Eurostar has pledged to launch direct train services from the UK to Germany and Switzerland in the early 2030s, vowing to lead a “new golden age” of international sustainable travel, even as competition looms and space in London’s only cross-Channel train depot grows scarce.
In a bold statement of intent, Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave said she had “no doubt” the company would begin services to Frankfurt and Geneva within the next decade. The operator claims conditions are “finally right” to succeed where previous attempts to link London and Frankfurt have failed.
Direct journeys are expected to take about five hours to Frankfurt and around five hours and 20 minutes to Geneva. Eurostar points to high demand on those flight routes as evidence that many passengers, especially environmentally conscious business and leisure travelers, would prefer low-emission train travel.
However, Eurostar’s grand plans come amid growing pressure. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) recently confirmed that only one more operator can be accommodated at the Temple Mills depot in east London, a critical facility for cross-Channel trains. The ORR has asked Eurostar and competing firms to submit proposals for depot access, with a final decision expected later this year.
Among the challengers are Virgin Trains, with Sir Richard Branson proposing a 12-train fleet, and Gemini Trains, a startup chaired by Labour peer Lord Berkeley. Italian state railway FS Italiane is also eyeing the market through a partnership with Spanish operator Evolyn.
Eurostar has argued there is no remaining depot space if its expansion plans are approved and has suggested it may help fund a new depot. Still, it has urged the UK government to create a “clear national strategy” to support international rail growth.
While direct routes to new European destinations are still years away, Eurostar has been experiencing steady growth. In 2024, it recorded €2 billion (£1.7 billion) in revenue, up 2% from the previous year. Passenger numbers climbed 5% to 19.5 million across its services connecting the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Eurostar shares plans
Plans are also in motion to boost existing services. Following renovations at Amsterdam’s international terminal, Eurostar will increase its direct London-Amsterdam routes from three to five daily round-trip flights. A fourth service begins on 9 September, with a fifth launching in mid-December.
To accommodate future growth, Eurostar is preparing to order up to 50 next-generation trains with an estimated price tag of €2 billion. While the manufacturer is yet to be selected, the new trains will be capable of operating across multiple rail systems, critical for longer and more complex European journeys.
Despite remaining logistical hurdles such as border control agreements, timetable integration, and station readiness, Eurostar remains optimistic. The recent UK-Switzerland memorandum of understanding on direct rail services adds a diplomatic nudge in the right direction.
“We have the willingness, from Eurostar, from passengers, and from governments,” said Cazenave. “The trains are coming. It’s just a matter of when, not if.”
