Overview

• A report by consultancy Steer predicts international train fares through the Channel Tunnel may decrease by up to 30% if passenger demand grows significantly.
• Passenger numbers for high-speed rail between London and Europe are expected to triple from 11 million to 35 million annually by 2040.
• London St Pancras High Speed plans to double station capacity to handle nearly 5,000 international passengers per hour, anticipating demand growth.
• New operators, including Virgin Group, FS Italiane Group, and Gemini, are preparing to compete with Eurostar, ending its decades-long monopoly.
• The shift toward rail travel is driven by climate concerns and the convenience of direct city-to-city connections, supported by regulatory changes and infrastructure investments.