FS Italiane Group, known through its brand Trenitalia, announces a plan to launch a new high-speed rail service connecting London and Paris by 2029. This was announced in a press release.
With a planned investment of 1 billion euros, the new link is part of the objectives of the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, which places the extension of high-speed connections in Europe among the FS Group’s priorities.
In recent days, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the FS Group and Evolyn – a Spanish company, led by Cosmen family, with solid experience in the management and expansion of mobility projects – to further strengthen the European high-speed rail leadership project.
“This investment is a decisive step forward in FS Group’s vision of building a more integrated, competitive and sustainable European rail network, in line with the objectives of the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, which places an increasing focus on passenger transport abroad to accelerate FS Group’s international development”, stated Stefano Antonio Donnarumma, FS Group Chief Executive Officer and General Manager.
“High-speed rail networks are the backbone of efficient and environmentally friendly mobility, and by expanding our presence on key corridors, we are not just investing in infrastructure and innovation, but also in the future of European transport. More competition will help to create a more efficient and customer-oriented industry, offering a real alternative to air travel”.
The aim is to increase rail competitiveness between London and Paris, and the new link will be served with train sets inspired by the Frecciarossa, Made in Italy top-of-the-range class, in terms of energy efficiency, comfort and service quality.
The announcement comes after confirmation from the United Kingdom‘s Office of Rail and Road (ORR) on the possibility for access to the Temple Mills maintenance depot, allowing the entry of a new operator between London and Paris.
The consolidated presence of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane both in France, with Trenitalia France, and in the United Kingdom, with Trenitalia UK, offers an important competitive advantage to enter this strategic corridor.
As such, the Group will be able to offer travellers a greater range of products, an increasingly high-quality service and simplified ticketing, taking advantage of an already well-known brand.
After obtaining the necessary licences and permits in France, FS Group is working with the main stakeholders to manage all regulatory and operational aspects. Technical assessments are currently under-way to ensure an optimal integration of the new high-speed services through the Eurotunnel and the railway networks of France and the UK.
Moreover, operational planning of additional capacity at St. Pancras station is already at an advanced stage, while possible funding options are being evaluated.
The official service launch will be based according to infrastructure works completion and technical authorisations, and will mark the beginning of a new era of competition and accessibility in the European high-speed rail landscape.
FS Group in France and the UK
In France, FS Group has been the first alternative operator on the high-speed network since 2021, with the Frecciarossa Milan-Paris connection reactivated on 1 April 2025, after the landslide interruption in the Maurienne Valley, with the shuttle services between Paris and Lyon and, from 15 June 2025, with the Frecciarossa connection between Paris and Marseille.
With over three million passengers served and a 98% satisfaction rate, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane is committed to strengthening and expanding its existing corridors to further improve connectivity and service availability.
FS Group also has an established presence in the UK, where it has been present since 2017 with the acquisition of c2c, and is also a key partner of Avanti West Coast with a 30% stake in the joint venture with FirstGroup. Through the latter, it is actively working with government and institutions to develop and promote the HS2 project.
In addition to the London-Paris link, FS Group is studying further opportunities for expansion of high-speed rail in Europe. Evaluations are under-way for possible extensions of the London-Paris service via Lille, Ashford, Lyon, Marseilles and Milan.
Competition
Eurostar is facing competition. Virgin, SBB, Heuro and now FS with Evolyn. Which project will make it.
FS is also interested in running trains to Belgium and the Netherlands. But it’s the Eurotunnel which is grabbing attention lately.
Jon Worth of #CrossBorderProject puts Trenitalia with Evolyn at the front of the queue. “Trenitalia already has a large fleet of Hitachi Frecciarossa 1000 trains that have been running in France since 2021, and are equipped with the TVM-430 signalling system used on LGV Nord in France, the Channel Tunnel and HS1 in the UK. Hitachi is currently in the middle of delivering the latest tranche of 30 of these trains, and there is an option for 10 more. Evacuation and fire safety for the Channel Tunnel are likely to prove to be no major headache, as Italy already has among the strictest fire safety rules for its railways in Europe.”
Will Trenitalia offer Executive Class on these cross-channel trains? Perhaps the journey is too short.
More on night trains and transcontinental train travel
- London St. Pancras Highspeed pledges financial support for cross-Channel rail services.
- Competition for Eurostar? Temple Mills International Depot has space for competitor’s trains.
- The end of the Brussels – Berlin ÖBB Nightjet.
- REVIEW | European Sleeper night train.
- European Sleeper now “truly” riding to Venice.
- Dutch budget train GoVolta postponed after not getting funds.
- London St Pancras Highspeed and Getlink aspire to to triple train services to France, Belgium and the Netherlands and add services to Germany and Switzerland.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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…