Eurostar to go double-decker

Eurostar has announced it is investing in up to 50 new double-decker trains built by Alstom Group – the first ever to operate through the Channel Tunnel and on the UK network.

Eurostar confirmed an order for 30 trains, with an option for a further 20, marking a significant step in Eurostar’s growth journey to 30 million annual passengers.

Introducing “Eurostar Celestia” - new double-decker, sustainable trains. Image provided by Eurostar press. Eurostar Celestia train arriving in London St Pancras. CGI picture. Colours and livery not final. ©ALSTOM SA ©SPEEDINNOV SAS 2025. Advanced & Creative Design | Avelia Horizon™.

The new fleet, named 'Eurostar Celestia' will be a bespoke design created from Alstom’s Avelia Horizon platform. The 200-metre trains will be interoperable across all five countries served today plus new destinations of Geneva and Frankfurt.

Seat capacity will increase by 20% on each new train, subject to final design specifications. It is expected that each 200-metre set will have around 540 seats. If running in 400m formation (as through the channel tunnel today), there would be around 1,080 seats per service.

The first trains are due to join the fleet in January 2031, with commercial services launching in May 2031. Once delivered, the new trains will operate alongside Eurostar’s current fleet of 17 e320s, bringing the total fleet to 67 trains – a 30% uplift overall versus today.

Eurostar plans to maintain the entire fleet at the Temple Mills depot in London, which would be developed to accommodate the new trains at a cost of around €80m. The new fleet will create around 350 more highly skilled jobs at the depot, continuing its heritage as a centre of excellence for international high-speed rail. Today, over half of all Eurostar jobs are already UK-based, with 450 of those based at Temple Mills.

Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO, Eurostar said: “Placing this milestone order marks the concrete realisation of Eurostar’s ambitious growth strategy - to reach 30 million passengers by investing in a brand-new fleet. We’re particularly proud to bring double-decker trains to the UK for the very first time.

“Customers can expect a very special new train with Eurostar Celestia, which will offer exceptional comfort, a unique Eurostar experience and new surprises to be revealed. This is a golden age for international sustainable travel – and Eurostar is leading the race.”

Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Chief Executive Officer of Alstom, said: "By choosing Avelia Horizon to renew its fleet, Eurostar is confirming its desire to combine technological performance, energy efficiency and passenger comfort. This new-generation train, designed to meet the demands of international very high-speed traffic, embodies our vision of sustainable and competitive European mobility."

See the map of Eurostar's current routes: