{"id":2604,"date":"2025-05-15T11:06:26","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T11:06:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/?p=2604"},"modified":"2025-05-20T13:07:36","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T13:07:36","slug":"eurostar-double-decker-trains-could-soon-connect-london-to-three-european-capitals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/15\/eurostar-double-decker-trains-could-soon-connect-london-to-three-european-capitals\/","title":{"rendered":"Eurostar double-decker trains could soon connect London to three European capitals"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Eurostar could be getting an upgrade, and competitors (Picture: Bloomberg via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cross-Channel journeys could soon reach dizzying new heights and become cheaper for passengers, as Eurostar<\/a> eyes an exciting upgrade to its service.<\/p>\n

French rail manufacturer Alstom announced plans to begin supplying the company with double-decker trains for routes between London<\/a> and key Europe<\/a> destinations including Paris<\/a>, Amsterdam<\/a> and Brussels<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While no exact details have been confirmed just yet, the proposal promises high-speed trains with the \u2018lowest cost per seat and the highest capacity\u2019.<\/p>\n

And if all goes ahead as planned, they could be on the rails in just a few years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s great news for travellers, with Chief Executive Henri Poupart-Lafarge explaining that the trains will have a top speed of 350km\/h \u2014\u00a050km\/hr faster than the current Eurostar.<\/p>\n

As for seat prices, these are also likely to come down, making plane-free European trips more accessible than ever for Brits.<\/p>\n

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Double-decker trains are commonly used around Europe (Picture: Jean-Francois Monier\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In an interview with Financial Times<\/a>, Poupart-Lafarge claimed that although he couldn\u2019t comment on specific business discussions, Alstom has been in talks with a number of operators in regards to these routes.<\/p>\n

And while the firm has already teamed up with SNCF, France\u2019s national railway operator and Eurostar\u2019s majority owner, to provide new trains, he said: \u2018Whether it\u2019s Eurostar or other competitors, we\u2019ll see.\u2019<\/p>\n

In terms of timescales, Poupart-Lafarge added that it could take \u2018some years\u2019 before they are up and running.<\/p>\n

This is largely due to the fact all London to mainland Europe trains need to be approved by regulators who ensure the trains comply with the Channel Tunnel<\/a>\u2019s strict safety rules covering dangerous goods, security measures and emergency response. <\/p>\n

Poupart-Lafarge noted that further delays could be caused by the sheer demand for Alstom\u2019s twin-deck model, the Avelia Horizon, which is due to launch next year. With more than 100 orders to fill across Europe, it could come down to a \u2018first come, first served\u2019 basis.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tHow cheap could London to Europe train tickets become? \t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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As passenger demand for\u00a0international rail travel\u00a0<\/a>continues to grow \u2013 and new companies are set to give\u00a0Eurostar\u00a0competition \u2013 experts predict that travellers could see a significant reduction in fares<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Just how much exactly remains unknown but currently experts are anticipating a 30% drop. <\/p>\n

According to Eurostar\u2019s website, a standard one-way ticket from\u00a0London\u00a0to\u00a0Paris,\u00a0Amsterdam,\u00a0Brussels, Lille or\u00a0Rotterdam<\/a>\u00a0starts from \u00a339 \u2013 a 30% reduction would bring that fare down to around \u00a327 (\u00a311.70 less).\u00a0<\/p>\n

For Eurostar Plus, where tickets start from around \u00a370, a 30% discount would reduce the price by \u00a321 for \u00a349 tickets.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tLatest London news\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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