Plane versus train: Travel experts race from London to Brussels, where a Eurostar takes on an Airbus A320

With the fast and convenient Eurostar connections, does it make sense to fly from London to Brussels?

Travel experts from The Points Guy UK (TPGUK) found out what kind of competition a plane versus a 300km/h train to the city center presents in a fascinating video race from London’s Houses of Parliament to the European Parliament.

One team member flew from Heathrow Airport on a Brussels Airlines Airbus A320, the other on a modern St Pancras International e320.

THE AIRPLANE

Nicky Kelvin, the head of TPGUK, took the plane and paid a total of £208.60. The malfunction? He paid £2.60 for an underground train from Westminster to Paddington, £25 for the Heathrow Express service to the airport, £140 for a flight from Heathrow to Brussels and £40 for a taxi from Brussels airport to the European Parliament Luxembourg Square.

This is Nicky’s seat on the A320, which he says is comfortable for a short flight

Air we go: Nicky’s A320 is waiting

He told MailOnline Travel that the advantages of the trip were the “incredibly short flight time” – often less than 40 minutes – the convenience of the flight considering how short it was and that it was “easy”.

Any cons?

“Heathrow can be a difficult, uncomfortable or expensive place to start for some,” he said. “And while this trip was seamless, there is more potential for issues or delays with security, aircraft issues, air traffic control, baggage and immigration.”

THE TRAIN

Liam Spencer took the Eurostar and paid a total of £288.60.

The malfunction? He paid £2.60 for the London Underground from the race’s start point in Westminster, £276 for a Business Premier ticket on the Eurostar service from St Pancras International to Brussels South, which gives priority access and a wide range food and drinks included. Liquor. and finally a 10 pound taxi from Brussels train station to the destination.

And the verdict? Liam was generally very impressed.

He told MailOnline Travel: “My Eurostar ticket included express security which meant I could go straight through passport control to the lounge. The line for people with a regular ticket was long and I saved at least half an hour thanks to my Business Premier ticket.

Liam Spencer wonders about the ‘correct’ cutlery used on his Eurostar service to Brussels

Liam is impressed with his Eurostar service but regrets that the Business Premier seat “doesn’t feel noticeably better than an economy seat”.

Liam enjoys a three-course meal on his Brussels Express

Liam paid £276 for a Business Premier Eurostar ticket

“The Business Premier Lounge was the perfect place to relax before my trip. I especially liked the fresh smoothie bar.

“And being served a three-course meal in one go was a first for me and added to the luxurious feel of my experience. I was served a delicious pumpkin mousse, followed by fried chicken and potatoes.”

The biggest downside was a seat, which Liam complained “didn’t feel noticeably better than an economy seat.”

Who won? The plane – only.

Click Here to watch the full video. For more travel tips and tricks, visit The Points Guy UK.