Rail operators from Belgium, France, and Switzerland are set to trial a new high-speed rail link connecting Brussels, Strasbourg, and Basel starting in July 2027. The initiative, an extension of the existing TGV INOUI service, is a joint effort by SNCB, SNCF Voyageurs, and Swiss Federal Railways (SBB).
The trial aims to bolster rail connectivity between these key European travel markets and present a more environmentally friendly option compared to short-haul flights. If the trial proves successful, it could pave the way for improved cross-border rail travel and establish new connections to destinations such as London and cities in the Netherlands.
The service will operate one return journey on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The train will depart Brussels-Midi in the morning, making stops at several French stations including Lille-Europe and Charles de Gaulle Airport TGV, before reaching Basel SBB in the early afternoon. The return journey will depart Basel in the afternoon, arriving back in Brussels before 7 pm.
This new direct route is expected to simplify travel between Belgium and Switzerland, benefiting both leisure and business travelers. It also aims to strengthen links across eastern France, particularly for Strasbourg, a hub for European institutions. Furthermore, the extension offers Swiss travelers a rail alternative to flying to London via Eurostar connections at Lille-Europe, and onward travel from Brussels to the Netherlands.
