Sometimes brands are so huge that their names become synonymous with an entire product. Think ‘Hoover’ instead of vacuum cleaner, ‘Biro’ instead of ballpoint pen, or ‘Eurostar’ instead of cross-Channel rail service.
Eurostar currently has a monopoly on train journeys between the UK and Europe underneath the English Channel. But that monopoly may soon be coming to an end. In recent years several rail operators have revealed plans to compete on the same route – and now yet another Eurostar competitor has thrown its hat into the ring. This one’s called Gemini.
If you’re new to this saga, let’s catch you up. In short, Eurostar is currently the only passenger rail operator currently licensed to use the Channel Tunnel. However, several competitors, including Virgin, Deutsche Bahn and Evolyn, have announced they plan to bid to join the tracks.
For regular people like us, Eurostar competitors could mean cheaper fares and more choice as to where and when you ride. There’s even been talk of potential new destinations, with London potentially being linked to the likes of Zurich, Milan and Frankfurt.
Which brings us to now. Gemini Trains says it wants to offer tickets ‘at a competitive price to Eurostar’, and that it has engaged ‘extensively with industry stakeholders’ for the past two years. In other words, the company means business.
Gemini is led by Labour peer Tony Berkeley, which some reckon could give the firm an ‘edge’ when it comes to negotiations. The editor of RailTech.com, Thomas Wintle, says that Berkley’s proximity to powerful people in the government ‘may be able to open up regulatory hurdles in a way that Gemini's competitors could struggle with’.
Wintle also noted that despite Virgin and Evolyn launching their applications first, ‘Berkeley's colleagues... have strong connections to Whitehall and Westminster’ and Berkeley himself has been ‘highly influential in UK rail policy’.
Berkeley is optimistic about Gemini’s chances, stating earlier this week: ‘Our team has real strength, depth, vision and dynamism, and is superbly placed to offer customers choice on what is currently a monopoly route.’
It will be a few years before anything materially changes for consumers, so all we can do is sit back and watch these companies battle it out. But what exactly are the odds? Here’s where each of Gemini’s competitors currently is with its Channel-crossing ambitions.
Virgin
Virgin has already begun buying up some trains for its bid, which it hopes will be ready by 2029. Richard Branson’s company announced earlier this month that it is aiming to raise £700 million from various channels (no pun intended) in order to fund the application, with a spokesperson saying: ‘While Virgin is not committing to launching a service just yet, we are seeking investment from like-minded partners to invest alongside Virgin and we are delighted with the progress made so far.’
Evolyn
Evolyn has been in the Euro-tunnel game for a few years now, beginning its journey by buying 12 trains all the way in 2023. Back then, the operator had hoped to be fully operational by 2026, which now isn’t looking so likely.
Evolyn has been relatively quiet about its plans in the past couple of years. Whether the company has been making moves in silence or simply sitting back to wait and see what happens, we’ll find out in due course.
Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn (DB) first looked into getting into the market more than a decade ago in 2013. Needless to say, it hasn’t yet happened. The German company’s services would take passengers from London to Cologne, Brussels and Lille, and you can find out more about its plans here.
ICYMI: This is officially the UK’s best club night in 2025, according to us.
Plus: Two UK destinations are the greatest places in the world in 2025, according to TIME Magazine.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.