You may have heard rumblings that the UK is set to get double-decker trains – but when are they coming and where will they be running?
What are double-decker trains?
Double-decker trains are trains that have two levels. From the vestibule area you go down a few steps to the lower level, or up a few steps to the higher level.
This means trains can carry more passengers more efficiently – rather than adding more cars which isn’t always viable for the type of track or station they’re travelling through.
What’s this about double-decker trains coming to the UK?
In October 2025, Eurostar announced they’ve agreed to buy up to 50 double-decker trains to run through the Channel Tunnel. So UK rail travellers to Europe will be able to enjoy that special double-decker experience!
Each train will have about 20% more seats than the current ones – and so will be able to carry over 1,000 passengers!
As well as being able to carry more people, the trains will be more sustainable overall, saving up to half as much energy as the current trains use, and designed to withstand the kind of weather that is expected in the future due to climate change.
Double-decker trains already run in several countries in Europe, like Spain and France, plus worldwide including countries like Russia, Japan and the United States too.
When will double-decker trains come to the UK?
OK, the slight downside is that we’re going to have to wait a few years before these babies are up and running.
Eurostar says they’ll run from 2031 – so that’s the absolute earliest we’ll be able to hop on board.
Double-Decker Trains That You Can Ride Now
Whilst you’ll have to wait a little to board a double-decker train in the UK, you can hot-foot it to Europe to ride a double-decker train!
Here’s some of our favourite routes that already have double-decker trains running.
Paris, France - Barcelona, Spain
Travel on a TGV INOUI Duplex between the two cities in 6 hours 48 minutes.
I actually tested this one out in my epic train trip from London to Barcelona and the fact it was a double-decker train excited me so much!
Nice - Cannes, France
Hop on a TGV INOUI Duplex and enjoy great views of the beautiful Cote d’Azur as you travel – it only takes half an hour. Browse Cannes’ famous markets for local specialities like honey and cheese.
Zurich - Lucerne, Switzerland
Catch a SBB Regio train to Lucerne, where a cruise on the stunning lake is a must. If you’re giddy for another train ride, then hop on the Mount Rigi cog railway, which was the first of its kind in Europe and dates back to 1871!
Milan - Turin, Italy
Some of the TGV INOUI Duplex trains travel on to Turin and Milan from Paris. Turin makes a great day trip from Milan – it’s less than an hour away – and is where vermouth was invented. Martini anyone?
As you can see, double-decker trains are pretty common in France and Switzerland, with Spain and Italy having options too. However, you may also spot them in Germany and further afield in Japan as well!
How to Check If Your Next Train Is a Double-Decker
Remember, different operators run trains on the same route, so you aren’t necessarily guaranteed a double-decker train.
The best thing to do here is to find your train number and then check to see what type of train it is.
An easy place to check is trainline, which should show you the option of upstairs or downstairs on the page that asks you for your seating preferences.
If you want to double check, find the train number which the trainline shows you as part of the journey details and look it up on the train operator’s website.
For example is an IR 70 2617 run by the SBB (the national rail company of Switzerland) – and good news, the SBB website lists the IR trains as double-deckers!
