro is a quick and easy way to cover long distances in cities like Paris, and bikes can be a good way to cover a lot of ground in places like Amsterdam. They’ll help you see more than you could on foot.
Sixth, be aware that service in restaurants and cafes can be slower than what you might be used to at home. I recommend either factoring in more time for meals or eating quick ones at markets or street food stalls.
1. Paris Day Trip from London
Paris tops my list of the best day trips from London to Europe. With direct trains from London, the City of Light is just over 2 hours and 15 minutes away. That leaves you a lot of time to see the sights.
The French capital is famous for everything from cuisine to culture. It has fashion for shopping lovers, museums for art aficionados, and beautiful streets for those who love to wander.
While Paris is best explored over the better part of a week (or more), you can see the highlights in one big day if that’s all you have.
If you use the metro, you’ll be able to visit Paris landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, take in the scene on the Seine, and walk around neighborhoods like Montmartre.
2. Brussels Day Trip from London
Brussels is next on my list of the best day trips from London to Europe. Like Paris, the Belgian capital benefits from direct train services from London. You can get there in just under 2 hours, leaving you with plenty of time to discover the city.
Brussels is underrated as far as European capitals go. I spent a summer living and working here after college, and I found a lot of places to love.
From the stunning buildings in the Grand Place to the narrow streets lined with restaurants and studded with beautiful shopping arcades, there’s a lot to see.
And that’s to say nothing of the street art, museums, and delicious food (think waffles, chocolate, fries, and mussels).
It’s easy to spend 1 day in Brussels, as most of the sightseeing highlights are in one compact area near the Grand Place and central train station.
3. Lille Day Trip to Europe
Next on my list of the best day trips from London to Europe is Lille. One of the best under-the-radar cities in France, this northern gem enjoys direct train services from London.
It’s reachable in just over an hour and 20 minutes from the UK capital, meaning you can see a lot in one day.
And there’s a lot to see. Like Brussels, the main Lille sightseeing highlights are fairly concentrated in one area. They’re all in walking distance of the station you’ll arrive into, too.
From the Place du General de Gaulle with its eye-catching buildings to the mouth-watering pastries in the patisseries, there’s a lot to love about Lille. The shopping is good as well.
4. Luxembourg Day Trip to Europe
Luxembourg is another of my favorite day trips from London to Europe. While there are no direct trains from London, you can take a train to Brussels, from where there are onward services to Luxembourg City with a change en route.
This Grand Duchy is one of the smallest countries on the continent, but the capital packs a punch for its size. With a stunning old town and beautiful views, there’s a lot to love here.
Because it’s so small, you can see a lot of the capital on a day trip to Luxembourg. From the medieval fortifications to the bridges spanning the gorges below, it’s a fun place to visit.
5. Bruges Day Trip to Europe
Bruges is next on my list of the best day trips from London to Europe. While there are no direct trains from London to Bruges, you can take a train to Brussels and change there for rail services to Flanders.
Bruges is packed with waterways and wanderlust-worthy streets. This medieval city in Belgium won me over with its pretty squares, tall bell towers, and well-preserved old town.
Being in Bruges feels like stepping back in history. Everything from the bridges to the waterfront houses is postcard-perfect.
6. Amsterdam Day Trip to Europe
Amsterdam is another of the best day trips from London to Europe. There are direct trains from London, but given the distance and time, it’s much easier to fly.
Flights from London City Airport are ideal, as it’s one of the easiest airports to get to in the UK capital. The flight time is around an hour, too.
Amsterdam is full of narrow houses and bucolic canals, not to mention world-class museums housed in beautiful buildings.
It’s easy to spend a day walking or cycling along Amsterdam’s waterways and soaking up the colors in the floating flower market or the Vondelpark.
7. Ghent Day Trip to Europe
Last on my list of the best day trips from London to Europe is Ghent. While there are no direct trains from London to Ghent, you can take a train to Brussels and transfer there for onward services to the city in Flanders.
There’s a lot you can see on a day trip from London to Ghent. The city is compact and easy to explore on foot, and you can discover everything from canals to markets, a 12th-century castle, and great shops and restaurants.
There are lots of Ghent tours you can take, too. From boat rides to bike rides and food tours, there are plenty of ways to experience the city with a guide.
Day Trips from London to Europe
I hope you’ve enjoyed this list of the best day trips from London to Europe, and that it’s inspired you to get out and discover some of the top places to visit on the continent in limited time. Happy travels!
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