Summary
Train Travel in Europe
As airports throughout Europe face staffing shortages amid high summer demand, train travel is an excellent option for your next excursion around the continent, typically without long lines.
Europe boasts a complex rail system connecting nearly all major cities, enabling easy and affordable transportation. Travelers can opt for inter-city trains or larger services like Eurostar, which quickly crosses from London to Paris, making it ideal for day trips.
For instance, travelers can journey from Amsterdam to Munich on a beer-tasting tour or escape to the Swiss Alps from Milan for skiing adventures.
Since its inception in 1994, Eurostar connects the United Kingdom to the rest of mainland Europe via the Channel Tunnel, reaching speeds of up to 186 mph and covering the journey in just over 2 hours.
Eurostar passengers can easily gain access to major cities including Brussels, Amsterdam, and Lyon, and even reach Disneyland Paris in a short two-hour and forty-minute ride from London.
Another option for traveling through Europe is Thalys, part of the newly created Eurostar Group. Launched in the early 1990s, Thalys operates in collaboration with rail companies from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Germany, allowing journeys to 12 stations in France and numerous others across Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Additionally, travelers seeking a single ticket for entire vacations can utilize a Eurail pass, which provides flexible access across most trains in Europe, as remarked by the Eurail company. This option allows passage to 40,000 destinations in 33 countries, including major services like Eurostar and Thalys.
Different countries also feature distinctive train companies, such as Deutsche Bahn in Germany and SNCF in France.
Spain: Renfe
Renfe
Where you can go: Founded in 1941, Renfe operates 5,000 trains daily across Spain. The company offers long-distance high-speed trains alongside mid-distance services tailored for shorter journeys, like Madrid to Toledo. Luxury tourist trains come equipped with dining options and excursions for a complete experience.
Germany: Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn
Where you can go: Deutsche Bahn serves 5,700 train stations with over 40,000 trains each day. The company features three main train types: Intercity Express (ICE), Intercity (IC), and Eurocity (EC) to connect prominent German cities with the wider European network. Furthermore, Deutsche Bahn and its French counterpart are working on a new high-speed connection to link Paris and Berlin in 7 hours.
Italy: Trenitalia
Trenitalia
Where you can go: Trenitalia operates more than 10,000 trains daily across its extensive network of electric railways built since 1936. Trains frequently provide the fastest connection between major cities like Milan and Florence (approx. 2 hours by high-speed train) or Florence and Rome (around 1.5 hours). The company offers a “Trenitalia Pass” allowing foreign visitors to travel multiple times, offering packages starting as low as €129 for three trips within a week.
France: SNCF
SNCF
Where you can go: The railway in France has a rich history, beginning in the 1800s. Today, SNCF operates both high-speed and conventional trains, with 11 high-speed rails spanning over 1,600 miles. Connections are available between vital cities such as Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Lille. Additionally, SNCF is collaborating with its German counterpart to create a direct high-speed route linking Paris and Berlin, expected to take just 7 hours.
Switzerland: SBB
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB)
Where you can go: Swiss Federal Railways boasts a history of more than a century. Currently, the company operates over 7,000 trains daily, allowing passengers to traverse some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes. Services connect major cities and provide access to alpine routes and northern Italy.
United Kingdom: Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR)
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR)
Where you can go: Traveling around the UK by train has numerous options, with GTR being the largest railway operator managing four different companies in Southern England. The operator offers services from London to Cambridge and Bedford in the north, as well as to Brighton and the South Coast. It also operates the Gatwick Express, providing seamless transport to and from the airport.
