Direct high-speed rail links between the UK and Germany are now a 'step closer', as Eurostar and Deutsche Bahn (DB) confirm their intentions to launch direct services from London to major German cities in the early 2030s. The move marks a significant moment for rail in Europe, promising greener travel, faster journey times and a huge boost to tourism and business on both sides of the Channel. The two rail giants have signed a memorandum of understanding, signalling their joint commitment to build a direct connection between London, Cologne and Frankfurt.

The services are set to begin in the early 2030s, using Eurostar's new double-decker Celestia fleet. Currently, passengers must change trains in Brussels to reach Germany, but this new link would allow travellers to board in London and step off hours later in the centre of Cologne or Frankfurt, without a single transfer.

The new train routes will offer direct city centre to city centre connection. Passengers will be able to reach Cologne within about four hours while those wanting to go to Frankfurt will be able to get there in just over five hours.

The announcement follows the first meeting of a joint UK-Germany transport taskforce in Berlin, where government officials and industry leaders came together to address the challenges that have long prevented direct cross-border rail links.

CEO of Eurostar, Gwendoline Cazenave, said: "We're thrilled to kick off this partnership with DB. It's a big step towards making travel between London and Germany more sustainable and effortless.

"By combining Eurostar's cross-channel know-how and new fleet with DB's strong presence in Germany, we're creating a whole new level of connectivity and convenience for our customers.

"This partnership will help continue to power Eurostar's growth and bring us closer to our goal of carrying 30 million passengers across our network."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "This brings us one step closer to a new rail link that will put Britain at the heart of a better-connected Europe and paves the way for increased trade, tourism and investment.

"From establishing pioneering cross-continent routes to freezing domestic rail fares for the first time in 30 years, transport is just one of the many ways this government is investing in international relationships to cut the cost of living back home."

DB-Vorstand Personenfernverkehr, Michael Peterson also said: "Europe is coming together ever more closely by rail. In cooperation with Eurostar, we also want to bring Germany and the UK closer together at high speed. We are convinced of the great potential of such a direct connection.

"However, this project also shows that new cross-border long-distance services are often only possible through partnerships like this, due to complex framework conditions."