EU push for high-speed train travel could mean 10-hour train from Amsterdam to Madrid
The European Commission on Wednesday announced a plan to accelerate the development of the high-speed railway across the European Union. In the coming decade, travelers could ride the train from Berlin to Copenhagen in four hours, and from Sofia to Athens in six, the Commission promised. In theory, the plans could also lead to a 10-hour one-stop service between Amsterdam and Madrid.
The aim is to entice passengers to opt for clean train travel instead of polluting flights. “Citizens across the Union will benefit from faster, safer, and more affordable journeys that bring Europe closer together,” said Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. According to the Commission, the plan will also contribute to making the EU carbon-neutral by 2050 while strengthening Europe’s global competitiveness.
The Commission’s plan aims to cut the duration of many popular routes across Europe by half compared to today and create new cross-border connections to link with the Baltic countries, allowing people to travel from Paris to Lisbon via Madrid.
The Commission promised to work on harmonising the various rail networks across the EU and removing cross-border bottlenecks through binding timetables. It also promised simpler booking systems and more affordable tickets.
According to the Commission, this plan won’t only cut travel time, it will also ease congestion on the roads, increase capacity on the railway lines, and improve services for regional and night trains.
“High-speed rail is not just about cutting travel times - it is about uniting Europeans, strengthening our economy, and leading the global race for sustainable transport,” said Tzitzikostas. “With today’s plan, we are turning ambition into action: breaking down barriers, mobilising investments for modern infrastructure, and making cross-border rail the backbone of a carbon-neutral, competitive, and secure Europe.”
