Direct trains from Germany to Great Britain: agreement in Hamburg!

Direct trains from Germany to Great Britain: agreement in Hamburg!

On August 13, 2025, a new milestone in European transport policy was set. In Hamburg, German Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder and British Transport Minister Heidi Alexander signed an agreement that will enable trains to travel directly from Germany to Great Britain in the future. How NDR reports, the signing took place on the roof terrace of the Bernhard Nocht Institute, an impressive location for such groundbreaking discussions.

The memorandum of understanding signed by the two ministers aims to operate the first trains under the English Channel in the near future. The exact time window for the start of the connection is currently unclear, as is the specific starting point of the train connections. While Hamburg initially represents a possible starting point, it looks as if Cologne and Frankfurt could have the better cards in hand when it comes to the final decision. This information also comes from Zeit.de.

Control Task Force

A central element of the discussion is the establishment of a task force that will deal with the necessary questions regarding border and security controls. The ministries are hoping for a smooth process and the highest security standards. Schnieder underlined the importance of cooperation between Germany and Great Britain and expressed optimism that the first direct trains could soon roll. Mentioned about this NDR that the two countries also discussed cooperation in the area of ​​autonomous driving.

Schnieder was impressed by a self-steering Moia vehicle that they were able to test during their visit to Hamburg. It is evident that autonomous driving is considered one of the future technologies, especially in the area of ​​mobility. During these discussions, Germany's role as a lead market for innovative transport solutions was also discussed.

Safety in focus

When it comes to rail transport, safety is the top priority. Driving on rails is considered extremely safe, which is supported by continuous standardization and regulation. VDE emphasizes that norms and standards for the electrical equipment of railways are being developed to ensure safety and interoperability. The DKE German Commission for Electrical Engineering Electronics Information Technology plays a central role here by defining safety regulations for the entire industry.

Additionally, a project called “safe.trAIn” is being worked on, which focuses on the development of testing standards for the use of artificial intelligence in rail transport. An exciting development that shows that we are in a time of change where traditional means of transport and modern technologies go hand in hand.

Overall, it can be said that the development of a direct connection between Germany and Great Britain could revolutionize mobility in Europe. As the discussions show, there is a lot of enthusiasm and clear steps towards the realization of this ambitious project.