In 2024, Europe’s rail networks experienced unprecedented demand, with passengers embarking on 8.7 billion trips, accumulating a total of 444.5 billion passenger-kilometres. This surge marked a new record, eclipsing the previous peak of 400 billion passenger-kilometres set in 2019.
Switzerland tops rail travel per capita
Switzerland emerged as the undisputed leader in rail travel per capita, with each resident averaging 57.9 trips annually. This exceptional figure underscores the country’s long-standing reputation for punctuality, extensive network coverage, and a culture deeply embedded in rail travel.
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg followed as the highest-ranking European Union member, with 46.2 trips per capita, a statistic partly attributed to its policy of free public transport. Austria secured third place with 35.6 trips per capita, a testament to its recent investments in rail infrastructure, including new lines and modern rolling stock.
The Netherlands, despite its robust rail system, ranked seventh with 20.9 trips per capita.
Notably, Belgium’s data were excluded from the annual statistics for confidentiality reasons, leaving a gap in the regional analysis.
Germany and France dominate total passenger-kilometres
The sheer volume of rail travel was most pronounced in Germany and France, which together accounted for a significant portion of Europe’s passenger-kilometres.
Germany led with 109.1 billion passenger-kilometres, closely followed by France with 107.3 billion.
Italy, while trailing behind, still contributed a substantial 55.9 billion passenger-kilometres. These figures reflect not only the size of these countries but also the efficiency and popularity of their rail systems.
At the other end of the spectrum, six EU countries recorded less than 1 billion passenger-kilometres: Lithuania and Estonia (0.4 billion each), Luxembourg (0.6 billion), Latvia and Greece (0.7 billion each), and Slovenia (0.9 billion). These disparities highlight the varying degrees of rail integration across the continent, with smaller or less rail-oriented nations naturally recording lower figures.
Rail travel rebounds after pandemic lows
The resilience of Europe’s rail sector was evident in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. After a dramatic drop in 2020, when passenger-kilometres plummeted by 46.6% to 214 billion, the industry rebounded strongly. By 2024, rail passenger transport performance had not only recovered but surpassed pre-pandemic levels by 10.7%, reaching 443 billion passenger-kilometres. This growth was consistent across all quarters of 2024, with increases ranging from 2.6% to 9.6% compared to the same periods in 2023.
The recovery was not uniform across all countries. While most EU nations saw increases, the Netherlands experienced an 11.3% decline in passenger-kilometres, attributed to methodological improvements in data collection.
Bulgaria, Estonia, and Romania also recorded decreases of 5.9%, 5.7%, and 3.6%, respectively. Conversely, Hungary achieved the most significant growth, with a 44.2% increase, driven by a simplified tariff system offering discounts and free travel for specific groups. Other notable increases were seen in Slovenia (19.5%), Latvia (14.1%), and Lithuania and Portugal (both 12.8%).
Beyond the EU, the EFTA countries Norway and Switzerland, as well as the candidate country Serbia, also reported substantial growth, with increases of 25.9%, 18.5%, and 10.8%, respectively. However, candidate countries Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia saw declines of 10.0% and 18.3%.
Per capita leaders and laggards
The per capita analysis revealed stark contrasts across Europe. Luxembourg and Denmark led the EU with 32.8 and 31.0 passengers per capita, respectively, followed closely by Germany (30.0) and Austria (28.5). Sweden, the Netherlands, France, Portugal, and Czechia also recorded high per capita figures, each exceeding 16 passengers per capita.
In contrast, Greece and Lithuania had the lowest rates in the EU, with just 1.4 and 1.8 passengers per capita, respectively.
Switzerland, though not an EU member, stood out with the highest per capita rate in Europe at 48.3 passengers. This figure is a reflection of its world-class rail system, which combines efficiency, reliability, and extensive coverage. The country’s central location in Europe also makes it a key transit hub for international travellers.
The data for 2024 also showed shifts in per capita rail travel compared to 2023. Luxembourg experienced the largest decrease among EU countries, with a drop of 0.6 passengers per capita.
Austria and Portugal each saw a decline of 0.2, while eight other EU countries recorded a decrease of 0.1. Latvia was the only EU country to see an increase, with a rise of 0.1 passengers per capita. Switzerland, despite its overall leadership, recorded a decrease of 0.8 passengers per capita, while Norway saw a minor decline of 0.1.
A continent on the move
The 2024 data paints a picture of a continent where rail travel is not only a practical necessity but also a preferred choice for many. The record-breaking numbers reflect a combination of policy initiatives, infrastructure investments, and a growing awareness of the environmental benefits of rail travel.
As Europe continues to prioritise sustainable transport, the rail sector is poised to play an even greater role in the years to come. However, the absence of data for
Belgium remains a notable omission, leaving a gap in the comprehensive understanding of rail travel trends in one of Europe’s key transport hubs.
Some tourism statistics
- KINGDOM OF NORWAY | Tourism breaks record with 40.6 million guest nights in 2025.
- NETHERLANDS | Rising international visitor numbers, domestic travel showed signs of stagnation in 2025.
- Taiwan tourism rebounds, Belgian market recovers, but cost pressures and geopolitical risks shape outlook.
- CURAÇAO | Tourism records for 2025, with 11,500 travellers from Belgium.
- International tourism to the United States continues to slide in 2026.
- Morocco records historic tourism year with 19.8 million visitors in 2025.
- Flanders continues to grow as a tourist destination with over 15 million visitors in 2025.
- Greece sets new tourism records in 2025 with nearly 38 million visitors.
- Thailand happy with Belgian visitor numbers and welcomes Tomorrowland festival.
- Belgian travel stats to the United States continued to decline throughout 2025.
- Is Greece too popular? 2024 tourism statistics raise overtourism concerns.
- TRAIN TRAVEL | European Union records 429 billion passenger-kilometres in 2023 but domestic travel still dominates.
- 5 million passengers flew from and to Brussels Airport in summer 2025.
- BELGIUM | Flemish museums attracted more than 4.8 million visitors in 2023.
- Belgium sees modest tourism growth in 2024, led by Flanders and Brussels.
- Travel in 2024: Spain, France, USA, China, Mexico lose ground and Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, UAE to grow market share.
- France, Spain, USA, China and Italy most visited countries in the world, Belgium 41st.
- France welcomed 100 million international visitors in 2024.
- Turkey welcomed 62 million international tourists who together spent $61 billion in 2024.
- SPAIN | 94 million international visitors and €108.7 billion tourism income in 2024.
- UN WORLD TOURISM BAROMETER | International tourism recovers pre-pandemic levels in 2024.
- Outside the EU, Europeans mostly travel to Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
- Intra-European travel mostly for fun and / or family.
- Europeans visit other European countries over 7 nights on average.
More on cross-border trains
- PASSENGER PACKAGE | Why the European Union’s new rail passenger package is proving so controversial.
- Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies unhappy with European Commission’s Passenger Package.
- NS will not run EuroCity trains to and from Eindhoven to Brussels.
- Deutsche Bahn, DSB and Vy present direct Berlin to Oslo route, from summer 2028.
- European Rail Passengers Union: EU must act now to make cross-border rail travel seamless, fair, and green: passengers demand guaranteed rights and simpler ticketing.
- NETHERLANDS | The Hague aims to become Europe’s gateway with direct links to Brussels, Berlin, and Paris.
- GoVolta to launch Amsterdam – Antwerp – Ghent – Paris route on 14 December as Berlin services expand and Hamburg link ends.
- European Sleeper sets out vision for 40-route night train network across Europe, including London.
- RAIL BALTICA | Elron, Vivi, and LTG Link launch joint tender for regional trains.
- Trenitalia / FS Group advances Paris hub to power European high-speed expansion, looking at Belgium and the Netherlands in the long term.
- Train Charter Services replaces Keolis as operator for GoVolta trains.
- European Sleeper adds Aulnoye-Aymeries, Mons, and Liège-Guillemins to Paris-Brussels-Berlin night train service.
- DEUTSCHE BAHN | First ICE service to the Belgian North Sea coast, at Ostend, this summer.
- Deutsche Bahn ICE 1110 and 1111 to connect Cologne and Ostend on weekends from 6 June to end of summer 2026.
- European Sleeper postpones Brussels–Cologne–Zurich–Milan night train to 9 September 2026.
- Brussels Airlines and Deutsche Bahn team up for Antwerp – Brussels Airport – Liège – Cologne ICE codeshare.
- Deutsche Bahn confirms Cologne – Brussels Airport – Antwerp ICE connection from September 2026.
- Trenitalia unveils €2 billion investment plan and orders 74 new Frecciarossa high-speed trains.
- Belgium and the Netherlands work on Brussels to Eindhoven direct train, possibly via Antwerp.
- Belgian Mobility Minister wants to revive direct train service to Switzerland.
- NETHERLANDS | Arriva will not launch the Groningen to Paris service in 2026.
- Snälltåget to run Stockholm – Malmö – Copenhagen – Hamburg day trains from May 2026.
- Nox night trains: a smart new cabin concept or just an unachievable dream?.
- How firm are Eurostar and Deutsche Bahn’s “2030s” Germany to London train link plans?.
- Leo Express files plans for extraordinary 2026 Bratislava–Ostend and Venice–Northern Germany services.
- Rail should be functional, not fine art: EU leaders call for standardisation and lower costs.
- Subsidies for night trains? “You cannot fix this until someone builds more sleeper and couchette carriages”.
- Leo Express and Arenaways plan direct train between Prague and Venice.
- Italo targets the German high-speed rail market.
- Trenitalia eyes expansion into Germany’s high-speed trains market.
- European Commission wants to link all EU capitals by high-speed train by 2040… and that’s not going to happen.
- Travellers in Europe increasingly open to choosing trains over planes for short-haul journeys.
- REVIEW | European Sleeper night train.
- Paris Nightjet axed: France’s withdrawal threatens Europe’s night train revival.
- 2026 | Deutsche Bahn plans 4 ICE’s per day between Cologne and Antwerp and 16 per day between Frankfurt and Brussels.
- Iron Rhine gets renewed political attention in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
- ÖBB prioritises Railjet over Nightjet: Is the night train revival a False Dawn?.
- EUROPEAN SLEEPER | Brussels to Barcelona night train to stop in Avignon, Montpellier, Narbonne, and Girona.
- Trenitalia, Deutsche Bahn and ÖBB launch Frecciarossa EuroCity trains linking Berlin, Munich, Milan, Rome and Naples.
- EU train travel report sees increase in cross-border passenger trains and easier bookings.
- Brussels to Luxembourg by train under 2 hours by 2030?.
- Eurostar and five more train operators joined the European Agreement on Journey Continuation.
- ÖBB’s new Nightjet sleeper cars accommodate solo travellers with Mini Cabins.
- EUROCITY EC-8 | Basel to Cologne in SBB’s Panoramic Car.
- REVIEW | Trenitalia Frecciarossa 1000 Paris – Milan in Business Executive.
- RAIL TOUR OF EUROPE | How easy is touring Europe by train?.
- Eight train connections between the Netherlands and Belgium by 2030?.
- REVIEW | ÖBB Nightjet Amsterdam – Zurich night train.
- Nightjet Vienna/Innsbruck to Brussels, or how we got thrown off the train in Aachen.
- Why the expensive ÖBB Nightjet is really not that expensive.
- Ticket Distribution: the failure of railways to sell themselves.
- To use night trains in Portugal and Spain or not?.
- Night trains in Europe.
- Low-cost, long-haul trains to conquer Europe?.
- Fly now before it’s taxed and consider using the train instead.
Channel Tunnel updates
- Switzerland – United Kingdom direct train moves closer as SBB-CFF-FFS, SNCF Voyageurs and Eurostar sign memorandum of understanding.
- A London-bound Eurostar terminal at Antwerp-Central? Highly unlikely!.
- Trenitalia (FS Group) and Certares agree strategic partnership to expand international high-speed rail operations.
- #CROSSCHANNELRAIL | Expanding UK-Europe train links most realistically leading to Switzerland.
- CHANNEL TUNNEL | Virgin Trains gains access to Temple Mills, ORR snubs links to Germany and Switzerland.
- Eurostar unveils €2 billion Alstom ‘Celestia’ fleet of double-decker sustainable trains.
- Gemini Trains partners with Uber for Stratford to France Channel Tunnel route.
- Eurostar and St. Pancras Highspeed back major station expansion to double capacity amid growing international demand.
- EUROSTAR | London – Frankfurt, London – Geneva and Amsterdam – Antwerp – Brussels – Geneva from 2030?.
- Alstom wants its double-decker trains to ride through Channel Tunnel.
- London St. Pancras Highspeed pledges financial support for cross-Channel rail services.
- London St Pancras Highspeed and Getlink aspire to to triple train services to France, Belgium and the Netherlands and add services to Germany and Switzerland.
- Heuro wants to operate high speeds trains between Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Paris and London from 2028.
