Eurostar’s high-speed trains carried a record 20 million passengers last year. By investing in new trains and routes, the high-speed train operator, which currently has a monopoly on passenger transport through the Channel Tunnel, aims to reach 30 million passengers in the long term.

Compared with 2024, passenger numbers increased by half a million, or just under 3%. Thanks to these results in the past year, Eurostar has also exceeded the milestone of 400 million passengers carried since the launch of its services in 1994. This milestone includes passengers from the former Thalys, which merged with Eurostar several years ago.

The most substantial growth was on the London-Amsterdam (+18.3 %), London-Germany (+10%), and London-Paris (+5%) routes. Growth was slower on the Brussels-Paris (+3,7%) and Brussels-London (+0,5%).

New double-decker trains and new connections

Eurostar, facing pressure from competitors seeking to open routes across the Channel, has set its sights on reaching 30 million passengers. To achieve this goal, it has ordered at least 30 double-decker trains from Alstom, with an option for up to 50.

The first new trains, which can accommodate 5% more passengers, are expected to enter service from 2031. They will also be used to open new connections, including London-Frankfurt, London-Geneva, and Amsterdam-Brussels-Geneva.