How to travel from Paris to Antwerp or vice versa

There are many ways to travel from Paris to Antwerp. You can take a bus, train, plane or car. In this article, we will discuss the different options and help you choose the best way for you to travel. Whether you are travelling for business or pleasure, we have the information you need to make your trip as easy and stress-free as possible!

How to get from Paris to Antwerp

Best option

The best way to get from Paris to Antwerp is by train. It is the fastest and most efficient mode of transportation. The train trip takes only 2h10. If you’re considering a day trip from Paris to Antwerp, this is the only feasible option. Traveling via train is also a recommended option for the commute from Paris to other parts of Belgium. Read our Paris to Bruges guide here and Paris to Bruges day trip here.

If you book well in advance, the train fare is pretty budget-proof too. Check the train schedule and book your tickets here.

Travel from Paris to Antwerp by bus if you prefer the cheapest option, but be prepared to spend a significant time on the road. We’d only recommend travelling by bus if you’re going on short notice and the Thalys is very expensive. Book your tickets here.

But if you’re looking for the quickest way to get from Paris to Antwerp, the train is your best bet.

Option 1: Paris to Antwerp by car

If you’d like to travel with your own car or rental car, it’s actually quite straightforward to drive from Paris to Antwerp. The distance Paris-Antwerp is 348 kilometres.

The journey will take around 4 hours in total, but you’ll be able to make a few stops along the way if you need a break from driving.

TIP: If you’re looking for more than a stop to stretch the legs, we can definitely recommend Kortrijk. It’s a beautiful city and a great place to visit for a couple of hours!

However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind if you’re driving from Paris to Antwerp.

First of all, traffic might cause you some delays, especially if you’re driving during rush hour. Don’t forget that busy traffic is a common issue.

Overall, the usual problematic zones in Belgium are the highways around Brussels and Antwerp and you can be pretty sure to get stuck on the E17 before entering the ring around Antwerp (the Kennedy Tunnel). On the best days, it might just go a bit slower, but traffic jams sometimes run up to 2 hours.

This will definitely be the case during rush hours in the morning and evening, but calculate possible traffic jams on weekdays between 7 A.M. and 7 P.M. Only if you can cover the Paris – Antwerp distance late in the evening, at night or on Sundays, you can be quite sure not to get stuck.

Secondly, if you’re planning on making the journey by car, it’s important to factor in the cost of petrol as well as any tolls you’ll encounter along the way.

There’s a toll you’ll need to pay when you drive from Paris to Antwerp. The cost of the toll depends on the type of vehicle you’re driving, but if you’re going by regular car, you’ll pay €18,90.

On a positive note: there are no more tolls to be paid once you reach Belgium.

The drive itself is pretty straightforward and you shouldn’t encounter any problems along the way.

From Paris, take the A1 in the direction of Lille. Once you’ve reached Lille, continue on onto the A22 in the direction of Belgium/E17.

After crossing the border, you’ll find yourself on the E17. Continue driving until you reach Antwerp!

The major downside of covering the distance between Paris and Antwerp by car is that it can be quite expensive, especially if you’re renting a car.

Also, always make sure to keep an eye on the speed limit, as there are quite a few radar traps in both France and Belgium!

Parking in Antwerp

Antwerp has a paid parking system in the city centre, with parking rates varying depending on the time of day.

We would advise you to park your car at one of the P+R facilities on the outskirts of the city and take public transport from there. It’s cheaper and it’ll save you from having to drive around looking for a parking spot in the city centre! You can find more information about the different P+R locations here.

Coming from Paris/E17, the best free parking option would be Park + Ride Linkeroever, which is a brand new and huge, covered car park. You can very easily take tram #3 which will bring you to the historic centre in less than 10 minutes!

Another benefit of this P+R is that you can get out of the traffic jams sooner!

Driving from Paris to Antwerp is a viable alternative, but it’s not necessarily the most efficient one. It can be time-consuming and costly if you’re renting a car and have to pay for fuel and parking.

Due to the length of the trip, I wouldn’t recommend taking the car for a day trip from Paris to Antwerp.

However, if you’re travelling with your own car, have a free parking spot included in your accommodation, or have enough time to spend, it might be the best option for you!

If you don’t have a (free) parking space included in your accommodation, you’ll most likely have to pay for parking in Antwerp.

Option 2: Paris to Antwerp by train

The train from Paris to Antwerp is the best option you’ll find!

In Belgium, train travel is quite easy, so even if you want to see more places, you don’t have to rent a car.

There’s a direct Eurostar (formerly Thalys) train from Paris to Antwerp every 2 hours.

The Eurostar train leaves at Paris Nord and will bring you to Antwerpen-Centraal in 2h10, which is the fastest way to get from Paris to Antwerp. On weekdays, the earliest direct train leaves at 6h18 and the last one at 21h20.

It’s also possible to switch trains in Brussels (first the Eurostar and then the regular intercity train) as there are more frequent trains this way. This route will take you an additional 45 minutes.

The Paris to Antwerp train connection with Eurostar will cost you between €92 and €161 for a single ticket depending on your travel date and how early you book. You can check prices and availability here.

Option 3: bus Paris-Antwerp

Flixbus offers a direct connection if you’re coming from Paris and want to go to Antwerp.

The bus trip from Paris to Antwerp will take you between 4h20 and 8h, depending on the bus route. There are plenty of direct buses available each day.

The prices for the bus from Paris to Antwerp start at €39 for a single ticket. There’s no discount for booking a return trip. When you book a Flixbus ticket, you can bring a carry-on bag and one 20kg piece of luggage free of charge.

There are additional costs if you want to check in additional or special luggage. You can book your tickets here.

Option 4: Taxi from Paris to Antwerp

The most expensive means of transportation from Paris to Antwerp is by taxi.

If you don’t want to hire a car but still require transport, a taxi or a private transportation service may be the most suitable option for you.

If you’re travelling from Paris to Antwerp on short notice, the Paris to Antwerp train fare will be very high. In this case, a private transport service won’t be that much higher – it might even end up cheaper! So, definitely make sure to check the prices for your travel dates!

The trip will take at least 4 hours from door to door.

The price for a taxi from Paris to Antwerp starts at €593 for an economy car seating 3 people and their luggage. For an extra cost, you can upgrade to a bigger and/or more luxurious car. Book your taxi here.

How to get from Antwerp to Paris?

If you’d prefer to travel from Antwerp to Paris, all of the same options are available for you.

Driving from Bruges to Paris is fairly easy for those who have their own vehicle or are renting one. The Bruges to Paris distance is 348 km and should take you about 4 hours to get there without taking into consideration any traffic.

If you don’t want to drive yourself, but prefer the convenience of a vehicle, you have the option to travel by taxi. This will cost you at least €593. Click here to book your private transport.

You can also take the direct train from Antwerp to Paris. You can check prices and availability here.

The fourth option is to take the bus from Antwerp to Paris. This is the cheapest option. The company Flixbus has direct connections from Antwerp to Paris. The trip will take you between 4h25 and 5h40. You can book your tickets here.

Frequently Asked Questions  

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Final words

Consider your options when deciding how to get between Paris and Antwerp.

Do you want to get there as soon as possible, or would it be nice to take a break along the way? Is cost an issue for you, or do you not mind spending a little more for greater convenience?

Driving a car is easy and convenient, but finding a parking spot in large cities may be difficult, and traffic jams are common around Antwerp. Travelling by train from Paris to Antwerp or vice versa is highly recommended if you don’t require the convenience of your own vehicle.

If you don’t mind spending a little extra and want to travel on your own terms, hiring a private vehicle or taxi is an excellent option. This may be an intriguing possibility, especially for those travelling in a group.

We hope you have a wonderful trip, whether you’re travelling from Paris to Antwerp or vice versa. Safe travels!