Getting on a train at London’s St Pancras International and arriving in Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam within a few hours feels like it shouldn't be possible, especially when you think too hard about trains going underwater. Even 30 years after the Channel Tunnel first opened, having several of Europe’s top city breaks just one train away remains a thrill.
That said, high prices can put some travellers off booking rail tickets, especially in the UK where we’re used to shockingly high fees and poor services. Which is why a new development is so exciting – a recent report reckons that cross-Channel travel could be about to get a whole lot cheaper.
So, why could cross-Channel rail travel get more affordable, and by how much? Here are the deets.
Why could UK-Europe train fares soon be lower?
The aforementioned report was commissioned by London St Pancras High Speed and conducted by infrastructure consultancy Steer, and it says that we could soon see a potential tripling of passengers using the Channel Tunnel each year, which could lead to a reduction of up to 30 per cent in fares. The research predicts that passenger numbers could rise from 11 million to 35 million annually by 2040 – and that, in turn, operators will have to lower prices in order to attract customers to their services.
The projections come after news that a fifth operator – Italy’s FS Group – will combine with Spanish company Evolyn to compete with brand new UK-owned company Gemini Trains, German operator Deutsche Bahn, Richard Branson’s Virgin, and current monopoly holders Eurostar for cross-Channel rail services. They’re all vying for space at St Pancras, which could double its capacity from 1,800 to 2,400 passengers per hour if it brings in more border control agents and redesigns its layout.
There’s apparently already enough room for more trains at Eurostar’s Temple Mills maintenance depot in north-east London, meaning other international companies could swoop in. Operators offering international services will be subject to reduced charges according to London St Pancras High Speed, which is keen to boost traveller numbers as currently the line is only operating at 50 percent capacity.
Robert Sinclair, CEO of London St. Pancras Highspeed, said: ‘This report points to the biggest transformation in international high-speed rail travel in a generation.
‘Passengers are increasingly choosing rail over air for climate reasons and because they like the convenience and comfort of direct city centre to city centre travel.
‘With collective determination and action, we can triple passenger numbers, lower fares, and unlock new destinations across Europe. Our growth incentive is a catalyst to help make this vision a reality by supporting operators to introduce new services faster, shaping an exciting future for international rail.’
How much does it cost to get the train to Europe?
Eurostar has been the sole rail service connecting the UK to Europe since 1994 when the Channel Tunnel opened. Eurostar’s tickets start at £39 for adults to Paris, but can stretch to over £200 if you’re travelling at a peak time or booking last-minute.
Where could new Channel Tunnel trains travel to?
French company Getlink, which owns the Channel Tunnel, says there is scope for a variety of new services including to Zurich, Marseille, Geneva, Frankfurt and Cologne.
While it’s as yet unclear whether these predictions will actually change anything for passengers wanting to Channel-hop, we may soon have more options for traversing the tunnel. Watch this space for further updates!
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