New 1 Stop 6 Hour Rail Service to Geneva

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."

I think this is going to prove very popular. Just did a test booking for low season period in March and it would cost £136 return with nothing more to pay. Seems like a good deal to central London. No waiting around at the airports and more luggage at no extra cost.

Here is the link I used.

http://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/eurostar-deals/eurostar-train-deals/ski-train-the-alps/ski-train-the-swiss-alps/timetables

That's a good price - and presumably the (very reasonable) Swiss Transfer tickets can be bought to get from Geneva to the Swiss hubs at least?

The timings are not ideal for onward travel, so you're probably looking at overnight in Geneva if relying on public transport for the rest of the journey. Hire car picked up from Geneva station would work well though. Might look at that...

While this can be of no personal interest, I am pleased to see another efficiency/cost benefit coming into UK snowsports. There is more than the base cost and time aspect. Some people just do not like flying. For many people, they can get into London by train more easily than getting to an airport, and with no car parking charges.

I agree with Admin that the service timing is a bit surprising. Two hours earlier would have allowed time at the end to get into resort, and yet still give time for travelers to make their journey to London.

Having said that, it can be certain that market forces will ensure that overnights/car hires/direct taxis etc will step up and provide a finishing and return service.

I wonder what this will do to air fares to Geneva?

I have just noticed that the train times I was looking at, which had 4 per day, involved a change of station.

Sounds good prima facie. But as Dave Mac says, the times present huge logistical problems, and seem to have been given no thought.

I think I would rather go the usual route to Geneva by train and change in Paris, because I could get there at a more reasonable time and if the Eurostar was running late and I missed the connection in Paris there would be other trains going to Geneva.
I mean, there are several trains leaving St Pancras which could make Geneva with a change of station in Paris from Paris Nord to Paris Lyon, and the journey only takes half an hour longer than the new train which only has one service per day.

Departs St Pancras 07:52 arrives Geneva 15-27
Departs St Pancras 11:01 arrives Geneva 18:16
Departs St Pancras 12:58 arrives Geneva 20:16
Departs St Pancras 13:31 arrives Geneva 21:27

And there are 3 trains coming back, leaving Geneva at 06:13, 09:42 and 13:42, and arriving back in St Pancras at 12:30, 15:30, and 20:39

The price I got for going out on Saturday 10th January and coming back the following Saturday was £164 return, and I expect it would have been a lot cheaper on the first day the tickets for the French trains during the winter came on sale, which was 16th October. My return ticket St Pancras to Oulx only cost £117, with a change of stations in Paris.

If people are nervous of getting across Paris from one station to another on the metro or the RER they can always get a taxi - it didn't cost much when I did that.