Zurich Main Station (HB) has been named the best in Europe by the latest Railway Station Index from the Consumer Choice Centre (CCC). The efficiency and punctuality of the public transport system in Switzerland and the diversity of shops on offer propelled both Zurich and Bern to the top of the ranking.

What are the best rail stations in Europe?

Every year, the CCC analyses the 50 largest railway stations in Europe, to determine which are the most convenient and passenger-friendly. Each of the stations was rated using the following factors:

• Passenger numbers
• Operating hours of ticketing offices and whether tickets can be purchased via mobile phone
• Diversity of public transport tickets (such as student, pensioner and group passes)
• Waiting times at the station
• Frequency of delayed trains
• Visibility of station information
• Presence of elevators and escalators, and wheelchair and toilet accessibility
• Number of shops, restaurants, takeaways and lounges
• Connections to local and international public transport, and the number of rail companies to choose from
• Access to free internet and ride-sharing or taxi services

Each station was given a score in each category, with their total score across all categories used to place them in the ranking. The maximum score possible was 118 points.

Zurich HB and Bern are the best stations in Europe

For the third year running, Zurich HB has won the title of the best railway station in Europe, with a score of 101 points. Amid increasing passenger numbers, the busiest station in Switzerland was praised for its average waiting time of just 1,28 minutes, and the fact that only 6,28 percent of its trains were delayed by more than five minutes.

The number of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops available was also a major points winner for Züri HB. This is perhaps unsurprising as ShopVille - the shopping area in the station - has 192 businesses and is one of the few places in the Swiss city where people can shop on Sundays. Finally, while Zurich is not the best-connected station on the list, it still has a number of international and night train services to choose from. 

Zurich was joined by a familiar face on the podium this year, with Bern moving from joint third last year to second place for 2024. While Bern’s waiting time and delay record was even more impressive than Zurich’s, it placed lower on the list because of its smaller selection of shops. Utrecht Centraal in the Netherlands rounded out the podium.

German stations buckle under the weight of Euro 2024

2024 saw major pressure applied on Europe’s largest stations, especially during events like Euro 2024 and the Olympics. Despite the pressure of extra passengers during the 2024 Olympics, the major stations in Paris managed to retain their places in the top 10. NS, the national rail provider in the Netherlands, was also praised for its commitment to increasing the number of services from next year.

On the flip side, the CCC noted that “German stations continue to face serious hurdles”, with long-distance trains and local transport facing increasing pressure through a combination of poor maintenance, uncontrollable timetables, the European Championships and the Deutschlandticket. For instance, a combination of deteriorating waiting times and more frequent delays saw Berlin Hbf drop out of the top 10.

The number of German stations in the top 10 has gone from five in 2022 to two in 2023 and one in 2024, with Leipzig Hbf placing joint-10th. What’s more, the worst of the 50 largest stations were Berlin Ostkreuz, Bremen Hbf and Berlin Zoologischer Garten. Ostkreuz in Berlin was given the worst rating because of its high waiting times, the fact that over 40 percent of services at the station are late, and the relative lack of facilities.

10 best (and worst) stations in Europe

In all, here are the 10 best stations in Europe:

• 1. Zurich HB, Switzerland
• 2. Bern, Switzerland
• 3. Utrecht Centraal, the Netherlands
• 4. Paris Gare du Nord, France
• 5. Paris Gare de Lyon, France
• 6. Paris Gare Montparnasse, France
• 7. Vienna HB, Austria
• 8. Rome Termini, Italy
• 9. Paris Gare Saint-Lazare 
• =10. London Bridge, United Kingdom
• =10. Leipzig Hbf, Germany

And here are the worst 10 stations on the continent:

• 1. Berlin Ostkreuz, Germany
• 2. Bremen Hbf, Germany
• 3. Berlin Zoologischer Garten, Germany
• 4. Florence Santa Maria Novella, Italy
• 5. Paris Châtelet–Les Halles, France
• =6. Paris Haussmann-Saint-Lazare, France
• =6. Rome Tiburtina, Italy
• 7. Munich Pasing, Germany
• 8. Vienna Meidling, Austria
• 9. Berlin Südkreuz, Germany
• 10. Hamburg Altona, Germany

For more information, check out the CCC website.

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