Trains to Frankfurt and Geneva will begin in the early 2030s
After finally linking up direct return services from Amsterdam to London at the beginning of 2025 (following the resolution of border control issues and renovation works at Amsterdam Centraal), Eurostar has announced plans to launch new direct routes from London into Germany and Switzerland.
The operator will buy up to 50 new trains to service the routes, aiming to launch them in the early 2030s, once hurdles like passenger space at stations, border controls and track access have been overcome. The journey from London to Frankfurt would take around five hours, and the journey from London to Geneva would take an additional 20 minutes, with Eurostar targeting both leisure and business travellers (both cities are big financial hubs) who want to travel more sustainably.
Speaking about the new routes, Eurostar chief executive Gwendoline Cazenave said: “We’re seeing strong demand for train travel across Europe, with customers wanting to go further by rail than ever before and enjoy the unique experience we provide.
“Despite the challenging economic climate, Eurostar is growing and has bold ambitions for the future. Our new fleet will make new destinations for customers a reality – notably direct trains between London and Germany, and between London and Switzerland for the first time.
“A new golden age of international sustainable travel is here.”
Eurostar’s passenger numbers last year rose to 19.5 million, a 5% increase on the 18.6 million people that used the service in 2023. That is likely to rise again as a fourth daily direct return service between London and Amsterdam will be running from 9th September, with a fifth service being added in mid-December of this year.
The annoucement of the new routes comes as the operator is trying to fend off competitors, including Virgin Group, FS Italiane Group, and Gemini Trains, who are looking to end Eurostar’s monopoly on cross-Channel train services.
Key Information
Date | 2030s
For more information | eurostar.com
