Europe Rail Network
33 interconnected rail systems, one seamless network. How to navigate Europe's extraordinary web of trains from Arctic Norway to Mediterranean Sicily.
Europe's Fast Train Systems
France — TGV / Ouigo
SNCF's TGV is Europe's benchmark high-speed network. Paris to Lyon in 2 hrs, to Marseille in 3 hrs.
Germany — ICE
Deutsche Bahn's ICE connects German cities at speed. Major expansion underway for 2026–2030.
Spain — AVE / Avlo
Spain has the most extensive high-speed network in Europe outside Asia. Madrid to Barcelona in 2.5 hrs.
Italy — Frecciarossa
Trenitalia's red Frecce trains connect Rome to Milan in under 3 hours on the Italian high-speed backbone.
Eurostar — London/Paris
Under the Channel — London to Paris in 2 hrs 16 min. Also Amsterdam and Brussels connections.
Thalys / Eurostar NL
Paris to Amsterdam in 3.5 hrs via Brussels — the merged Eurostar group's Amsterdam service.
Key Cross-Border Routes
London → Paris
Under the Channel Tunnel — the world's most iconic international rail journey.
Paris → Geneva
Scenic approach to the Alps, crossing the French countryside and arriving at Lake Geneva.
Vienna → Rome
Austria's resurgent night train through the Alps — wake up in Rome.
Munich → Salzburg
A classic Alpine crossing — Mozart's birthplace is just a short journey from Bavaria.
Paris → Barcelona
Cross the Pyrenees from France to Spain on the high-speed rail link via Perpignan.
Oslo → Stockholm
Through Scandinavian forests and fjords — one of the most peaceful cross-border journeys in Europe.
Europe's Night Train Renaissance
Since 2020, European night trains have made a dramatic comeback. Austria's ÖBB Nightjet leads the way, with new routes to Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, and beyond. Germany's Deutsche Nachtexpress and France's Intercités de Nuit are also expanding.
ÖBB Nightjet
Austria's expanding network now covers Vienna, Zürich, Paris, Amsterdam, Hamburg and Rome. Modern comfort cabins.
French Night Trains
SNCF's Intercités de Nuit serve Paris to Nice, Hendaye and Cerbère. Plans to expand significantly by 2028.
Caledonian Sleeper
Scotland's legendary sleeper connecting London to Inverness, Aberdeen and Fort William. A true institution.
Flying to Night Train
Replacing a 1-hr flight with a night train saves ~90% of the carbon emissions and costs less if planned ahead.