Eurostar reaches 400 million passengers as demand for business travel across Europe continues to grow
Eurostar has marked a major milestone by carrying its 400 millionth customer since services began in 1994, following a record year in which 20 million passengers chose the rail operator across its five-country European network.
This growth will be of particular interest to UK-based business travellers, as it underlines the continued expansion of high-speed rail as a reliable, flexible and sustainable alternative to short-haul flights for business travel between the UK and key European commercial centres such as Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Germany via Brussels. With demand from both leisure and business travellers rising, Eurostar’s investment and capacity increases are directly improving choice and resilience for companies whose employees travel regularly for work.
The milestone was celebrated at London St Pancras when Eurostar surprised its 400 millionth passenger, Amy Gallagher, who was travelling from London to Amsterdam. Ms Gallagher and her partner, Elliot Lipley, who are relocating from London to Amsterdam, were upgraded from Standard to Premier and offered a complimentary bottle of Champagne Fleury, Eurostar’s exclusive onboard champagne selected by Head Sommelier Honey Spencer.
Eurostar’s growth in 2025 has been particularly strong on routes that are popular with business travellers, including London–Amsterdam, which saw growth of 18.3%, London–Brussels with an increase of 5.8%, and London–Paris, up 5%. Travel between London and Germany via Brussels also grew by 10%, highlighting the increasing role of rail in international business travel itineraries. In addition, the equivalent of one Eurostar e320 train per day travelled using SNAP tickets in 2025, Eurostar’s discounted last-minute fare option relaunched in 2024, offering savings of up to 50%.
Gwendoline Cazenave, Eurostar CEO, said:
“To have welcomed 400 million people on board Eurostar is an incredible moment in our long history of connecting people across Europe. Celebrating the milestone with a lucky customer on our Dutch route made it even more special, as we continue to focus our growth efforts on The Netherlands. Another year of growth to 20 million passengers only motivates us to do more for our customers in the years to come as we expand, including into new countries as we introduce the new Celestia fleet.”
The London–Netherlands corridor remains a strategic focus for Eurostar’s future growth. In February 2025, the operator opened a new UK Terminal in Amsterdam, increasing capacity to up to 810 passengers on direct services between the UK and the Netherlands. This was followed in December 2025 by the launch of a fifth daily direct service between London, Rotterdam and Amsterdam, significantly increasing flexibility for travellers since Eurostar became the first rail operator to serve this route in 2018.
Looking further ahead, Eurostar is investing heavily to support its ambition of carrying 30 million passengers a year. In October 2025, the company announced a €2 billion investment in a new fleet of up to 50 Eurostar Celestia trains from Alstom, including an initial order of 30 double-decker trains with options for a further 20. These will be the first double-decker trains to operate through the Channel Tunnel and on the UK network, offering around 20% more capacity, with first services expected from 2031. The new trains will also enable new direct routes such as London–Frankfurt, London–Geneva and Amsterdam–Brussels to Geneva.
Paul Baker, Sales Director of Global Travel Management, said:
“For UK-based business travellers, Eurostar’s continued growth and investment is very positive news. More capacity, more frequent services and new direct routes mean greater flexibility, reduced journey times and a more sustainable approach to business travel, particularly on busy short-haul European routes.”
Designed with sustainability and accessibility at their core, the new Eurostar Celestia trains will deliver improved energy efficiency and enhanced onboard comfort, shaped by feedback from passengers, accessibility groups and Eurostar employees, reinforcing rail’s role in the future of European business travel.
Business travellers who would like further information on how these developments may affect their travel programmes should contact their Global Travel Management Account Manager.
