Eurostar Sets Record: 20M Passengers & €2B Fleet Investment

LONDON, UK – Eurostar has announced a record-breaking year, carrying 20 million passengers in 2025 and unveiling a landmark €2 billion investment in a new high-capacity fleet to fuel its expansion into Germany and Switzerland. This performance places the high-speed rail operator’s growth firmly within the context of a wider, robust recovery in international travel, which also saw major hubs like Manchester Airport and airlines like Etihad report their own record passenger figures for the year.

The cross-Channel high-speed rail operator confirmed its strong market position with a new annual passenger record, representing an increase of approximately 500,000 travellers compared to 2024. The growth was spearheaded by the London–Amsterdam route, which saw an impressive 18.3% rise in passenger numbers. This surge is directly attributed to the full resumption of direct services in February 2025, following a period of disruption due to construction at Amsterdam Centraal, and the subsequent addition of a fifth daily service in December. More established corridors also showed sustained demand, with London–Paris traffic growing by 5% and Paris–Brussels by 3.7%. In a significant milestone, the company also surpassed 400 million total passengers since its inception in 1994, a figure that incorporates the traffic from the former Thalys network following its merger in 2022.

Looking ahead, Eurostar has laid out an ambitious growth strategy focused on significantly expanding its carrying capacity. CEO Gwendoline Cazenave confirmed that reaching the company’s long-term target of 30 million annual passengers hinges on fleet modernisation. To this end, Eurostar has placed a transformative order with Alstom for a new generation of trains. The deal, valued at around €2 billion, includes a firm order for 30 double-decker multiple units with options for 20 more. These new trains, branded ‘Eurostar Celestia’, will offer approximately 20% more seats than the current fleet and are scheduled to enter service in 2031. The new fleet is not just about capacity on existing routes; it is the key enabler for network expansion, with direct services to destinations such as Frankfurt and Geneva explicitly part of the operator’s future plans.

Eurostar’s success is part of a broader trend of vigorous recovery in the international travel sector. For perspective, its 20 million passengers in 2025 compare to the 22.4 million carried by Etihad Airways and the 32 million processed by Manchester Airport in the same period. This demonstrates that high-speed rail is a major player in the European travel ecosystem, capturing significant demand. However, the operator, which is majority-owned by SNCF Voyageurs (55.75%), is not without future challenges. The market is set for a shake-up, with British operator Virgin Trains making preliminary moves to launch competing services through the Channel Tunnel, signalling a potential end to Eurostar’s long-held monopoly on the route.

Key Takeaways

• Record Traffic: Eurostar set a new company record with 20 million passengers in 2025, driven by a sharp 18.3% recovery on the London-Amsterdam route.
• Major Fleet Investment: A €2 billion order for up to 50 new high-capacity ‘Celestia’ trains from Alstom is underway to boost capacity by 20% and facilitate network growth.
• Strategic Expansion & Competition: The new fleet, due in 2031, will enable new routes to Germany and Switzerland, though the operator faces potential future competition from Virgin Trains on its core cross-Channel services.

Editor’s Analysis

Eurostar’s 2025 performance and subsequent €2 billion fleet investment represent a pivotal moment for European high-speed rail. This is more than a post-pandemic recovery; it is a strategic declaration of intent to aggressively compete with short-haul aviation. By ordering high-capacity, double-decker trains, Eurostar is tackling its primary constraint—seat availability—to scale its operations and capture a larger slice of the resurgent international travel market. The planned expansion to Frankfurt and Geneva directly targets lucrative business and leisure corridors currently dominated by airlines. This move solidifies long-distance rail’s role not as a niche alternative, but as a mainstream, sustainable mode of transport capable of shaping the future of intra-European connectivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many passengers did Eurostar carry in 2025?

Eurostar carried a record 20 million passengers in 2025, an increase of 500,000 compared to the previous year.

What is the new Eurostar fleet called and when will it enter service?

The new fleet is named ‘Eurostar Celestia’. It consists of up to 50 double-decker trains built by Alstom and is scheduled to enter service in 2031.

Is Eurostar planning to launch new routes?

Yes, with the introduction of the new Celestia fleet, Eurostar plans to launch new direct connections from London, with potential destinations including Frankfurt and Geneva.