Move Over, Eurostar: Virgin Trains Is Entering the Tunnel

Updated: October 30, 2025, 8:20am CDT

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Table of Contents

Virgin Trains: Future International Service to Paris and Beyond
What Will Virgin’s International Train Service Be Like?
Final Thoughts

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Building on its empire of planes, gyms, hotels, and cruise ships, Virgin is bringing a rail service back to life.

The U.K. government sector in charge of rail and road has given Virgin the go-ahead to start an international rail service between London and Paris in direct competition with Eurostar.

“It’s time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route,” said Richard Branson, co-founder of the Virgin Group.

Details are pretty scarce, as the news just broke today. Here’s what we know so far.

Virgin Trains: Future International Service to Paris and Beyond

For over 3 decades, train travel between the U.K. and France has been dominated by Eurostar, passing through the so-called “Chunnel.”

That will all change before the turn of the decade as Virgin has big plans to connect London with Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris by 2030. Branson teased that those 3 cities would just be the start of Virgin’s European rail domination.

This is exciting news for both Europeans and visitors to the continent who’ll have more options to consider when country hopping in Europe. While it hasn’t been confirmed, I’m pretty certain Virgin Red members will also be able to redeem their points on Virgin’s new upcoming international rail services.

Richard Branson from Virgin at London St Pancras International train station — Richard Branson celebrates the news that his train service to France and beyond can go ahead. Image Credit: Harry Kinnaird/VML

In true Virgin style, when he heard the news, Sir Richard Branson himself rushed down to London’s St. Pancras station (the city’s international rail terminus), where he cheekily handed out Virgin Trains goodie bags to Eurostar passengers.

This won’t be Virgin’s first rodeo on the rails. Virgin used to operate trains up and down the U.K. on the country’s main west coast line between London and Scotland. Sadly, it lost the contract for the route in December 2019.

Bottom Line:

Virgin is launching a new rail service between London and Paris that will revolutionise cross-Channel travel.

What Will Virgin’s International Train Service Be Like?

It’s very early days to know for sure, but I’d expect Virgin’s international rail services to be full of the same unique energy that Virgin’s flights and cruises are known for.

At the very least, I’d expect a social space in the form of a bar or restaurant that would take up an entire carriage.

“We can’t wait to welcome you abroad – and to sprinkle a bit of Virgin magic across the Channel,” said Branson.

Final Thoughts

While it’s unclear exactly what is coming, Virgin’s train service between London and Paris will revolutionize cross-channel travel. We’ll be back with an update as soon as we know more.