Uber plans new Eurostar rival trains that aren’t from London St Pancras 

A fresh contender for rail travel is pulling into the station, literally.

Forget the chaos of central London, and the marathon drag of wheeling your suitcase across the city just to squeeze into the Eurostar lounge. Soon, travellers may be boarding sleek, high-speed Uber-branded trains through the Channel Tunnel, from a new east-London location. 

Stratford International is poised to become the launchpad for a planned fleet of 10 high-speed trains, offering direct journeys to Paris, Brussels, and Lille. Gemini Trains, a start-up chaired by Lord Tony Berkeley, has submitted its proposals to the rail regulator, aiming to begin cross-Channel services as early as 2029.

Uber has expanded its transport services by partnering with Gemini to launch these new Uber Trains.

Soon, the same app you use to hail a Saturday-night ride, book a Thames river cruise, or rent a bike could also whisk you off for a weekend getaway to Paris – seamlessly combining mobile connectivity with international travel.

Location, location, location  

Stratford has been waiting patiently for its time to truly shine, and this just might be it. 

East London is rapidly becoming known as a transportation and commercial hub, with the area rising in popularity and population. Londoner’s preferences are beginning to move away from the tourist-filled city-centre and begin to shift East, with Hackney and Shoreditch becoming increasingly popular in recent years.

Stratford also presents a strategic choice, recently renovated and expanded to accommodate the Elizabeth line, the station offers seamless routes for inter-county, and now country travel.  

The station links directly to the Elizabeth line, the DLR, the Overground and Southeastern services, making it accessible from all-across London and the Southeast.  

Stratford International is also already prepped for European travel, with passport control, customs and Border force facilities, meaning the station can handle international departures, without the need for additional upgrades. 

The combination of already prepared security infrastructure, and the accessibility of its location, gives passengers experience just as smooth as you might find on the Eurostar trains from St Pancras, but without the congestion and chaos of central London. 

And the plans don’t stop at Stratford. The Gemini trains team have got plans to expand European travel even further, with Paris-bound trains for Ebbsfleet International also in the works. 

Located just off the M25, Ebbsfleet International offers extensive parking facilities and is easily accessible via regional rail services, making it an ideal departure point for travellers from outside London.

Like Stratford, the station is fully equipped and ready to go, with passport control and security services that were last used by Eurostar in 2020. Add in its strategic location and excellent motorway access, this Kent hub could become the preferred departure point for passengers living in the South-East of England.

Adrian Quine, Gemini’s Chief executive, comments that ‘Locating the terminus in east London and reusing Ebbsfleet would open us catchment areas to cross-Channel rail services to 18 million people.’ 

Redefining cross-Channel travel 

For decades, Eurostar has had a tight grip on cross-Channel travel. Now, Gemini and Uber trains are stepping onto the scene with some competitive pricing. Frequent Euro-travellers will be well acquainted with the £200+ returns to Paris, even when booked weeks in advance. 

Gemini and Uber are promising to change that, with a fleet designed to compete not just on speed and convenience, but also on value and service quality. According to the company website, Gemini aims to set a new standard for rail travel:  

‘We believe that an unashamed ‘customer first’ service culture, coupled with great value fares and truly innovative offerings, will help reinvigorate rail travel.’

They further note: ‘We believe there is a significant opportunity for a dynamic and innovative operator offering mixed ‘economy’ and ‘business’ seats at a competitive price to Eurostar.’ 

The proposal is undoubtedly compelling; for travellers, the new fleet could offer more flexible, comfortable journeys from east London and the southeast, with multiple departure points that avoid the faff of heading into Zone 1.

Competitors on the Channel

Eurostar has long been the dominant way to travel between London and European cities, but it’s no longer the only option. Several new entrants are now vying to offer high-speed, high-standard, and more affordable services.

Virgin Trains is making a bold bid for the top spot, planning to launch 12 high-speed Avelia Stream trains connecting London with Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam by 2030.

Backed by Sir Richard Branson and institutional partners, this £700 million investment aims to give travellers more choice and potentially lower fares – posing a serious challenge to Eurostar’s long-standing dominance.

FS Italiane, the parent company of Trenitalia, Italy’s state-owned railway operator, is also seeking approval from the UK’s rail regulator. In April 2025, FS Italiane announced plans for a high-speed service connecting London and Paris via the Channel Tunnel by 2029. 

The project involves a €1 billion investment and includes a partnership with Spanish mobility company Evolyn to support this initiative.

When can we hop aboard? 

As tempting as it is to pack your bags, grab a croissant, and head east, some patience will be required. The service is aiming for a 2029 launch, pending approvals and construction. 

It’s early days, but the vision is clear: Uber train, powered by Gemini, might just redefine cross-Channel travel. Eurostar’s long reign may soon face some serious competition.