A recent Interrail adventure across seven European countries has shed light on the highs and lows of modern train travel, revealing both the comforts and inconsistencies of rail networks across the continent.

From the luxurious panoramic carriages of Switzerland’s Glacier Express to the graffiti-covered trains of Germany, the disparity in rail services underscores the challenges facing Europe’s rail industry. While some countries excel in passenger experience, others struggle with outdated infrastructure and inconsistent amenities.

A Look Back: 200 Years of Rail Travel

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in northern England—the first time passengers traveled en masse by train. In those early days, third-class passengers endured open-air carriages, exposed to the elements and the soot from steam engines.

Rail travel has evolved significantly since then, with the introduction of sleeper cars, dining services, and modern comforts. For those eager to experience train travel as it once was, heritage railways like Britain’s Great Central Railway offer a glimpse into the past, complete with steam engines, traditional compartments, and even waiting rooms with open fireplaces.

Meanwhile, Germany’s Wuppertal Schwebebahn, the world’s oldest electric suspension railway, showcases a different kind of rail innovation. Here, passengers board carriages suspended beneath a single track, demonstrating how train technology has taken many forms over the centuries.

The Reality of Modern Rail Travel

For today’s travelers, the train experience varies dramatically depending on location. During an Interrail journey spanning the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, France, and the UK, the quality of train services ranged from cutting-edge efficiency to frustrating disrepair.

• Switzerland and the Netherlands: High standards, clean carriages, family-friendly spaces, and reliable service. Swiss Intercity trains even feature onboard playgrounds and board games to keep children entertained.
• Germany: A mixed experience, with graffiti-covered carriages, worn-out interiors, and inconsistent station facilities.
• France and the Netherlands: Double-decker trains maximize space, a solution that could benefit more European networks.
• Seat Reservations & Extra Fees: While Interrail passes cover most journeys, some trains—like Eurostar and the Glacier Express—require additional reservation fees, which often correlate with superior service.
• WiFi & Charging Points: Still inconsistent, particularly on local and regional trains.

While modern trains offer conveniences unimaginable to passengers 200 years ago, service quality remains uneven across Europe.

What’s Next for Train Travel?

As Europe shifts towards more sustainable transportation, sleeper train services are making a comeback. However, the current state of overnight travel leaves much to be desired. A journey from the Netherlands to Innsbruck highlighted cramped compartments with limited privacy and comfort—a far cry from the luxurious night trains of the past.

To address this, rail companies are investing in new designs:

• Austria’s Skoda Group is developing double-decker sleep cubicles to improve passenger comfort.
• Alstom’s DreamSuite concept features lie-flat seats with privacy screens.

Security is also a growing concern, with luggage thefts on the rise. While Japanese bullet trains offer lockable storage, European trains still rely on open racks. Some travelers bring their own cable locks, but rail networks need better-built security systems.

Making Trains the Preferred Choice

For rail to become a truly viable alternative to cars and planes, the passenger experience must improve. Innovations in hydrogen-fueled trains and increased service reliability are essential, but passengers must also want to travel by train.

Norway’s investment in long-distance FLIRT NEX trains—with reclining seats, family-friendly compartments, ample luggage space, and onboard bistros—reflects this shift. As project manager Sille Svenkerud Førner put it,

“The train should not only be a transport stage but also an experience and a place where you like to be.”

Europe’s future in rail travel depends not just on faster, cleaner trains, but on creating an experience that makes people choose the tracks over the skies.