High-speed rail travel from London in the United Kingdom to mainland Europe is poised for a major expansion, with plans to introduce direct routes to Germany, Switzerland, and beyond. London St Pancras Highspeed (LSPH), the company overseeing St Pancras International and the high-speed rail link to Folkestone, has partnered with Getlink, the French operator of the Channel Tunnel, to significantly increase capacity and improve connectivity between the UK and key European cities.
The initiative comes as part of a broader vision to enhance international rail travel, offering a more sustainable alternative to air travel. Under the agreement, LSPH and Getlink aim to triple the number of passengers moving through St Pancras during peak hours, from 1,800 to 5,000, by redesigning the terminal and streamlining departure procedures.
Eurostar
This expansion is expected to accommodate new train operators and increase competition on routes that have long been dominated by Eurostar.
Currently, Eurostar is the only company transporting foot passengers across the Channel, operating services from London to Paris in France, Brussels in Belgium, and Amsterdam in the Netherlands, along with seasonal routes to the French Alps.
However, its network is far smaller than initially envisioned, with early promises of routes to Manchester in England and Edinburgh in Scotland never materialising. The high cost of Eurostar tickets has also drawn criticism, making room for potential challengers in the market.
Other operators
Several companies have already expressed interest in launching competing services, including Spain’s Evolyn, the Dutch startup Heuro, and Virgin Group, backed by billionaire Richard Branson.
Deutsche Bahn and Renfe have also explored the possibility of running trains through the Channel Tunnel. These prospective operators could introduce new direct connections to Cologne, Frankfurt, Geneva, and Zurich, with further expansion to French destinations such as Marseille and Bordeaux under discussion. Some reports even suggest Milan in Italy as a future addition to the network, though this remains unconfirmed.
The collaboration between LSPH and Getlink will focus on reducing journey times, improving timetable coordination, and increasing the frequency of services in both directions.
Market research conducted by Eurotunnel indicates strong customer demand for these new routes, reinforcing the need for investment in international rail infrastructure.
A key component of the expansion is the redesign of St Pancras International to better handle the influx of passengers. The station, which already struggles with congestion during peak hours, will undergo modifications to improve security, border checks, and waiting areas.
A report commissioned by LSPH found that a modest amount of new infrastructure would alleviate many of the current constraints, paving the way for a more efficient and passenger-friendly experience.
Beyond infrastructure improvements, LSPH and Getlink are also advocating for ‘rail first’ policies to encourage governments to prioritise train travel for journeys under six hours. Their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalises a shared commitment to making high-speed rail the preferred mode of travel between the UK and mainland Europe.
2029
While the timeline for these new routes remains uncertain, Getlink has previously stated that it hopes to have services up and running by 2029.
If successful, the expansion would mark a significant shift in European travel, making high-speed rail a more viable and attractive option for passengers seeking to avoid the environmental impact of flying.
With London poised to become a true gateway to Europe by rail, the prospect of hopping on a train to Zurich or Frankfurt in just a few hours is becoming ever more tangible. As competition grows and services expand, the future of international rail travel looks set to be faster, more accessible, and more environmentally friendly than ever before.
A novel approach
It’s good to read LSPH is very much ware its station can’t handle new players alongside Eurostar. It’s all nice to hear other train operators are interested in running trains from the continent to Albion, but S Pancras International is currently way too suffocating.
Rail infrastructure managers getting involved is quite novel in the Channel Tunnel expansion story.
Services operating by 2029 sounds very ambitious though.
More on night trains and transcontinental train travel
- Eurostar scraps direct Amsterdam – Brussels – Marseille summer train service.
- European Commission commits to single-ticket train travel, Back-on-Track unconvinced it will happen.
- Switzerland, Czechia and Belgium top railway network density in Europe.
- SNCF Réseau confirms feasibility European Sleeper night train linking the Netherlands, Belgium, France to Barcelona in Spain.
- Back On Track Belgium not surprised inaugural European Sleeper from Brussels to Venice didn’t reach Italy.
- Arriva surveys customers for Groningen – Amsterdam – Utrecht – Antwerp – Brussels – Paris train.
- 31 MARCH 2025 | Reopening France – Italy Fréjus Rail Tunnel kickstarts Paris to Milan direct train connection.
- OUIGO ‘slow’ train between Brussels and Paris from 19 December 2024.
- GoVolta wants to run trains from Amsterdam to Bruges.
- Arriva Tri-Country Train between Maastricht, Liège and Aachen will start on Sunday 9 June 2024 without OV-chipkaart.
- European Sleeper night train service from the Netherlands and Belgium to Barcelona now delayed to 2027.
- EU train travel report sees increase in cross-border passenger trains and easier bookings.
- Brussels to Luxembourg by train under 2 hours by 2030?.
- Heuro wants to operate high speeds trains between Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Paris and London from 2028.
- Eurostar and five more train operators joined the European Agreement on Journey Continuation.
- ÖBB’s new Nightjet sleeper cars accommodate solo travellers with Mini Cabins.
- Trenitalia orders new Hitachi Frecciarossa trains suited for France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
- ÖBB’s Nightjet to connect Berlin to Brussels from December 2023.
- EUROCITY EC-8 | Basel to Cologne in SBB’s Panoramic Car.
- Trenitalia / FS confirms interest in connecting Spain to Brussels, Amsterdam and Berlin.
- Sampling NS’ new train and future Benelux rolling stock ICNG.
- REVIEW | Trenitalia Frecciarossa 1000 Paris – Milan in Business Executive.
- RAIL TOUR OF EUROPE | How easy is touring Europe by train?.
- Eight train connections between the Netherlands and Belgium by 2030?.
- REVIEW | ÖBB Nightjet Amsterdam – Zurich night train.
- Nightjet Vienna/Innsbruck to Brussels, or how we got thrown off the train in Aachen.
- Why the expensive ÖBB Nightjet is really not that expensive.
- Reliving the era of the great railway journeys, travelling overnight on Nightjet.
- How we plan a big rail trip.
- Ticket Distribution: the failure of railways to sell themselves.
- To use night trains in Portugal and Spain or not?.
- Night trains in Europe.
- Low-cost, long-haul trains to conquer Europe?.
- Fly now before it’s taxed and consider using the train instead.
A new use is being sought for the vacant space of Plopsa Station, located at the rear of Antwerp-Central Railway Station. Belgium‘s national train operator…
A new Europe-wide organisation aims to influence European Union rail policy and fix long-standing international rail problems. Independent rail campaigners have launched a new Europe-wide…
Private rail operator Snälltåget from Sweden is set to make a major push into international rail travel in 2026, unveiling in November 2025 a new…
FS Group / Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane / Trenitalia is moving forward with strategic investments to support its expanding international high-speed rail ambitions, including plans…
In January 2026, SNCF Voyageurs confirmed an additional order for 15 next-generation TGV M high-speed trains from Alstom, underlining its ambitions to expand further across…
The European Union should mandate ticket sharing and competitor display in upcoming law to make rail a more attractive and competitive option, Transport & Environment…
Dutch private railway operator Arriva, which has been planning to launch open-access services between the Netherlands and Paris in France, via Brussels in Belgium, will…
Belgium’s federal Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés) wants to make a direct train connection between Belgium and Switzerland possible again, Gazet van Antwerpen and…
Italy’s state-backed passenger operator Trenitalia, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) has launched a new visual identity for its flagship high-speed brand Frecciarossa, linking the rebrand…
Italy’s state-backed passenger operator Trenitalia, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) has launched a new visual identity for its flagship high-speed brand Frecciarossa, linking the rebrand to the next phase of its fleet renewal programme and to FS Group’s broader ambitions to expand across Europe.
The new logo and
Belgium and the Netherlands have taken a step towards improving cross-border rail connectivity, with a potential direct Brussels to Eindhoven train emerging as one of the most symbolic and politically significant projects in a newly signed joint declaration on rail cooperation.
The declaration was signed on 18 February 2026 in
Belgium and the Netherlands have taken a step towards improving cross-border rail connectivity, with a potential direct Brussels to Eindhoven train emerging as one of…
German passenger operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) confirmed to Belgian news agency Belga on Friday 20 February 2026 that it will introduce a new high-speed connection between Antwerp-Central Railway Station in Belgium and Cologne in Germany in September. The trains will also stop at Brussels Airport.
From September, a new ICE
German passenger operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) confirmed to Belgian news agency Belga on Friday 20 February 2026 that it will introduce a new high-speed connection…
Trenitalia is accelerating towards 2030 with a major €2 billion investment programme aimed at strengthening its leadership in high-speed rail and transforming Italy’s passenger rail sector. Gianpiero Strisciuglio, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Trenitalia, outlined the strategy at the Forum Masseria Winter Edition, confirming the purchase of
Trenitalia is accelerating towards 2030 with a major €2 billion investment programme aimed at strengthening its leadership in high-speed rail and transforming Italy’s passenger rail…
As of September 2026, Deutsche Bahn will connect Brussels Airport with Cologne with a high-speed train, linking German passengers in only 2 hours to the more than 180 direct destinations of Brussels Airport. Brussels Airlines launches a codeshare agreement with German rail operator Deutsche Bahn, which means that the train
As of September 2026, Deutsche Bahn will connect Brussels Airport with Cologne with a high-speed train, linking German passengers in only 2 hours to the…
Deutsche Bahn loves Belgium, it seems. It will run ICE services from Cologne in Germany to Ostend on summer weekends, starting Saturday 6 June 2026.…
Deutsche Bahn loves Belgium, it seems. It will run ICE services from Cologne in Germany to Ostend on summer weekends, starting Saturday 6 June 2026.…
The Dutch–Belgian cooperative European Sleeper has postponed the launch of its new Brussels–Cologne–Zurich–Milan night train to 9 September 2026, instead of the previously announced 18 June 2026. Ticket sales will open on 17 March 2026. The company states that the delay is primarily due to extensive
The Dutch–Belgian cooperative European Sleeper has postponed the launch of its new Brussels–Cologne–Zurich–Milan night train to 9 September 2026, instead of the previously announced 18…
The Dutch–Belgian cooperative European Sleeper has postponed the launch of its new Brussels–Cologne–Zurich–Milan night train to 9 September 2026, instead of the previously announced 18…
When President Emmanuel Macron announced a major renaissance of night trains in 2020, the ambition was clear: by 2030 France should operate a dense network…
When President Emmanuel Macron announced a major renaissance of night trains in 2020, the ambition was clear: by 2030 France should operate a dense network…
Deutsche Bahn has published a press release on Wednesday 4 March 2026 regarding its plans for Belgium coming summer. It confirms this post of 1…
Deutsche Bahn has published a press release on Wednesday 4 March 2026 regarding its plans for Belgium coming summer. It confirms this post of 1…
After two years of planning and delays, GoVolta is set to launch its first international train services on Thursday 19 March 2026, connecting Amsterdam in…
Starting with the very first departure on 26 March, European Sleeper‘s Paris-Brussels-Berlin night train will also call at Aulnoye-Aymeries, Mons, and Liège-Guillemins. Paris-North, Aulnoye-Aymeries, Mons,…
A week before the planned launch of GoVolta’s new international rail service from Amsterdam, Dutch rail operator Train Charter Services (TCS) has been confirmed as…
On 12 November 2025, the European Commission presented a new fact-finding study assessing the current state of the European hyperloop sector and exploring possible avenues…
A sleek, deep-blue train gliding across Europe at 400 km/h. Passengers board in Helsinki and arrive in Berlin just three hours later. Freight bypasses congested…
Italian state-backed Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS or FS Group) is accelerating its expansion into Europe’s high-speed rail market, confirming plans for a major maintenance…