A new study has revealed that Trenitalia, the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), and the Czech company RegioJet provide the best rail services in Europe. In contrast, the Eurostar, known for its high ticket prices, delivers the least value to travelers. The survey, conducted by Transport and Environment (T&E), evaluated 27 railway operators across 21 European countries.
Efficient rail systems are critical for achieving a zero-emission transport network. However, rail services in Europe often fail to meet passenger expectations. According to an EU report, only 59% of Europeans are satisfied with the punctuality and reliability of rail transport.
In the study comparing 27 railway operators, the Czech company RegioJet ranked third, following Trenitalia and SBB. The analysis highlighted that RegioJet and the German Flixtrain offer the most affordable ticket prices in Europe. Additionally, RegioJet, SBB, ÖBB, and the overall winner, Trenitalia, stood out for providing the best value for money.
Czech Railways (České dráhy) secured sixth place overall. However, it performed poorly in the punctuality category, scoring just 3.4 out of 10—the lowest score among the top contenders. In contrast, the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) fared better, achieving fourth place in the overall ranking.
As expected, Deutsche Bahn (DB) ranked only in the middle of the pack, landing in 16th place. DB’s performance in reliability was particularly weak; outdated rail infrastructure and poor long-distance punctuality placed it at 25th out of 27 in this category.
Eurostar, connecting France, Great Britain, Belgium, and the Netherlands, came in last. Its ticket prices are double the European average, and it struggles with reliability, making it the worst-performing operator in the study.
To drive improvements in the industry and support policy changes at both national and European levels, Transport and Environment (T&E) compiled the most comprehensive ranking of European rail operators to date. The assessment evaluated 27 companies based on eight key criteria, including ticket pricing, punctuality, and on-board services. The analysis focused on medium- and long-distance domestic routes while also considering night trains and operators specializing in international services.
Top 5 Railway Companies in Europe:
- Trentitalia (ITA)
- SBB Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (CH)
- RegioJet (CZ)
- ÖBB Österreichische Bundesbahnen (AUT)
- SNCF Société nationale des chemins de fer français (FRA)
