Trenitalia takes on Eurostar on the Paris – London route with 19 trains from 2029
What if the train journey between Paris and London finally became a competitive market, with more affordable fares and greater choice for travellers? That prospect has been taking shape since Friday 7 August 2026, when Trenitalia France officially announced its intention to break into the Paris – London route, a corridor that Eurostar has held as a monopoly until now.
Two billion euros to conquer the Paris – London route
The FS Italiane Group, Trenitalia’s parent company, is not planning a tentative entry. The announced investment reaches two billion euros, earmarked to fund the purchase of new high-speed trains. This colossal budget signals the Italian operator’s determination to establish a lasting presence on this strategic corridor between France and the United Kingdom.
To bring the project to life, Trenitalia has placed an order with Japanese manufacturer Hitachi Rail. In total, 19 high-speed trains will be acquired. Of these, 10 sets will be specifically assigned to services through the Channel Tunnel, while the remaining 9 will bolster the routes already operated by the company in France and Italy, including the Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Milan corridors. Trenitalia has been running these routes since 2021.
The stated goal is clear: to launch the Paris – London service by 2029. To win over passengers, the new trains will be fitted with Wi-Fi and will feature a redesigned bar car, with an enhanced food and drink offering.
What travellers can realistically expect
The arrival of a direct competitor on the Paris – London route could transform the passenger experience. Robert Sinclair, chief executive of London St. Pancras Highspeed, put it plainly to AFP: greater competition opens the door to more choice, potentially lower fares and new destinations.
Here are the key things to know about what Trenitalia is preparing for travellers:
- 19 high-speed trains ordered from Hitachi Rail
- 10 sets dedicated to France – United Kingdom crossings via the Channel Tunnel
- On-board Wi-Fi and a new bar car with an expanded food and drink offer
- Paris – London service scheduled to launch in 2029
- Total investment by the FS Italiane Group: 2 billion euros
For regular travellers between the two capitals, this opening up of competition represents a tangible shift, both in terms of pricing and on-board comfort.
Eurostar is not standing still
Faced with this direct challenge, Eurostar has also decided to move up a gear. The company has ordered 50 new double-deck trains, with the aim of significantly increasing its carrying capacity. This investment also amounts to two billion euros in total.
An Eurostar spokesperson, quoted by Capital, set out the ambition behind this financial commitment: reaching 30 million passengers per year. According to the company, this represents the largest investment in its history.
The prospect of competition on the Paris – London route is therefore pushing both players to invest heavily. On one side, Trenitalia is building its offering on this market from scratch. On the other, Eurostar is strengthening its fleet to defend its position as market leader. As a result, travellers who regularly make this journey could, by 2029, benefit from a rail offering between Paris and London that has been thoroughly transformed.
