Which country in Europe has the best trains?

1. Switzerland. Tucked inside the small but incredibly beautiful country of Switzerland is one of the most efficient and scenic rail networks in the world.



Switzerland is almost universally recognized as having the "best" train system in Europe, consistently ranking number one for punctuality, network density, and integration with other forms of transport. In 2026, the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) remains the gold standard, offering seamless "clockface" scheduling where trains depart at the same minute every hour. For high-speed travel, France (TGV) and Spain (AVE) are the leaders, with Spain now boasting the largest high-speed network in Europe and some of the most competitive prices due to recent market liberalization. Austria (ÖBB) is also a top contender, particularly famous for its extensive "Nightjet" sleeper train network that connects major European cities sustainably. While Germany has one of the largest networks, it has faced challenges with punctuality in recent years, leaving Switzerland as the undisputed champion for overall reliability and the sheer beauty of its alpine rail routes.

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It probably comes as no surprise that in a global 2019 survey of railroad efficiency, the top two places went to Japan and Hong Kong, with scores of 6.8 and 6.5 (out of seven) respectively.

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If China is the largest exporter of rail technology in the world, its neighbour Japan is certainly the most technologically advanced manufacturer on the market. Having launched the first class of bullet trains in 1964, the country has continuously updated its models according to the latest technological advancements.

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The ranking
  • Luxembourg (100 points),
  • Malta (88 points),
  • Austria (81 points),
  • Germany (69 points),
  • Cyprus (63 points),
  • Spain (62 points),
  • Switzerland (58 points),
  • Hungary (54 points),


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The average Swiss person travels 2,430 km by train each year (the highest in the world), almost 500 more than the average Japanese person (the second highest).

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Ultimately, it comes down to what you're looking for in a railway system. American railways are significantly more efficient and cost-effective at moving freight cargo for businesses, whereas European railways offer a much smoother and more scenic experience for their rail passengers.

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Train Design American trains are typically longer and wider to accommodate more freight, while European trains are shorter and narrower to allow for more nimble movements and quicker acceleration.

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The United States possesses the largest railway network in the world, in terms of total operating length.

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1. Hong Kong. Hong Kong's MTR (mass transit railway) is renowned for being clean and fast.

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hsr delivers the safest transport High Speed Rail is the world's safest form of transportation proven by decades of operations all around the world. Japan was the first nation to build high speed rail in 1964, and has since transported 10 billion passengers without a single injury or fatality!

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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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On many routes, there were individual days where the train was cheaper than the plane, even if the average cost was greater. Trains beat planes on eight or nine of the nine days tested on 23 of the routes.

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The simple answer is that most railroads in Europe are government owned, while most railroads in America are private.

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