The 10 best train stations in Europe (one is Italian and you would never expect it)

stazioni ferroviarie

In the complex and dynamic mosaic of European transport, railway stations represent much more than simple logistical hubs: they are places of transit, but also meeting spaces, symbols of efficiency and sometimes of architectural innovation. Every year, theEuropean Railway Station Index of the Consumer Choice Center sheds light on the state of the art of these key hubs, providing an accurate evaluation that analyzes various aspects, such as functionality, comfort and passenger satisfaction.

The 2024 edition of the report, particularly awaited by sector experts and regular users, was able to offer a decidedly multi-faceted overview, in which very different aspects are taken into consideration: the data collected obviously rewards efficiency, as in the case of the Hauptbahnhof stations in Zurich or the Gare du Nord in Paris, but also reveal the difficulties faced in a year marked by global challenges. The document outlines the progress of some key centers, without neglecting the delays and critical issues that still afflict certain realities.

Below is the top 10 ranking

1 Zurich HB, ZurichSwitzerland, score 101
2 Bern Railway StationBern, Switzerland, score 94
3 Utrecht Centraal, UtrechtNetherlands, score 93.5
4 Gare du Nord, Paris, France, score 91
5 Gare de Lyon, ParisFrance, score 90
5 Gare Montparnasse, ParisFrance, score 90
7 Wien Hauptbahnhof, ViennaAustria, score 89.5
8 Rome Termini, Rome, Italy, score 87.5
9 Gare Saint-Lazare, ParisFrance, score 85
10 London Bridge, LondonUnited Kingdom, score 85
10 Leipzig HBF, Leipzig, Germany, score 85

Zurich comes first

Zurich main station also took first place in the 2024 ranking of the European Railway Station Index. The Swiss city stands out for shorter waiting times for trains, convenient ticket office opening hours and easier access to main areas, such as platforms and toilets, for people with disabilities.

Furthermore, Zurich offers a wide range of high-class shops, kiosks, restaurants and lounges, excellent Wi-Fi and optimal connections to local and international transport.

and Italy?

rome terms

Roma Termini is in the top 10 with a score of 87.5 points, the score having improved compared to last year’s sixteenth position. The station receives on average around 102 million passengers per year.

The report highlights that among passengers, 37-44% are regular commuters, with a percentage that varies every month, from January to May.

The other Italian stations in the top 50

In addition to Roma Termini, other Italian stations appear in the top 50: Napoli Centrale (21st), Bologna Centrale (34th), Milano Centrale (35th), Torino Porta Nuova (39th), Roma Tiburtina (44th) and Florence Santa Maria Novella (47th).

The worst stations are in Germany

According to the Consumer Choice Center, the train stations with the lowest scores are all located in Germany. In fact, Berlin-Ostkreuz station, Bremen station and Berlin-Zoologischer Garten station occupy the last positions in the top 50.

The entire complete ranking

Position Station City Village Score
1 Zurich HB Zurich Swiss 101
2 Bern Railway Station Bern Swiss 94
3 Utrecht Central Utrecht Netherlands 93.5
4 Gare du Nord Paris France 91
5 Gare de Lyon Paris France 90
5 Gare Montparnasse Paris France 90
7 Wien Hauptbahnhof Vienna Austria 89.5
8 Rome Termini Rome Italy 87.5
9 Gare Saint-Lazare Paris France 85
10 London Bridge London United Kingdom 85
10 Leipzig HBF Leipzig Germany 85
12 Amsterdam Central Amsterdam Netherlands 84
13 Oslo Sentralstasjon Oslo Norway 81.5
14 Berlin Hbf Berlin Germany 78
15 Berlin Alexanderplatz Berlin Germany 77.5
16 Cologne Hbf Colony Germany 76.5
17 St. Pancras International London United Kingdom 76
18 Berlin Friedrichstraße Berlin Germany 74
19 Madrid Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes Madrid Spain 73.5
20 London Liverpool Street London United Kingdom 73
20 Central Naples Naples Italy 73
22 LondonVictoria London United Kingdom 72.5
23 Hamburg Hbf Hamburg Germany 71.5
23 London Paddington London United Kingdom 71.5
23 London Euston London United Kingdom 71.5
26 Frankfurt Main Hbf Frankfurt Germany 71
26 Munich Hbf Munich Germany 71
28 Hannover Hbf Hanover Germany 70.5
29 Essen Hbf Essen Germany 70
30 London Waterloo London United Kingdom 69
31 Stuttgart Hbf Stuttgart Germany 66
31 Düsseldorf Hbf Dusseldorf Germany 66
33 Helsinki Central Station Helsinki Finland 65.5
34 Central Bologna Bologna Italy 65.5
35 Central Milan Milan Italy 63.5
35 Munich East Station Munich Germany 63.5
37 Berlin-Gesundbrunnen Berlin Germany 62
38 Nürnberg Hbf Nuremberg Germany 60.5
38 Turin Porta Nuova Turin Italy 60.5
40 Hamburg-Altona Hamburg Germany 58.5
41 Berlin Südkreuz Berlin Germany 58
42 Vienna Meidling Vienna Austria 54.5
43 Munich-Pasing Munich Germany 52.5
44 Rome Tiburtina Rome Italy 52
44 Haussmann–Saint-Lazare Paris France 52
46 Châtelet–Les Halles Paris France 51
47 Florence Santa Maria Novella Florence Italy 49.5
48 Zoologischer Garten Berlin Germany 47
49 Bremen Hbf Bremen Germany 45
50 Ostkreuz Berlin Germany 41

Click here for more information and to read the full report

Chris Rivers

Chris Rivers

With over 15 years of experience in journalism and a deep-seated passion for environmental sustainability, I lead the editorial team at Green Technology Investments. My background in environmental science fuels my commitment to crafting insightful and impactful content. When I'm not penning articles, you can find me exploring national parks or tending to my organic garden.