SBB, SNCF Voyageurs and Eurostar have signed a memorandum of understanding to examine a direct rail connection between Switzerland and London.
The partners will analyse timetable options and operational concepts for potential direct services linking Zurich, Basel and Geneva with London. Studies indicate journey times of around six hours from Zurich, five hours from Basel and 5.5 hours from Geneva could meet demand, with London currently the leading air destination from Switzerland.
Any future service would operate via France and the Channel Tunnel, combining SBB’s domestic network with SNCF Voyageurs’ French operations and Eurostar’s cross-Channel services. Eurostar has operated services between continental Europe and the UK for more than 30 years.
Before launch, the project will require agreements on border and entry formalities, infrastructure arrangements, train paths and the availability of suitable rolling stock. The companies state that implementation would be feasible at the earliest during the 2030s.
The initiative builds on an MoU for an intergovernmental agreement signed in London on 8 May 2025 by Swiss Federal Councillor Albert Rösti and UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander. SBB is conducting further studies on behalf of the Swiss Federal Office of Transport, while SNCF Voyageurs and Eurostar continue to assess additional international connections.
