The railway operator announced that its upcoming fleet of two-level trains will include a two-level cocktail bar, with a different atmosphere on each level. The bar will be open to all passengers and staffed by Eurostar employees. The trains will be built by Alstom in France under a €2 billion agreement. Eurostar aims to offer 20% more seats and compete with Virgin Trains, which recently received approval to operate services through the Channel.

(Staff: Europe / Transport & Tourism)

Eurostar has unveiled plans for its future high-speed train fleet, which will include two-level trains for the first time in the United Kingdom. The new model, called Eurostar Celestia – derived from the Latin word caelestis, meaning “heavenly” – will enter service in 2031. According to the operator, the main attraction of the new trains will be a two-level cocktail bar, with a different atmosphere on each level and open to all passengers.

A two-level bar with dedicated staff

The bar will occupy two levels, with each floor having its own atmosphere. “The two-level bar will be the main attraction of the train’s bespoke design. We want to create something truly special for customers, with a different atmosphere and vibe upstairs and downstairs, making the most of the views offered by a two-level train,” a Eurostar spokesperson said. “Open to everyone on board, our staff will play the leading role in hosting the bar, as they do in our cocktail bars in the Eurostar Premier lounges.”

A fully electric fleet, built in France

The trains will be produced by Alstom at its factories in France under a €2 billion agreement. The new fleet will be fully electric and will have 20% more seats than the current Siemens e320 trains, a lower floor and an overall height 16 centimetres greater. The trains will operate alongside the existing 17 e320 units, meaning Eurostar could have a total fleet of up to 67 trains.

Competition in the Channel

The announcement comes as Eurostar faces growing competition. In August, Virgin Trains received approval from the ORR (Office of Rail and Road) to operate a cross-Channel rail service, challenging Eurostar’s three-decade monopoly. The new bar on the Celestia trains is presented as a way to attract passengers and differentiate Eurostar’s service from competitors.

Conclusion

Eurostar aims to turn train travel into a luxury experience, with two-level cocktail bars and a design focused on comfort and views. Although the Celestia trains will not enter service before 2031, the announcement shows that the operator is preparing for a new era of cross-border rail travel in which comfort and the onboard experience become as important as speed.