Eurostar is considering a new direct route from London St Pancras to three major European cities, aiming to provide a quicker and more convenient way to reach central Europe. The plan was revealed in a press release by Eurostar, announcing the signing of a memorandum of understanding with SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) and French-operator SNCF Voyageurs to explore the possibility of a direct connection between London and Switzerland.
Described as a significant milestone, the proposed route could offer direct services from London to Zurich with a travel time of six hours, direct trains to Basel in five hours, and a journey to Geneva in approximately five-and-a-half hours. Currently, travelers can book London to Switzerland trains through Eurostar, but it involves a transfer at Paris Gare du Nord and a change to Paris Gare De Lyon for a connecting TGV train, which is less convenient and adds an hour or more to the journey.
Eurostar’s press release emphasized the importance of the signed MoU and outlined plans to analyze potential timetables and operational concepts for the direct connection. The partners aim to introduce the potential direct connection to London as soon as possible, with a projected implementation timeframe in the 2030s.
As of now, Eurostar offers direct trains from London St. Pancras to five destinations – Paris, Brussels, Lille, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. However, passengers can book connecting trains to over 20 destinations across Germany, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. Eurostar has also hinted at the possibility of expanding its direct routes to Marseille in southern France and Milan in Italy.
In preparation for future growth, Eurostar has placed orders for up to 50 Celestia double-decker trains, set to operate from May 2031, to enhance capacity on popular routes. The company has ambitious expansion plans for St Pancras International, aiming to accommodate up to 5,000 passengers per hour by 2028. By 2030, passenger arrivals are expected to be relocated to increase capacity, reflecting the station’s commitment to meeting the rising demand for international train travel.
Richard Thorp, the chief operating officer at London St. Pancras Highspeed, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Eurostar to expand capacity, highlighting the importance of ensuring that St. Pancras International is well-equipped to handle the growing demand for international travel.
