A train service that links us to some of mainland Europe’s finest cities truly is a godsend, and it’s a no-brainer compared to taking a flight on many an occasion. The demand for the service has only increased following the Covid pandemic, and now that popularity could soon be met with more affordable pricing.
Travelling from London to Paris or Amsterdam by way of train tracks could become cheaper as of next year, after train regulator Office Of Rail and Road (ORR) has suggested for fares to be slashed by 7.7% from April 2025 (at the earliest).
This is due to new plans on the High Speed 1 (HS1) line that could see prices lowered as part of a 2025-2030 model, which would see prices go down by 7.7% on Eurostar. Feras Alshaker, Director for Planning and Performance at ORR said the line is a “vital connection between the UK and continental Europe” and “makes a crucial contribution to the UK economy, supporting growth.”
“The detailed scrutiny and challenge we’ve applied to HS1 Ltd’s plans should see the costs of operating on the line reduce significantly, giving savings for both international and domestic operators over the next five years, with benefits for passengers and freight users.”
There is no word on whether this is happening yet, but quotes coming out of ORR could point to positive news on price reductions, though it’s likely we won’t know anything more until early next year.
Of course, even if the overall prices go down by 7.7% we hope Eurostar will continue to run their trusty sales throughout each year, which see prices hurtle down, giving us the chance to book an impromptu trip to Brussels or Paris when we might not have otherwise had a break from London!
There is no confirmation on whether or not Eurostar prices will drop next year – watch this space for any incoming updates!
