Eurostar has today announced a new year-round service to Geneva via Lille, in partnership with international high-speed train service TGV Lyria.

From Thursday October 9th, travellers will be able to purchase tickets for the new Swiss route, with the inaugural service leaving London St. Pancras on the December 14th 2014.

With an easy connection on to a TGV Lyria service in Lille Europe, passengers can travel from London to Geneva in just over six hours with services specially timed to ensure a fast transfer between the two trains.

Recent Eurostar customer research revealed that Geneva is one of the most desirable destinations for UK travellers.

With four daytime services each week, the new Geneva service means passengers can sit back, relax and enjoy beautiful views of France and Switzerland before they arrive.

For those wishing to venture further, the new route offers passengers a convenient way to travel to some of the most popular destinations in Switzerland, with simple onward connections from Geneva to Aigle, Martigny, Sion, Sierre, Visp and Brig.

The new route is the latest addition to Eurostar’s growing list of destinations, with a direct service to Lyon and Marseille starting in May next year, followed by Amsterdam in late 2016.

The new Swiss service coincides with the refurbishment of Lille Europe station designed to significantly increase the capacity of the Eurostar terminal in order to accommodate growth in the number of connecting passengers.

The new look Eurostar terminal will be unveiled in December this year.

Nick Mercer, commercial director, Eurostar, said: “Today’s announcement marks another major milestone in our ambition to encourage more people to travel further by high-speed rail.

“Our research shows a real appetite for a more civilised way to reach popular European destinations, and this new connecting service offers easy access for customers looking for a city break in Geneva or to reach some of the most spectacular ski resorts in Europe. 

“With city-centre to city-centre travel and a generous baggage allowance, the new offer proposes an attractive alternative to flying.”