NEW plans have been revealed to expand train routes from the UK which would double the European countries on offer.
Currently, Brits can travel to five places by direct train with Eurostar – Paris, Lille, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
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Previous routes that have been scrapped in recent years include Lyon, ditched back in 2018, along with Disneyland Paris, suspended in 2023.
But new plans have suggested routes from the UK to seven other cities in Germany, Switzerland, France and Italy.
A planned expansion of London St Pancras station would see as many as 5,000 passengers travel through an hour.
Yann Leriche, the chief executive of Getlink, said: “We are keen to drive forward attractive opportunities for low-carbon [travel] with a range of new destinations in Germany, Switzerland and France.
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A spokesperson for London St Pancras Highspeed added: “Many European cities could be reached directly by train in under six hours which we believe is really competitive with short-haul air travel.”
However, the plans are rather ambitious, with no set time frame for when these could launch.
And not only that, but the only current operator in the UK is Eurostar, although both Virgin and Evolyn have revealed rival plans for European routes.
Until then, here are all the new destinations that Brits could one day reach by train – including how likely they are to happen.
Marseille
The UK once had direct routes to Marseille, taking around six hours, so this is the most likely.
While it was cancelled in 2020, it once ran up to four times a week, could be easy to restore.
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One of France‘s biggest ports, Marseille is the oldest city in the country as well.
Bordeaux
Another French route being suggested is London to Bordeaux, although this was first put forward back in 2018.
This is also a likely route, with a plan suggesting a route from 2026.
Wine lovers will be pleased, with the city known for it’s amazing vineyards.
Cologne
Cologne is another more likely destinations that could be joined to the UK by direct train, being the closest to Brussels.
Currently, Eurostar trains take around two hours to Brussels, with Cologne another two hours from there.
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Most Brits visit the city to visit Cologne Cathedral – the tallest cathedral in the world and said to have the remains of the Three Wise Men.
Frankfurt
Another likely train route is Frankfurt, another German city.
Being just one hour from Cologne, there was even a direct route from the city to London back in 2010, although hopes for this to be a continuous route were scrapped.
The city is known for its skyline – having the most skyscrapers in the world after London and Moscow – as well as its food scene, notably the Frankfurter sausage.
Zurich
A direct route from London to the Swiss city of Zurich are also on the cards, which would be the first for the country.
Currently taking around seven hours, this includes a change in Brussels or Paris, although the long journey time is likely to make the direct UK route less likely.
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Most Brits visit Zurich for a city break, being a walkable destination as well as a beautiful lake.
Geneva
Another Swiss city wanting a direct route is Geneva.
This could be more likely than Zurich as it would link up to Milan, another destination on the list with future plans for a UK train route.
Geneva is known for it’s famous Flower Clock as well as the pretty Lake Geneva.
Milan
Milan could be the first Italian city with a direct train route from the UK, although is unlikely to start anytime before 2030.
Currently trains take between 10-12 hours, with changes in Paris so this would be one of the longest routes on offer.
Milan is often dubbed the fashion capital of Europe, as well as being famous for it’s Opera House.
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