Latest news with #GwendolineCazenave
Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Eurostar's £1.7bn plan to connect UK to two popular countries in just five hours
Following rising passenger numbers and impressive financial results, Eurostar is investing £1.7bn to launch a fleet of up to 50 trains that operate three new direct routes, including two from the UK Eurostar is ramping up its railway offerings as part of a major €2 billion (approximately £1.7bn) investment. Earlier this month, the company announced it would launch a fleet of up to 50 trains that will be in service from the early 2030s, operating three new direct routes. The announcement comes after Eurostar released its 2024 financial results, which found it had achieved an impressive EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) of €346 million (£296 million). In a press release, Eurostar said passenger numbers rose to over 19.5 million, marking a five per cent year-on-year increase. It follows the 'successful reinstatement' of direct services between London, Rotterdam and Amsterdam in February this year, which will see a fourth daily service added from September 9 and a fifth from mid-December. In the next decade, Brits will be able to hop on a train at London St Pancras and travel straight to Frankfurt in Germany. This city is known for homing one of the largest financial hubs in Europe, and has become a tourist hotspot in recent years thanks to its stunning architecture, ubiquitous history and close proximity to the ethereal Hohenzollern Castle. Alternatively, Brits will be able to head directly to Geneva in Switzerland, and marvel at the stunning Mont Blanc in the Alps. Geneva is an excellent base for ski enthusiasts, offering convenient access to a plethora of resorts including Villars, Gryon, and Les Diablerets. The upgrade will also see trains running straight from Amsterdam/Brussels to Geneva. Eurostar's CEO Gwendoline Cazenave said the company was witnessing 'strong demand' for train travel across Europe, with customers wanting to 'go further by rail than ever before'. "Despite the challenging economic climate, Eurostar is growing and has bold ambitions for the future," she added. "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." Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander also welcomed the announcement, describing it as a 'huge step in promoting green travel across Europe' as well as boosting the UK's international rail connections. " Today's announcement by Eurostar shows that the government's plan for change is rapidly strengthening the links between major cities in counties across Europe, creating more opportunities to travel, work, and socialise," the politician said. Eurostar's expansion comes as several companies are desperate to gain access to the Temple Mills depot in north-east London, which Eurostar currently monopolises. As previously reported, a report conducted by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) found: "There is some available capacity at Temple Mills International (TMI) depot for more trains to be stabled, serviced and maintained." The investigation is great news for Virgin Group, which says it is now 'ready to take up the challenge' of launching high-speed passenger train services through the Channel Tunne l. "The Temple Mills depot is the only facility in the UK which can accommodate European-style trains and claims suggesting it was at capacity have been blocking Virgin from coming to the line," a spokesperson said. "Virgin is therefore very pleased with the outcome and we thank the ORR for commissioning this report, which will now unlock competition on the cross-Channel route for the benefit of all passengers." Alstom, a French manufacturer specialising in locomotives, is also in talks to use its new Avelia Horizon trains to ramp up journeys across Europe. The company has already signed an €850 million (around £715 million) contract to provide and maintain 12 of its double-decker trains for a Proxima, a private operator in France - as well as France's state-owned company The Société nationale des chemins de fer français (SNCF). Chief executive Henri Poupart-Lafarge says the new fleet could lower fares and increase capacity in the undersea Channel Tunnel, which connects the UK to France. However, it will first need to seek approval from regulators to make sure it adheres to strict Channel Tunnel safety rules.
Time Out
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Eurostar is launching a new service between two culture-packed European cities
Eurostar is best known for its route between London and Paris, which annually ferries 280,000 passengers between the UK and French capitals, but the operator is rapidly expanding. As part of a new batch of services that includes a route from the UK to Germany and Switzerland, Eurostar has just announced a new service from Amsterdam to Geneva via Brussels. The route could be on the cards from 2030, and the plan is to have it operate multiple times a day. The journey is expected to take around five hours, and the number of trains from the Netherlands to London will also be increased from three to four per day to complement the new route. Here's a map of what the new routes will look like. This is all part of Eurostar's €2 billion investment into expand its train fleet by up to 50 trains. Right now, the operator is active in the UK, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Germany, so a stop in Switzerland will be its sixth country, and the new trains should help supplement this. Eurostar already welcomes around 19.5 million passengers per year (which increased from 2023 by 5 percent). According to Gwendoline Cazenave, the company is 'seeing strong demand for train travel across Europe, with customers wanting to go further by rail than ever before'.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- 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
10-06-2025
- 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
10-06-2025
- 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.
