Executive Summary

On 12 June 2026, the Federal Council decided to accelerate work on a direct rail connection between Switzerland and London. In May 2025, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti and British Transport Minister Heidi Alexander signed a Memorandum of Understanding for institutionalized cooperation. In May 2026, the SBB agreed with French railway company SNCF Voyageurs and Eurostar on a letter of intent for the direct connection. The Federal Council tasked various federal agencies with additional clarifications and intends to decide on further steps by the end of 2027. Operations are planned to begin in the 2030s.

People

Topics

  • Rail transport
  • Switzerland-United Kingdom mobility
  • Border controls and security
  • Infrastructure projects

Clarus Lead

The direct rail connection addresses strong demand: Over 50,000 travellers daily use flights between Switzerland and London, while rail travel currently requires cumbersome transfers in Paris or Lille. The project underscores both countries' transport policy priorities and signals a strategic opening by the United Kingdom to continental rail networks following Brexit. However, significant regulatory hurdles arise from border controls, the United Kingdom's non-membership in Schengen, and Eurotunnel security regulations, which require adjustments to international treaties.

Detailed Summary

The demand situation is impressive: Currently, over 50 direct flights operate daily from Switzerland to London and the same number in the opposite direction. The rail alternative, however, is fragmented – travellers must transfer and change stations in Paris or Lille. A direct connection could significantly increase the attractiveness of rail transport and reduce CO₂ emissions.

The institutional foundation has already been established: The Memorandum of Understanding from May 2025 between Federal Councillor Rösti and the British Transport Minister formalized cooperation between both transport ministries. The operational level followed in May 2026, when the SBB signed a letter of intent with SNCF Voyageurs and Eurostar.

The technical and legal hurdles are substantial. Since the United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen Area, entry and exit controls must be carried out – in the case of a direct connection, already on Swiss soil. The Eurotunnel is subject to enhanced security regulations with correspondingly stricter controls. Clarifying these issues requires coordination between the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), the Federal Customs and Border Security Office (BAZG), and the Federal Office of Police (fedpol). The Federal Office of Transport (BAV) is leading the effort.

The timeline is ambitious: By the end of 2027, the Federal Council intends to decide on further steps. Operations are expected to begin in the 2030s.

Key Messages

  • The Federal Council sees great potential in a direct rail connection between Switzerland and London and is intensifying work until 2027.
  • Over 50,000 daily air passengers between Switzerland and London indicate strong demand that current rail travel does not meet.
  • Regulatory hurdles (border controls, Schengen status, Eurotunnel security) require adjustments to international treaties and coordination among multiple federal agencies.

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence: Is the demand assumption of over 50,000 daily travellers based on market research, or are flight passenger numbers directly assumed as rail potential? What price elasticity is assumed?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: What economic incentives do SBB, SNCF Voyageurs, and Eurostar have, and could these lead to overly optimistic profitability forecasts?

  3. Causality: Is the complexity of border controls (entry and exit on Swiss soil) technically and operationally feasible, or could this lead to delays that would eliminate the advantage over flights?

  4. Feasibility: Which international treaties must be amended, and how realistic is ratification by 2027 given parliamentary processes?

  5. Side Effects: Could a direct connection cannibalize existing rail connections (e.g., via Paris) without achieving net traffic diversion from air travel?

  6. Financing: Who bears the investment costs for infrastructure, border controls, and operations? Is a break-even scenario realistic?

Sources

Primary Source: Federal Council Voting Sunday – Latest Federal Council Conferences – news.admin.ch, 12.06.2026

Verification Status: ✓ 12.06.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-check: 12.06.2026