Train companies

Thalys rebranded as Eurostar in October 2023. Routes unchanged — direct high-speed trains still link Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Cologne.

FlixBus connects hundreds of European cities with budget long-distance buses. Guide to routes, fares, booking and what to expect on board.

VY (formerly NSB) is Norway's primary rail operator. Guide to booking, routes across fjords and mountains, and tips for scenic train travel in Norway.

DSB is Denmark's national rail operator, connecting Copenhagen with the rest of the country. Guide to ticket types, railcards and booking trips.

České dráhy (ČD) is the Czech Republic's national railway operator. Guide to routes, ticket types, booking and train travel across the Czech Republic.

WESTbahn is a private Austrian operator offering a budget alternative to ÖBB on the Vienna–Salzburg corridor. Guide to fares, booking and onboard service.

SNCB is Belgium's national railway, connecting Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp. Guide to ticket types, rail passes, booking and cross-border services.

FlixTrain offers budget train travel in Germany and Sweden, often well below national operator fares. Guide to routes, booking and what to expect onboard.

Italo (NTV) is Italy's private high-speed operator, competing with Trenitalia on key routes. Guide to tickets, booking, seat classes and fares.

Trenitalia is Italy's national rail operator, running Frecciarossa high-speed and regional trains. Guide to routes, ticket classes and how to book.

ÖBB is Austria's national railway, known for punctuality and running on renewable energy. Guide to routes, ticket types and booking trains across Austria.

SBB (CFF) is Switzerland's national railway, running one of Europe's most punctual networks. Guide to booking, scenic routes and navigating Swiss trains.

Ouigo runs low-cost high-speed trains in France and Spain. Fares often rival budget airlines — guide to booking, what's included and what to watch out for.

Leo Express is a budget train and bus operator in Central Europe, originally from Czech Republic. Lower fares than national operators on key routes.

SJ is Sweden's national railway, connecting major cities from Stockholm to Malmö and beyond. Guide to routes, ticket types and booking tips.

Entur is Norway's official travel planner, covering trains, buses and ferries in one app. Guide to using it for booking journeys across Norway.

Renfe is Spain's national railway, operating AVE high-speed and regional trains. Guide to routes, fare types, booking and navigating Spain by rail.

Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany's national railway. Guide to ICE and regional trains, ticket types, fare classes and how to book cheaply online.

SNCF is France's national railway, operating TGV and regional trains. Complete guide to ticket types, booking platforms and getting the best fares.

Eurostar connects London to Paris (2h16m), Brussels (1h58m) and Amsterdam (3h52m) through the Channel Tunnel at speeds up to 300 km/h. Prices and tips for 2026.