Eurostar is expanding its network with three new high-speed rail routes, including a direct London to Antwerp service launching this year, a Frankfurt route targeted for the early 2030s, and a potential connection to Switzerland. The rail operator, which carries around 20 million passengers annually across Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, currently operates four cross-channel routes from London: Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Lille, plus seasonal ski trains to the French Alps.
London to Antwerp: Direct from December 2026
From December 14, Eurostar plans to launch a direct high-speed service from London St. Pancras to Antwerp, Belgium. Currently, travelers to Antwerp must change in Brussels, making the journey about 3 hours and 15 minutes. The new direct service will cut about 45 minutes, taking just over 2.5 hours.
However, the inbound journey from Antwerp to London will still require a change at Brussels because Antwerpen-Centraal lacks dedicated UK border and customs facilities, with no near-term plans to add them. Customers can book a combined SNCB and Eurostar ticket via eurostar.com, connecting at Brussels-Midi for UK checks.
Departure times from London are scheduled at 06:16, 08:16, 11:04, and 18:04, arriving at 09:57, 11:57, 14:57, and 21:57 respectively. Tickets are already on sale, starting from £51.
Frankfurt Route and New Celestia Trains
Eurostar announced plans to purchase Celestia, a fleet of up to 50 new double-decker trains costing around €2bn (£1.7bn), from manufacturer Alstom. These trains are expected to increase capacity by 20% and reduce energy consumption by up to 50%. They will also lead to a 30% increase in trains servicing London.
The new Frankfurt route, a five-hour service, aims to offer a faster, more sustainable alternative to short-haul flights. Eurostar is partnering with Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany's national railway. Former Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the project 'a step towards a better-connected Europe, with direct benefits for the people of the UK,' noting potential boosts to tourism, investment, and bilateral trade.
No firm timetable or intermediate stops have been announced, but authorities suggest 'substantial progress' should be made over the next decade to begin services in the early 2030s.
Switzerland: Direct Connection in the Works
Eurostar has plans for high-speed trains from London to Zurich and Geneva. Currently, a London-Zurich journey takes about 7.5 hours with at least one connection. In May, Eurostar signed an 'important milestone' agreement with Swiss operator SBB and France's SNCF Voyageurs to 'establish a potential direct connection between London and Switzerland.'
The next steps include analyzing timetables and operational concepts, with the partners aiming to launch 'as soon as possible.' However, several hurdles remain, including 'preparing the entry formalities and the necessary infrastructure and intergovernmental agreements, and ensuring the availability of suited trains and train paths.' If all goes to plan, Eurostar believes the earliest feasible route would be in the 2030s.
Double-Decker Trains Through the Channel Tunnel
The Celestia fleet will be the first double-decker high-speed trains to run through the Channel Tunnel, with hopes of using the first six trains by 2031. They must undergo a years-long certification process for the tunnel and each operating country. Each train will be 4.33 meters high—16cm higher than current E320 models—and 200m long. If two run together, they could host 1,080 travelers. Deutsche Bahn already operates double-decker trains for regional and select long-distance routes in Germany.
The expansion reflects Eurostar's commitment to growing rail travel, with the Antwerp route launching this year and Frankfurt and Switzerland expected in the next decade.
