Eurostar has unveiled plans for a new era in European high-speed rail with a €2 billion investment in up to 50 double-decker trains, marking the first time such trains will operate through the Channel Tunnel and on the UK rail network. The landmark order, confirmed with Alstom Group, includes 30 trains with an option for 20 more, forming the backbone of Eurostar’s ambitious strategy to reach 30 million annual passengers.
The new fleet, named Eurostar Celestia, will be custom-built on Alstom’s Avelia Horizon platform and designed to embody the brand’s hallmark of premium comfort and sustainability. The name “Celestia” — derived from the Latin caelestis, meaning “heavenly” — was chosen by Eurostar’s team to evoke the stars and the sense of connection between Europe’s great cities.
Each 200-metre train will be interoperable across all five countries currently served by Eurostar and will enable expansion to Geneva and Frankfurt. Capacity will rise by 20%, with around 540 seats per trainset — or up to 1,080 seats when two sets run in tandem through the Channel Tunnel.
The first six Celestia trains will enter service in May 2031, following delivery in January that year, marking the beginning of a new generation for Eurostar’s fleet. Once the order is complete, the company will operate 67 trains in total, a 30% increase over its current capacity.
The entire fleet will be maintained at Eurostar’s Temple Mills depot in London, which will undergo an €80 million expansion to accommodate the new models, creating around 350 additional skilled jobs.
Sustainability and accessibility are central to the Celestia design, which features 97% recyclable components, 25% recycled materials, and energy consumption 20–50% lower than the current fleet. The trains are engineered to withstand future climate conditions and developed with input from passenger and accessibility groups to ensure inclusivity at every stage of design.
Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave called the project a milestone in the company’s growth: “Placing this order marks the realisation of Eurostar’s ambition to reach 30 million passengers by investing in a brand-new fleet. We’re particularly proud to bring double-decker trains to the UK for the first time. This is a golden age for international sustainable travel – and Eurostar is leading the race.”
Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom, added: “By choosing Avelia Horizon, Eurostar confirms its desire to combine technological performance, energy efficiency and passenger comfort. This next-generation train embodies the future of sustainable, competitive European mobility.”
With Eurostar Celestia, the company is not only expanding its network but redefining cross-border train travel — faster, greener, and more connected than ever before.
Photo Caption : Eurostar Celestia train arriving in London St Pancras. CGI picture. Colours and livery not final. ©ALSTOM SA ©SPEEDINNOV SAS 2025. Advanced & Creative Design | Avelia Horizon™.
