Luxury Travel

Eurostar's New Double-Decker Trains: A Leap Forward in European Rail Travel

Eurostar is ushering in a new era of rail travel with its ambitious investment in a fleet of innovative double-decker trains. This strategic move is poised to transform the European travel landscape by significantly boosting capacity, extending service routes, and enhancing the overall passenger experience with a focus on comfort and sustainability.

Embark on a Journey of Unrivaled Comfort and Expanded Horizons with Eurostar's Next-Generation Trains.

The Dawn of a New Epoch in European Railway Journeys

Whether your travel preferences lean towards the tranquil pace of luxurious sleeper services or the swift efficiency of modern high-speed routes, the current climate presents an opportune moment to explore Europe by train. This resurgence in rail travel's popularity is further amplified by Eurostar's recent announcement of a substantial acquisition.

Eurostar's Strategic Investment in Advanced Rolling Stock

Eurostar has formalized an agreement for thirty new trains from Alstom Group, with an option to secure an additional twenty, as part of a multi-billion dollar transaction. These cutting-edge trains, designated as the 'Celestia' series, are slated to commence operations in May 2031, promising a refreshed travel experience for passengers.

A Glimpse into the Future: The 'Eurostar Celestia' Experience

Gwendoline Cazenave, Eurostar's Chief Executive, conveyed her enthusiasm for the forthcoming 'Eurostar Celestia' trains, emphasizing the exceptional comfort and unique journey they will provide. She highlighted the company's pride in introducing double-decker trains to the United Kingdom for the first time, signaling a significant enhancement in passenger capacity and amenity.

Connecting Key European Hubs Through Submarine Passageways

Eurostar currently facilitates rapid transit between major European metropolises such as London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Dortmund. These routes predominantly utilize the Channel Tunnel, an undersea railway artery that bridges the United Kingdom with the continental European network, symbolizing a vital link for international travel.

Expanding Reach and Elevating Service Frequency Across the Continent

The 650-foot-long trains are designed to serve existing Eurostar pathways across the UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany, while also venturing into new territories including Geneva and Frankfurt. This expansion will enable Eurostar to augment its daily services, including three additional journeys from the UK to Paris and an increase to seven daily trips for the Amsterdam route, as per Cazenave's remarks to The Independent.

Sustainable Mobility and Enhanced Capacity with the Avelia Horizon Fleet

Constructed upon Alstom's Avelia Horizon framework, these all-electric locomotives will each accommodate 540 passengers. With their dual-level design, every train will be capable of transporting over 1,000 individuals, offering a notable 20% increase in seating compared to Eurostar's current largest models. The Celestia fleet will maintain Eurostar's established speeds, reaching up to 186 mph outside the Channel Tunnel and 100 mph within, while also setting new benchmarks for environmental responsibility, with 97% recyclable components and 25% recycled materials.

Pioneering Sustainable Travel in a Flourishing Market

This substantial investment underscores the escalating demand for premium, rapid rail services throughout Europe and beyond. Cazenave articulated that this landmark order is a tangible step towards Eurostar's ambitious objective of serving 30 million passengers through the deployment of an entirely new fleet. She affirmed that this period represents a 'golden age' for eco-conscious international travel, with Eurostar at the forefront of this evolutio