A new report by Trainline has found that over half of those living in Britain (53%) would welcome greater choice when travelling to continental Europe by train, and almost two in five (38%) feel that having more operators would make them more likely to book an international rail journey.

The new report, entitled ‘Competition Delivers: What Europe’s high-speed lines reveal about the future of the Channel route’, combines new research with Trainline’s own experience with high-speed rail lines in Spain, Italy and France, and aims to highlight the potential passenger benefits of future competition on both services and the route itself.

Research commissioned by Trainline has shown that over half of Britons (53%) would welcome more choice when booking international rail travel

© Virgin Trains

Trainline’s research comes as Virgin has revealed concept artwork for the trains destined for its own cross-channel rail service, which will serve to act as the first competitor to Eurostar once operations commence in 2030.

EU Results

In its report, Trainline has found that an analysis of European high-speed rail pricing, including bookings made by its own customers, shows that in Italy, 14 years of competition have thus far led to a 40% reduction in high-speed fares, increased frequency and sustained passenger growth, with rail now overtaking air travel on the Rome–Milan route. In Spain, competition introduced in 2021 has seen fares halves across key corridors including Madrid–Barcelona when compared with 2021 levels, and the market reached a record 43.8 million high-speed passengers in 2025.

Finally, in France,  Trenitalia’s entry on the Paris–Lyon corridor in 2021 has led to a 43% reduction in average fares (summer 2019 vs summer 2023) and Paris–Marseille fares have fallen 29% (summer 2024 vs 2025).

UK-EU Travel Benefits

Research put forward by the Trainline proposes that greater competition on the Channel route could serve to bring similar benefits to those travelling from the UK to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and beyond, with an increased number of operators introducing the potential to increase service frequencies, offer more destinations and make fares more competitive, thereby improving the passenger experience and encouraging more people to choose rail for journeys between the UK and Europe.

In its report, Trainline has found that three quarters of Britons (74%) feel that lower fares from the UK to Europe by rail would make them more likely to take the train, whilst access from local stations also remains important, with 62% of Brits stating that they would be more likely to travel by rail if international services stopped closer to where they live, with the potential for new services stopping in East London and Kent expected to widen the appeal of rail to more travellers.

The introduction of new operators proved particularly attractive to younger people and families, with almost half of 25–34-year-olds (46%) and households with children (48%) stating that more operators would make them more likely to book international rail journeys.

Jody Ford, CEO of Trainline, said:

The research echoes our experience in Spain, Italy and France: where new operators have been able to compete, passengers have seen lower prices, more frequent services and better choice. The Channel route is the next opportunity to bring those benefits to British travellers.

As the UK considers the future of international rail through the Channel Tunnel, it should learn from these markets and create the conditions for a stronger, more competitive cross-Channel rail offer that brings more travellers to rail.

Passengers want greater choice and lower fares, and greater competition can help deliver both.

The Office of Rail and Road officially approved Virgin Trains’ application for access to Temple Mills International Depot in October 2025, marking the first step in the operator’s journey toward cross-channel services.

Robert Sinclair, CEO of London St. Pancras Highspeed, said:

As the proud owners of the international high-speed line from London to the Channel Tunnel, we are committed to seeing our railway and stations used to their full potential, and we welcome the findings of this Trainline report that supports our call for competition.

We believe we are on the cusp of a step change in international rail that will see more choice for travellers. The demand for international rail travel is certainly there, with volumes set to triple over the next 15 years.

Through initiatives like our International Growth Incentive Scheme, we are encouraging train operators to launch new services, increase destinations, purchase new rolling stock and drive modal shift. All of this will benefit the UK economy and help achieve our climate goals.

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