Railway in Europe 2022: The complete guide

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You surely have heard or read somewhere about the railway in Europe, haven’t you? After all you are here hahaha, maybe you even came from how to travel within Europe by train: best routes to take! and you already know the best routes, the types of tickets and the advantages and disadvantages of travelling by train. But do you know absolutely everything about them? Which are the best railways? Where is the safest railway, or the cheapest and most luxurious? Or even the longest railway in Europe? Perhaps you are interested or curious to know which railway is the most cost-effective. In this post we will bring you all this and a little more to learn all about the railways in Europe in 2022 in a complete guide!

So get your ticket ready, get on board this station and travel with us along the railway tracks of Europe!

Railway in Europe: How to plan a train trip in Europe?

We know that travelling by train through Europe is something magnificent and fascinating, but for this you need to have a good planning. In our guide we will show you how to plan a train trip in Europe in a simple and practical way, you will only need to follow a few steps!

• First step: decide on the destinations you want to go and do some research! If you have doubts about some destinations, 10 days trip to Europe: Where to go? can help you with that. After that do some research, it is very important to know about your destinations and how and where they connect.
• Step two: choose an order with time in mind! You can waste a lot of time instead of saving if you don’t make a good choice, this is because journeys from one place to another spend different times. So, organise yourself to take the route that best favours your time.

• Step three: Research prices. If you are not going to make a reservation and decide to spend at the machines, it is good to research the value of the tickets in each city to have an idea of how much you will need to spend.
• Step four: focus on one area of Europe only! If you are only going to spend a short time, you have to know how to use it well. Our recommendation for trips around 2 weeks is to concentrate on just one region (East, West, Central, North or South).
• Fifth step: check the train timetables! It’s always good to keep an eye on the time so you don’t get lost or miss your journey. You can check them on the websites of the national railway companies or look for another site for foreigners, like Rome2rio.

Where can I buy tickets?

Wait, wait, wait! Before you board that train, you need a ticket, after all it is with it that your train journey will be allowed. That said, you have two options for securing your ticket on Europe’s railways:

• Buying the ticket from the machines
• Book your ticket online

You need not be afraid to go to a ticket machine, they are in English. However, we do not recommend this option for those looking for the best deals, as prices vary in each city.

Best ticket booking sites

The best places to shop and book are undoubtedly the official websites and apps. You can make your reservation on the official website of the railway companies of each European country.

• Train tickets in Germany: Deutsche Bahn and Thalys.
• Train tickets in Austria: ÖBB and Westbahn.
• Train tickets in Belgium: SNCB.

Train tickets in Denmark: DSB.

• Train tickets in Slovakia: Zeleznice Slovenskej Republiky (ZSR).
• Train tickets in Slovenia: Zeleznice.
• Train tickets in Spain: Renfe.
• Train tickets in Finland: VR Train.
• Train tickets in France: Voyages SNCF.
• Train tickets in the Netherlands: NS Hispeed.
• Train tickets in Hungary: Mav Star.
• Train tickets in Ireland: Irish Rail.
• Train tickets in Italy: Trenitalia and Italo.
• Train tickets in Latvia: Latvijas Dzelzcels.
• Train tickets in Luxembourg: Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL).

Train tickets in Norway: Vy.

• Train tickets in Poland: Poland Rail.
• Train tickets in Portugal: Comboios Portugal (CP).
• Train tickets in the UK: National Rail, Trainline and Eurostar.
• Train tickets in the Czech Republic: Ceské Dráhy (CD).
• Train tickets in Romania: CFR SA.
• Train tickets in Russia: Russian Trains.
• Train tickets in Sweden: SJ AB.
• Train tickets in Switzerland: Schweizeizerische Bundesbahnen (SBB)/Swiss Pass.

*Ps: Thalys operates not only in Germany, but also in Belgium, France and the Netherlands.

Other ticket booking options

Another option is to book on third-party booking websites. And is that a good alternative? Of course it is! There are many reliable sites and you can book a multinational route and avoid problems with the language of the site and translations, as well as headaches with foreign credit cards denied on foreign sites. The most favourable options, with the best prices are:

• Rail Europe
  • Official foreign distributor of European train tickets;
  • Easy to use;
  • No hassle with credit card payments;
  • Prices can be more expensive than national services.
• The TraiLine
  • No extra charges;
  • Easy to use;
  • Covers passages from the:
    • Germany
    • Austria
    • Spain
    • Italy
    • France
• Omio
  • It covers tickets from almost every country;
  • Little or no marking charge.
  • Easy booking process.

Train pass in 2022, is it still worth it?

If you’re planning a longer stay and a great trip, have your plans in place and know how to use them, the answer is definitely positive. The 2022 rail pass is well worth it! And you can be checking the available packages on booking websites, such as Eurail. It’s easy.

• Enter the train routes you wish to travel;
• Add the cost;
• Compare the packages;
• Choose the one that best meets your needs.

To give you an overview, we’ll show you some example packages.

10-day rail pass.

• Expiry date: 2 months.
• Number of trains per day: unlimited.
• Period of use: 10 days at any time within a 2 month period.
• Possible destinations: 9 to 11.
• Value: 355 USD or EUR314,25.

15-day rail pass.

• Expiry date: 2 months.
• Number of trains per day: unlimited.
• Period of use: 15 days at any time within the 2-month period.
• Possible destinations: 14 to 16.
• Amount: USD 437or EUR.386,83

Unlimited rail pass.

• Expiry: month.1
• Number of trains per day: unlimited.
• Period of use: the whole month.
• Possible destinations: more than 20 destinations or a more flexible trip in fewer destinations.
• Value: 594 USD or EUR525,81.

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Which country has the best railway system in Europe?

Europe, as the most developed continent in the world, also has an excellent railway system. It is difficult to choose just one, but there is one country which is considered to be the best in Europe, and that is Switzerland.

According to the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in its European Railway Performance Index (RPI), Switzerland achieved the highest performance in Europe with a score of 7.2 out of 10, this a few years ago, which has been improving up to the current period. The reasons for the country being among the best railway systems in Europe refer to:

• Traffic intensity;
• Network use;
• Quality of service;
• Punctuality;
• Passenger rail culture;
• High safety score at all times;
• High technical standards ;
• 100% electrified railway network.

The Swiss railways are a modern, well-used system in their condition, and their trains are frequently used, fuelled by the heavy passenger traffic, earning them high marks for punctuality, safety and quality of service. Its main railway company, the Schweizeizerische Bundesbahnen (SBB), even bases its original structure on:

• Passenger services market;
• Production of passenger services;
• Real estate;
• Infrastructure Division

Which country has the best railways?

Despite having the best railway system in Europe, Switzerland is not the country with the best railway in Europe. That nomination goes to another country.

The best railway in Europe

Also according to the European Railway Performance Index, which ranked Europe’s 50 best railways from best to worst, it has London’s St Pancras at the top of its ranking with a score of 116 out of 139. The UK’s international railway terminus is then considered the “best railway station in Europe“. Its high score is due to the Eurostar‘s fast connections to Belgium, France and more recently Holland, as well as its convenience.

• The railway, apart from everything else, is a great and sought after tourist attraction, very beautiful with its modern terminals harmoniously mixed with some older areas.
• It is well signposted and easy to access, as well as to get around, as it has clear panels mirrored throughout the station and also train and metro connections directly from the station.
• The terminals open only 1 hour beforehand, and you still have to go through immigration like at the airports. This being the case, you can take advantage of your arrival to visit the many shops there are or try a hot drink at Le Painéis Quotidien.
• In the metros that go to the main attractions of the city you can get to where you want to go very quickly, like the London Eye, the famous Big Ben, in about 10 minutes.

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The country with the best railway in Europe

Even though it has not reached the first place of the best, Germany cannot be left out when mentioning a country with the best railways for not only having one, but several railways in the list of the best in Europe, obtaining the second, third and some other positions in the ranking, maintaining its solid and constant presence. The stations on the list are the Bahnhofs of the centres of:

• Berlin
• Frankfurt
• Hamburg
• Munich

Munich Hauptbahnhof is one that stands out, in addition, of course, to what is considered the best railway in Germany, located in the eastern city of Leipzig, ranking third. The great East German railway is huge and still offers a huge list of international connections.

What is the most luxurious train in Europe?

Who hasn’t seen a scene from a movie or a picture that exudes luxury and wanted to be a part of it? That’s exactly how you’ll feel when you see Europe’s most luxurious train, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

• With sophisticated cars adorned with elegant Art Deco, you feel an old school atmosphere with a subtle touch of glamour.
• The dishes served along the route are exquisite, with lobsters from Brittany or crispy tomatoes from Provence served for dinner.
• At the champagne bar, you will return to the golden age of luxury travel.

Since 1982, the train has been bringing the power of luxury to its passengers, making their dreams of luxury come true with softness and lightness. Its most famous destinations are London and Venice, with stops in Paris and Verona on the way, as well as a journey to Istanbul and Berlin, the latter being the train’s final stop.

• One of the highlights of travelling on this train is being immersed in a fascinating and memorable place and still enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way.
• The train offers single and shared suites.
• They still have the best chefs in the world preparing their meals.
• To close, the bar that will drive you wild is well stocked along with a lounge, also having a dining car.
• A trip from Venice to London takes around 16 hours.
• A ticket to be on board the Venice Simplon Orieng Express costs around £2,700.

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Which is the longest railway in Europe?

One of the great highlights of Europe is its railway network and the size of it, which is 250,000 kilometres long, connecting more than 20 countries. That’s a lot, and implies long railway lines, long trains and long journeys.

Europe’s longest railway line

Of all the stations, the longest railway line in Europe is in Germany, at exactly 39,299 kilometres. Quite a long line, isn’t it? Well, every day more than 12.5 million people travel across the country on trains.

Europe’s longest railways

It is difficult to know which in fact is the longest railway in Europe, so we will name them.

Copenhagen Metro, Denmark

Built between 1998 and 2007, the metro comprises 34 trains and runs 21 kilometres from Copenhagen and Frederiksberg, connecting 22 stations designed to hold up to 300 people and nine underground stations.

Lötschberg Base Tunnel, Switzerland

Currently 34.57 kilometres long, the Lötschberg Base Tunnel (LBT) runs through the Bernese Alps under the Lötschberg Tunnel. It is very popular, as it is also the longest railway tunnel in the whole of Switzerland and the third longest in the world. More than 100 trains pass through the LBT.

Budapest metro line

The Budapest metro is the third oldest railway in the world. It has grown alongside the region’s tourist infrastructure, adding four lines that ultimately total 38.6 km.

High speed train from Bologna, Milan

It is part of the Trans-European high-speed rail network. It is 214 kilometres long, with 67 trains running per day.

Europe’s longest train journey

After seeing about the longest lines and railways, surely you must have wondered what the longest journey is, right? At least that has piqued your curiosity! Well, Trans-Siberian Express is the longest train journey in Europe.

• With a distance of 5,722 miles and lasting over 6 days, the journey starts in Moscow and ends in Vladivostok.
• The journey follows several different time zones through which the passengers pass.
• Trains leave every 48 hours (on this trip).
• Among the amazing passages of the tour is Lake Baikal and the Ural Mountains.

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Who has the safest railway in Europe?

With an impressive safety record of over 12 years with no fatalities from train accidents, according to the Annual Health and Safety Report, the UK has the safest railways in Europe! As well as leading the way in passenger safety, it is third in Europe for staff safety and fifth for trespassing, according to the ERA safety indicators.

Among the companies operating across the region, Grand Central was ranked by Transpor Focus in the National Rail Passenger Survey (NRPS) as the best long-distance train operator.

• The company had good ratings from long haul customers on its service and value for money.
• On trains there is more space in the accommodation.
• Travel to London is entitled to free coffee and tea.
• There are sockets throughout the carriages and free wi-fi is available.

What is the best railway in Europe?

Grand Central stops at railway stations:

• London Kings Cross;
• York;
• Thirsk;
• Northallerton;
• Eaglescliffe;
• Hartlepoo.

The truth is that railways all over Britain provide fantastic passages with beautiful scenery. You could be opting for the scenic journeys with the old trains and learn more about British history, as you can opt for city trains.

Since we are talking about safety, but of course including a good view and comfort, the best rail option is London Kings Cross. In addition to being able to enjoy all of this, you can still get to know the beautiful city that nurtures ties with the incredible Harry Potter stories.

Cost-effective: quality and good value, which is the cheapest railway in Europe?

Talking about travel without talking about low price is almost impossible, so throughout this article you must have asked yourself “which is the cheapest train travel in Europe?”, right? But obviously it’s no use having a good price and not being comfortable, so here’s the question that hangs more on the cost-benefit, after all the quality has a pretty significant weight.

That said, the cheapest railway in Europe is in Ukraine, on a journey from Kyiv to Lviv! You can move quickly, safely, comfortably and efficiently between these two points on a 360-mile railway in a journey lasting around 7 hours with 3 stops and 5.5 hours on direct connections.

Morning-afternoon trains

The often most sought after option are tickets for the morning and afternoon shifts. The journey has great prices, but you can still get an even lower scarf if you book in advance.

• Average ticket price: 18 USD ( 16EUR);
• Ticket with booking discount: 13 USD (11 EUR).

Night trains

If you are not in such a hurry and are willing to take a slower journey, night trains are a good option, with a big advantage of even lower prices.

• Price for 2nd class: between USD12 10 (EUR 10) and USD 17 (EUR 15)

Still on the night trains there is another option, even more comfortable and economical. These are the overnight journeys, with three service options.

• 3rd class: from 6USD (5 EUR).
  • Bed
  • Open wagon
• 2nd class: from USD ( 87EUR).
  • Bed
  • Compartment with max. 4 passengers
• 1st class: from USD (2825 EUR)
  • Bed
  • Compartment with max. 2 passengers

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? BOOK A TICKET NOW

The railways in Europe are truly amazing, therefore ranking excellent in several aspects, being consecrated as one of the best in the world. Now with this guide you know everything you needed to know about the best choices of railways and can choose the one that best fits your taste and your budget! So what are you waiting for? Choose your destination, go to the official website we’ve left here, book your ticket and have one of the best experiences of your journey, after all, travelling through Europe by train is simply magnificent.

If you’re still not sure how to plan your itinerary, check out our tips in the first mentioned post or see:

How to plan a trip during the pandemic? 

Can Europe restrictions last longer?