Even more than 30 years after its inauguration, a journey through the Channel Tunnel between France and Great Britain remains an exciting experience. But entertainment alone is hardly the reason why some Frankfurt residents these days think of the Eurostar train with anticipation.

In the ongoing competition between European financial centers, the Main metropolis often feels overshadowed by Paris and London for various reasons. One argument for why the French capital has a locational advantage over Frankfurt is its direct train connection to London. The trip between the two financial hubs takes just under two and a half hours – unbeatable compared to any other available mode of transport.

Those traveling from Frankfurt to the UK capital, who want to avoid flying, face a journey of at least six and a half hours. And that’s only if, by some stroke of luck, the German connection to the transfer station in Brussels is on time.

But this could change. The rail operator Eurostar is planning a direct connection between London and Frankfurt am Main. Financial professionals could then commute between the local banking district and the City of London in just five hours. Then there could be up to four trains a day.

However, the „then“ already contains a dampener: Eurostar’s plans to expand its route network reach far into the next decade. The maiden Frankfurt–London journey is realistically not expected before the „early thirties“. And not only because the operator first needs to expand its fleet.

Particularly complex will be the establishment of infrastructure for customs and passport controls at the departure station in Frankfurt. Let’s remember: the UK is no longer part of the EU. And the security checks for traveling through the strategically sensitive Channel Tunnel are stringent.

Eurostar has long advised its passengers in London to arrive at St. Pancras station at least one and a half, preferably two hours before departure to avoid missing their connection. That does little to enhance the appeal of a direct connection that shortens travel time by only one to two hours. Even though travelers must realize they face the same official hurdles when flying. Another mood dampener is the fact that the glitzy metropolis train would drop off passengers right in the notorious Frankfurt train station district. In other words, a better train connection between the financial centres alone will not elevate Frankfurt to the top. There will also have to be some improvements made locally.