Europe’s new age of high-speed train travel

A desire for more sustainable travel, as well as a burgeoning network of sleeper services in Europe, is helping drive demand across the continent

Sep 30, 2024

In Europe, rail is having a bit of a moment. Across the Channel, a new line from Paris to Bordeaux slashed journey times in 2017, while six further projects are underway to expand the TGV network, with the Bordeaux-Toulouse extension expected to open first in 2032.

Key takeaways

• Eurostar, which operates cross-Channel services as well as Franco-Belgian services following a merger with Thalys, has ambitions to carry 30 million passengers a year by 2030;
• Passenger numbers on services from London during 2023 were up by 38% to Amsterdam, by 33% to Brussels and by 25% to Paris year on year;
• Evolyn, a new Spanish operator, announced last year it had agreed a deal with Alstom, the train manufacturer, for between 12 and 16 trains to run from London to Paris.

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