One of Europe's most beautiful train stations could soon get direct routes from the UK

Scottish Sun

28-05-2025

Currently, Brits can only travel to five European places by direct train with Eurostar
GRAND DESTINATION One of Europe's most beautiful train stations could soon get direct routes from the UK
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ONE of Europe's most beautiful train stations could soon get direct routes from the UK.
The Sun earlier revealed that there are new plans to expand train routes from the UK which would double the European countries on offer.
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One of Europe's most beautiful train stations could soon get direct routes from the UK
Credit: Getty
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The imposing design of the Art Deco building was intended to showcase the dominance of then-Prime Minister Mussolini's fascist regime
Credit: Getty
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Milano Centrale train station hall is stunning at night
Credit: Getty
Currently, Brits can travel to five places by direct train with Eurostar - Paris, Lille, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
Previous routes have been scrapped in recent years but new plans have suggested routes from the UK to seven other cities in Germany, Switzerland, France and Italy.
However, Milan could be the first Italian city with a direct train route from the UK, although is unlikely to start anytime before 2030.
Currently trains take between 10-12 hours, with changes in Paris so this would be one of the longest routes on offer.
It's main train station - Milano Centrale - was opened in the early 1930s, replacing an older and smaller station.
The imposing design of the Art Deco building was intended to showcase the dominance of then-Prime Minister Mussolini's fascist regime.
There are 24 tracks at Centrale, with a soaring glass and metal arched roof over the platforms.
The lowest level of the station has shops, restaurants, and an entry to the Milan Metro.
On the mezzanine and upper levels there are even more shops and restaurants.
The station offers regular daily service to cities throughout Italy, as well as international destinations in other parts of Europe.
The short Irish train journey perfect for summer day out with 'stunning views'
Milan is a major international tourist destination, appearing among the most visited cities in the world, ranking second in Italy after Rome, fifth in Europe and sixteenth in the world.
The city is a major cultural centre, with museums and art galleries that include some of the most important collections in the world, such as major works by Leonardo da Vinci.
Milan has also been recognized as one of the world's four fashion capitals.
Many of the most famous luxury fashion brands in the world have their headquarters in the city, including: Armani, Prada, Versace, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, and Moschino.
Sun Travel's favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel's journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
"After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass." - Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
"Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you're whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too - as you'll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way." Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
"Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what's so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won't have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord." - Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
"From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond." - Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
"The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city's high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I've witnessed anywhere." - Ryan Gray
So whether exploring Milan's scenic canals or visiting its famous Duomo cathedral, there is no shortage of things to do in the modern Fashion Capital of Milan.
The other possible destinations
Here are the other new destinations that Brit's could one day reach by train - including how likely they are to happen.
The UK once had direct routes to Marseille, taking around six hours, so this is the most likely to happen.
While it was cancelled in 2020, it once ran up to four times a week, so it could be easy to restore.
Another French route being suggested is London to Bordeaux, although this was first put forward back in 2018.
This is also most likely with a plan suggesting a route from 2026.
Cologne is another more likely destinations that could be joined to the UK by direct train, being the closest to Brussels.
Currently, Eurostar trains take around two hours to Brussels, with Cologne another two hours from there.
Another likely train route is Frankfurt, there was even a direct route from the city to London back in 2010, although hopes for this to be a continuous route were scrapped.
A direct route from London to the Swiss city of Zurich are also on the cards, which would be the first for the country.
But, currently taking around seven hours, the long journey time is likely to make the direct UK route less likely.
Another Swiss city wanting a direct route is Geneva which could be more likely than Zurich as it would link up to Milan.