The EU is modernising its railway routes: travel will become significantly faster

Updating railway infrastructure has become one of the European Union's key priorities, as demand for fast and environmentally friendly travel is growing rapidly. Thanks to the new plan, EU countries are preparing a large-scale modernisation of routes that will change the way people travel between major cities. Find out more about how the upgraded system will affect travel in Europe

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Europe is preparing a large-scale upgrade of its railway system, which could completely transform the way travellers move between countries. The plans being adopted by the EU aim to make train travel not just an alternative to flying, but the main way of travelling across the continent.

Which routes will reduce travel times, what changes will be made to the infrastructure, and how will this affect Ukrainians? We discuss this further in the article.

A new stage of European railway integration

The European Union is launching a comprehensive reform that covers the development of tracks, the modernisation of trains, and the synchronisation of national railway systems. The main idea is to create a comprehensive network of high-speed routes between major European capitals and large cities.

The plan involves the large-scale removal of technical barriers, the launch of new infrastructure, and an increase in the capacity of those sections where delays or traffic restrictions currently occur.

How is the EU changing its approach to travel between countries?

The key focus is on speed and convenience. European countries are proposing to standardise standards so that trains can cross borders freely without technical adaptation and schedules can be coordinated between carriers.

This will create a single ‘high-speed line’ from the Iberian Peninsula to Central and Eastern Europe, as well as significantly increase the number of night routes.

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What changes will travellers experience?

Once the plan is implemented, travel between major European cities will become significantly shorter. In some directions, travel time will be reduced by almost half, and high-speed trains will be able to travel at over 200 km/h.

Travel will become more comfortable thanks to modernised stations, convenient transfers and the stable operation of all elements of the network. Particular attention is being paid to the reliability of the timetable — the EU is striving to minimise delays and ensure punctual arrivals according to a single standard.

What does this mean for Ukrainians travelling to Europe?

Given that Ukrainians actively use rail and bus routes to EU countries, modernisation opens up new opportunities.

High-speed trains within Europe will create convenient connections with trains and transfers from Ukraine, and travel between cities will become more predictable and significantly faster.

Are you planning a trip from Ukraine to Europe or vice versa?

Visit Ukraine offers comfortable transfers from Ukraine to Europe and back. This is the best option for those who want to cross the border quickly, avoid unnecessary transfers and get there without stress.

European high-speed network: what will be added?

The new plan also includes the expansion of night connections — long intercity routes will become available in the form of sleeper trains, allowing you to save time and travel comfortably over long distances.

There are also plans to launch additional high-speed corridors connecting major international stations and transport hubs, making travel between countries as seamless as possible.

The EU has created a step-by-step modernisation schedule, which will be implemented in stages. Each country will work on its part of the network, but the standard will be the same for all — from track quality to signalling technology.

In the long term, this will transform the European railway into a single ecosystem, where travelling between countries will be as easy as travelling from city to city within a single country.

Planning a trip or a business trip?

With the growth of high-speed routes, the demand for convenient travel will only increase. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can book bus and train tickets for popular destinations, choose the best departure time, and find great deals for travelling around Europe.

Book your tickets on the Visit Ukraine portal and travel safely and comfortably!

Reminder! Budget travel is possible, especially if you know where to find cheap tickets and which destinations can be reached for a symbolic €20. Bus routes provide access to both Ukrainian cities and European capitals, making travel affordable for everyone. Where can you go for €20 and how to find the best routes on Visit Ukraine — we'll tell you here.

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