The number of passengers from the U.S. traveling with Eurostar, the high-speed passenger train service between the U.K. and mainland Europe, increased by 14 percent in 2010.

While overall Eurostar passenger numbers in 2010 rose to 9.5 million compared with 9.2 million during 2009, the rail operator reported this figure included 310,000 travelers from the U.S., a 14 percent increase from 2009's 273,000.

Total sales revenue for 2010 across the market was up 12 percent from 2009, with U.S. sales revenue for the year up 22 percent.

"With the U.S. representing our biggest international market, it is great to see that more and more of our American customers, while flying into either London or Paris, are then choosing to continue their tour of Europe by Eurostar and other high-speed connecting trains," said Darren Williams, head of international sales for Eurostar.

Beyond the main destinations of London, Brussels and Paris, Eurostar also runs a daily service from London to Disneyland Paris and seasonal weekly direct services to both the French Alps and Avignon in Provence.