Train travel within Europe – and to Europe from London via the Chunnel – just keeps getting easier and better. Eurostar, which operates the largest international high-speed rail network in Western Europe, has recently announced new routes that will tickle your itch to ride the rails. Its just-announced new destinations will be served by new trains, and highlight just how connected Britain still is to the continent, especially via the high speed trains that whisk passengers through the tunnel under the British Channel to the mainland.

The resurgence in popularity of train travel in Europe keeps growing, with Eurostar seeing 19.5 million passengers in the past year – up 5%. The high-speed train company has ambitions to carry 30 million travelers annually, which seems well within reach.

The company is investing €2 billion in new trains which will all be able to operate across its whole network. The new trains will operate alongside Eurostar’s current fleet bringing its total fleet to 67 trains – a 30% increase.

Eurostar’s fleet of new trains will be in service from early 2030s and is planned to operate three new direct routes, including two between London and European destinations:

London – Frankfurt, Germany
London – Geneva, Switzerland
Amsterdam, the Netherlands /Brussels, Belgium – Geneva

More immediately, Eurostar recently re-instated direct services between London, Rotterdam and Amsterdam, with a fourth daily service being added from 9 September, 2025 and a fifth from mid-December.

Eurostar’s CEO says the announcement is launching a new ‘golden age of international sustainable travel:

“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. 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.”

According to the company, a Eurostar journey on a current route from London to Amsterdam emits 80% less carbon than the equivalent short haul flight making it “a clear choice for the future of travel in Europe.”

It also touts the ease of Eurostar high speed, rather than air, travel:

Seamless city centre to city center travel, with stations located in the heart of the cities where you want to stay
Comfort and space on board to work or unwind with wifi connectivity and onboard entertainment
Fast and convenient check-in - passengers are asked to arrive only 30 minutes before departure
Generous, free-of-charge baggage allowance with no lineups or baggage reclaim upon arrival - simply take your bag with you on board

Eurostar currently operates in five countries: the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Germany. The most popular routes in 2024 included:

London–Paris (+280,000 passengers)
London–Brussels (+250,000 passengers)
Paris–Brussels (+160,000 passengers)
Paris–Netherlands (+140,000 passengers)

Fleet

Eurostar currently operates a fleet of 51 trains in 4 models, ranging from under 400 to nearly 900 seats. Some models are dedicated to cross-Channel routes, while others operate continental services.

Its new investment will grow the fleet to up to 67 trains.

About Eurostar

Eurostar operates the largest international high-speed rail network in Western Europe, serving 28 destinations across Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Your expert travel advisor can help you book multiple Eurostar legs as part of a longer journey, including connecting trains. While Eurostar doesn't offer "multi-city" or "open jaw" tickets like some airlines, they can help you plan a rail route and book separate Eurostar legs or combine them with other train services for your complete European journey.