Eurostar is set to launch two new train services from London to Europe. The new route will run from London to Geneva, Switzerland, and from London to Frankfurt, Germany.
The Railway Group predicts that it will be ready to go into operation “in the early 2030s” along with new services from Amsterdam and Brussels to Geneva. If that goes on, four daily services run to Frankfurt, three move to Geneva. The Eurostar predicts the journey will take about five hours.
The move will link two major European financial hubs with London. Eurostar CEO Gwendolyn Cazeneve said it marked “a new golden age of international sustainable travel.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said last month he signed a “groundbreaking agreement” to provide a direct railway link between London and Switzerland, paving the way for direct commercial services.
She added: “Today's announcement by Eurostar shows that the government's plan for change is to rapidly strengthen links between major cities in European counties and increase opportunities for travel, work and socializing.”
But before plans go, Eurostar will expand its fleet from 51 to 67, saying it will need to complete its investment in 50 new trains, which is 5 billion euros (£1.7 billion).
“We can't call these 'plans' these 'plans' until we see the trains they order, and when they'll be delivered, but it's kind of a vague idea,” said John Worth, a cross-border railway consultant.
International railway companies should also invest in the expensive border infrastructure and security in Frankfurt and Geneva.
The announcement marks the transition to eco-friendly travel as large companies are encouraged to use rail services to help them achieve their sustainability goals.
In 2024, 19.5 million customers visited the Eurostar, up about 5% year-on-year, boosted by the Paris Olympics.
The Railway Group said it had carried nearly 8 million passengers to date until the end of May in 2025, an increase of 6.4% from the same period in 2023.
London is currently connected to Paris, Brussels and the Netherlands through the Eurostar.
