Imagine a future where a trip from London to Paris takes less than half an hour. This is the promise of the hyperloop, a cutting-edge transportation concept that envisions passenger pods racing through low-pressure tubes at speeds exceeding 600mph.

The potential doesn’t stop at Paris. This technology could link London to Brussels in just 20 minutes, Amsterdam in 22 minutes, and Berlin in a little over an hour, revolutionizing European travel.

Initially dismissed as a far-fetched idea, the hyperloop gained serious traction in 2013 when Elon Musk spotlighted its potential in a widely-discussed white paper. Since then, interest and investment have grown, driven by the promise of a more efficient, faster, and sustainable travel option.

At the heart of the hyperloop’s allure is its use of magnetic levitation, akin to maglev trains, which allows the pods to glide with minimal friction. This system reduces energy consumption significantly, as it eliminates the typical air resistance encountered by high-speed trains.

Europe is leading the charge in testing this visionary technology. The continent’s commitment is exemplified by the upcoming European Hyperloop Center in Veendam, the Netherlands, set to open in 2024. This facility marks a significant step forward in turning the hyperloop from a groundbreaking idea into a tangible reality.

Europe has become a key testing ground for the innovative system with the 2024 opening of the European Hyperloop Center in Veendam, the Netherlands. 

Engineers recently demonstrated a ‘zero-moving parts’ lane switch, which allowed pods to change routes without mechanical track changes – a major step toward building a real network. 

Gavin Haines, travel writer for The Telegraph, recently visited the Dutch site, where he saw firsthand how the system operates. 

A futuristic hyperloop journey from London to Paris has the potential to cut travel time between London and Paris to between 20 and 28 minutes 

The system utilises magnetic levitation that allows pods to glide through tunnels without physical contact

Testing is currently underway at the European Hyperloop Center in Veendam, the Netherlands 

The center’s managing director, Kees Mark, told Haines that he has ridden in the test system himself, and describes the experience as closer to flying than traditional rail travel. 

He said: ‘To think that we could be having coffee in Paris in under an hour from now is a huge mindset shift.

‘It’s more like flying. That’s one of the benefits of hyperloop – there’s no wear from moving parts.’

However, the project faces significant hurdles. Maintaining a vacuum in large tubes is technically difficult, and funding full routes would require billions in investment. 

In the United States, Virgin Hyperloop ended passenger operations in 2023 amid safety barriers, a complicated regulatory process and extensive financial challenges. 

Richard Branson, one of the project’s early investors, pulled out after the company failed to reach its goal of 700mph speeds – only reaching 107mph in its first human trial.  

Capacity on the proposed hyperloop network is another concern; critics noted early passenger pods carry far fewer people than standard train carriages. 

For now, hyperloop is still in the testing phase, with no confirmed construction dates.

The hyperloop, though still in the testing phase, is said to currently face a number of hurdles concerning maintenance, funding and capacity

According to industry experts, limited commercial routes could be introduced in the 2030s, but a 30-minute rail journey between London and Paris remains an ambitious future goal rather than a set plan. 

Elsewhere, Japan is building what could become the world’s fastest train, with speeds potentially reaching 603.5kmh. 

The impressive new vehicle is still under development and will be known as the L0 Series – a Japanese maglev train.

The train uses magnetic levitation to lift off the track, while an electric motor will help to propel the carriages onwards – leading to groundbreaking speeds. So far, the project has reportedly cost a whopping £52 billion.