Eurostar plans to launch two new train services from London to Europe. The new routes would run from London to Geneva, Switzerland, and from London to Frankfurt, Germany.
The rail group predicts they could be up and running as soon as the “early 2030s”, alongside new services from Amsterdam and Brussels to Geneva. If it goes ahead, four daily services would run to Frankfurt and three would travel to Geneva, journeys that Eurostar predicts will take around five hours.
The move would connect two major European financial hubs with London, which Eurostar’s chief executive, Gwendoline Cazenave said marked a “new golden age of international sustainable travel”.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she signed a “landmark agreement” last month to deliver a direct rail 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 rapidly strengthening the links between major cities in counties across Europe, creating more opportunities to travel, work, and socialise.”
However, before plans go ahead, Eurostar said it would first need to complete its €2billion (£1.7bn) investment into 50 new trains, which would expand its fleet from 51 to 67.
“Until we see what trains they order, and when those will be delivered, we cannot call these ‘plans’ but more like vague ideas,” said Jon Worth, a cross-border rail consultant.
The international rail company would also need to invest in expensive border infrastructure and security in Frankfurt and Geneva.
The announcement signals a shift towards eco-friendly travel as major companies are being encouraged to use rail services to help meet sustainability targets.
In 2024, 19.5million customers travelled on Eurostar, a year-on-year increase of about 5%, boosted by the Paris Olympics.
The rail group said it had carried almost 8million passengers so far in 2025 until the end of May, an increase of 6.4% from the same period in 2023.
London is currently connected to Paris, Brussels and the Netherlands through the Eurostar.