Eurostar reaches 20 million passenger milestone
High-speed train operator Eurostar carried a record 20 million passengers last year. With new trains and destinations, the company aims to grow to 30 million passengers in the long term.
The number of passengers increased by half a million, or just under 3 per cent, compared to 2024. The strongest growth was on the London-Amsterdam route, followed by London-Germany and London-Paris. Growth was slower on the Brussels-Paris and Brussels-London routes.
Eurostar achieved another milestone: since its launch in 1994, it has carried more than 400 million people. This includes passengers from the former Thalys, which merged with Eurostar in 2022.
The company eventually wants to grow to 30 million passengers. In October, it announced that it would be ordering at least 30 double-decker trains from the French company Alstom.
The first new trains, which can accommodate 20 per cent more passengers, are expected to be in operation from 2031. They will also be used to open new connections, including London-Frankfurt, London-Geneva and Amsterdam-Brussels-Geneva.
Eurostar is majority-owned by the French railway company SNCF. Belgium’s SNCB/NMBS holds an 18.5 per cent stake.
In October, British operator Virgin Trains moved closer to running cross-Channel services when it was granted permission to use a key maintenance and storage depot in London. The company will need to obtain additional regulatory approvals covering issues such as track access and safety before it can begin operating.
Eurostar passengers at Gare du Nord in Paris © PHOTO CARINE SCHMITT / HANS LUCAS VIA AFP
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