Zurich Main Station (HB) has been ranked as the best train station in Europe, according to the European Railway Station Index by the Consumer Choice Center (CCC). The station was praised for its facilities and the large number of connections it has to public transport in Switzerland and overseas.

European Railway Station Index 2022

The European Railway Station Index by the CCC is a ranking of the 50 largest railway stations on the continent. To calculate each station’s score, the CCC gives a set number of points for the annual number of passengers per platform, the number of domestic and international connections, accessibility criteria, station lounges, access to taxis and the internet, and the availability of shops and restaurants.

This year's ranking saw some stations’ ratings decline severely. After being ranked first in 2021, Leipzig Central Station fell out of the top 10, with London St. Pancras, Birmingham New Street and Vienna Central Station also losing their high positions. Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, train stations in Moscow and St. Petersburg were not included.

Zurich station wins due to excellent shopping and restaurants

This year, Zurich HB not only broke back into the top 10 but rose right to the top of the ranking with a total score of 93 points out of a possible 108. This makes the station the best in Europe in 2022.

The CCC said that while Zurich HB does not offer the same number of connections as stations in Germany, France and Italy, it makes up for this with the number of shops, restaurants and takeaways on offer. 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.

Best station ranking dominated by stations in Germany

The ranking this year was dominated by railway stations in Germany. The main termini in Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Berlin, Hannover and Düsseldorf were all included in the top 10 in 2022.

Centraal Station in Amsterdam was also rated highly, rising two places from last year to win joint-second place. Other stations on the list were from some of the largest cities in Europe like Paris, Rome and Milan.

The best railway stations in Europe in 2022

In 2022, the best stations in Europe are:

• 1. Zurich Main Station
• =2. Frankfurt am Main Central Station
• =2. Munich Central Station
• =2. Berlin Central Station
• =2. Milan Centrale
• =2. Amsterdam Centraal
• 7. Paris, Gare de Lyon
• 8. Rome Termini
• =9. Hannover Central Station 
• =9. Düsseldorf Central Station

For more information about the ranking, check out the Consumer Choice Center's website.