One of the very first things you notice while starting to live in Europe is not just the visiting; it’s how effortlessly you can get around without a car. Trains, trams, buses, metros, and funiculars are so handy and versatile here. The public transport system is a beautiful, chaotic symphony that connects even the smallest towns to the heart of the major cities.
This public transport system in Europe feels like magic. You could have breakfast in Brussels and lunch in Paris. You can hop on a sleek, quiet tram in Vienna and be whisked through historic neighbourhoods like it’s an amusement park. In many cities, stations are works of art themselves, grand, ornate, or ultra-modern, with more character than some hotels I’ve stayed in.
Among all the transports, trains are especially a joy. They’re not just a means of getting somewhere; they’re part of your journey everywhere. There is something very romantic about watching vineyards blur past the window on a regional train in France or sipping coffee in the dining car on the way to Prague. High-speed trains like the TGV, ICE, or AVE get you across countries faster than flying and with none of the airport hassle.
But then there are the quirks.
For example, at a few stations, ticket machines only accept coins. Or the metro in Berlin, which runs on the honour system with no turnstiles, just surprises inspectors. In Italy, trains can be gloriously scenic when they’re not running late. And if you’ve ever missed a stop because the tram doors wouldn’t open unless you pressed the right button, you’re not alone.
Each country has its flavour. The London Tube is orderly but packed. The Paris Métro smells like baked goods and diesel. In the Netherlands, you tap in and out with a single card, and bike racks are part of every station. In Eastern Europe, you might find beautifully aged Soviet-era trains still running alongside gleaming modern ones.
And let’s not forget the people-watching. From business people reading Dostoevsky to students playing guitar to tourists clutching oversized maps, public transport is Europe’s moving theatre. Sometimes quiet, sometimes chaotic, always interesting.
Sure, there are frustrations: strikes, delays, and the occasional sweaty summer ride with no A/C. But even the glitches are part of the experience. They remind you that you’re not just travelling. You’re living somewhere with rhythm, history, and a certain unpolished charm.
European public transport isn’t perfect, but it’s alive. Once you get used to it, it becomes part of how you see and feel the continent, one ride at a time.
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