A direct high-speed rail link between London and Switzerland has moved closer after Eurostar signed a new agreement with Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and SNCF Voyageurs to develop future services linking the UK with Geneva, Zurich and Basel.
The memorandum of understanding, announced this week, is a positive step that could see direct London–Switzerland trains finally become reality.
No need to change trains in Paris
If launched, the routes would eliminate the need for passengers to change stations in Paris, currently a limiter and inconvenience for many rail travellers heading from the UK to Switzerland.
At present, journeys typically require travellers to transfer between Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon before connecting onto TGV Lyria services.
Under the proposed plans, journey times could fall to around five hours to Basel, five-and-a-half hours to Geneva and six hours to Zurich.
Evidently for skiers wanting to travel by train, this would be a huge step forward and help satisfy the growing demand for international rail travel across Europe. Swiss operators believe the UK market represents one of the strongest opportunities for future growth, with London remaining one of Switzerland’s busiest international air routes.
Services unlikely to start before 2030
However, substantial challenges remain before the first trains can depart London St Pancras.
One of the biggest hurdles is border control infrastructure. Unlike most European rail routes, UK-bound services require airport-style security and passport screening before departure. Swiss stations would therefore need dedicated secure departure zones capable of accommodating UK border procedures.
Despite the momentum, industry sources caution that direct services are still likely several years away, with current projections pointing toward a launch sometime in the early 2030s.
