Finland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Ukraine, Spain, Turkey, Norway, UK, France And Switzerland Power A New Era Of Seamless Travel With A Thirteen thousand seven hundred-Mile Ultra-Fast Train Network

Finland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and more back Starline, a 250mph train network to revolutionize travel, cut flights, and connect 39 cities across Europe.

A groundbreaking new rail initiative is gaining momentum in Europe, promising to transform how people travel across the continent. The Starline network, a visionary proposal by 21st Europe, outlines a futuristic, high-speed train system designed in the style of an underground metro — but on a continental scale.

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This expansive rail project would stretch over 13,700 miles and connect 39 major European cities, forming an integrated transport system to rival air travel. Some of the major routes in the plan include Lisbon to Kyiv, Naples to Helsinki, Milan to Oslo, and Madrid to Istanbul. Key stops would also include iconic capitals such as London, Paris, Vienna, Rome, and Zurich.

The trains are expected to reach speeds of up to 250 miles per hour, significantly slashing journey times. For instance, the trip between Helsinki and Berlin could take just three hours. According to the think tank behind the proposal, the network could reduce short-haul flights by as much as 80% and provide travel times 30% faster than driving or using existing rail options.

Funded by public investment, the Starline would be operated by national railway providers, with the entire system overseen by a proposed European Rail Authority. This new EU agency would be tasked with managing the expansion and ensuring seamless coordination between countries.

What sets this network apart is not only its scale but its reimagined approach to passenger experience. The sleek yellow and blue trains would ditch traditional first- and second-class divisions, opting instead for purpose-driven carriages — such as quiet zones for remote workers, and family-friendly sections tailored for those traveling with children.

Brand-new stations would be built on the outskirts of each connected city. These hubs are envisioned as vibrant cultural centers, complete with restaurants, museums, live performance spaces, retail shops, and links to local transport systems.

21st Europe aims to address what it calls a “fragmented, uneven, and sluggish” rail network in many parts of the continent. With the Starline, the goal is to unify and modernize European transport by introducing a system that competes directly with air travel in both speed and convenience.

If realized, the Starline would not only reshape European infrastructure but also contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on short-haul flights, cutting emissions, and promoting efficient land-based travel across borders.

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Train rides are all fun and joy until a technical failure disrupts the experience. Track circuit problems, signal glitches and power malfunctions can cause unexpected delays, leading to inconvenience. But at such times, it is important to stay patient and adopt a positive perspective. A perfect example is a man who recently documented his frustrating yet amusing experience while taking a train ride in Germany. Through the video, which the passenger posted on Instagram, he showcased a remarkable ability to find humour even in unpleasant situations. The text overlay read, “POV: Taking a train ride in Germany.”

Also Read: Eurail Pass: 6 European Countries For The Best Train Journeys

The video begins with the man recording the message of the automated train announcement. The announcement brought attention to the fact that the train was stranded due to a signal failure. Adding a playful twist to the distressing event, the voice says, “Dear international people here on the train. I do not know how to say it in English very professionally, but I will try my best. We have a problem with our timetable. The people who do the signals think our train does not exist. But we exist. And I hope they find a solution. We have to wait until then. Here, it is the problem in Hamburg Harburg.” The jestful announcement prompted a smile from the man. Now, that’s how you take difficulties in your stride.

Instagram users couldn’t stop talking about this unique public announcement on a train. Here are some of their reactions:

“‘I don’t know how to say it in English professional’ *proceeds to say it very clearly and professionally,” pointed out a user.

“Haha I loved the ‘Dear international people'” noted another.

An individual guessed, “She is like: I’m too underpaid for this.”

Here’s what another person had to say: “Because we do exist, we have to wait until someone else realizes our existence before we can move forward. That’s a very philosophical statement. I like her.”

“The ‘But we exist!’ was really reassuring,” said someone else.

“She is so sweet about it too, bless her heart,” commented an Instagram user.

So far, the video has clocked over 5 million views.

Also Read: Travel Vlogger Documents Unforgettable Experience On Australia’s Puffing Billy Train

Despite the stereotype of an ‘efficient’ Germany, the country’s long distance train network is plagued by delays. But the line from Stuttgart to Zurich stands out as the most punctual – and there are arguably a few reasons behind its success.

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Rail passengers in Germany are used to seeing regular disruption caused by delays.

But let’s give credit where it’s due: one line in Germany is doing pretty well when it comes to being on time.

Line 87 – known as the ‘Gäubahn’ which connects Stuttgart and Zurich – is the most punctual part of the German rail network.

While an average of one in three trains in Germany is late, 81 percent of trains on this line arrive on time.

Is train punctuality in Germany really that bad?

Travelling by train in Germany is certainly getting a bad reputation. The punctuality rate for German rail operator Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance services in 2024 was 62.5 percent – the lowest figure since statistics began getting recorded in 2001.

DB said train cancellations due to strikes, extreme weather events and construction all helped the network reach this historic low. A train is classed as being punctual when it is no more than six minutes late, according to Deutsche Bahn (DB).

However, figures – along with complaints from passengers – show things have been going downhill for a while.

That’s why railway bosses last year vowed to take action. By 2027, DB aims for the punctuality rate to reach more than 75 percent.

READ ALSO: How Deutsche Bahn plans to make German trains more reliable

Why is this railway line an outlier?

You’re probably wondering what’s going on in the south west of the country. Just why are trains there so reliable?

German magazine Spiegel took a trip on an Intercity train from Stuttgart to Zurich to find out what is special about this part of the train network.

The line, which is 240 kilometres long and runs through Böblingen, Horb and Rottweil, is one of the most scenic routes in the country.

When asked what makes the line so punctual, Peter Füglistaler, former Director of the Federal Office of Transport in Switzerland, told Der Spiegel that there is “little traffic” on the rails as well as “no complex railway junctions en route”. This makes for a smoother journey.

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But here’s the kicker: it may also be the Swiss effect. Füglistaler pointed out that “a quarter of the route runs through Switzerland”.

In Switzerland, more than 90 percent of trains arrive on time, making them among the most punctual in Europe.

Füglistaler said it’s mainly because of funding – four times more money per capita is invested in rail modernisation in Switzerland than in Germany.

It’s no wonder that in 2023, Swiss authorities made headlines with a proposal to ban German trains on their side of the border due to their unreliability.

An ICE train runs over the Rügendamm near Stralsund. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Stefan Sauer

So could Germany learn from its neighbours?

In the interview, Füglistaler praised the interior of German trains, including the many power sockets for charging phones and laptops.

But he had some points on how Germany could learn from the Swiss on reliability matters. Füglistaler believes that getting to a 90 percent punctuality rate requires a lot of investment and government policies that are “100 percent” behind rail travel. He added that a “rethink” is also needed among management at Deutsche Bahn and its subsidiaries.

Füglistaler said DB had “got too bogged down” with various business projects and advises the German state-owned company to focus solely on the German rail network.

Deutsche Bahn has perhaps already taken a step in this direction. It was announced last year that the logistics subsidiary DB Schenker is being sold to the Danish logistics group DSV for €14.8 billion.

Füglistaler said it would take at least a decade before transport would run smoothly in Germany again following the planned refurbishments.

READ ALSO: ‘Four-hour delays’: How travelling on German trains has become a nightmare for foreigners

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But the most punctual line in Germany does not have a bright future ahead – at least in the medium term.

The Stuttgart-Zurich line is to be controversially interrupted for several years ahead of Stuttgart’s new main station opening (which has been pushed back to December 2026).

According to Der Spiegel, the Gäubahn cannot be routed together with S-Bahn trains towards the airport and on to the city centre. An 11 km tunnel from Böblingen to Stuttgart Airport, which will cost at least a billion euros, is set to be built to solve the problem.

As things stand, the line will face various closures in spring 2026 with the earliest completion date estimated for 2032.

The ticket covers all but the country’s fastest trains (Picture: Getty Images)

In the UK, train travel might be a convenient — and often the quickest option — but it’s expensive, with long journeys like London to Edinburgh costing more than £100, even when booked in advance.

But one country in Europe is offering rail tickets at a much cheaper price.

Head to Germany, and tourists can purchase the Deutschlandticket (or the ‘Germany ticket’ for a price of just €58 (or £48) per month, which equates to about £1.60 per day.

You can travel anywhere in the entire country for this price, on all but its very fastest trains. Think clubbing in Berlin, drinking beer in Munich, or soaking up the culture in Cologne.

The ticket also covers unlimited local transport, which includes trams, buses and even ferries.

While the Deutschlandticket is actually meant for German residents, there’s nothing stopping tourists from purchasing one. You’ll have to do a little planning ahead though.

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You can get around the city on the cheap – but it might take a while (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

How to buy the Deutschlandticket

The tickets are only available to buy in the first 10 days of the month you plan to use it, and its a subscription model, meaning once you sign up, you’ll automatically get charged for the ticket every month after that.

Obviously, if you’re just visiting the country for a few weeks, you don’t want to keep paying the £48 — but fear not.

After signing up, you’ll get an email warning you that you need to cancel to avoid being charged again. You can cancel the subscription by the 10th of each month. Meaning, if you buy the ticket and immediately cancel the subscription, you’ll still have paid to use the railways for the entire month.

The ticket will be displayed with the DB (Deutsche Bahn) app, which is the German national railway company.

It is worth noting though that not being able to use the faster trains means you’ll need to bed in for some lengthier journeys. For example, Cologne to Frankfurt can take around 1 hour and 15 minutes on a fast train, but with the Deutschlandticket it’s around 3 hours and 20 minutes.

Luxembourg offers an even better deal (Picture: Getty Images)

It’s easy to work out which trains you can take with the Deutschlandticket though. When searching on the DB website, you can modify your search and select ‘Deutschland-Ticket connections only’.

And if you think £1.60 a day is cheap, head to Luxembourg, and you won’t have to pay a penny.

Since February 2020, the wealthiest nation in the European Union has been offering public transport completely free.

And, while other countries can’t quite beat Luxembourg’s offering, some do give incentives to use their railways.

For example, if you arrive in France’s Normandy by train (or bus or bicycle) you’ll get a 10% discount on admission to 90 cultural sites and attractions, including museums, castles, parks and monuments, as well as activities such as canoeing, bike rental and escape rooms.

Or, if you stay at Mas Pelegri, a stylish eco-hotel in Girona, Spain, you’ll get £50 off your weekly stay if you come by rail.

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Long distance train travel in Germany has come to be marked by long delays and cancelled trains, which can lead to missed transfers for long-distance passengers. What are your rights when your journey is derailed?

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If you’re travelling around Germany (or through Germany and beyond) on trains, your journey will most likely involve a transfer or two.

Journeys between major cities – e.g. from Hamburg to Munich – can be made with one direct connection. But traveling to or from smaller cities may involve switching between long-distance and regional trains at a station along the way. International journeys also often involve transferring from a Deutsche Bahn (DB) train to another national railway’s train near the border.

For convenience, multiple connections can be bought together under a single ticket in the DB app. But given the regularity of delays on the German railways, it’s not uncommon that a second or third connection on a long train journey is missed.

Fortunately, DB’s passenger rights ensure that in these cases you wont be left without a ticket to ride – and in some cases you may also be entitled to compensation.

Why you should buy the multi-transfer ticket

In a recent post on Reddit’s ‘Germany’ topic page, a user shared a screenshot of a potential train ticket – from Stuttgart to Vienna with a transfer in Munich’s central station. With only 18 minutes given to transfer trains in Munich’s Hauptbahnhof, they asked “Should I trust Deutsche Bahn?”

Quite a few commenters responded to the question with an emphatic “No!” – one went as far as writing out, “NEVER. TRUST. DEUTSCHE. BAHN.”

While those tongue in cheek comments are worth a chuckle (and were most certainly inspired by some real negative DB experiences) the more helpful answer is quite the opposite: if you miss your train because of a delay on an earlier train, your ticket effectively becomes a flexible ticket, allowing you to take any other DB train at no extra cost.

In short, when you buy multi-transfer tickets with DB, you CAN trust the ticket to get you to your destination. But whether you arrive by the originally suggested arrival time is another story.

READ ALSO: ‘Four-hour delays’ – How travelling on German trains has become a nightmare for foreigners

How does it work?

According to DB’s passenger rights policy: “In the event of an expected delay…of at least 20 minutes for national journeys, or at least 60 minutes for international journeys…you can continue the journey at the next opportunity on the same route or on a different route.”

What this means in practice is that when your transfer is missed due to DB delay, there is no need to buy a new ticket to continue your journey. Simply board the next train going to your destination (including trains on different routes that lead to your destination if necessary).

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DB’s staff are used to this and will usually accept your original ticket without question if you are checked on subsequent trains.

You are also entitled to postpone your journey, if it makes more sense to continue your same journey at a later time.

And you can switch to other trains as needed. For example, your ticket for an IC/EC or ICE train, would also be valid on a regional train if it helps you get to your next transfer point or destination.

But note that to switch the other way, i.e. to ride an IC/EC or ICE train after your regional train was delayed, DB says you should buy an additional ticket, and then have it refunded by the Passenger Rights Service Centre.

At Hamburg’s central station a display board shows a train delay due to a fire operation. When your train is significantly delayed you may be entitled to compensation. Photo: picture alliance / Bodo Marks/dpa | Bodo Marks

In the event that a delay of 60 minutes or more is expected at your destination station, and you’d rather not continue on your train journey, you can also have your ticket cancelled and refunded.

If this occurs after you’ve travelled part of the route, you can have the unused portion of the ticket refunded. But this would, of course, void your ticket from being used on further trains.

READ ALSO: Why has German train punctuality got so bad?

When are you entitled to compensation?

In the event of severe delays, DB will also compensate you for a portion of the ticket price.

According to DB’s policy, you’re entitled to compensation worth 25 percent of the one-way ticket price when arrival at your destination is delayed by 60 minutes or more. For delays of 120 minutes or more, you’re entitled to 50 percent of the one-way ticket price.

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This compensation can be paid out either in cash or in the form of a voucher for future travel.

You may also be entitled to compensation if you’re travelling with the use of certain longer-term tickets, like weekly or monthly travel passes, the BahnCard 100, or the Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket. In this case, DB sets a flat rate for compensation depending on the ticket you have.

Note that if you’re travelling regularly, you may add up each delay of 20 minutes or more and submit them collectively in a compensation claim.

You can also seek reimbursement for travel or accommodation costs when your travel is severely disrupted due to delays.

For example, if your train is suddenly cancelled and you need to use a bus or taxi to reach your destination, DB may be on the hook to reimburse those costs. This applies when an arrival scheduled between the hours of midnight and 5am is delayed by an hour or more, or when a train cancellation leaves you unable to reach your destination before midnight.

In these cases DB will reimburse other transport costs up to a maximum of €120.

In some cases DB will also reimburse hotel or overnight accommodation costs. DB’s policy says this applies when “it is not reasonable to continue the journey on the same day”. In this case, you’d be advised to contact DB’s information line, or speak with personnel on your train or at the station, before booking a room that you expect to be reimbursed.

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How long do I have to submit my claims?

According to an EU regulation, passengers have at least three months to submit reimbursement claims.

However, DB says on its website that it will continue to accept and process complaints based on its previous 12 month deadline until further notice.

Still they ask customers to adhere to the three month period if possible.

What about international journeys?

Fortunately for international train travellers, many of the passenger rights outlined above also apply to journeys that cross state lines.

Sixteen major European rail operators have arranged an “Agreement on Journey Continuation”, which allows you to continue on your international journey when connecting trains are missed. So if you miss a connection to a French SCNF train, for example, you can simply hop on the next one, even if the delay was the fault of DB.

The participating rail operators are: BLS (Switzerland), CD (Czech Republic), CFL (Luxembourg), DB (Germany), DSB (Denmark), GYSEV and MÁV-START (Hungary), NS (Netherlands), ÖBB (Austria), PKP (Poland), Renfe (Spain), SBB/CFF (Switzerland), SJ (Sweden), SNCB/NMBS (Belgium), SNCF (France), SZ (Slovenia), Trenitalia (Italy), ZSSK (Slovakia).

This is based on a good faith agreement – technically there is no legal entitlement for passengers in place.

Additionally, international travellers may be entitled to compensation from DB for delays of 60 minutes or more, as is mentioned above.

READ ALSO: The ski destinations you can reach by train from Germany