Photo: The Evora Elvas section under construction
Eurostar are launching fifty new trains and routes from the UK. These routes will include direct train services linking the UK to Germany and Switzerland as well at their established destinations of Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. Nothing heading to the South of Europe. Virgin is planning to operate passenger trains through the Channel Tunnel, competing with Eurostar. The rail regulator has given the green light, stating there are no major hurdles remaining. Virgin is seeking investment partners and aims to launch services by 2029. They are planning to order 12 high-speed trains for this purpose. They are not looking towards the South either.
What about RENFE
Renfe, Spain's state-owned train operator, is planning to launch a high-speed service between London and Paris, competing with Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel. Maybe they will look towards the South of Europe. Officials in Brussels have drawn up bold plans to double high-speed rail use by 2030 and triple current passenger levels by 2050. In 2022, the EU agreed to pump €5.4 bn into 135 transport projects to help achieve these goals.
Who will head South?
With all the problems and delays at airports, you would think there would be a growing interest in taking the train, not the plane. Long-distance planes, not within Europe, still offer comfort and even luxury, if you can afford it. European operators, especially the low-cost airlines, have a different vision. It’s not about luxury, or even comfort, it's about profit and that means as many passengers as you can fit into your aircraft.
The ‘sardine can’ vision
Many low-cost operators are now looking at this so-called standing seat. The upright seating is called Skyrider 2.0. ‘The design of this seat enables carriers to increase the passenger number by 20 percent, allowing increasing profits for airline companies.’ Will it happen, probably not, but it shows the ‘direction of travel’ for short-haul flights, and that could include Portugal.
Compare this to the train
Now compare this with travel by high-speed train. Spacious seats, plenty of legroom, catering, and great views of the countryside as you glide along. You can get up and walk around, maybe to the bar or café. Go for a first-class seat and it's even better. Railway stations are far less crowded than airports, and generally much nearer to town centres.

Spanish rail operator Renfe has ambitious plans to expand its network, which could potentially include a high-speed train route from London to Lisbon. This route would span the entirety of the European continent, connecting cities such as Paris, Lyon, Barcelona, Madrid, Vigo, Porto, and Lisbon. Renfe has applied to use London's Paddington station and the Channel Tunnel, indicating that a direct train link between Spain and the UK could be on the cards
So what’s the problem?
High-speed rail development in Europe is making significant strides, with various projects underway across the continent. We already have trains capable of 300 kmph, but the infrastructure is not keeping up with demand. Portugal is working on a high-speed line between Porto and Lisbon, with the first phase set to be completed by 2028. Spain, which has the second-largest high-speed network in the world, has opened two new lines over the past three years and is working on other projects.
But there are big gaps in the European network. One of the biggest is the connection between Lisbon and Madrid. The Evora Elvas section is under construction, but it won’t be fully high-speed functional for another five years. Bear in mind, the Lisbon-Madrid route is not primarily aimed at passengers from the North of Europe. The large demand is for passengers between the two Iberian capitals. It will be as fast as a flight and a lot more comfortable.
Will North to South of Europe by rail be viable
London, Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, all the high-speed connections will soon be there. The question is, how many passengers will abandon the chaos and discomfort of the plane and choose the peace and comfort of the train? Many, but probably not enough to make this a viable alternative in the next few years.
Resident in Portugal for 50 years, publishing and writing about Portugal since 1977. Privileged to have seen, firsthand, Portugal progress from a dictatorship (1974) into a stable democracy.

Oh PLEASE get on with it!! Train travel is far better than flying.
By L from Lisbon on 23 Jun 2025, 22:07
This article is slightly behind the time, the Elvas to Evora section has already bern tested and the freight station and track in Badajoz is complete. It is on the Spanish side where the problems lie due to differences in voltage and signaling. Renfe has shown interest in the project, I worry about striked etc compared to flights.
By Toby from Alentejo on 24 Jun 2025, 03:20