With the demand for international travel growing, the new trains could not only reduce the time it takes to get to Europe but also expand the destinations list.
Eurostar trains at St Pancreas International Station. (Image: Getty)
Travelling by train from London to Europe could soon become faster and more accessible, with new routes set to connect the UK to seven incredible European cities. Plans are in place to expand the UK’s international rail travel, potentially tripling passenger capacity at St Pancras International by 2030.
If successful, it could see direct train routes from London to Frankfurt, Zurich, Geneva, Cologne, Marseille and Bordeaux. The project is part of a new partnership between London St Pancras Highspeed (formerly HS1) and Eurotunnel, which aims to increase connectivity, reduce journey times, and attract new train operators to compete with Eurostar.
Passenger capacity could potentially triple under the new plans. (Image: Getty)
Robert Sinclair, the CEO of London St Pancras Highspeed, called the partnership a “pivotal step” in making high-speed rail the preferred option for travel between the UK and Europe, as per Euronews.
He said: “Joining forces with Eurotunnel is another exciting step on our journey to realise a future where high-speed rail is the preferred option for travelling to Europe.”
Eurotunnel CEO Yann Leriche added: “We are keen to drive forward attractive opportunities for low-carbon mobility with a range of new destinations in Germany, Switzerland and France.”
The demand for international train travel is already growing. Eurotunnel’s research shows that passengers want more rail links to destinations like Frankfurt, Zurich, Geneva, and the South of France.
The expansion could make these journeys quicker and easier, reducing the need for flights and cutting carbon emissions by the equivalent of 60,000 short-haul flights per year.
Currently, Eurostar is the only operator running services through the Channel Tunnel, with routes to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.
However, new train operators could increase competition, leading to more affordable prices, better timetables, and improved services.
One major benefit could be the ability to bring pets on board, something Eurostar does not currently allow.
The possibility of better services for cyclists and easier ticket bookings is also being discussed.
Mark Smith, a former rail industry worker and founder of train travel guide website Man in Seat 61, said that while the project is promising, there is still a long way to go.
He explained during an interview on The Ski Podcast: “We have to remember that these aren’t plans by a train operator to actually run trains.
“They are suggestions from infrastructure owners about what trains a future unspecified operator may or may not care to run.”
Smith added that Virgin Group and Spanish operator Evolyn are among those interested in expanding services to cities such as Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.
However, a London-Frankfurt service is also a “realistic possibility”, depending on whether the necessary secure platforms and terminal space can be arranged in Cologne and Frankfurt.
Smith said that while these new routes could happen, they aren’t likely to start until 2029 or 2030 at the earliest.
