Eurostar has announced that it transported 18.6 million passengers in 2023, up 22 per cent on 2022 and putting numbers back in line with pre-COVID levels. This result was boosted by the strong demand on routes to Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris, and puts the new group on the road to its bold ambition of reaching 30 million passengers by 2030.
Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO of Eurostar, said: “Eurostar is growing and in 2023 we welcomed many more customers on board across our five countries. Our goal is to encourage more people to take the train so it’s a win for customers and a win for the planet. We have a bold vision to reach 30 million passengers by 2030, and growth in 2023 of +22 per cent versus 2022 show we are strongly on our way.”
Routes that have seen the most growth on the Eurostar network from the UK are:
. London – Amsterdam: +38 per cent
. London – Brussels: +33 per cent
. London – Paris: +25 per cent
Gwendoline said: “Eurostar achieved exceptionally strong growth in 2023. We carried almost 8 million passengers between London and France (+25 per cent), 1.1 million between the Netherlands and the UK (+38 per cent) and 2.2 million to Belgium (+33 per cent).”
2023 saw the launch of the new Eurostar: new website, new application and new rewards programme. Eurostar now operates in 5 countries, to 28 destinations. Last year also saw the launch of the new Eurostar Snow service between London and the French Alps, the introduction of Smartcheck for fast-track facial biometric check-in, and signature of partnerships with the Olympic/Paralympic teams for Paris 2024.
3 direct trains a day between London and Amsterdam and connecting journeys while the terminal is closed
In 2024, Eurostar continues growing with a specific attention to infrastructure constraints in Amsterdam. Eurostar’s cross-Channel terminal at Amsterdam Centraal station will operate until June 14 and will be closed for six months for renovation works. After this period, a new cross-channel terminal will welcome more passengers to London.
During the works, to maintain traffic between the Netherlands and the UK, and to offer customers solutions to travel on high-speed trains, Eurostar will operate 3 direct daily services from London to Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
From Amsterdam, Eurostar will offer a connecting service at Brussels-Midi, providing a 48-minute to 1 hour 48-minute connection between the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Brussels train and the Brussels-London train.
Gwendoline said: “Amsterdam is a key hub for Eurostar’s international network. In 2024, we will continue to develop sustainable travel with a specific solution during the renovation of Amsterdam station. We will ensure the continuity of the direct London-Amsterdam link. From Amsterdam and Rotterdam to London, passengers will be able to travel by Eurostar with a connection, with a choice of up to 8 routes. The construction of a new terminal is vital for passengers, who will be able to increase their numbers significantly when it opens.”
Close to two million passengers expected for the Paris Games
Eurostar expects to carry close to two million passengers on its various routes to Paris across the Olympic and Paralympic Games period. As rail partner, Eurostar will take the Olympic teams from Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium to victory.
Photo credit: Eurostar
