Direct Train Travel from London to Berlin Made Possible with New U.K.-German Agreement, Task Force Initiated
In a significant move towards sustainable transport and mobility, the UK and Germany signed the Kensington Treaty on 17th July 2025, establishing a joint task force to explore the feasibility of operating direct passenger trains between the two countries via the Channel Tunnel.
The treaty aims to establish direct international rail services, offering a greener, more sustainable alternative to frequent flights between London and German cities such as Berlin. The envisioned rail service aligns with broader government goals of reducing carbon emissions and advancing international rail travel.
Feasibility Challenges
The taskforce will study practical challenges such as safety standards, border and security controls, and interoperable technology for rolling stock. Historical attempts, including German Rail’s (DB) earlier considerations and trial runs of high-speed ICE trains to London, faced difficulties, including regulatory and technical hurdles. Brexit has added complexity due to customs and immigration control requirements in Britain, meaning enhanced infrastructure is needed at London St Pancras to cope with airport-style controls.
Benefits and Potential Obstacles
Providing a direct train link could boost tourism, facilitate trade, create new job opportunities, and encourage economic growth by improving access for British and German businesses to each other’s markets. However, the complexity of ensuring security and immigration controls compatible with both UK and EU frameworks is significant, particularly post-Brexit. Technical requirements for trains to operate seamlessly in both countries’ rail infrastructure present significant engineering and regulatory obstacles. Travel time may be lengthy (around 9–10 hours London to Berlin), which some commentators consider a possible deterrent compared to flights. Skeptics question whether direct services can realistically be established by 2030. The Channel Tunnel’s current capacity and the cost of adapting or procuring suitable rolling stock add financial and logistical complexity.
The Way Forward
The treaty represents a key step in systematically addressing these barriers and advancing sustainable European rail connectivity. The joint taskforce aims to explore ways to address technical interoperability problems, clashing national standards and regulations, and complex ticketing systems for a potential direct British-German rail link. If successful, the direct rail link could offer a faster, more convenient, and significantly greener alternative to flying for millions of people traveling between the UK and Germany.
[1] BBC News (2025). UK and Germany sign treaty to explore direct rail link. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59043877
[2] The Guardian (2025). Direct train link between UK and Germany moves a step closer. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/transport/2025/jul/17/direct-train-link-between-uk-and-germany-moves-a-step-closer
[3] The Independent (2025). Simon Calder: Direct trains from the UK to Germany running by 2030? I don't believe it. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/direct-trains-from-uk-to-germany-2030-b1961359.html
[4] GOV.UK (2025). UK-Germany Treaty on Rail Services. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-germany-treaty-on-rail-services/uk-germany-treaty-on-rail-services
[5] The Telegraph (2025). Brexit adds complications to direct train link between the UK and Germany. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/07/17/brexit-adds-complications-direct-train-link-uk-germany/
- The Kensington Treaty, signed between the UK and Germany, aims to establish a direct tourism-boosting rail service, aligning with the finance industry's goals of reducing carbon emissions and promoting the lifestyle sector through sustainable European travel.
- The joint task force, established by the treaty, will study the challenges of operating direct trains, including safety standards, border controls, and interoperable technology, which previously confounded attempts such as German Rail's trial runs.
- Advancing this rail travel industry slightly remains complex due to the need for airport-style controls at London St Pancras, increased by Brexit's customs and immigration requirements, as well as technical hurdles and potential lengthy travel times that could deter some travelers.
- A successful direct rail link could provide an advantageous alternative to flying for millions, offering a faster, more convenient, and significantly greener means of tourism, fostering economic growth, and facilitating trade – provided these obstacles can be adequately addressed by the joint taskforce within the planned timeline.
