Rail enthusiasts, ready yourselves – you’ll soon be able to travel even further into the continent without the hassle and hustle of the airport terminal.
Eurostar, the largest international high-speed rail network in Western Europe, is celebrating further post-pandemic growth by adding a bunch of exciting new destinations to its network.
The first new destination joining Eurostar’s existing network of 28 is Frankfurt, the German city and one of Europe’s most important financial hubs – undoubtedly a win for business travellers eager to reclaim half a day (five-hour train time) while utilising the train’s WiFi. That said, the city’s buzzy cultural scene isn’t to be underestimated, with enough museums, theatres and top-notch restaurants to warrant a weekend spin.
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Second to join the direct connections from London is Geneva, the opulent Swiss city known for its luxury watchmaking, indulgent chocolatiers, and peaceful atmosphere, within reach of St Pancras International in five hours and 20 minutes.
In addition to the two new London connections, Eurostar is connecting Amsterdam and Geneva within six hours and 20 minutes, and Brussels to the Swiss city in four hours and 20 minutes – an excellent excuse for city-hopping with considerably less carbon emissions.
Eurostar’s CEO, Gwendoline Cazenave, said about the plans, “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. 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.”
Noting the sustainable benefits of the classic rail adventure, transport secretary Heidi Alexander said, “I am pleased to welcome this exciting investment into Eurostar services, which is a huge step in promoting green travel across Europe and boosting our international rail connections.
“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 by Eurostar shows that the government’s plan for change is rapidly strengthening the links between major cities in countries across Europe, creating more opportunities to travel, work, and socialise.”