Eurostar is preparing to introduce a striking new feature on its future trains: two-storey bars that will be open to every passenger.
The bars will form part of Eurostar’s new Celestia trains. However, travellers will have to wait until 2031 before they can experience the new design.
Eurostar ordered 30 Celestia trains as part of its plans to expand and modernise its fleet. The first passengers are expected to board the new trains from May 2031.
Two-Storey Bar to Become a Main Attraction
The two-level bar is expected to be one of the most distinctive features of the Celestia trains.
Unlike an exclusive lounge, the bar will be available to all passengers travelling on the train. Eurostar describes it as the “star attraction” of the new fleet.
A Eurostar spokesperson said the name Celestia means “heavenly”. The company said the idea behind the two-storey bar is to create a travel experience that feels different from ordinary train journeys.
The design will also give passengers another reason to move around the train during longer international journeys.
Eurostar Expands Double-Decker Plans
The introduction of double-decker trains will represent a major change for Eurostar.
The company announced its plans for the new trains last year. The Celestia fleet will eventually operate across Eurostar’s existing network.
When the first trains enter service, six are expected to operate across current destinations. The network will also include new services to Geneva and Frankfurt.
The company has ordered 30 trains in total. They are expected to remain in service for several decades.
New Trains Designed for Extreme Heat
Eurostar is also preparing the Celestia fleet for increasingly challenging weather conditions.
Following record-breaking heatwaves across Europe, the company said the new trains would feature air-conditioning systems capable of operating in temperatures of up to 55°C.
The move reflects concerns about extreme heat affecting railway operations across Europe.
A Eurostar spokesperson said the trains are expected to enter service in 2031 and remain in operation into the 2060s. Therefore, the company says they must be designed with future conditions in mind.
Passengers Face a Long Wait
The prospect of enjoying a drink in a two-storey train bar may sound unusual today. However, Eurostar sees the design as part of a broader effort to make international rail travel more attractive.
The first Celestia trains are still several years away. Once they arrive, passengers will get a new type of experience on Eurostar’s expanding network.
For travellers who enjoy distinctive railway design, the two-storey bars could become one of the most memorable features of the new trains.
