Looking to increase its capacity over the coming years, Eurostar has put in an order worth up to €2 billion with train manufacturer Alstom. The first delivery is expected to arrive in 2031 and will see the first double-decker trains crossing the Channel Tunnel.
In 2024, Eurostar carried 19.5 million passengers aboard its trains. The current fleet’s capacity allows for up to 25 million travellers, yet the company is aiming for 30 million over the coming years. Over a year ago, Eurostar unveiled the first plans to renew and enlarge its fleet and in May 2025, rumours emerged about the possibility of double-decker trains.
Those rumours have now been confirmed, as Eurostar has placed an order with the French manufacturer Alstom. In a first phase, 30 trains have been ordered, while an option has been put on an additional 20. If all 50 trains were delivered, which is the goal according to Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave, the cost of the deal would amount to €2 billion. According to the CEO, multiple manufacturers were approached, yet Alstom – which operates 14 sites throughout France – was able to complete the order much faster than others.
EUROSTAR GOES DOUBLE-DECK:
— The Man in Seat 61 (@seatsixtyone) October 22, 2025
Eurostar confirms order for 30 new double-deck trains from Alstom, similar to TGV-M, with option for 20 more, in service from May 2031. The 200m sets can run to/from London as 2 x 200m with 1,080 seats.
(Another move in the Battle for Temple Mills…) pic.twitter.com/LzjQ7QrN9t
More seats, cheaper tickets?
The first six double-decker trains are expected to enter service in May 2031. As of then, 15 trains a year should be delivered to Eurostar. The new trains will replace the older models in the fleet, while bringing their total number from 51 to 67. Eurostar plans to continue using the 17 e320 trains built by Siemens simultaneously.
All of the trains, Alstom’s Celestia double-decker model, would measure 200 meters in length. It would be possible to couple two trains per ride, which would bring the total seat number to 1,080 for such double-decker trains. They would be used all over the Eurostar network and would be compatible with the infrastructure in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and part of the United Kingdom.
Particularly for the United Kingdom and the Channel Tunnel, the arrival of the double-decker Eurostar trains should be historic. So far, double-deckers have never crossed the tunnel and aside from an experiment in 1949, the British railroad network has never welcomed them either.
In an interview with the BBC, music producer and railway enthusiast Pete Waterman unveiled how most of the British railways would be unable to receive double-deckers, as the infrastructure was built for lower carriages. The high-speed line between London St Pancras and the Channel Tunnel, however, was built to European standards.
The news could also be positive for future Eurostar travellers. Not only will the capacity increase, but seats could possibly become more affordable as the trains are not more expensive to run than their predecessors.
