High-Speed Train

A high-speed train is a passenger service that runs on infrastructure built or upgraded for very high speeds. Under the EU's rail interoperability rules, the trans-European high-speed network is defined by the line, not just the train. The network's three line categories are: newly built lines equipped for speeds generally equal to or greater than 250 km/h, upgraded lines equipped for speeds of the order of 200 km/h, and upgraded lines with special features where speed is adapted to local topographical, relief or town-planning constraints.

In practice, a service marketed as high-speed may spend only part of its journey at its top speed. Much of a route can run on an upgraded line at around 200 km/h, or on conventional track through a city, before reaching a dedicated high-speed section.

Main European brands

Several national operators run named high-speed services on this kind of infrastructure. TGV equipment can reach 320 km/h on France's high-speed lines, with TGV INOUI as the flagship brand. The ICE 3 travels at 300 km/h, and the ICE 1 was Germany's first high-speed train. Frecciarossa reaches a maximum of 300 km/h. Renfe's AVE in Spain, Italo in Italy and the cross-Channel Eurostar are other named European high-speed brands, though each operator sets its own product names, routes and top speeds. For the full list of category abbreviations used by operators such as ICE, TGV, RE and TER, see the glossary entry on train categories and abbreviations.

What it means for reservations and fares

Reservation rules on high-speed services vary by operator rather than following one European standard. Most high-speed trains will require a reservation, and Eurostar, TGV and AVE are high-demand services with limited capacity. On Eurostar, a reservation is mandatory for Interrail Pass holders. On a busy Deutsche Bahn high-speed route such as Stuttgart to Zurich, a reservation is recommended rather than mandatory. Reservation is compulsory on TGV INOUI.

High-speed services typically call at fewer stations than regional or intercity trains on the same corridor, since the point of the dedicated line is a fast link between major cities. This affects which pass products and fare rules apply. A pass that covers regional trains without extra cost may still need a mandatory or recommended reservation for a high-speed train on the same route.

Common confusion

"High-speed" is sometimes used loosely for any fast, modern-looking train. The EU definition ties the term to the infrastructure a line was built or upgraded for, not to a train's branding or interior. A regional or intercity service can share track with a high-speed train for part of a journey without itself qualifying as high-speed. Conversely, a high-speed-branded train can run well below its top speed on shared or older sections of track near a city centre.