Plans Announced to Expand Direct Train Routes from London to Europe

London St Pancras and Channel Tunnel operator Getlink aim to triple passenger capacity and add new international rail connections to Germany, Switzerland, and beyond.

London St Pancras Highspeed and Getlink have signed an agreement to collaborate on expanding international train services from the UK to Europe.
Proposals include boosting station capacity from 1,800 to nearly 5,000 passengers per hour to accommodate new routes and operators.
Potential destinations for new direct train services include Cologne, Frankfurt, Geneva, Zurich, and Milan, though timelines remain unclear.
Eurostar’s current monopoly on Channel Tunnel passenger services could face competition from operators like Virgin Group and Evolyn.
The expansion aims to make rail travel a preferred low-carbon alternative to flying, with improved infrastructure and streamlined border processes planned.