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Direct Eurostar Trains Expanding Service to Germany and Switzerland

High-speed train service provider Eurostar unveils expansive plans for future direct rail links between the UK, Germany, and Switzerland. These forthcoming routes, to be operational by the 2030s, include departures from London to Frankfurt and Geneva. This anticipated development aims to boost...

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High-speed train operator Eurostar unveils grand designs for new direct services linking the UK...
High-speed train operator Eurostar unveils grand designs for new direct services linking the UK with Germany and Switzerland, signifying a broad expansion of its European rail network. These fresh routes, expected to roll out by the start of the 2030s, will depart from London to Frankfurt and Geneva, promising to boost travel choices for commuters and bolster Eurostar's standing as a vital force in global rail transport.

Direct Eurostar Trains Expanding Service to Germany and Switzerland

Runaway Eurostar! Preparing for a Stunning Expansion

Eurostar, the vaunted high-speed rail service, is revving up for an epic journey, set to introduce a bevy of new direct train services that'll take you from the heart of London all the way to Germany (Frankfurt) and Switzerland (Geneva), unlocking a whole new world of travel possibilities. This ambitious project marks a monumental expansion of Eurostar's network, with eyes on the early 2030s for the rollout.

Just hit the pedal to the metal, Eurostar's big boss, Gwendoline Cazenave, proclaims this move is "heralding a new golden age of international sustainable travel." This rapid expansion is driven by an significant investment of around €2 billion (£1.7 billion) in a fleet of up to 50 new sleek trains. Eurostar's engine will swell, with the total number of trains skyrocketing by a whopping 30%, pushing the total up to 67 babies on the tracks.

At the moment, Eurostar cruises through possibilities in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and stunning seasonal routes to the French Alps. Talk about steps in the right direction, as the proposed direct routes level up the game with journeys of approximately five hours to Frankfurt and five hours and 20 minutes to Geneva. That's rail travel that competes with flight time, including airport transfers and the infamous security checks, all while promising seamless journeys without the need to switch trains along the way.

"We're seeing an insatiable demand for train travel across Europe," declares Cazenave, "with customers dying to see more of Europe by rail than ever before and craving the unique experience we Excalibur-ify for them."

The project kicks off as rivals, including Virgin Trains, Gemini, FS Italiane in a joint venture with Evolyn, eye opportunities to disrupt Eurostar's three-decade reign. The UK's Office of Rail and Road recently extended access to Eurostar's maintenance depot at Temple Mills, potentially allowing competitors to operate services. But, Eurostar is holding its own by playing to the demand for sustainable travel among passengers on the green tilt. In 2024, Eurostar reported 19.5 million passengers, a 5% hike from the prior year, fueled by events like the Paris Olympics.

"2024 was an extraordinary year, one that ended triumphantly with the Olympics' success. We're in fantastic shape to serve 30 million passengers annually and retain our ambition to expand our European services," declares Alain Krakovitch, Eurostar’s President and the director of TGV-INTERCITÉS at SNCF Voyageurs.

This baby-step-to-giant-leap initiative includes more than just new routes. Eurostar is also lined up to boost the frequency of its prominent London-Paris service from 17 to 20 daily return services and add more trains to Amsterdam, with a fourth daily return service starting on 9 September 2025, and a fifth from mid-December. Details about intermediate stops on the Frankfurt and Geneva routes, such as Cologne, are still under wraps as Eurostar is still mulling over the question of whether passengers will be able to hop on or disembark during transit.

The scheme has garnered backing from governments, with the UK and Switzerland inking a memorandum of understanding in May 2025 to make facilitating direct rail links a breeze. This alliance addresses pesky logistical issues like border controls and Channel Tunnel safety regs. The UK's Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander hailed the deal as a coup towards "strengthening international rail connections and encouraging greener travel to Europe", adding that "A direct rail link between the UK and Switzerland has the potential to boost tourism, grow our economy, and knit people closer – all while offering a greener option for passengers".

As seen in a survey conducted by Hitachi Rail, the public is voicing its support for rail travel in Europe and North America, with a clear majority championing its growth. The survey results emphasize the growing preference for eco-friendly, efficient travel options across the Atlantic.

Gwendoline Cazenave pinpointed the complexities of opening up new international routes, admitting it requires "time, investments, expertise, a ton of energy, and partnerships." Nevertheless, she remains optimistic about the project's success, fueled by the commitment of passengers, governments, and Eurostar to adopt sustainable travel. The direct links to Frankfurt and Geneva are already attracting those who prioritize lower carbon emissions, especially as travelers more and more opt for trains over short-haul flights.

While the 2030s timeline may seem eons away, Eurostar's massive investment in its fleet and infrastructure signals its commitment to redefine cross-border travel in an era of intensifying competition and rising demand for eco-friendly transport options. Rail travel's future's looking mighty bright, and with services set to be a hit among holidaymakers and commuters alike, Brits will soon find it easier than ever to cultivate closer economic and tourism ties with Europe's prime cities. Eager to offer a friendlier and greener alternative to air travel, aligning with the trend for eco-conscious transport, this new service may well be the comeback hero of sustainable travel.

** Fun Fact:** The proposed expansion also includes a new route connecting Amsterdam and Brussels with Geneva, cementing Eurostar's place as a trailblazer of cross-border rail travel.

  1. The expansion of Eurostar's network will herald a new era of sustainable travel, with a focus on international journeys.
  2. This ambitious project is driven by a significant investment of around €2 billion in a fleet of up to 50 new trains, expected to increase Eurostar's train count by 30%.
  3. Direct routes to Frankfurt and Geneva are being introduced, promising rail travel that competes with flight times and offers seamless journeys without the need to switch trains.
  4. The demand for train travel across Europe is growing, with passengers eager to experience more of Europe by rail and prioritizing sustainable travel options.
  5. Governments are backing the expansion, with the UK and Switzerland signing a memorandum to facilitate direct rail links between the two nations.
  6. The public supports the growth of rail travel in Europe and North America, and the new Eurostar services may well be the comeback hero of sustainable travel.

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