Eurostar surges to new heights with exceptional growth in 2023, targets 30 million passengers by 2030

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Eurostar has declared a noteworthy achievement, revealing that it facilitated the travel of 18.6 million passengers in 2023, marking a substantial 22% surge compared to the previous year and successfully aligning figures with the pre-Covid era. This commendable outcome is attributed to heightened demand on routes connecting Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris. The stellar performance positions the company on a trajectory toward its ambitious target of accommodating 30 million passengers by the year 2030.

Gwendoline Cazenave, the CEO of Eurostar, expressed enthusiasm about the company’s growth, emphasizing the increased patronage across its five-country network in 2023. She underscored the dual advantage of this growth, stating, “Our goal is to encourage more people to take the train, ensuring a win for customers and a win for the planet. The robust 22% growth in 2023 compared to 2022 indicates that we are firmly on the path to achieving our bold vision of reaching 30 million passengers by 2030.”

The Eurostar network observed significant surges in key routes departing from the UK:

• London to Amsterdam: +38%
• London to Brussels: +33%
• London to Paris: +25%

Cazenave elaborated on the remarkable growth, stating, “Eurostar achieved exceptionally strong growth in 2023, transporting nearly 8 million passengers between London and France (+25%), 1.1 million between the Netherlands and the UK (+38%), and 2.2 million to Belgium (+33%).”

The year 2023 witnessed the introduction of the new Eurostar, featuring a revamped website, a new application, and an innovative rewards program. Operating across five countries and serving 28 destinations, Eurostar also initiated the Eurostar Snow service connecting London to the French Alps. Additionally, advancements such as the Smartcheck for rapid facial biometric check-in and partnerships with Olympic/Paralympic teams for Paris 2024 marked notable milestones.

Looking ahead to 2024, Eurostar remains committed to growth, with a particular focus on addressing infrastructure challenges in Amsterdam. The cross-Channel terminal at Amsterdam Centraal station is set to undergo renovations, leading to a temporary closure from June 14 for six months. During this period, Eurostar plans to maintain traffic between the Netherlands and the UK by operating three daily direct services from London to Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

To facilitate seamless travel, Eurostar will offer connecting services at Brussels-Midi from Amsterdam, providing efficient connections between the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Brussels and Brussels-London trains, with travel times ranging from 48 minutes to 1 hour and 48 minutes.

Cazenave highlighted the significance of Amsterdam as a key hub for Eurostar’s international network, ensuring the continuity of the direct London-Amsterdam link during the renovation. She stated, “In 2024, we will continue to develop sustainable travel with a specific solution during the renovation of Amsterdam station, offering passengers the ability to travel by Eurostar with a connection, choosing from up to 8 routes. The construction of a new terminal is vital for passengers, enabling a substantial increase in numbers upon its opening.”

Anticipating a surge in demand, Eurostar forecasts close to two million passengers during the Olympic and Paralympic Games period, particularly on routes to Paris. As the rail partner, Eurostar will play a crucial role in transporting Olympic teams from Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium to their victories.

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