Trains like the EuroCity Express allow you to travel between a variety of European cities quickly and comfortably. Often a much more affordable alternative to flying, these trains can also offer a unique opportunity to witness the beauty of Europe’s diverse landscapes and cultures.
Newly introduced with the timetable change in 2017, this train category was created for the Frankfurt (Main) to Milan route using SBB’s ETR 610 train. It ranks higher than a standard EuroCity but lower than an Intercity-Express, so it’s priced similarly.
Why take the EuroCity Express?
Trains are the best way to travel Europe, and EuroCity (or EC) trains provide comfortable, efficient & affordable service across many of its most important cities. They operate on many cross-border routes & offer various train classes to choose from, including 1st class. Seats on EC trains are usually arranged 2+2 across the car width, but there are also solo seats & tables-for-two on one side of the train if you prefer. Both classes feature ample legroom & luggage areas. On board, passengers can relax in a comfortable reclining chair & enjoy onboard refreshments or meals from the restaurant car. All cars are air-conditioned & have electric power sockets. In addition, the EuroCity train staff speak at least two languages.
If you’re travelling long-distance, it’s generally a good idea to book your tickets as far in advance as possible. This will help to ensure you get a seat or sleeping accommodation of your choice. If you are traveling a short distance & can easily be on the train at its scheduled departure time, it’s less important to reserve in advance.
When booking, be sure to check the EuroCity train schedules carefully – especially for night services. Also be aware that online journey planners may suggest interchange times of as little as 15 minutes, which is often not enough time to transfer to a sleeper train if your trip includes a night in Cologne. It’s advisable to leave 30-60 minutes between connecting trains.
Once upon a time, the EC network was centred in Western Europe but as high-speed lines were opened elsewhere so the network began to expand eastwards. This meant that named EC trains such as the Budapest-Hamburg-Altona Express disappeared from the west, replaced by high-speed Thalys services & other international expresses. However, the core principles of these routes remained unchanged. For example, the EC Hungaria daytime express trains still run between Budapest & Hamburg-Altona using a specific train formation & a dining car. They don’t’split & rejoin’ to serve stations in different countries en-route like other international expresses.
How long will it take?
There’s something rather romantic about taking an international train across Europe. Perhaps it’s the fact that when they were first introduced, high speed European trains set the imagination racing in a time when crossing borders by land was still relatively new and exciting, giving rise to classic thrillers like Murder on the Orient Express, The Stamboul Train, and The Lady Vanishes. Of course, while today’s international high speed European trains can certainly offer a thrill, they’ve also removed much of the mystique that made the journey so appealing in the first place.
The trains themselves are quick and convenient, allowing passengers to make their way from city to city with ease. All EuroCity trains are air-conditioned and provide plenty of leg room to stretch out or work on a laptop. They also feature on-board wi-fi and many have food and beverage outlets.
If you’re planning to travel on a long-distance EuroCity train, you’ll need to book tickets in advance to ensure your seat is guaranteed. However, for shorter regional routes, booking isn’t usually necessary and you can purchase your tickets at the station. Regional trains are often faster than intercity and ICE trains and generally operate between smaller cities, making them ideal for those seeking to enjoy the best of what Europe has to offer with just a few short stops along the way.
EuroCity trains are operated by the national train companies for each country, including Trenitalia (Italy), SBB (Switzerland), and Deutsche Bahn (Germany). They offer fast and easy cross-border connections between some of Europe’s most popular destinations such as Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, and more.
IC and EC trains are the fastest, with ICE offering up to 300 km/h. For comparison, a car drives at a maximum of 180 km/h on the autobahn in Germany. The high-speed lines were opened after the 1974 oil crisis as a solution to Europe’s growing energy dependency, and now offer a comfortable, safe, and ecological way to get around. Currently, over 75% of Europe’s population lives within 400km of a high-speed line. The network is constantly expanding and offers a fantastic way to travel across the continent.
What are the benefits?
EuroCity trains are among Europe’s most popular long-distance international express trains, covering routes across the continent that reach into France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. That means you can easily check multiple European destinations off your bucket list with a single train ticket! Plus, there are no additional check-in procedures to deal with like you’d have to face at the airport. Just hop aboard, sit back, and relax.
The EuroCity train is a classic international express train with a mixture of open-plan and compartment carriages depending on the destination. The trains are operated by a number of different railway companies and so the train interiors can have slightly differing styles. They are a great option for those looking for a comfortable, affordable way to travel and are still more modern than older domestic trains.
Most EuroCity trains have a restaurant car where you can buy food and drink on board during the journey. In addition, many stations have lounges available for First Class passengers, which include complimentary drinks and snacks. You can also request a specific seat, such as an aisle or window seat, when booking your tickets online. In addition, you can indicate your preference for seating in a quiet zone on all ICE trains and all German InterCity services.
All EuroCity trains offer plenty of leg room, and the seats are designed to be user and family-friendly with special facilities for the disabled. There are also a number of power sockets on board, and all trains are wheelchair accessible. In addition, all EuroCity trains are pet-friendly.
Although they may not be as fast or as glamorous as Deutsche Bahn’s high-speed ICE trains, the EuroCity trains are a comfortable and convenient choice for those travelling to Germany. These second-rank express trains have smooth-riding carriages, ample leg room, and typically some form of catering service.
There are a range of deals and discounts available for EuroCity tickets, including discounts for families, people travelling with children, students, senior citizens, or anyone who falls into certain age categories. The exact details of the deals available can vary from country to country, but you’ll usually be able to find more information by visiting the official EuroCity website.
What are the costs?
The EuroCity (EC) train route network is a collaboration between the major national rail companies of France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland – Trenitalia, SBB, Deutsche Bahn and OBB respectively. These international express trains offer comfortable, modern and convenient daytime connections between a wide variety of popular European cities.
Most EC trains require you to pay for your ticket in advance of departure. Depending on the route you’re travelling on you can choose between booking your tickets online, at the station or in person with an agent. The best time to buy your ticket is when they first go on sale, around three to six months before your trip – this way you can take advantage of early bird prices. Train tickets tend to be more expensive during rush hour, mornings and evenings Monday to Friday – so try to avoid traveling on these days if possible.
In order to qualify for the EuroCity label, trains have to meet a series of criteria including cleanliness, food service and seating comfort. The majority of EC trains offer both first and second class seating. However, a small number of overnight trains on routes such as Stockholm-Hamburg, Paris-Brussels, Paris-Madrid and the nine night trains that have no coach seats (just bedrooms and couchettes) are only first class.
As well as a wide range of seat types, EC trains feature a number of amenities such as free Wi-Fi, power outlets in all coaches, snack bar and buffet coach. Some of the more luxurious trains also have toilets, showers and quiet zones.
Onboard facilities vary but all EC trains are family friendly with plenty of space for strollers and luggage. Some trains also have special Mutter/Klein Kind compartments which are perfect for families with young children.
In addition to the cost of your train tickets, you’ll need a valid passport or identity card and a valid travel document for each country you’re entering. In most countries it’s also a good idea to have some cash with you, although many stations have EC ticket machines and can accept credit cards as payment.
