Huge boost for plans to bring back Eurostar to regional UK train station as Prime Minister joins calls for its return
THE return of Eurostar to a UK train station has been backed by the Prime Minister.
The international rail operator previously stopped at Ashford in Kent back in 2020.
However, this was paused that year due to the pandemic and is yet to return.
A petition has already gathered more than 60,000 signatures calling for trains to once again stop at Ashford International.
And it has since been backed by Keir Starmer.
He said in parliament, in response to Ashford MP Sojan Joseph: “I know this is an issue of considerable frustration to his constituents, the decision in question is ultimately for Eurostar.
“But we are keen to see international services reinstated to Ashford as soon as possible.”
A Eurostar spokesperson confirmed that the return to Ashford would not happen this year, but would look into it again in 2026.
Currently, the Eurostar’s only UK stop is at London St Pancras, where it departs and terminates.
However, it previously stopped at both Ebbsfleet International, with the first train leaving the London station in 2007, and Ashford International, which started in 1996 following an £80million project.
This means people living in Kent must travel into London, only for the train to come back through Ashford – doubling the journey time.
A return to Ashford could also reduce the congestion currently seen at the London train station.
And with new entry rules being introduced this year, a second UK stop could be vital to avoid overcrowding.
When Eurostar stopped at Ashford, it meant Brits could be in France in just one hour, with three daily services to Lille.
There are even calls for the Eurostar to stop at Stratford International, which despite its name, has never had trains to Europe.
Having opened in 2009, it had hoped to launch routes to Paris, although never came into fruition – thought to be because of it’s proximity to London St Pancras just seven minutes away.
And when Eurostar first launched, it operated from London Waterloo Station although moved to London St Pancras in 2007 following the new HS1.
Current direct Eurostar routes from London include Paris, Lille, Brussels, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
A direct Disneyland Paris route was scrapped in 2023.
Sun Travel's favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel's journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
The Sun Travel team have given their top recommendations for each city you can get to by Eurostar by train.
And Eurostar’s January sale ends today, which has £35 tickets on sale.