Switzerland calling - Eurostar to launch Geneva services from December

For flying phobics and fans of a speedy check-in process, Eurostar has been the transport method of choice for hopping over to the continent.

Now the much-loved high-speed railway service has announced that it is expanding its offering, launching a Geneva via Lille service, in partnership with international high-speed train service TGV Lyria.

The year-round service makes its inaugural journey from London St Pancras on December 14, and travellers can already snap up tickets for the route starting from £116 return.

Holidaymakers will be able to take in the air in Switzerland’s second most populous city in just over six hours.

With onward connections to Aigle, Martigny, Sion, Sierre, Visp and Brig, the route is effectively a gateway to Switzerland’s most prized gems.

Eurostar commercial director Nick Mercer said:

"With city-centre to city-centre travel and a generous baggage allowance, the new offer proposes an attractive alternative to flying."

Fresh from revealing year-on-year growth of 3% in passenger numbers and 2% sales revenues in Q3 2014, Eurostar has also recently announced a number of other expansions to its services.

A new year-round service direct from London to Provence stopping at Lyon, Avignon and Marseille will also make its debut in May 2015, with tickets on the route available to purchase from December.

A direct service from London to the Amsterdam with stops in Antwerp, Rotterdam, Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Centraal will also launch in 2016.

Nicolas Petrovic, Chief Executive, Eurostar, said:

“After twenty years of leading the way in cross channel high speed rail travel our sights are now set on expanding further afield and making rail the obvious choice for short haul travel. With passenger numbers and sales revenues increasing year-on-year we are well placed for the next phase of growth. Our new direct services to Provence and Amsterdam will revolutionise travel to these destinations and mark the start of a new chapter for our business.”

If you are heading off on a trip to the continent, it’s is important to organise single-trip travel insurance in advance.

Date Created: 23/10/2014