Overview
- Eurostar, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and SNCF Voyageurs signed a memorandum of understanding to assess a direct service linking London with Zurich, Basel and Geneva.
- The step follows last year's UK–Swiss government pledge to improve rail links, and SBB is now running studies for Switzerland's Federal Office of Transport.
- Operators say the project is at an early stage, with services unlikely to begin before the 2030s.
- Early estimates put journeys at about six hours to Zurich, five hours to Basel and five and a half hours to Geneva, which could rival flying once airport transfers and waiting are counted.
- Progress hinges on agreed border checks, suitable trains and tight rail capacity through France and the Channel Tunnel.