The UK’s Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, and Switzerland’s Federal Councillor, Albert Rösti, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a UK – Swiss direct rail link for future commercial services that could boost tourism to the UK, support jobs and businesses and strengthen cross-border trade.
“A direct rail connection between Switzerland and the United Kingdom is an ambitious goal. With this memorandum of understanding, we are establishing the basis to jointly examine concrete next steps. Such a connection would send a strong signal for international public transport,” the Swiss Federal Councillor said.
The agreement, signed on 9 May 2025, at London St Pancras Station, signifies the British government’s ambition to boost sustainable transport links across Europe and unlock the significant economic, social and environmental benefits a direct rail connection brings.
Following the signing, a joint working group will be established, bringing together government and industry experts from both countries to examine how best to overcome the commercial and technical barriers to launching a direct service.
This includes establishing Channel Tunnel safety requirements, new security arrangements and facilitating conversations with operators.
The new working group will hold its first meeting in the coming months to begin developing a clear action plan addressing operational, regulatory, policy and commercial requirements.
The move will help formalise cooperation between the two governments, building on industry efforts, to address the barriers to establishing direct rail services, in particular the need to establish border controls and meet Channel Tunnel safety rules.
It will also support the industry’s existing plans to realise long-term ambitions for enhanced rail connectivity between the UK and central Europe.
A UK – Swiss direct rail link “has the potential to boost tourism, grow our economy and bring people closer together – all while offering a greener option for passengers. This is an exciting and important milestone in our efforts to strengthen international rail connections and promote greener travel to Europe,” the Transport Secretary said.
Currently, Eurostar passengers can book their journey between London and Geneva, Zurich, Basel or Lausanne via Paris, Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO Eurostar, explained, underlining that the MoU is “a first step in a wider plan with our partners to grow connections in the greenest way.”
The medium-term goal is to establish the UK – Swiss direct rail link that will require check-in terminals at departure stations in both countries, since the UK is not a member of the Schengen area, plus an agreement between Switzerland, France and the United Kingdom.
There is high demand for travel between Switzerland and the UK. This is reflected in the large number of flight connections between Swiss airports and London. The Confederation believes that there is also potential for a direct rail connection if the journey time is right.
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