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Local time Antwerp

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Travel to Antwerp

Flying to Antwerp

There are very few direct flights from the UK to Antwerp, although VLM Airlines occasionally offers routes. Another option is flying to Brussels, which is 40km (25 miles) away from Antwerp.

Flight times

From London - 1 hour; New York - 10 hours (including stopover); Los Angeles - 12 hours 50 (including stopover); Toronto - 11 hours 45 minutes (including stopover); Sydney - 22hours 20 minutes (including stopover).

Travel by road

Traffic in Antwerp drives on the right, and the minimum driving age is 18 years old. Major towns are connected by toll-free motorways. Speed limits are 120kph (75mph) on motorways and major dual carriageways, 90kph (56mph) on roads outside built-up areas and 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas, unless signs indicate otherwise. A valid national driving licence is required. Although not compulsory for travellers within the EU, it is a good idea to obtain a Green Card if you're taking your own car into Belgium.

Emergency breakdown services

Touring Club de Belgique (tel: 070 344 777, in Belgium only).

Routes

Antwerp has good motorway links with Brussels to the south and to major Dutch cities in the north, as well as with the Channel port at Zeebrugge, where ferries from the UK arrive in Belgium.

Coaches

Most coaches/long-distance buses arrive and depart from the station on Franklin Rooseveltplaats, a short distance northwest of Centraal Station. Information is available from a kiosk in Centraal Station. De Lijn (tel: +32 3 218 1411; www.delijn.be) is the main operator and its website is available in English.

Eurolines (tel: +32 2 274 1350; www.eurolines.com) operates a direct daily service from London Victoria coach station to Brussels via the Dover-Calais ferry or the Le Shuttle train, stopping Ghent. Upon arrival, you can then take a train from Brussels to Antwerp. You can also reach Antwerp from other destinations in Europe on the Eurolines network, direct or via Amsterdam.

Time to city

London - 5 hours 35 minutes; Paris - 4 hours 20 minutes; Amsterdam - 2 hour 15 minutes; Bruges - 1 hour 45 minutes; Brussels - 1 hour.

Travel by Rail

Services

The express Thalys service (tel: +32 7 066 7788; www.thalys.com), which runs between Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, stopping at the Antwerpen-Berchem station, 4km (2.5 miles) from the centre of Antwerp.

Operators

The Belgian train operator is NMBS/SNCB (tel: +32 2 528 2828; www.belgianrail.be). Eurostar (tel: +44 03432 186 186; www.eurostar.com) runs from London to Brussels Midi in 2 hours. If you select 'Any Belgian station' when you book, your Eurostar ticket allows a connection to anywhere in Belgium if you make the journey within 24 hours. Fast frequent services take around 40 minutes from Brussels to Antwerp Centraal.

Journey times

From London – 2 hours 10 minutes; Brussels - 45 minutes; Paris - 2 hours 10 minutes; Amsterdam - 1 hour 15 minutes.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Featured Hotels

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Hilton Antwerp Old Town

Boasting the sky-high Cathedral of Our Lady as its next-door neighbour, this five-story fin-de-siècle building was originally the Grand Bazar department store. Spacious rooms are sumptuously decorated with one eye on history, though the flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi keep everything up to date. Drink in the surroundings by taking afternoon tea in the marble-floored lobby.

Hotel Rubens

Tucked away in a quiet side street behind the Grote Markt, this stylish 4-star hotel is the perfect base to explore the Old Town. A friendly concierge welcomes weary travellers with a refreshing port or sherry, while the hotel’s chic rooms are comfortable, quiet and well-appointed. You won’t go hungry either; their buffet breakfast will set you up for a day full of sightseeing.

Hotel Rubenshof

Next to the Fine Arts Museum, this cheap Antwerp hotel sits in the trendy Zuid district. The building occupies a former cardinal's residence that dates back to 1860, with ornate public areas and 22 tastefully decorated bedrooms.

Hotel Matelote

Matelote is a unique boutique hotel merging 21st century convenience with 16th century architecture. Nestled in the Haarstraat, the building is just a short walk from main attractions like the Grand Palace and its town hall, the River Scheldt and the Antwerp Cathedral. The Fashion Museum and Rubens House also sit nearby, making sight-seeing a breeze. Because it’s a historical site, there is no elevator in the hotel, meaning it does not offer full accessibility.

 

Firean Hotel

Built in 1929, the Firean Hotel is reputed to be one of the most charming hotels in Belgium. This hotel is an Art-deco mansion that the actual owners restored in 1986. They take pride in offering outstanding quality and service with thoughtful gestures. One of the proprietors welcomes guests upon arrival, acquainting visitors with the space.

 

Tra Noi

Located in the heart of the fashion district, this superb little guesthouse is owned by Danielle, a friendly lady who has two apartments and a guest bedroom that she rents out at very reasonable rates. Danielle used to work in the fashion industry, so the decor is stylish and slightly eccentric (there’s an antique rowing boat hanging from the ceiling of one apartment), but the city centre location is almost unbeatable.