Travel between London and France could be getting a serious upgrade. Virgin Trains is reportedly looking to launch new routes that would take passengers directly from London St Pancras to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and even Disneyland Paris.

The big step forward happened recently when Virgin received approval to operate from the Temple Mills International rail depot in East London — the same site previously used by Eurostar. This access is key because it would allow Virgin to prepare and maintain trains for cross-Channel services, positioning it as a direct competitor to Eurostar.

While the plans are still developing, Virgin has already suggested that once its core international services are set up — including routes to Paris Gare du Nord, Brussels-Midi, and Amsterdam Centraal — the company hopes to expand further into France, and potentially into Germany and Switzerland as well.

Photo: Virgin Trains

There’s also a fun possibility on the horizon. Richard Branson has expressed interest in launching a limited-service flight directly to Disneyland Paris. Eurostar used to operate trains straight to the theme park but discontinued the route in 2023 to focus on other connections. Branson joked that he hopes to take his grandchildren on the train — although by the time the service launches, they might be old enough to bring him instead!

Of course, it’s important to note that nothing beyond depot access is officially confirmed just yet. Virgin still needs to build and test its trains, secure track access, and pass safety approvals. If everything goes to plan, the goal is to have the first trains running between London and Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam by around 2030.