Train operators in Belgium

Sweden

Sweden's rail network spans over 14,000 km, managed by state infrastructure body Trafikverket. The market is partially open, with SJ dominating long-distance services alongside operators like Vy and Snälltåget.

Switzerland

Switzerland is renowned for having one of the world's most punctual and densely used rail networks, with infrastructure managed by the Federal Office of Transport alongside SBB CFF FFS as the dominant national operator. The network is notable for its seamless integration of mainline, regional, and mountain railways — including iconic rack-railways and narrow-gauge lines. Switzerland has an great choice of international train services, including high-speed Lyria services to Paris, Eurocity trains to northern Italy, ICE trains to Germany and Railjets to Austria.

Czech Republic

České dráhy (ČD) is the country's national rail operator, but there is an increasing number of private operators running both long-distance trains and local services in Czechia.

Czechia is well conntected to its neighbours by long-distance daytime rail services and European Sleeper runs a night train from Brussels via Berlin to Prague. České dráhy ComfortJet services operate between Bratislava and Czechia.

Hungary

The Hungarian national rail operator and the dominant player in providing train travel in Hungary is MÁV. They operate both a standard-gauge and narrow-gauge network, half of it being electrified. The second largest operator and infrastructure owner is GySEV.

Slovakia

The railway infrastructure of Slovakia is maintained by Železnice Slovenskej republiky (or ŽSR for short) while the the state-owned national rail operator for passenger trains is Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK). However, a good number of both long-distance and regional trains are run by other operators. A unified tariff and timetable system administered by ŽSR ensures a smooth move between each operator's trains.

Spain

Spain has the largest high-speed network in Europe with the connection between Madrid and Barcelona being its busiest line. The rail network is maintained by ADIF while the dominant state-owned operator is Renfe. Yet while Renfe dominates on long-distance routes, there are also local and regional routes administered by the Spanish regions. Spain stands out within Europe’s rail network in having not two, but three different gauges (tracks): traditional Spanish broad-gauge, Western "normal" gauge for high-speed services, and narrow-gauge for local and mountain railways.

Norway

Norway's infrastructure is managed by Bane NOR, with Vy as the dominant passenger operator. Following a 2017 reform, concessions on several corridors have been awarded to Go-Ahead Norge and SJ Norge through competitive tendering.

Monaco

The Principality of Monaco has one station at Monaco Monte-Carlo. Rail services to and through the country are provided by French national operator SNCF.

Great Britain

The rail infrastructure of Great Britain is managed by Network Rail (being absorbed into Great British Railways), with passenger services operated by a fragmented system of private franchises — though the government has been progressively bringing operators under public control following years of delays and financial difficulties.

Netherlands

The Netherlands has one of Europe's most intensively used rail networks, with infrastructure managed by ProRail. NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) dominates Intercity and Intercity direct services, while regional concessions are operated by Arriva, Connexxion, and Keolis on lines outside the main network.

Denmark

Denmark's relatively compact rail network is managed by Banedanmark, the state infrastructure body. DSB (Danske Statsbaner) is the primary operator for intercity and regional services, with private operators like GoCollective and Midtjyske Jernbaner serving select regional lines.

Germany

The German national rail operator is Deutsche Bahn (DB). While Deutsche Bahn dominates long-distance routes in Germany, when it comes to regional trains, only about half of all services are provided by DB. The rest is run by about 40 other operators. DB also offers many cross-border services into Germany's neighbouring countries while international night train services are provided by ÖBB and European Sleeper.

Austria

ÖBB (Österreichische Bundesbahnen) is the rail national operator in Austria running long-distance and regional services. About 50% of ÖBB's operations are international and its excellent night train network even covers routes that do not touch Austria at all.

Liechtenstein

Rail services in the Principality of Liechtenstein are run by Austrian national operator ÖBB. The main line runs from Buchs in Switzerland to Feldkirch in Austria and fast international services cross the country generally without stopping in Liechtenstein. However, slower regional services connect the Principality's main station at Schaan-Vaduz with the country's neighbours.

France

France operates one of Europe's most celebrated rail networks, anchored by its high-speed TGV lines which connect Paris to major cities at speeds up to 320 km/h. Infrastructure is managed by SNCF Réseau, while passenger services are dominated by SNCF Voyageurs, though the market has been opened to competition since 2021 with operators like Trenitalia and Renfe now running services on select corridors.

Italy

The Italian state operator is Trenitalia, which operates a wide network of high-speed trains (generally branded Le Frecce) as well as regional and local services. On high-speed lines Trenitalia faces tough competition from private operator Italo and there are other independent Italian regional operators, such as Trenord which operate quite extensive networks in their own right.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg's compact rail network is managed by CFL (Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois), which serves as both infrastructure manager and national operator. Notably, since 2020 Luxembourg made all public transport — including trains — free of charge, making it the first country in the world to do so nationally. First class tickets still incur a small fee, and can be booked via All Aboard.