3 Swiss stations rank among Europe's best in 2026

Three Swiss train stations have been ranked among the best in Europe in 2026, according to an annual ranking by the Consumer Choice Center (CCC). Zürich Hauptbahnhof (Hbf) has defended its number one spot and “reigns as the undefeated champion”.

How the 2026 European Railway Station Index works

Train travel is booming in Europe, making the European Railway Index by the CCC even more relevant for residents and travellers alike. The 2026 ranking compared the 60 largest railway stations on the continent (by passenger volume) to “help consumers enjoy the best possible experience on their next trip”. 

10 train stations have been added to the annual ranking this year thanks to growing passenger numbers: The Hague Central, Poznań Główny, Kraków Główny, Birmingham New Street, Madrid-Chamartín, Luzern Station, Leiden Centraal, Prague Central Station and Venice’s Santa Lucia.

Each station is scored on factors such as the number of restaurants, train delays, waiting times, access to station services, accessibility, Wi-Fi, and national and local public transport coverage.

Swiss train stations praised for reliability and punctuality

Switzerland dominated the top 20 train stations in this year’s ranking, with Zürich Hbf taking first place as Europe’s top-rated railway station, followed by Bern Hbf in fifth and newly ranked Luzern Hbf in 14th.

Swiss public transport “continues to set the standard for reliability, supported by a national punctuality rate of 94,1 percent,” commented the CCC.

Zürich Hbf in particular boasts an average waiting time of just 1,2 minutes, with only 4 percent of total trains delayed. The Swiss station also scored well for the number of restaurants, takeaways, shops, elevators and escalators.

Train stations in France saw big improvements this year, with Paris' Gare du Nord impressively reducing its average waiting time from 3,77 minutes to just 0,4 minutes, and train delays from 20 percent to 5 percent.

German train stations, on the other hand, failed to make the top 10 and 15 stations ranked in the bottom 30. Train stations in Germany also took up all spots for the least punctual trains in Europe, with Dortmund Hbf seeing the most delays.

Luzern Hbf had the fewest delayed trains, followed by Bern Hbf, Stratford Station and Berlin Ostkreuz.

Top 10 best train stations in Europe in 2026

In all, the top 10 best train stations in Europe in 2026 according to the CCC are:

1. Zürich Hbf, Switzerland
2. Gare du Nord, France
3. Amsterdam Centraal, the Netherlands
4. Wrocław Główny, Poland
5. Bern Hbf, Switzerland
6. Gare Montparnasse, France
7. Gare Saint-Lazare, France
8. London Bridge, UK
9. Kraków Główny, Poland
10. London St Pancras International, UK

Take a look at the full European Railway Station Index for more details.