New 1 Stop 6 Hour Rail Service to Geneva
New 1 Stop 6 Hour Rail Service to Geneva
Published : 26-Oct-2014 10:14
Eurostar has announced a new year-round service to Geneva via Lille, in partnership with international high-speed train service "TGV Lyria".
Previously only possible by changing trains – and stations in Paris, the new service which has just started operating, allows passengers to change trains by just crossing a platform at Lille bringing the journey time to a little over six hours.
This is likely to work out not much more than the process of travel to the airport, checking in, getting through security, waiting for the flight, the flight, waiting for bags and taking the transfer to central Geneva for connections to French and Swiss resorts for those travelling by air.
Costs are likely to be similar or lower than air too, particularly for those taking ski equipment, which is carried free of charge on Eurostar, compared to fees of up to £60 each way charged by airlines. Return rail fares start from £116.
Recent Eurostar customer research had revealed that Geneva is one of the most desirable destinations for UK travellers and there will be four daytime services each week on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The service leaves London St Pancras just before 1pm and arrives in Geneva at 20.16 local time, with a stop in Ebbsfleet and 37 minutes to change trains in Lille. On the return trip the service leaves Geneva at 8.30am (except Sundays at 10.30am) on the same days each week and arrives London at 16.05, with 45 minutes to change in Lille.
For those wishing to venture further, the new route offers passengers a convenient way to travel to some of the most popular destinations in Switzerland, with simple onward connections from Geneva to the key ski hubs Aigle, Martigny, Sion, Sierre, Visp and Brig – located close to many of the country's leading ski resorts including Verbier and Zermatt.
A new look Eurostar terminal in Lille will be unveiled in December this year.
"This announcement marks another major milestone in our ambition to encourage more people to travel further by high-speed rail," said Nick Mercer, Commercial Director of Eurostar, "Our research shows a real appetite for a more civilised way to reach popular European destinations, and this new connecting service offers easy access for customers looking to reach some of the most spectacular ski resorts in Europe. With city-centre to city-centre travel and a generous baggage allowance, the new offer proposes an attractive alternative to flying."
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