Gemini Trains plans London-Cologne passenger services from 2030 amid other operators’ expansion bids

Gemini Trains announced plans to operate direct passenger services between London and Cologne as early as 2030. The London-Cologne journey is expected to take about four hours. The company also intends to run routes to Paris with stops at Disneyland and Charles de Gaulle airport, as well as to Brussels.

Later expansion is planned for Frankfurt and Düsseldorf. Services will begin with about 11 daily trains by 2030 using eight leased electric trains, each carrying more than 550 passengers. Gemini Trains will base operations at Stratford International rather than St Pancras.

Trains will also stop at Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International, stations last served by Eurostar in 2020. Introductory one-way fares to Paris will start at about £59 under dynamic pricing. Standard class will feature more comfortable seats, Wi-Fi and mood lighting, while business class will include food and privacy screens.

Eurostar currently runs about 26 daily services from London and uses roughly half the available Channel Tunnel slots. Other operators are also preparing to enter the market. Virgin Trains aims to start London St Pancras services to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in 2030.

Trenitalia and Evolyn plan London-Paris routes, while Eurostar intends to reach German cities by the early 2030s through a partnership with Deutsche Bahn.