A proposal has been put forward to expand train services from London to Europe, potentially including direct rail routes to Germany and Switzerland. Swiss national railways, SBB, is in the planning stages for a new five-hour service between St Pancras and Basel using Eurostar trains. In addition, Spanish company Evolyn aims to introduce a direct link to Frankfurt, Cologne, and Zurich.
There has been speculation of other companies joining the competition in recent months. Sir Richard Branson is reportedly considering operating train services, and Dutch train start-up Heuro hopes to launch a rival service within the next five years.
Currently, the journey from London to Basel requires passengers to change trains three times, often taking up to seven hours. This typically involves taking a train to Paris Gare du Nord, transferring to the Gare de Lyon via the metro, and then catching a train to Basel.
The proposed new route seeks to streamline the travel process by offering a direct journey with just one train, as well as a single check for security and passport control at the departing station. However, no specific timeline has been provided for these proposed changes.
Philipp Mader, the Head of International Passenger Transport at Swiss Federal Railways, confirmed the plans at the Swiss Travel Association conference. Mader stated, “As a long-distance destination, we are looking into a direct train from Switzerland to London, the most frequently flown city in Europe. Basel to London in around five hours, that’s possible.”
Mader also highlighted the challenges of implementing such changes, citing the expensive infrastructure involved in the route, particularly due to the Eurotunnel journey.
Swiss MP Matthias Aebischer has expressed support for the proposal, urging the Swiss government to explore the possibility of direct rail links between Basel and London. In a letter, he noted, “There are already direct rail connections from London to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, and even with cities such as Lyon and Marseille. It must therefore be possible to do this also for Switzerland, in particular with Basel.”
Additionally, Eurotunnel’s owner, Getlink, revealed plans for new direct high-speed train routes from London to Geneva and Zurich, as well as other locations, with a potential timeline of five years.
The distance between London and Bern, the Swiss capital, is 464 miles, and the driving distance is 616 miles.
The proposed expansion of train services between London and Europe demonstrates ongoing efforts to improve transportation infrastructure and connectivity across the continent. If successful, these plans could significantly enhance travel options for passengers and further strengthen ties between the UK and its European neighbours.
