Eurostar has announced plans to introduce direct services from London to Frankfurt and Geneva, as part of a major investment in its future fleet. The new routes will be made possible by a new fleet of up to 50 trains, expected to enter service in the early 2030s.
These services will include:
- London – Frankfurt
- London – Geneva
- Amsterdam/Brussels – Geneva
The operator will now work with international partners to develop the infrastructure and regulatory approvals needed for these services.
Expansion of Amsterdam Route in 2025
In the shorter term, Eurostar will reinstate direct services between London, Rotterdam and Amsterdam from February 2025. The frequency will increase to four trains per day from 9 September and to five daily services by mid-December.
Strong financial performance and passenger growth
The expansion plans coincide with the publication of Eurostar’s 2024 financial results. Despite inflationary pressures and rising fixed costs, the company recorded an EBITDA of EUR 346 million. Passenger numbers grew to over 19.5 million in 2024, a 5% increase on the previous year, reflecting continued demand for international rail travel.
Eurostar aims to carry 30 million passengers annually in the coming years. Revenue reached EUR 2.0 billion, up 2% year-on-year.
Eurostar plans EUR 2 billion fleet investment
To support its growth and network ambitions, Eurostar will invest approximately EUR 2 billion in up to 50 new trains, which will operate across its entire network. These will run alongside its existing fleet of 17 e320 trains, bringing the total to 67 trains – a 30% increase in capacity.
Eurostar currently operates four train types:
- 17 e320s (894 seats)
- 8 e300s (750 seats)
- 17 PBKA (371–399 seats)
- 9 PBA (371 seats)
The e320 and e300 fleets are used on cross-Channel services, while PBKA and PBA units serve continental routes.
“We’re seeing strong demand for train travel across Europe, with customers wanting to go further by rail than ever before and enjoy the unique experience we provide. Despite the challenging economic climate, Eurostar is growing and has bold ambitions for the future,” Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave said.
She added: “Our new fleet will make new destinations for customers a reality – notably direct trains between London and Germany, and between London and Switzerland for the first time. A new golden age of international sustainable travel is here.”
“2024 is an exceptional year, crowned by the successes of the Olympic Games. Eurostar is in good shape to serve 30 million passengers and the ambition to develop our European services remains strong,” Alain Krakovitch, President of the Eurostar Group and Director of TGV-INTERCITÉS at SNCF Voyageurs, said,
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander welcomed the investment: “This is a huge step in promoting green travel across Europe and boosting our international rail connections.”
She continued: “Last month, I signed a landmark agreement to deliver a direct rail link between London and Switzerland, paving the way for direct commercial services. Today’s announcement shows that the government’s plan for change is rapidly strengthening the links between major cities across Europe, creating more opportunities to travel, work, and socialise.”
Key routes drivinggGrowth
Eurostar’s strongest-performing routes in 2024 included:
- London–Paris (+280,000 passengers)
- London–Brussels (+250,000)
- Paris–Brussels (+160,000)
- Paris–Netherlands (+140,000)
The group also successfully refinanced its existing bank debt in 2024. Total bank debt stood at EUR 650 million by year-end, down from EUR 963.7 million.
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