Great Western Coffee Shop

As the world grapples with post-Covid recovery, railway stations are witnessing a complex blend of continuity and transformation. In the UK, passenger numbers are steadily rebounding, reaching 95% of pre-Covid levels after a significant 70% global drop. However, this surge has brought its challenges, such as severe train delays and longer waiting times. Specific factors unique to each country, like Germany’s subsidy program impacting stations like Munich, and the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with millions seeking refuge in Europe, further complicate railway congestion. Against this backdrop, we present the fourth annual European Railway Station Index, evaluating fifty major stations to guide consumers towards the best travel experiences amidst these changing realities.

There are several upsides to choosing one of the top five stations for arrival or departure, such as less time spent waiting for trains, more convenient operating hours for ticket booths, more ticket packages to choose from, easier access to entrances, platforms, and restrooms for people using a wheelchair, more shops, kiosks, restaurants, and first-class lounges, better coverage, easier connections to and from the station, and less hassle traveling to other countries by train.

'Worst' train station in Europe is found in country famed for public transport
Despite being a country known for its "excellent" public transport, it appears Germany has one of the worst train stations in Europe - according to new research