Run2Rail
Europe by train: the passes, the night trains and the journeys worth the detour.
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Chur Is Where Two of Switzerland's Greatest Train Rides Begin
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Glacier Express Zermatt to St Moritz Is Eight Hours on the Slowest Express Train Worth It
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Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano the Panoramic Train and the Cheaper Local Alternative
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Fort William Is the West Highland Line's Halfway House to Mallaig
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West Highland Line Glasgow to Mallaig Train the Glenfinnan Viaduct and the ScotRail Timetable
Guides for countries
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Austria
Austria's railways unite Alpine pass routes with Europe's densest night train network. Understand how the Arlberg line and Wien Hauptbahnhof sleeper hub connect mountain valleys to distant capitals.
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Czechia
Czechia's rail network surprises with Swiss-level branch-line density and fares that make spontaneous trips affordable. Understand the ČD-RegioJet duopoly and why the system punches above its weight.
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France
France's TGV network radiates from Paris, leaving cross-country connections sparse. Here is how the star works, where the gaps are, and how Ouigo differs from InOui.
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Germany
Germany's rail network is dense and reaches small towns, but ICE punctuality has slipped and the Deutschland-Ticket excludes long-distance trains. Here is how to make it work.
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Italy
Italy's rail network is more than the Frecciarossa spine. Discover the regional branch lines that climb through the Apennines and hug the Sicilian coast, and why they are worth the slower pace.
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Norway
Norway has four main rail corridors, not a sprawling network. Compare the Bergen, Dovre, Nordland, and Sørland lines to decide which one fits your limited time and scenic priorities.
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Portugal
Portugal's rail network splits into three distinct experiences: the scenic Douro line, the coastal Algarve route, and the slow Alentejo interior. Choose the corridor that fits your travel temperament.
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Spain
Spain's AVE network is fast but leaves entire regions on older Iberian-gauge rails. Explore the conventional lines, from the FEVE coastal route to the Ronda railway, that the high-speed map ignores.
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Switzerland
Switzerland's rail network operates on a synchronised clockface timetable that makes every connection deliberate. Learn how the Taktfahrplan system works and why you can trust a three-minute change.
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The Netherlands
The Dutch rail network runs with metro-like frequency across the Randstad. Learn how to treat the Netherlands as a single-base, multi-city day-trip circuit rather than a point-to-point journey.
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United Kingdom
Britain's rail fares are a maze of advance, off-peak, and anytime tickets. Here's how to pick the right one and stop overpaying for the same seat.
By region
Latest articles
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La Spezia Is the Cinque Terre Base That Actually Works
La Spezia puts all five Cinque Terre villages within a short train ride, with proper station facilities the villages lack. Here's how to use it as your base.
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Cinque Terre by Train the Card the Crowds and the Timetable Between La Spezia and Levanto
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Bergen Is the End of the Line and the Start of Western Norway
Bergen is where the Oslo-Bergen railway meets the sea. Here's what to expect when you arrive and how to use the city as a western Norway base.
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Bergen Railway and Flåm Branch Crossing Norway High Plateau from Oslo to the Fjords
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Porto's São Bento Station Is the Start of the Douro Line Adventure
The Douro Valley train starts at Porto Campanhã, not the famous São Bento station. Here's how to connect between them and begin the journey right.
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Douro Valley Railway Porto to Pocinho Along the River With Vineyard Views From the Window
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Czechia by Rail: Cheap Frequent and Better Than It Should Be
Czechia's rail network surprises with Swiss-level branch-line density and fares that make spontaneous trips affordable. Understand the ČD-RegioJet duopoly and why the system punches above its weight.
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Czech Train Travel How to Use České dráhy and RegioJet for Cheap Long-Distance Trips
How České dráhy and RegioJet compete on Prague–Brno and other Czech long-distance routes, keeping fares low and standards surprisingly high.
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Germany by Rail The Network and the Country It Opens Up
Germany's rail network is dense and reaches small towns, but ICE punctuality has slipped and the Deutschland-Ticket excludes long-distance trains. Here is how to make it work.
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Getting Around Germany by Train Without Losing Your Patience
Deutsche Bahn is fast, far-reaching, and frequently late. Learn how to use the Deutschland-Ticket, navigate delays, and keep a German rail itinerary from falling apart.