Virgin Trains Set to Challenge Eurostar with Direct Manchester to Paris Services

Virgin Trains is preparing a bold move to compete with Eurostar by launching direct rail services from Manchester to Paris. Backed by Sir Richard Branson, the company aims to offer connections from English regions—including Manchester and Birmingham—to major European cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels, should it succeed in gaining access to the Channel Tunnel later this month. These plans are seen as a strategic response after the group’s proposal to reintroduce its domestic UK services was rejected by the Department for Transport.

Virgin Trains, benefitting from high public awareness generated during its previous tenure on UK intercity lines from 1997 to 2019, is viewing regional cross-Channel services as a means to diversify and expand. Sir Richard Branson submitted evidence to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in July, signalling intentions to strengthen connections with the broader UK rail network if chosen to rival Eurostar. Routes from Manchester and Birmingham are considered promising growth prospects, especially given historic investment in the so-called Regional Eurostar programme, which was shelved despite £320 million being spent on new rolling stock and infrastructure.

The operational challenge is significant: trains would have to run along the heavily used West Coast Main Line and traverse north London, likely demanding upgrades to accommodate high-speed units before joining the Channel Tunnel route at Stratford. Nonetheless, Virgin has ambitious plans to order a fleet of 12 Avelia high-speed trains from French manufacturer Alstom, targeting up to 20 daily services from London St Pancras to Paris and to Amsterdam via Brussels. An expansion to additional rolling stock may be considered if initial operations prove successful.

Competitors are close on their heels. UK-based Gemini Trains, Spain’s Evolyn, and Trenitalia of Italy are all in contention to operate cross-Channel services, with Gemini and Trenitalia outlining their own significant train acquisitions. Eurostar, too, intends to modernise with a fresh order of 50 new trains, looking to maintain its dominance as more European networks open up to private operators.

Expansion opportunities for Virgin Trains could extend beyond services starting and ending in London. Potentially, the company might run trains connecting Continental cities independently, capitalising on broader European market liberalisation. Virgin is also studying calls at Ebbsfleet and Ashford in Kent—stations that Eurostar ceased to serve during the pandemic. Linking Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol airports is under review, creating closer ties with Air France-KLM, a Virgin Atlantic partner. Trains serving Charles de Gaulle would include a stop at Disneyland Paris, suggesting the possibility of discounted, leisure-focused fares aimed at families and tourists.

Virgin’s return to the international rail arena marks a significant development for UK and cross-Channel transport. Industry attention now focuses on the ORR, which will soon announce which operator will break Eurostar’s long-held monopoly—a decision that could redefine travel patterns between Britain and the Continent.