More trains and routes linking UK to France (and other European countries) expected under new agreement

The number of international rail services between London and Europe is set to expand after agreements between transit partners managing the rail network and the Channel Tunnel.

The agreements are between London St Pancras Highspeed (LSPH) – formerly known as HS1 – that runs the high-speed line in the UK and GetLink (the Channel Tunnel operator). 

They are planning to reduce journey times, increase coordination, increase the number of hourly trains, and explore the possibility of new international routes. 

These could see direct trains link London and other destinations in France alongside Lille/Paris (currently served by the Eurostar), as well as Germany, Switzerland, and potentially as far south as Italy. 

It comes as St Pancras station in London – the only international rail station in the UK and also managed by LSPH – looks to triple the number of international passengers it can process per hour to 5,000, greatly increasing capacity. 

Read more: London-France Eurostar ends biometric check-in as station prepares for Entry-Exit System

Getlink hopes new international services will run by 2029 although this has yet to be confirmed. 

The two companies will “actively work together to encourage new and existing train operators to expand capacity and launch new destinations unlocking the potential of a fully connected Europe,” said LSPH chief executive Robert Sinclair. 

Eurostar competitor on way?

The news comes as several companies are reportedly taking an interest in running routes on the line. 

Eurostar, which is ultimately majority owned by SNCF via the Eurostar Group, does not have a monopoly on running international rail routes through the Channel Tunnel nor on the high-speed lines connecting London to Paris and other destinations once on the continent. 

However, it is the only service to have provided a passenger only rail link through the tunnel (GetLink offers Le Shuttle, which transports passengers only when accompanying vehicles and freight) since its opening over 30 years ago.

Read more: Eurotunnel marks 30 year anniversary of Anglo-French engineering feat

Britain’s rail regulator – the Office of Rail and Road – announced a cut in prices for companies using the high-speed track between the capital and the channel tunnel in January 2025, hoping to spur new providers to run routes up to and through the tunnel. 

Last month, a Spanish company confirmed that Virgin Group asked them to source 12 high-speed trains reportedly to use for an international high-speed route linking London with Europe.

Read more: Clues that Virgin Group plans to challenge Eurostar on Channel Tunnel route