Virgin Trains on track to start cross-Channel services in 2030

Virgin Trains has been given the green light to start international services from London to European cities in 2030.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR), the rail regulator, has approved an agreement between HS1 Limited – trading as London St Pancras Highspeed – and Virgin Trains.

The agreement will allow Virgin Trains to operate up to 20 new daily return services between London and Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam from October 1, 2030, to December 31, 2040.

Martin Jones, ORR access and international deputy director, said: “This is an important next step in bringing competition and growth to the market for international rail services, and we welcome the progress Virgin Trains and London St Pancras High Speed have made.

“While there is still more work to do, we are supporting Virgin and the wider industry to grow international services.”

The ORR It noted several steps for Virgin Trains to take before the new services will be able to run, including securing trains, access to other rail networks and safety approvals from ORR and the relevant authorities in the EU.

Virgin Trains won the go-ahead from the rail regulator to challenge Eurostar’s monopoly on passenger services through the Channel Tunnel in October 2025.

More: Virgin Trains wins approval to challenge Eurostar on Channel Tunnel services