Eurostar, SBB and SNCF Voyageurs have taken a significant step towards a future direct rail connection between the UK and Switzerland, signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that could eventually see through‑trains running from London to key Swiss cities.
The agreement builds on the Cooperation Agreement signed in March between SBB and SNCF Voyageurs, which set out plans to strengthen cross‑border collaboration and explore new international routes. The latest MoU marks a further milestone in long‑term planning for a potential direct rail service linking London with Switzerland.
Strong demand for direct UK–Switzerland rail travel
The three operators cite strong market fundamentals behind the proposal. London is currently Switzerland’s number one international flight destination, while customer demand for sustainable, high‑quality international rail travel continues to grow.
Studies indicate that direct services could be commercially and operationally viable, with indicative journey times of:
- London–Basel: around 5 hours
- London–Geneva: around 5.5 hours
- London–Zurich: around 6 hours
Such timings would place rail as a competitive alternative to air for both business and leisure travellers, particularly as international rail continues to benefit from growing environmental awareness and modal shift policies across Europe.
Experienced partners at the heart of the project
The partnership brings together operators with deep experience in international rail. SNCF Voyageurs already works closely with SBB on cross‑border services, while any London–Switzerland route would necessarily transit France. Eurostar, meanwhile, brings more than 30 years of experience operating cross‑Channel services between the UK and continental Europe.
The MoU commits Eurostar, SBB and SNCF Voyageurs to work jointly on developing the concept for potential direct services, including operational models and timetable options.
Planning, infrastructure and agreements still required
While the partners are clear about their ambition to progress the project as quickly as possible, significant work remains before any service could be launched. Key challenges include border and entry formalities, infrastructure readiness, intergovernmental agreements, rolling stock availability and securing suitable train paths.
Implementation is considered feasible at the earliest in the course of the 2030s, subject to the successful completion of these steps.
Building on earlier government‑level agreements
The project builds on previous studies and on the memorandum of understanding for an intergovernmental agreement signed in London on 8 May 2025 by Swiss Federal Councillor Albert Rösti and UK Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander.
SBB is continuing further studies on behalf of the Swiss Federal Office of Transport, while Eurostar and SNCF Voyageurs continue to develop their international growth strategies, with the UK–Switzerland corridor now firmly on the long‑term map.
Image credits: iStock
