Eurostar: Thirty years of challenges

France in focus

On November 14, 1994, the rail operator Eurostar launched its high-speed services through the Channel Tunnel. A historic day that saw Paris and London connected in record time but the 30-year journey hasn't always run smoothly. FRANCE 24 takes a closer look.

In its early days, the cross-Channel route was a success: each year, Eurostar transported around 10 million passengers without any major incidents. Travelling to London became as easy as heading to Lyon or another major regional city.

However, the last few years have brought significant challenges, starting with Brexit and the reintroduction of customs between the UK and the European Union. This came as a shock for many travellers, who were used to crossing borders freely, almost forgetting the separation of sea between the island and the continent. Then came the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, which nearly spelled the end for Eurostar. Due to health restrictions, only a couple of trains were allowed to run each day, with very few passengers on board.

Eurostar was forced to adapt. It merged with the service connecting Paris to Brussels, previously known as Thalys. Now, Eurostar is looking to expand to major European cities like Amsterdam and Cologne. The brand also appeals to travellers from other continents who are keen to explore Europe by train.

Despite soaring ticket prices and numerous obstacles, Eurostar is determined to stay on the right track.