New Eurostar Rivals Shake Up London-Paris:
What Luxury Travelers Need to Know

By PrestigeFly

Europe’s iconic London-Paris route is getting its biggest shake-up in decades, with three new competitors set to challenge Eurostar’s monopoly. For business travelers and luxury seekers, this means more options, better service, and potentially lower fares. Here’s your definitive guide to the coming high-speed rail revolution.

The New Players: A Quick Breakdown

🚄 Renfe (Spain’s Operator)

  • Launch: Late 2025
  • Edge: Known for ultra-punctual AVE trains in Spain
  • Business Class: "Preferente" with gourmet dining & private pods

🚅 Deutsche Bahn (German Railways)

  • Launch: 2026
  • Edge: Direct Frankfurt-London via Paris (no changes)
  • Business Class: "First Class" with at-seat champagne service

🏆 Heuro (Dutch Startup)

  • Launch: 2025 (if approved)
  • Edge: Premium-only trains (no economy)
  • Business Class: "Heuro Plus" – lie-flat seats, onboard concierge

How They Compare to Eurostar

FeatureEurostar Business PremierRenfe PreferenteDB First ClassHeuro PlusSeat Type | Recliner | Semi-private pod | Recliner | Lie-flat
Food | 3-course meal | À la carte | Champagne bar | Chef’s table
Lounge Access | Yes (limited) | Yes | No | Priority terminal
WiFi | Spotty | High-speed | Reliable | 5G
Price (est.) | £350+ | £300 | £320 | £400

PrestigeFly Verdict: Who Does It Best?

✅ For Productivity: Heuro (best WiFi, workspaces)
✅ For Comfort: Renfe (private pods, Spanish hospitality)
✅ For Connections: DB (best for Germany-bound travelers)
⚠️ Eurostar Still Wins: Most frequent departures (18x daily)

Pro Tip: Book Heuro’s "Nightstar" overnight service (2026) for a hotel-on-rails experience.

What This Means for You

✔ Price Wars: Expect Eurostar discounts as competition heats up
✔ Innovation: Lie-flat seats could redefine European business travel
✔ Convenience: More departure slots = better schedule flexibility

Explore More Premium Rail Travel

🔗 The Future of High-Speed Rail in Europe (Financial Times)
🔗 Eurostar vs. Flying: Time/Cost Breakdown (The Points Guy)
🔗 Heuro’s Radical Business Class Design (Wallpaper*)