It takes about two hours.

Flying RyanAir is never a better option.

Have to agree with Dave, though it will likely work out cheaper.

Eurostar.com has tickets at ~£70 each way but you might get a better deal if you avoid “business hours” trains.

As for time its only around 2 hours from central London to Brussels.

Would safely say you could get to Brussels and back by train in the time it would take you to get to the airport and fly there!

I agree with Dave. Eurostar to Brussels takes about 2 hours and goes from St Pancras station which is very easy to get to. In contrast, Ryanair will leave from Luton or Stansted airport. Both are about 1 hour away from the city centre and by the time you get there with enough time to spare for check-in and security, it would have been a lot faster to go by train.

The only reason to use Ryanair would be if you can get a cheap ticket but considering the extra time and hassle of travelling by plane, it’s not worth it.

Besides, travelling by train is a much more pleasant experience as you can see the scenery, walk through the train, go to the bar carriage if you want food and drink and there are no luggage restrictions. Actually, that’s another negative point for Ryanair: luggage restrictions are very strict and they will make you pay extra for every piece of luggage you want to take with you.

Thanks to everyone! Looks like the train!

Eurostar from St. Pancras is two hours but you’ll arrive 3 hours after departure because of the GMT / CET difference. Ryanair doesn’t fly between London and Brussels, which is just the same as it would take 45 minutes by train to Stansted and then another 45 minutes from “Charleroi” their Brussels airport, which is in the middle of nowhere compared to Zaventem.

In fact only Brussels Airlines (and probably British Airways) serves the route out of Heathrow and it takes them one hour to fly there. I would take the train anyday.

Good choice!

Train over plane or automobile, hands down best way to travel and more environmentally responsible. Support sustainable transportation whenever possible and the good karma returned will provide you with a wonderful trip!

I’ve done the London to Paris leg on the TGV and it was a delightful, hassle-free experience.

Neither Ryanair or Easyjet fly from London to Brussels, so you’ll have to take the train

Also consider that it generally takes 1 – 2.5 hours to get to ANY of the airports in London, as they are no where near the city centre!

And…. consider the amount of luggage you are taking. the discount airlines will charge extra for bags, and sometimes have a 15 Kg max, rather than the normal 20 Kg max!

Definitely agree; Eurostar is the better option – far easier to get to, far more relaxing & much better travel time service. Enjoy!

N.B. Consider Bruges as an option too; it’s beautiful.

Stansted + Ryanair = Hell. If you can afford it get the train.