When will SBB direct services to Barcelona, Amsterdam and London start?

The SBB expansion project foresees a gradual implementation until 2030. London has been identified as the last stage, with completion around 2030. For Barcelona and Amsterdam, the times are still being defined. The SBB will communicate the precise dates as soon as the tender for the new Swiss TGVs is completed and the manufacturers selected.

What is the current financial situation of the SBB?

In the first half of 2026, SBB recorded a profit of 126 million Swiss francs. However, the total debt amounts to CHF 11.5 billion. To support the investments needed for expansion and debt reduction, the company needs at least CHF 500 million in annual profit.

Why is London a more complicated destination?

The British capital has two main obstacles: the limited capacity of the Channel Tunnel, which restricts the passage of international trains, and the fact that the United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen area. As a result, security and entry checks will have to take place in dedicated terminals in Swiss stations, complicating operational management.

Which manufacturers have submitted bids for the new Swiss TGVs?

The main international manufacturers are Alstom, Hitachi and Siemens. The Swiss manufacturer Stadler could also submit a bid, provided that it has high-performance trains in its catalogue at the time of the tender.

SBB direct trains to Barcelona, Amsterdam and London (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 27 August 2026

Swiss railway platform with modern FFS trains ready for international service to European capitals

Vincent Ducrot announces SBB plan: 40 international trains to major European capitals. Implementation by 2030.

Context

In a nutshell

SBB evaluates direct trains to Barcelona, Amsterdam, London and Rome
Project of 40 European trains carried out by day
Planned construction by 2030
Boom caused by air disruption and increased demand for rail mobility

Key facts

What: Expansion of the SBB rail network to the main European capitals
Who: Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), announcement by Vincent Ducrot (CEO)
Where: Barcelona, Amsterdam, London and Rome
When: Implementation by 2030; tender in the coming months
Amount: Up to 40 trains destined to circulate throughout Europe
Context: Booming demand for rail transport, air traffic chaos

While European air traffic continues to experience hardship — with flights cancelled and ticket prices rising due to soaring fuel prices — Swiss Federal Railways looks to long-distance trains as a concrete alternative. Vincent Ducrot, CEO of SBB, announced an ambitious international expansion project that would bring direct trains from Swiss stations to major European capitals: Barcelona, Amsterdam, London and Rome.

The CEO's Vision

The plan, presented by Ducrot, provides for up to 40 trains to run throughout Europe, carried out during the day. Data on travel habits recorded by SBB confirm a clear trend: passengers no longer use trains only for excursions and days on the snow, but

Operational details

The three main destinations and their complexities

Barcelona and Amsterdam represent the least complex stages of the SBB project. Both cities are reachable by land from Swiss stations without significant infrastructure hurdles, and train travel is already an established alternative to air travel.

London, on the other hand, poses a greater challenge. According to Ducrot, the British capital is expected to represent the last stage of this expansion, with completion expected around 2030. The reason lies in the limited capacity of the Channel Tunnel, which creates bottlenecks for international rail traffic. To this infrastructural difficulty is added an administrative obstacle: the United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen area. As a result, security and entry checks will have to be carried out in dedicated terminals already in Swiss stations, complicating the operation of the service and boarding times for passengers.

Germany's situation and infrastructure

A further critical node concerns Germany, where the expansion of the SBB rail offer has been postponed. As Ducrot explained, "it will take more time before the quality of the infrastructure on the German routes improves". This means that, at least in the medium term, transit through German territory will remain a limiting factor for the efficiency of services to northwestern European capitals.

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Key points

How to follow project developments

Although the launch of direct trains is planned progressively until 2030, Swiss citizens interested in this innovation can already prepare themselves and monitor the evolution of the plans. SBB will publicly communicate the service start dates for each destination, and it will be possible to register via the company's official channels to receive updates.

The tender for the purchase or rental of Swiss TGVs represents the first concrete step: Ducrot announced that SBB will launch this tender in the coming months. This means that by the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027 we should have a clearer picture of which manufacturers will be selected and, consequently, what technical and comfort standards the new trains will follow.

What to expect from the new services

The new trains will have to reach speeds significantly higher than the 250 km/h of the current Giruno — the exact specifications will depend on the technical offers of the manufacturers and the needs of the chosen routes. It can be expected that travel times from central Swiss stations (such as Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lugano) to Amsterdam, Barcelona and later to London will be significantly reduced compared to current times with regional trains.

The services will be provided during the day, which allows passengers to travel during daylight hours and enjoy the European landscape, unlike night services. This could prove particularly attractive for those who work in Switzerland and wish to visit major European capitals during the day or for short stays without resorting to air travel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When will SBB direct services to Barcelona, Amsterdam and London start?: The SBB expansion project foresees a gradual implementation until 2030. London has been identified as the last stage, with completion around 2030. For Barcelona and Amsterdam, the times are still being defined. The SBB will communicate the precise dates as soon as the tender for the new Swiss TGVs is completed and the manufacturers selected.
What is the current financial situation of the SBB?: In the first half of 2026, SBB recorded a profit of 126 million Swiss francs. However, the total debt amounts to CHF 11.5 billion. To support the investments needed for expansion and debt reduction, the company needs at least CHF 500 million in annual profit.
Why is London a more complicated destination?: The British capital has two main obstacles: the limited capacity of the Channel Tunnel, which restricts the passage of international trains, and the fact that the United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen area. As a result, security and entry checks will have to take place in dedicated terminals in Swiss stations, complicating operational management.
Which manufacturers have submitted bids for the new Swiss TGVs?: The main international manufacturers are Alstom, Hitachi and Siemens. The Swiss manufacturer Stadler could also submit a bid, provided that it has high-performance trains in its catalogue at the time of the tender.
As for Germany, are there any SBB expansion plans?: The expansion of the SBB rail offer in Germany has been postponed. According to CEO Ducrot, "it will take more time before the quality of the infrastructure on the German routes improves", which will result in a delay in services to destinations that require German transit.