Eurostar and Swiss Railways Sign Agreement to Explore Direct London-Switzerland Services

Plans for direct rail services between London and Switzerland have taken a major step forward after Eurostar, SNCF Voyageurs and Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) signed a new agreement to jointly explore the development of cross-border routes.

The three operators have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at examining the feasibility of introducing direct high-speed train services linking London with major Swiss cities including Geneva, Zurich and Basel.

The agreement marks the latest development in wider ambitions to expand international rail connectivity from the UK into mainland Europe as demand for sustainable long-distance travel continues to grow.

Eurostar previously announced plans to reach Geneva during the 2030s using its future fleet of new-generation “Celestia” high-speed trains, but the new partnership could potentially open the door to additional destinations across Switzerland.

Initial studies carried out by the operators suggest direct journey times could be highly competitive with air travel, with estimated travel times of:

• Around 5 hours to Basel

• Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to Geneva

• Roughly 6 hours to Zurich

The operators said there is “significant potential” for direct services, particularly given that London remains the most popular flight destination from Switzerland.

Work Begins on Timetables and Operational Planning

The next phase of the project will involve developing potential timetables, operational concepts and infrastructure requirements needed to support international services.

A range of technical and operational challenges still need to be addressed before services could become reality, including:

• Availability of train paths through multiple rail networks

• Suitable rolling stock approvals

• Border control and passport screening arrangements

• Security requirements

• Capacity at London terminals and European stations

As a result, any direct London-Switzerland rail services are not expected to launch until the 2030s.

Eurostar’s future “Celestia” fleet — which is expected to enter passenger service from 2031 — is likely to play a key role in the expansion plans. The operator currently has a confirmed order for 30 new high-speed trains, with options for an additional 20 units.

Swiss Expansion Plans Continue

While Swiss Federal Railways has not yet confirmed whether it intends to directly operate services to London itself, the operator has been actively exploring the procurement of up to 40 new high-speed trains to support future international growth.

In late 2025, SBB shortlisted AlphaTrains, Beacon Rail, Rock Rail and Willow Group to progress into the next stage of a tender process linked to the leasing of potential new rolling stock.

SNCF Voyageurs and SBB already jointly operate the TGV Lyria network between France and Switzerland, providing existing high-speed links between cities including Paris, Geneva, Lausanne and Zurich.

The latest agreement reflects growing momentum behind international rail expansion across Europe, with operators increasingly positioning high-speed rail as a lower-carbon alternative to short-haul aviation.

If successful, direct services between London and Switzerland would represent one of the most significant expansions of international rail connectivity from the UK since the launch of Eurostar services through the Channel Tunnel.