Swiss travelers have spoken, and they want a smoother ride to the United Kingdom. A fresh YouGov survey, commissioned by Transport & Environment (T&E) alongside actif-trafiC and ATE, polled over 1,000 Swiss adults in September 2026. The verdict? 58% support developing direct rail connections to the UK, and a striking 61% of those who usually fly to London would switch to trains if fares were lower. Shorter journey times would also tempt more people to choose rail.
Right now, the reality is far less appealing. Seven in ten Swiss travelers to the UK currently fly, partly because no direct train exists between the two countries. A trip from Zurich to London takes eight to nine hours, and from Geneva up to eight hours, with a change in Paris. The survey commissioners also point out that security checks at Gare du Nord can make catching the Eurostar on time a nail-biting experience. Meanwhile, around 50 flights a day shuttle between Switzerland and London, split across Geneva, Zurich, and Basel.
But change could be on the tracks. Eurostar, along with Swiss rail operator SBB and France's SNCF Voyageurs, signed a memorandum of understanding in May 2026 to explore direct connections between London and Switzerland. The proposed services could slash travel times to just five or six hours, making rail a genuine rival to air travel. That's a gamechanger for skiers heading to the Alps, hikers exploring the Jura, wild swimmers chasing mountain lakes, and business travelers who'd rather watch the countryside roll by than queue at security.
The appetite for such routes is clear. Nearly half of Swiss residents take a train abroad at least once a year, and six in ten rail travelers say they'd choose the train for journeys up to six hours. A majority also believe investing in international rail infrastructure is the right priority. This isn't just about convenience, either. Shifting these trips from planes to trains could significantly cut greenhouse emissions, a win for the climate that T&E is keen to highlight.
To make it happen, T&E has laid out a list of recommendations. They're urging federal and regional authorities, along with rail operators, to get behind the project. They also want the Swiss government to invest in stations ready to host direct London-Geneva and London-Basel/Zurich services. And crucially, they're calling on authorities to work with operators to keep fares attractive and affordable, since price is a major factor for travelers.
This push for cross-border rail isn't happening in isolation. Across Europe, train travel is getting a fresh look. Italy is speeding into Germany with new high-speed links that skip the plane altogether, and Scotland is dreaming of a direct night train to Europe, now moving from fantasy to feasibility study. Even closer to home, London's Stansted Airport now has all-night trains this summer, making rail a more flexible option for early flights.
For Swiss travelers, the prospect of hopping on a train in Zurich and stepping off in London without a plane change is tantalizing. The survey shows the demand is there, and the infrastructure plans are in motion. The big question now is whether the political will and investment will follow. If they do, the days of dreading the Eurostar transfer might soon be over.
