Eurostar Celestia Trains Will Have Two-Level Bars Open to All Passengers
Eurostar's future double-decker Celestia trains will feature two-level bars accessible to all passengers, with commercial services scheduled to begin in May 2031.
Eurostar’s forthcoming Celestia trains will feature two-level bars open to all passengers, adding a social space to the operator’s planned double-decker fleet. The first commercial services are scheduled for May 2031, making the bars a preview of a future onboard experience rather than an imminent upgrade.
A Eurostar spokesperson told Euronews Travel that the bars are intended to be a centerpiece of the bespoke trains. The operator has also described different atmospheres upstairs and downstairs, using the double-decker layout to give travelers a choice of settings and elevated views.
Access will not be restricted to premium ticket holders. That makes the concept relevant across the train, although opening the space to everyone does not mean drinks will be complimentary. The reports do not set out menus, prices or detailed service arrangements.
The new feature builds on Eurostar’s double-decker fleet investment, announced in October 2025. The company has placed a firm order for 30 Alstom trains, with options for another 20, as part of a €2 billion investment program. Celestia will use a customized version of Alstom’s Avelia Horizon platform.
Each 200-meter trainset is expected to provide around 540 seats. Coupling two sets into a 400-meter formation would create approximately 1,080 seats per service, about 20% more than today’s largest Eurostar trains. The extra capacity is a central part of the project alongside its redesigned passenger spaces.
The first units are due to join the fleet in January 2031, ahead of the planned May launch, when six new trains are expected to be operational. Eurostar says the design will support its existing network and planned expansion to Geneva and Frankfurt.
Climate resilience is another priority. Eurostar has said the trains will have air conditioning capable of operating in temperatures up to 55°C, or 131°F. With the fleet expected to remain in service into the 2060s, the specification reflects the need to prepare for hotter operating conditions over several decades.
For passengers, Celestia promises both more seating and a different way to spend time between destinations. The two-level bars give that broader renewal a visible focal point, but travelers will have to wait until the next decade to experience it.
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