In a landmark development for international train travel, Eurostar, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), and SNCF Voyageurs have signed a memorandum of understanding to study the feasibility of a direct high-speed train service linking London with Switzerland.
The proposed service would connect London’s St Pancras International directly with Zurich, Basel, and Geneva — three of Switzerland’s most important cities.
The agreement builds on a memorandum signed in May 2025 between Swiss Federal Councillor Albert Rösti and UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, signalling strong political will on both sides to make this vision a reality.
What Would the Journey Look Like?
Right now, travelling from Switzerland to London by train means a time-consuming transfer in Paris: first across town from Gare de Lyon to Gare du Nord, then onto the Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel. It works, but it’s far from seamless.
A direct service would change everything. Initial studies suggest travel times of:
~6 hours from Zurich to London
~5 hours from Basel to London
~5.5 hours from Geneva to London
That compares to roughly 4.5 hours city-centre to city-centre by air from Zurich when you factor in check-in, security, and transit times. In practice, a direct train journey starts to look very competitive — and far more comfortable.
The new service would run through France, leveraging the existing collaboration between SNCF Voyageurs and SBB on the TGV Lyria network, and Eurostar’s three-decade expertise operating Channel Tunnel services.
When Could It Happen?
Patience is required. The three operators have been clear that implementation will not be possible before the 2030s. Several significant challenges still need to be overcome, including border and entry arrangements, infrastructure requirements, intergovernmental agreements, and sourcing suitable rolling stock.
Eurostar’s future “Celestia” fleet — a new generation of double-decker high-speed trains — is expected to enter service from 2031 and is likely to be central to this expansion. Eurostar currently has a firm order for 30 of these trains, with options for up to 20 more.
London Is Switzerland’s Number One Flight Destination
The commercial case for this route is compelling. London is already the top flight destination from Switzerland, with over 4 million passengers per year travelling between the two countries by air — including 2.5 million departures from Zurich Airport alone. That is an enormous market, and one that a fast, direct, hassle-free train could capture a significant share of.
Swiss travellers clearly love London. The question has never been whether demand exists, but how to meet it in a more sustainable, comfortable, and convenient way. A direct Eurostar connection would answer that question directly.
Perfect Timing: Universal Studios Great Britain Is Coming
Here’s where it gets even more exciting for Swiss families and adventure-seekers planning a London trip.
Universal Studios Great Britain — Europe’s first-ever Universal-branded theme park — is officially under construction near Bedford, just 45 minutes north of London.
The UK government approved the project via a Special Development Order in December 2025, with groundworks already underway in early 2026. The resort is anticipated to open in 2031 — right around the time the Eurostar direct service could be becoming a reality.
The resort will be a world-class, full-scale theme park — comparable to Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood — complete with a 500-room hotel and a retail, dining and entertainment complex. It will be the sixth Universal park globally, and is projected to deliver £50 billion in economic benefit to the UK, creating 20,000 construction jobs and 8,000 permanent roles.
The timing is almost poetic: as Universal Studios Great Britain opens its gates, Swiss families could board a direct Eurostar train in Zurich, Basel, or Geneva and arrive in London without a single change — ready for the wizards, dinosaurs, and thrill rides of the UK’s most anticipated new attraction.
A Greener Way to Travel
Beyond convenience, the environmental argument for rail over air is significant. A train journey through the Channel Tunnel produces a fraction of the carbon emissions of a short-haul flight. As Europe pushes towards its climate targets — and as Swiss and British travellers increasingly factor sustainability into their travel choices — a direct London–Switzerland rail link fits perfectly into the future of low-carbon tourism.
Eurostar is already preparing for the future with planned upgrades at St Pancras International, set to increase capacity to handle up to 5,000 passengers per hour by 2028. The infrastructure is being built for scale.
What to Watch For
- Official timetable and route announcements from Eurostar, SBB and SNCF as feasibility studies progress.
- Rolling stock decisions — both Eurostar (Celestia fleet) and SBB are exploring new train procurement.
- Intergovernmental agreements between the UK, France and Switzerland to streamline border procedures.
- Universal Studios Great Britain updates as construction ramps up through 2026–2031.
The Bottom Line
A direct train from Switzerland to London is no longer just a dream — it is a project with real partners, real political backing, and a real timeline.
It may take until the 2030s to materialise, but when it does, it will transform travel for the millions of Swiss residents who already make London their most-visited international destination.
And with Universal Studios Great Britain set to open around the same time, the case for that direct Eurostar ticket will be stronger than ever.
Click to subscribe to our newsletter to receive up to date news instantly.
