Are UK train drivers highest paid in Europe?

Variations in the earnings of train drivers are considerably smaller when adjusted for living costs. Estimated average gross monthly earnings of train drivers in purchasing power standard still show UK drivers the highest earners by far: 4392 (UK), 3310 (Denmark), 2792 (Germany and France).



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The average gross monthly earnings of train drivers as adjusted for PPS ranged from €1,206 in Bulgaria to €4,392 in the UK in 2021. They were above €2,500 in Denmark, Germany and France.

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Salary: from £64,779.71 whilst training rising to £81,147.44 for a senior qualified International Train Driver (3 years post final validation), rising periodically in the interim. Shift Patterns: varied over 24 hours/7 days per week.

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Research from Glassdoor discovered that train drivers on average are paid £3,190 more than doctors. Glassdoor found key workers get paid: Train Driver, average median annual base pay: £54,959 in London £54,974 outside London.

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As a part of the rail industry, you will reap all benefits provided from the industry, such as free or discounted travel on the rail company route you work for, reduced rate on UK rail routes, discounts on international rail travel (rail companies across Europe and Australia), and excellent pension benefits.

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Overall, 75% of employees would recommend working at Eurostar International to a friend. This is based on 135 anonymously submitted reviews on Glassdoor.

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The training usually takes around 12-18 months to complete, and you'll need some GCSEs in English and maths to apply. start work as a rail passenger assistant or train conductor. You can then apply for a trainee driver position. apply directly to a rail company to become a trainee driver.

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You do not always need specific qualifications to be a Train Driver, although most employers will expect you to have a good general standard of education, including GCSEs in Maths and English. Some mechanical or electrical knowledge may also be useful.

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Train drivers work 35 hours per week, spread over 4 to 5 shifts (also known as turns). These may include weekends, evenings, nights and Bank Holidays. Freight engine drivers tend to work more night shifts and do long-distance routes, which often entails overnight stays away from home.

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While airlines pay no kerosene tax or VAT across Europe, train operators pay energy taxes, VAT and high rail tolls in most European countries. In the U.K., operators are relieved of VAT, but are notorious for imposing some of the highest ticket prices in Europe.

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From a financial standpoint, only two HSR lines in the world are profitable: Paris-Lyon in France and Tokyo-Osaka in Japan. A third line, Hakata-Osaka in Japan, breaks even. The majority of high-speed rail lines require large government subsidies from both general taxpayers and drivers.

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According to the Government's National Careers Service, an engine driver, London Underground driver, Eurostar driver or Tube driver's average annual salary can range from £24,000 to £65,000 depending on experience for a 35 to 40 week.

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Most salary levels are just based on supply and demand economics really. What makes tube drivers different is the ability of their unions to make the supply of drivers extremely tight (and thus drive up their pay).

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Trains are a great way to get around in France. You can get from pretty much anywhere to anywhere else by train. For long distances, use the TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse, or High-speed train) on which reservations are obligatory. But if you have time, take the slow train and enjoy the scenery.

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You must have the right to live and work in Britain and have a good standard of written and spoken English. Foreign train driving qualifications are not recognised on Network Rail or vice-versa.

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In the US, they're called “train engineers”. In the UK and other English-speaking countries, I believe they're called “train operators”.

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