Business · Companies · 1 day ago
SBB plans more European routes, including a possible London train
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) counted 12.4 million international passengers last year, and the number rose by about 1% in the first half of 2026.
The company says it wants at least one train every two hours on its core international routes, which connect cities reachable in three to four hours.
By 2035, it plans to expand services to Paris, Marseille, Milan and Venice.
A second daily Zurich–Venice train has been postponed because Italy lacks suitable track capacity for attractive travel times.
During the 2030s, SBB hopes to launch daytime trains to Brussels, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Rome and London; Amsterdam already has a night train from Switzerland.
A London service would need approval to use the Channel Tunnel, track and station capacity, agreements between countries and security and immigration terminals because Britain is outside the Schengen area.
SBB is examining terminals in Geneva, Zurich and Basel, but the London route’s feasibility is still unproven.
SBB plans to expand international train services, with possible new daytime routes to European cities including London.
By 2035, the railway wants to expand services to Paris, Marseille, Milan and Venice.
During the 2030s, SBB aims to launch direct daytime trains to Brussels, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Rome and London.
A second daily Zurich–Venice train planned for December will not go ahead for now because suitable track capacity in Italy is unavailable.
A London service faces hurdles including Eurotunnel approval, railway and station capacity, cross-border agreements and check-in terminals.
- Who
- Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), led in international passenger transport by Philipp Mäder.
- What
- SBB plans to expand European train services, including a possible London route.
- When
- The expansion to Paris, Marseille, Milan and Venice is planned by 2035; other new routes are targeted for the 2030s.
- Where
- Between Switzerland and European cities including London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Rome, Paris, Marseille, Milan and Venice.
- Why
- SBB says international passenger numbers are growing and that demand determines the service it offers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
SBB counted 12.4 million international passengers.
International passenger numbers rose by about 1 percent.
A planned second daily Eurocity between Zurich and Venice will not be introduced for now because suitable track slots in Italy are unavailable.
SBB wants to expand services to Paris, Marseille, Milan and Venice.
SBB aims to introduce direct daytime trains to Brussels, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Rome and London.
- International passengers in 2025
- 12.4 million
- International passenger growth
- About 1 percent in the first half of 2026
- Planned expansion deadline
- 2035 for Paris, Marseille, Milan and Venice
- London terminal locations under review
- Geneva, Zurich HB and Basel SBB
- Proposed new daytime destinations in the 2030s
- Brussels, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Rome and London
What people are saying
Demand determines the service.
This would be the ideal vision.