Eurostar will reduce its Brussels services this winter after passenger numbers fell following recent terrorist attacks in the Belgian capital.
From January, Eurostar plans to remove 20 trains per week on the London–Brussels route. With each train able to carry up to 750 passengers, this represents around 15,000 fewer seats available each week, according to Business Traveller.
As a result of the timetable reductions, some onward connections from Brussels will become impractical or unavailable, affecting links to destinations such as the Netherlands, Luxembourg and parts of Germany.
The changes are expected to hit business travellers hardest. Business Traveller noted that commuters and professionals living outside London who cannot reach St Pancras for the early morning departures will have to wait until later in the day to arrive in Brussels. Evening options are also limited: travellers returning to Brussels may find only a couple of late-afternoon and evening services, with the final train departing relatively early compared with typical business hours.
Eurostar’s decision follows a noticeable drop in demand for travel to and from Brussels, prompting the company to adjust capacity to reflect current patronage levels. The carrier says the reduced schedule is intended to match supply with demand while preserving service reliability on key routes.
For affected travellers, the reduction in direct services may require planning alternative journeys, such as earlier travel to London, changing at other hubs, or using alternative transport modes. Businesses that rely on flexible same-day travel between London and Brussels may need to adapt meeting times or consider overnight stays to accommodate the revised timetable.
While the cuts are described as a response to temporary declines in passenger numbers, passengers are advised to check Eurostar’s timetable and book in advance to secure seats on the remaining services. Those with existing bookings should receive communication from Eurostar about any changes to their specific trains and available rebooking or refund options.