UK-Swiss Rail Link: A Post-Brexit Dream?

United Kingdom / Switzerland – May 9, 2025

A significant step towards enhancing sustainable international travel and strengthening bilateral ties between Switzerland and the United Kingdom was taken with the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This pivotal agreement, formalized in London by Swiss Federal Councillor Albert Rosti, head of the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), and UK Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, lays the groundwork for exploring a direct rail connection between the two nations. The MoU signals a clear intent to deepen collaboration in international rail passenger transport, addressing a growing demand evidenced by robust air traffic between Swiss cities and London. While ambitious, the prospect of a direct rail service promises a more environmentally friendly alternative and a tangible symbol of closer UK-Swiss relations. However, the path to realization involves navigating complex logistical and regulatory hurdles, notably the UK’s post-Brexit status outside the Schengen Area and the crucial involvement of France, through whose territory such a service would operate.

Forging a Path for Direct UK-Swiss Rail Services

The newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Switzerland and the United Kingdom marks a foundational commitment to collaboratively investigate the feasibility of establishing a direct rail passenger service. This initiative is driven by a clear recognition of the substantial existing travel demand between the two countries, currently predominantly served by aviation. The Swiss government, in particular, has identified considerable potential for a dedicated rail corridor, provided that competitive journey times can be achieved. Federal Councillor Albert Rosti emphasized the ambitious nature of this goal, stating, “A direct rail connection between Switzerland and the UK is an ambitious goal. With today’s memorandum of understanding, we are establishing the basis to jointly examine concrete next steps.” He further highlighted that “Such a connection would send a strong signal for international public transport and Swiss-UK relations.” The MoU thus serves as a catalyst for detailed studies into route options, infrastructure requirements, and commercial viability, aiming to translate a shared vision into a tangible transport solution.

Navigating Border Formalities and Trilateral Cooperation

A primary challenge in establishing a direct rail link lies in the United Kingdom’s position outside the European Union’s Schengen Area, which necessitates robust border control procedures. To facilitate seamless travel, the MoU acknowledges the need for implementing efficient passenger processing systems, likely involving dedicated check-in and border control facilities at departure points in both Switzerland and the UK. These facilities would need to handle customs, immigration, and security checks effectively, potentially mirroring arrangements seen with Eurostar services. Crucially, the operationalization of any direct rail service is intrinsically linked to France. As the geographical conduit for such a route, French cooperation is indispensable. Consequently, a trilateral agreement involving Switzerland, France, and the UK will be essential to address aspects such as track access rights, pathing allocations, safety certifications for rolling stock, and the harmonisation of operational protocols across the respective national networks and through the Channel Tunnel.

Optimising Journey Times and Service Viability

The success of a future direct rail service hinges significantly on its ability to offer competitive journey times compared to air travel, once airport transit and check-in procedures are factored in. The Swiss government has explicitly linked the potential of such a service to the optimisation of these journey times. Achieving this will require meticulous planning concerning route selection, potentially leveraging existing high-speed rail infrastructure like HS1 in the UK and corresponding networks on the continent. Minimising intermediate stops and ensuring efficient border crossing procedures will be paramount. Furthermore, the choice of rolling stock will be critical; it must be interoperable across different national railway systems, including varying electrification and signalling standards, and be approved for operation through the Channel Tunnel. The economic viability will also depend on attracting sufficient passenger volumes, which in turn relates to ticket pricing, service frequency, and onboard comfort levels, all benchmarked against existing travel options.

Addressing Wider Rail Industry Capacity and Expertise

The ambition for a new international rail corridor is set against the backdrop of broader efforts to bolster the rail industry’s capacity and workforce. In a related development, the UK government recently announced measures to address staff shortages, including lowering the minimum age for train driver qualification from 20 to 18. This move, aligning the UK with several European counterparts including Switzerland, aims to expand the talent pool and ensure the availability of skilled personnel for current and future rail operations. Such initiatives are vital, as launching new international services like a direct UK-Switzerland link will demand not only significant infrastructure investment but also a robust and well-trained workforce capable of managing complex cross-border operations. Ensuring sufficient numbers of drivers, onboard staff, and maintenance crews proficient in multi-system operations will be a key supporting factor for the long-term success of this and other international rail ventures.

Conclusions: A Landmark Agreement Charting a Course for Future Connectivity

The Memorandum of Understanding signed between Switzerland and the United Kingdom represents a significant diplomatic and strategic milestone in the pursuit of enhanced international rail connectivity. It formalizes the shared aspiration of both nations to explore a direct rail service, a project underscored by the increasing demand for sustainable and efficient travel options. This agreement acts as an essential preliminary step, initiating a phase of detailed investigation into the multifaceted challenges and opportunities inherent in such an ambitious undertaking. While Federal Councillor Albert Rosti and UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander have laid the political groundwork, the journey ahead will require extensive technical, operational, and regulatory collaboration.

The core challenges are not insignificant. The UK’s status outside the Schengen Area necessitates the development of sophisticated border control mechanisms, likely involving pre-departure clearance facilities to ensure smooth transit. Furthermore, the pivotal role of France cannot be overstated; a trilateral agreement will be imperative to secure track access, harmonise operational standards, and manage the complexities of running services across multiple national jurisdictions and through the critical Channel Tunnel infrastructure. Optimising journey times to compete effectively with air travel remains a central condition, demanding careful route planning and leveraging high-speed rail networks where feasible.

Despite these hurdles, the MoU is a testament to a forward-looking vision for international public transport. It aligns with broader European goals for shifting passenger traffic from air to rail, thereby contributing to environmental sustainability. The commitment to “jointly examine concrete next steps” signifies a practical approach to a complex project. The success of this initiative will not only offer a new travel artery between two key European nations but also serve as a powerful symbol of continued cooperation and the enduring appeal of international rail travel. The path is long, but this MoU firmly places the prospect of a direct UK-Swiss rail link on the agenda for serious development.

Short Summary about Companies/Entities Involved:

The primary entities involved at this stage are governmental:

• The Swiss Federal Council (specifically the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications – DETEC): The Swiss governmental body responsible for transport policy and infrastructure, spearheading the Swiss interest in this direct rail connection. Represented by Federal Councillor Albert Rosti.
• The UK Government (specifically the Department for Transport – DfT): The UK governmental department responsible for the English transport network and transport matters in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland that are not devolved. It leads the UK’s commitment to exploring this rail link. Represented by Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander.

While not signatories to this specific MoU, the following entities will be crucial for future developments:

• The French Government / SNCF Réseau: As the rail line would transit through France, their cooperation regarding infrastructure access (including high-speed lines and the Channel Tunnel) and border arrangements will be essential. SNCF Réseau is the French railway infrastructure manager.
• Eurotunnel (Getlink): The company that manages and operates the Channel Tunnel infrastructure, whose involvement is critical for any rail service between the UK and continental Europe.
• Potential Rail Operating Companies (e.g., Eurostar, SBB – Swiss Federal Railways, others): While not yet specified, existing or new consortia of train operating companies would eventually be responsible for running the actual services, providing rolling stock, and managing a
  the day-to-day operations.