Virgin Trains to run London-Paris trains from 2030, ending Eurostar monopoly
ORR grants 20 daily return services from St Pancras to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam for a decade
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Virgin Trains will operate international rail services from London St Pancras to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from October 2030, the Office of Rail and Road announced. The decision grants the company up to 20 daily return trips until December 2040, ending Eurostar’s 36-year monopoly on Channel Tunnel passenger services.
The approval covers track access rights but does not yet include safety certifications or agreements with other rail networks. Virgin Trains must secure these before services can begin. The company will use St Pancras International and the same overseas stations as Eurostar, including Paris Nord, Brussels Midi and Amsterdam Centraal.
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What the decision means for Barnet residents
Residents in Barnet will have direct access to new international rail services from St Pancras, a 20-minute tube ride from High Barnet station. The additional operator could introduce fare competition, potentially lowering prices for trips to Europe. Virgin has not yet published ticket prices or booking details.
St Pancras International is the only London terminus for high-speed international services. Virgin’s use of the station means no new infrastructure will be built in Barnet or neighbouring boroughs. The company will also use Eurostar’s Temple Mills depot in Stratford for train maintenance, as confirmed by the ORR in October 2024.
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Next steps and regulatory hurdles
Virgin Trains must now obtain safety approvals from the ORR and European regulators. The company also needs agreements with other rail networks, including High Speed 1, which connects St Pancras to the Channel Tunnel. Martin Jones, deputy director of access and international at the ORR, said the decision marks progress but added that more work remains.
This is an important next step in bringing competition and growth to the market for international rail services, and we welcome the progress Virgin Trains and London St Pancras High Speed have made.
Martin Jones, deputy director of access and international, ORR
Sir Richard Branson has previously criticised Eurostar’s monopoly. In a statement reported by This Is Local London, he said it was time to end the 30-year dominance and introduce Virgin’s services to the route. The company has not announced specific launch dates or timetables but confirmed services will begin in 2030 if all approvals are secured.
How residents can stay informed
Virgin Trains has not yet published details on ticket sales, timetables or station facilities. Residents can check the company’s website or sign up for updates from Transport for London for service announcements. The ORR will publish further regulatory decisions on its website as they are made.
Questions this report answers
+When will Virgin Trains start running services to Europe?
Virgin Trains will begin services from 1 October 2030, pending final safety and network approvals. The Office of Rail and Road granted track access until December 2040, but the company must still secure additional regulatory clearances before operations can start.
+How many trains will Virgin Trains run each day?
Virgin Trains has approval to operate up to 20 daily return services between London St Pancras and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. The exact number of trains and timetables have not yet been announced by the company.
+Will Virgin Trains use the same stations as Eurostar?
Yes, Virgin Trains will use St Pancras International in London and the same overseas stations as Eurostar, including Paris Nord, Brussels Midi and Amsterdam Centraal. No new stations or infrastructure will be built in Barnet or neighbouring boroughs.
+What does this mean for ticket prices?
Virgin Trains has not yet published ticket prices. The introduction of a second operator could increase competition, potentially leading to lower fares for passengers. Residents should check the company’s website for updates on pricing and booking details.
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