Ten Trains To Try In Europe

Continental rail services are expanding, with new competitors spurring existing rail operators to up their game

- Alex McWhirter

Rail services across mainland Europe are being invigorated. There are several reasons for this, most notably concern for the environment and the arrival of new operators. In the case of the former, the growing “flight shame” movement has contributed to an 11 per cent increase in rail traffic in Sweden and an expansion of services in Switzerland, with Swiss-Franco company TGV Lyria boosting capacity on its routes by 30 per cent. In Germany, a VAT cut on long-distance tickets (part of the government’s climate package) led to a record 12.2 million passengers travelling on Deutsche-Bahn in January.

Meanwhile, a number of newcomers have appeared on the scene as the European Union promotes competition for state-owned rail incumbents. This, in turn, is encouraging current rail operators to expand their existing services and introduce new ones. A more serious challenge is set to come from high-speed international competition. For example, while not included here because approval is still awaited from France’s rail regulator, Arafer, Italian state-owned operator Thello is planning to operate from Milan to Paris in June.

Here is a round-up of ten services on the Continent to have on your radar.

1. EUROSTAR AMSTERDAM-LONDON