Latest news with #Cazenave
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New Eurostar services will whisk passengers from the UK to cities in Germany and Switzerland
Europe's rail renaissance is showing no signs of slowing as high-speed rail operator Eurostar reveals ambitious plans to expand its network. The company says it will introduce direct train connections from London to Germany and Switzerland, in what it calls the dawn of a "new golden age of international sustainable travel". The operator is also enhancing its existing offering by increasing services on popular routes. Here's what travellers can look forward to. Eurostar's proposed expansion includes establishing direct rail links between London St Pancras International and two key European destinations: Frankfurt in Germany and Geneva in Switzerland. The company plans to invest approximately €2 billion to acquire a substantial fleet of up to 50 new trains for the routes. These new services are expected to begin operating during the early 2030s and aim to rival air travel for the same trips. And journey times make the rail alternative attractive. Passengers travelling between London and Frankfurt can expect to arrive in approximately five hours, while those heading to Geneva will make the journey in around five hours and 20 minutes. Eurostar has not yet released details on intermediate stops and whether passengers will have the flexibility to get on and off at various points along the route. Related I took a 7-day trip from Paris to Istanbul on Europe's newest transcontinental train All of the cheese, none of the hassle: Why I took a small-group rail tour through Switzerland The new services are particularly aimed at business travel, with Eurostar's Chief Executive, Gwendoline Cazenave, highlighting that the destinations are 'big financial hubs'. Frankfurt and Geneva are also tourist hotspots, filled with culture, striking architecture and international events. Dates for the launch remain approximate as there are still several logistical challenges to implementing these new routes. These include expanding passenger facilities at destination stations, establishing new border control checkpoints, and securing track access agreements. Despite these hurdles, Cazenave remains optimistic about the project's success, citing strong commitment from Eurostar, passenger demand, and government support. Eurostar's expanded fleet will also enable it to increase frequency on popular routes. This includes boosting daily return services between London and Paris from 17 to 20. The company has also confirmed plans to introduce a fourth daily return service between St Pancras and Amsterdam beginning on 9 September, with a fifth service added from mid-December. Currently, Eurostar operates services connecting London to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and seasonal routes to the French Alps during the winter sports season. It also runs train links within Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands. The operator transported 19.5 million passengers last year - a five per cent increase from 18.6 million in 2023. The London-Paris route proved most popular with 280,000 passengers, followed by London-Brussels with 250,000 passengers. While Eurostar currently enjoys a monopoly on passenger services through the Channel Tunnel, several competitors are developing plans to challenge this, including Virgin Group, Italy's FS Italiane Group, and Gemini Trains.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Eurostar plans direct trains from London to Germany and Switzerland
Eurostar has unveiled plans to launch direct train services connecting the United Kingdom with Germany and Switzerland. The operator claimed a "new golden age of international sustainable travel is here" as it announced proposals to run trains between London St Pancras and both Frankfurt and Geneva from the early 2030s. These routes would be served by a fleet of up to 50 new trains, costing approximately €2 billion ($2.3 billion). Journey times would be about five hours between London and Frankfurt, and five hours and 20 minutes between London and Geneva. It has not been decided what stops the services would make – such as Cologne for trains to or from Frankfurt – and whether passengers would be able to get on and off en route. Eurostar chief executive Gwendoline Cazenave told the PA news agency many passengers are prepared to take longer train journeys rather than flying as they "want to travel more sustainably." She expects there would be strong demand from leisure and business travellers for direct services to Frankfurt and Geneva, which she described as "big financial hubs." A number of hurdles must be overcome before services could launch, such as creating sufficient passenger space at those stations, installing new border checkpoints and securing access to tracks. Cazenave acknowledged that opening new international train routes requires "time, investments, expertise, a huge amount of energy and partnerships" but she has "no doubt" the new direct services will happen because of the "willingness" of Eurostar, passengers and governments. The UK and Switzerland signed a memorandum of understanding last month aimed at establishing direct train services between the countries. Eurostar will operate the new trains alongside its 17 existing e320s, bringing its total fleet to 67 trains, a 30% increase on today. The operator's London trains serve Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam and the French Alps during the ski season. It also runs services within Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands. It carried 19.5 million passengers last year, up 5% from 18.6 million in 2023. Cazenave said: "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." Eurostar achieved a 2% increase in revenue to €2 billion last year, and recorded underlying earnings of €346 million. Eurostar is majority-owned by French state railway company SNCF. The UK sold its stake in Eurostar to private companies in 2015.
Euronews
2 days ago
- Business
- Euronews
Eurostar plans direct trains from the UK to Germany and Switzerland
Europe's rail renaissance is showing no signs of slowing as high-speed rail operator Eurostar reveals ambitious plans to expand its network. The company says it will introduce direct train connections from London to Germany and Switzerland, in what it calls the dawn of a "new golden age of international sustainable travel". The operator is also enhancing its existing offering by increasing services on popular routes. Here's what travellers can look forward to. Eurostar's proposed expansion includes establishing direct rail links between London St Pancras International and two key European destinations: Frankfurt in Germany and Geneva in Switzerland. The company plans to invest approximately €2 billion to acquire a substantial fleet of up to 50 new trains for the routes. These new services are expected to begin operating during the early 2030s and aim to rival air travel for the same trips. And journey times make the rail alternative attractive. Passengers travelling between London and Frankfurt can expect to arrive in approximately five hours, while those heading to Geneva will make the journey in around five hours and 20 minutes. Eurostar has not yet released details on intermediate stops and whether passengers will have the flexibility to get on and off at various points along the route. The new services are particularly aimed at business travel, with Eurostar's Chief Executive, Gwendoline Cazenave, highlighting that the destinations are 'big financial hubs'. Frankfurt and Geneva are also tourist hotspots, filled with culture, striking architecture and international events. Dates for the launch remain approximate as there are still several logistical challenges to implementing these new routes. These include expanding passenger facilities at destination stations, establishing new border control checkpoints, and securing track access agreements. Despite these hurdles, Cazenave remains optimistic about the project's success, citing strong commitment from Eurostar, passenger demand, and government support. Eurostar's expanded fleet will also enable it to increase frequency on popular routes. This includes boosting daily return services between London and Paris from 17 to 20. The company has also confirmed plans to introduce a fourth daily return service between St Pancras and Amsterdam beginning on 9 September, with a fifth service added from mid-December. Currently, Eurostar operates services connecting London to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and seasonal routes to the French Alps during the winter sports season. It also runs train links within Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands. The operator transported 19.5 million passengers last year - a five per cent increase from 18.6 million in 2023. The London-Paris route proved most popular with 280,000 passengers, followed by London-Brussels with 250,000 passengers. While Eurostar currently enjoys a monopoly on passenger services through the Channel Tunnel, several competitors are developing plans to challenge this, including Virgin Group, Italy's FS Italiane Group, and Gemini Trains. If you're looking for a paradisiacal seaside escape this summer, this new ranking might help you choose between Europe's myriad coastal delights. Each year, Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform, releases a list of the world's top beaches based on reviews left by travellers on their website. Four European beaches made the top ten of their Travellers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Beaches for 2025 - including one that took the top spot. Here's where to find the best beaches in Europe for 2025. The analysis of Tripadvisor reviews concluded that travellers' favourite seaside spot in Europe for 2025 is Elafonissi Beach on the island of Crete. The Greek beach is back on the list for the first time in four years, soaring up 23 places to secure the number one spot. It is famous for its pale pink sand, which one reviewer described as 'breathtaking' at sunset. The beach has shallow lagoons perfect for paddling with children and deeper waters for swimming and snorkelling. Nature-lovers can take a cool hike in the surrounding forest of cedar trees or spot birds on the sandbanks. The fifth spot was taken by Praia da Falésia in Portugal's Algarve region. The beach is known for its sweep of dramatic, ochre cliffs, rising up 70 metres above the sand in some places. A scenic footpath runs along the top with sensational views. Down by the shore, the six kilometres of golden sands are perfect for sunbathing while beachgoers can take to the sparkling blue waters for swimming and body surfing. According to Tripadvisor reviews, the best time to visit is from April to October, when the weather is warm and sunny with minimal rainfall. The shoulder seasons of May to June and September to October also offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. Playa de Muro Beach in Mallorca, Spain, came in eighth place. Fringed by pine trees, it is a family-friendly spot with long stretches of golden sand and plenty of options for watersports. You can easily spend an entire day here, strolling, sunbathing, snorkelling, paddleboarding, or swimming in the warm sea. There are toilets, showers, and lifeguards on duty, and parking is free, or you can arrive by public transportation. With a Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and mild winters, the best time to visit is between July and August. Another Greek coastal spot came in 10th place. Surrounded by mountains, Myrtos Beach on the island of Kefalonia is the perfect scenic spot for a peaceful beach day. Travellers recommend taking a dip in the cobalt blue waters or going snorkelling, then grabbing a bite at a coffee shop nearby. It rarely gets crowded, so there's plenty of space to hang out and just enjoy the vibe. Visit in the spring from May to June or in early autumn for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Eurostar steps up plans for direct trains to Frankfurt
Eurostar has stepped up plans to run direct trains from London to Frankfurt and Geneva as it braces for fresh competition from new entrants in the Channel Tunnel rail market. The firm is aiming to begin direct services from St Pancras International early next decade using a fleet of 50 new trains that it intends to order later this year or early in 2026. Frankfurt could be reached in five hours and Geneva in five hours and 20 minutes, according to Eurostar, which hopes to attract both tourists and business people bound for the financial hubs. It comes after Britain's rail regulator said last week that a number of companies had been invited to submit plans for operating trains through the Tunnel in competition with Eurostar. Those include Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group, which exited the UK rail market in 2019, and Gemini Trains, chaired by the Labour peer Lord Berkeley, a former chairman of the Rail Freight Group. Trenitalia, the main operating arm of Italy's state railway company FS Italian, is also in the running and is expected to partner with Evolyn, backed by the Spanish Cosmen family. Gwendoline Cazenave, Eurostar's chief executive, told the Telegraph last year that she was working on plans to take passengers to cities as far afield as Frankfurt, Geneva and Zurich as the company prepared for an end to its near 30-year Channel Tunnel monopoly. Ms Cazenave said this week that subsequent studies had indicated that rail passengers are open to longer journeys spanning five hours or more, and that Eurostar's planned train order will be placed with 'bold ambitions' for new destinations in mind. She told The Telegraph: 'Eurostar plans to make direct rail links from London to Switzerland and Germany a reality, just like we did between London and the Netherlands. '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.' Eurostar already allows customers to book tickets from London to Geneva and Zurich, although they must change in Paris onto trains run by TGV Lyria, a sister company under French state rail operator SNCF. Discussions are continuing with Germany's Deutsche Bahn about a similar arrangement that would allow passengers on Eurostar trains to Cologne, a service inherited from its takeover of Thalys in 2023, to continue to Frankfurt. A spokesman said the alliances would lay the groundwork for Eurostar to begin offering its own direct services following the delivery of the new trains, expected to be purchased from Alstom or Siemens in a £2bn order. Eurostar plans to retain its 17 existing Siemens units, giving it a total of 67 trains once all 50 new deliveries arrive. Ms Cazenave said the new trains must be able to operate in Britain and across the existing Eurostar network while being compatible with signalling and other systems in Germany and Switzerland, unlike the existing fleet. Eurostar envisages a timetable of four return services a day to Frankfurt and three to Geneva. Operations to Rotterdam and Amsterdam, which it launched 2018, will increase to seven a day this year. The expansion plans would also require work on securing track access, creating more passenger space at stations, and installing border facilities in the destination cities. The UK and Switzerland signed a memorandum of understanding last month aimed at establishing direct train services between the countries. Eurostar will also need to enlarge and modernise the Temple Mills maintenance depot in east London to accommodate the new trains. A Eurostar spokesman said that could extend to establishing a second site for the upkeep of rolling stock, following last week's ruling from the Office of Rail and Road on admitting a new entrant to the depot. Eurostar's underlying earnings fell 18pc last year to €346m (£292m) in what Ms Cazenave called a 'challenging economic climate'. Revenue was little changed as the company attracted 19.5m passengers, while fixed costs rose and expenses related to the opening of new station lounges and improved facilities in Amsterdam ate into margins. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Eurostar to launch new UK trains direct to two of Europe's most iconic cities
Eurostar claimed a 'new golden age of international sustainable travel is here' as it announced proposals to run trains between London St Pancras and both Frankfurt and Geneva from the 'early 2030s' Eurostar has announced major plans to link up the UK and two European countries with direct services for the first time. From the "early 2030s" the train operator will run services to Germany and Switzerland, heralding what it calls "a new golden age of international sustainable travel". The rail operator announced ambitious plans to connect London St Pancras directly with Frankfurt and Geneva starting in the "early 2030s". A fleet of up to 50 state-of-the-art trains, costing around two billion euros (£1.7 billion), will be deployed on these routes. Travellers could zip from London to Frankfurt in roughly five hours, and reach Geneva in about five hours and 20 minutes. Details such as potential stops along the way, for instance, Cologne on the Frankfurt route, and whether passengers can board or alight mid-journey, are still under discussion. Gwendoline Cazenave, Eurostar's chief executive, told PA news agency that there's a growing appetite for longer train trips over flights as people "want to travel more sustainably". 'I tried the UK's new high-tech £200million trains with underfloor heating' She anticipates a high demand for these direct connections to Frankfurt and Geneva, noting their status as "big financial hubs" and their appeal to both leisure and business travellers. However, several challenges lie ahead before the launch, including expanding station capacities, establishing new border controls, and securing track access. Last month, the UK and Switzerland penned a memorandum of understanding to kick-start direct train services between the two nations. Eurostar is set to expand its fleet with the addition of new trains to its 17 e320s, bumping up its total to 67 trains – a 30% increase from today's numbers. The bolstered fleet will also enhance current routes, including upping the daily round trips from London to Paris from 17 to 20. From September 9, Eurostar will introduce a fourth daily return service to Amsterdam from St Pancras, with plans for a fifth by mid-December. Eurostar's network connects London with Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and the French Alps during ski season, as well as running routes within Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Last year saw the operator carry 19.5 million passengers, marking a 5% rise from 18.6 million in 2023. The London-Paris line was Eurostar's top performer in 2024, carrying 280,000 passengers, followed by London-Brussels with 250,000, Paris-Brussels at 160,000, and Paris-the Netherlands with 140,000 travellers. Ms Cazenave said: "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. Despite the challenging economic climate, Eurostar is growing and has bold ambitions for the future. "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. A new golden age of international sustainable travel is here." Various firms are crafting strategies to break Eurostar's exclusive hold on Channel Tunnel passenger services. Among them are Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group, FS Italiane Group which runs Italy's railways, and Gemini Trains, with Labour peer Lord Berkeley at the helm. Ownership of Eurostar predominantly lies with France's national rail company SNCF. Back in 2015, the UK government divested its Eurostar share, cashing £757 million in the sell-off to private investors.
