Train categories in Europe

Railway companies in Europe assign their trains to different categories or train types depending on their role. Passenger trains may be broadly split into long-distance and local trains; the latter having average journey times of under an hour and a range of less than 50 kilometres. Goods trains have their own train types. The names of these train types have changed continually over the course of time.

A train type is not essentially a trademark name. However, there are trademark names that are also used as train types (e.g. CityNightLine, Cisalpino, VogtlandExpress).

European long-distance/high-speed rail brands
Name Abbreviation Service Region
Alvia High-speed rail Spain
Alfa Pendular AP High-speed rail Portugal
Allegro AE High-speed rail Finland, Russia
Alta Velocidad Española AVE High-speed rail Spain
Avant High-speed rail Spain
Asimenio Velos High-speed rail Greece
CrossCountry XC High-speed rail United Kingdom
EuroCity EC Long-distance train Various European countries
EuroCity-Express ECE Long-distance train Germany/Italy/Switzerland
Euromed High-speed rail Spain
EuroNight EN Long-distance night train Various European countries
Eurostar EST High-speed rail United Kingdom/France, United Kingdom/Belgium – The Netherlands
Frecce High-speed rail Italy
Italo NTV High-speed rail Italy
Intercity Direct ICD High-speed rail Netherlands, Netherlands/Belgium
Intercity-Express ICE High-speed rail Germany, Austria, Germany/Netherlands, Germany/Switzerland, Germany/Austria, Germany/France, Germany/Denmark, Germany/Belgium
InterCity Great Western, InterCity East Coast, InterCity West Coast GW, GR, VT High-speed rail United Kingdom
Intercity Tilting Train ICN High-speed rail Switzerland
Nightjet NJ Long-distance night train Various European countries
Railjet RJ High-speed rail Austria, Austria/Hungary, Austria/Germany, Austria/Switzerland, Austria/Czech Republic, Czech Republic
Railjet xpress RJX High-speed rail Austria, Austria/Switzerland, Austria/Slovakia
Express InterCity Premium EIP High-speed rail Poland
Southeastern Highspeed SC High-speed rail United Kingdom
Train à Grande Vitesse TGV High-speed rail France, France/Switzerland, France/Germany, France/Italy, France/Luxembourg, France/Belgium, France/Spain
Trenhotel TH Long-distance train Spain, Spain/Portugal, Spain/France, Spain/Switzerland, Spain/Italy
Thalys THA High-speed rail France/Belgium/Netherlands, France/Belgium/Germany
X 2000 X2 High-speed rail Sweden, Sweden/Denmark

Austria
NameAbbreviationRole
RailjetRJLong-distance (Fernverkehr), High-speed rail
Intercity-ExpressICELong-distance (Fernverkehr), High-speed rail
EurocityECLong-distance (Fernverkehr)
InterCityICLong-distance (Fernverkehr)
D-ZugDLong-distance (Fernverkehr)
NightjetNJLong-distance (Fernverkehr), overnight passenger train service
Regional-ExpressREXLocal (Nahverkehr)
RegionalzugRLocal (Nahverkehr)
S-BahnSLocal (Nahverkehr)

Germany

[1]

Eurocity-Express (ECE)
International high-speed, long-distance services on the Frankfurt – Milan and Munich – Zürich routes.
Intercity-Express (ICE)
National and international high-speed, long-distance services.
InterCity (IC)
National and some international long-distance services.
EuroCity (EC)
International long-distance services.
EuroNight (EN)
International night train services.
Interregio-Express (IRE)
Fast local services over longer distances than usual Regional-Express trains.
Regional-Express (RE)
Fast local services with fewer stops.
Regionalbahn (RB)
Local services, stopping at all stations except where there is a parallel S-Bahn service.
S-Bahn (S)
Suburban services in major cities, those in Berlin and Hamburg operating on separate networks.

Switzerland

[2]

Private operators (Austria, Germany and Switzerland)
Name Abbreviation Role
alex ALX alex Interregio replacement IR 25 Munich–Oberstdorf/Lindau and Munich – Regensburg – Schwandorf – Hof (Saale) / Prague der Länderbahn, equates to the InterRegio service, but may be used with local fares or Bayern and Schönes-Wochenende tickets
FlixTrain FLX Flixbus runs two long distance train services: Stuttgart – Berlin and Cologne – Hamburg
Harz-Berlin-Express HBX Veolia long-distance trains
InterConnex X Transdev Germany long-distance services, equating to the Interregio trains
Lausitz-Express LX Transdev Sachsen-Anhalt long-distance services
metronom regional MEr Metronom Eisenbahngesellschaft local passenger trains stopping at all stations
Mitfahrzug IGE long-distance services
Regiobahn GmbH S 28 Train type and route number of a private S-Bahn line of S-Bahn Rhein-Ruhr
Vogtland-Express VX Vogtlandbahn long-distance trains
WESTbahn WB long-distance trains between Vienna and Salzburg

Belgium (NMBS/SNCB)
InterCity (IC)
A train connecting Belgium's major cities. These trains stop at the most important stations only, sometimes crossing national borders as well.
Rush-hour train (P)
Additional scheduled train service that is limited to times at which the demand for a certain route is at its highest. The number of stops varies between trains.
Local train (L)
Local trains usually connect larger cities, but will stop at (nearly) every station along the way. Similar to German Regionalbahn
S-trains (S)
Suburban train connecting towns and cities around Belgium's major cities of Antwerp, Brussels, Charleroi, Ghent and Liege. Stops at (nearly) every station. Each line will have a number (S1 - S20 + S81 for Brussels, S1 + S32 - S34 for Antwerp, S41 - S44 for Liege, S51 - S53 for Ghent and S61 - S64 for Charleroi)
Tourist train (ICT)
Additional scheduled train service that is limited to times at which the demand for a certain touristic destination is at its highest. The number of stops varies between trains.
Extra train
Additional train service, used in case of exceptionally good weather to accommodate more passengers on routes to the coast or in case of special events such as concerts.
Eurocity (EC)
International train meeting certain quality criteria.
International train (INT)
Regular international train.
Thalys (THA)
High-speed trains to Germany, France and The Netherlands. (operated by SNCF, DB, NS and SNCB/NMBS)
TGV
High-speed trains to France. (Operated by SNCF)
ICE
High-speed trains to Germany. (Operated by DB)
Eurostar (EST)
High-speed trains to France and the UK. (operated by SNCF, SNCB/NMBS and Eurostar UK Ltd.)

Croatia (Hrvatske Željeznice)
Eurocity (EC)
international high-class service express trains
Intercity (IC)
national and international express trains
Intercity Nagibni (ICN)
national express trains using tilting DMUs
Brzi vlak (Brzi)
literally "fast train", lower class national and international long-distance trains stopping in larger towns
Ubrzani vlak (Ubrz)
literally "semi fast train", local trains skipping some stations, at the same tariff as regular local trains (putnički)
Putnički vlak (Putn)
literally "passenger train", local trains generally stopping at every station.

Czech Republic (České dráhy)
SuperCity (SC)
highest-standard trains requiring reservation, made of modern tilting-train units operating on national and international routes. There is currently (February 2020) only one line: Františkovy lázně - Cheb - Mariánské lázně - Planá u Mariánských lázní - Stříbro - Plzeň hl.n. - Praha hl.n. - Pardubice hl.n. - Olomouc hl.n. - Ostrava-Svinov - Ostrava hl.n.- Bohumín - Český Těšín - Žilina - Ružomberok - Liptovský Mikuláš - Štrba - Poprad-Tatry - Kysak - Košice
Railjet (rj)
highest-standard trains, operating on international routes from 2014 (Berlin - Praha – Brno – Wien – Graz).
EuroCity (EC)
higher-standard international trains, consisting of new or modernised cars of several rail companies and stopping at selected stations only.
EuroNight (EN)
international sleeper trains.
InterCity (IC)
the highest category of national trains, with carriages and stopping frequencies comparable to the EC trains. Currently, the IC category is used by the private railway company RegioJet as well as České dráhy.
Express (Ex)
faster trains linking regions, mostly faster and more comfortable than the R trains.
Rychlík (R)
the lowest category of longer-distance train. Operates on R lines. They are mainly used for getting between districts of a region.
Spěšný vlak (Sp)
local trains stopping on selected stations only. Operates on S lines.
Osobní vlak (Os)
local trains stopping at every station. Operates on S lines. It is often centered around a larger city (often capital of a region).

Denmark (DSB and others)

DSB (Danish State Railways)
Name Abbreviation Role Typical maximum speed (km/h) Rolling stock
InterCityLyn+

(InterCityLightning+)

 ICL+ or IL Long-distance, with few or non stops 180 Class ER (IR4) EMUs

Class MF (IC3) DMUs

Class MG (IC4) DMUs

InterCityLyn

(InterCityLightning)

 ICL Long-distance, with fewer stops than InterCity 180 Class ER (IR4) EMUs

Class MF (IC3) DMUs

Class MG (IC4) DMUs

InterCity IC Long-distance 180 Class ER (IR4) EMUs

Class MF (IC3) DMUs

Class MG (IC4) DMUs

Regionaltog

(Regional trains)

 Re Regional trains 160-180 Class EB (Siemens Vectron) electric locomotives

Class ME diesel-electric locomotives

Class BK/B/ABS (Bombardier TWINDEXX Vario) double-decker cars

Class ER (IR4) EMUs

Class MG (IC4) DMUs

Øresundstog

(Øresund trains)

 Re/Ø Trains to and from Scania in Sweden, running as regional trains in Denmark 180 Class ET (X31K in Sweden) (Øresundstog/OTU) EMUs
Københavns S-tog

(Copenhagen S-trains)

 S Local/suburban/commuter trains in Copenhagen (S-Bahn) 120 Class SA/SE (4th gen S-trains) EMUs

Arriva
Name Abbreviation Role Typical maximum speed (km/h) Rolling stock
Regionaltog

(Regional trains)

 RX Regional trains in Jutland 120 Alstom LINT 41 DMUs

Siemens Desiro DMUs

Regionaltog

(Regional trains)

 RA Regional trains in Jutland 120 Alstom LINT 41 DMUs

Siemens Desiro DMUs

Vestbanen/Lokalbane 84

(Western railway/Local rail 84)

 L Local trains in South Jutland 120 Alstom LINT 41 DMUs

Nordjyske Jernbaner (North Jutland Railways)
Name Abbreviation Role Typical maximum speed (km/h) Rolling stock
Regionaltog

(Regional trains)

 Re Regional trains in North Jutland 140

120

 Alstom LINT 41 DMUs

Siemens Desiro DMUs

Local trains
Name Abbreviation Role Typical maximum speed (km/h) Rolling stock
Lokaltog

(Local trains)

 L Local trains on Zealand and Lolland 120

140

120

 Alstom LINT 41 DMUs

IC2 DMUs

Siemens RegioSprinter DMUs

Nordjyske Jernbaner

(North Jutland Railways)

 L Local trains in North Jutland 140

120

 Alstom LINT 41 DMUs

Siemens Desiro DMUs

Midtjyske Jernbaner

(Central Jutland Railways)

 L Local trains in Central Jutland

? 120

 Y-tog (Y-trains) DMUs?

Siemens Desiro DMUs

Vestbanen/Lokalbane 84

(Western railway/Local rail 84)

 L Local trains in South Jutland 120 Alstom LINT 41 DMUs

Light rail
Name Abbreviation Role Typical maximum speed (km/h) Rolling stock
Aarhus Letbane

(Aarhus Light Rail)

 L1

L2

 Light rail in Aarhus 100

80

 Stadler Tango EMUs

Stadler Variobahn EMUs

Odense Letbane

(Odense Light Rail)

 Upcoming light rail in Odense (Q3-Q4 2021) 60-80 Stadler Variobahn EMUs
Hovedstadens Letbane

(Greater Copenhagen Light Rail)

 Upcoming light rail in Copenhagen (2025) 70-80 Siemens Avenio EMUs

Metro
Name Abbreviation Role Typical maximum speed (km/h) Rolling stock
Københavns Metro

(Copenhagen Metro)

 M1/M2

M3/M4

 Metro in Copenhagen 80

90

 1st gen Hitachi Rail Italy (formerly AnsaldoBreda) Driverless Metro EMUs

5th gen Hitachi Rail Italy (formerly AnsaldoBreda) Driverless Metro EMUs

Finland (VR)
Name Abbr. Role Typical route length / stopping interval (km) Typical maximum speed (km/h) Onboard services Rolling stock
Allegro AE International high speed train between Helsinki and Saint Petersburg, Russia. 400 / 100 220 1st class, 2nd class, restaurant car KT Class Sm6 tilting electric trainsets
Pendolino S High speed train between major hub stations. Some trains stop more frequently, similar to the InterCity trains (see below). 200–700 / 50–200 200–220 Business class, 2nd class, restaurant car VR Class Sm3 tilting electric trainsets
InterCity IC The backbone of Finnish long distance trains, mainly serving trunk lines radiating from Helsinki and stopping at major stations. 200–900 / 50–100 140–200 Business class, 2nd class, restaurant car or a sales trolley Locomotive hauled, single and double deck cars (manufactured since the 1990s) some trains with push-pull operation
Express (daytime) P Operates mostly outside the trunk lines. 200–500 / 50–100 120–140 2nd class, restaurant car Locomotive hauled, older "blue" cars (mnf. before the 1990s)
Express (nighttime) Nighttime sleeper trains between Helsinki and Finnish Lapland and International sleeper train "Лев Толсто́й/Tolstoi" between Moscow, Russia and Helsinki. 1000 / 50–200 120–140 Business class/First class, 2nd class, restaurant car, sleeping berths, car-carrier wagons Locomotive hauled, mixture of older and newer Finnish cars (Lapland trains), Russian cars (Moscow train)
Regional H Trains on routes with relatively few passengers, trains stopping at every station. 200 / 10–50 120–160 2nd class Electric multiple units / Diesel railcars / Locomotive hauled with older "blue" cars
Commuter Route letters (see note below) Commuter trains in Helsinki region. Some trains stop only at the largest suburban stations, but others stop at every station similar to the German S-Bahn trains. 20–100 / 2–10 120–160 2nd class Electric multiple units, some rush hour trains are locomotive hauled with "red" cars from the 1980s

NOTE: Long distance trains are identified (in passenger information systems) by train number prefixed with the train type abbreviation (e.g. "IC 90"). However, the Helsinki region commuter trains are identified by their "route letters" only (e.g. "K") and usually do not show their train number to passengers at all.

France (SNCF)

The SNCF use a different system of trains categories, based on politics wishes and commercial trademarks. Categories do not necessarily match with distance.

TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse)
National or international services by high speed trains with supplementary fare, totally or partially on high-speed lines. Similar to Germany's ICE.
Intercité de Nuit
Night service
Intercités
National services, ever on main lines and/or secondary lines without supplementary fare. Similar to the InterRegio or the Intercity (Paris – Caen – Cherbourg and Paris – Rouen – Le Havre). Have been used to be called Train Inter Regional, but is obsolete.
TER (Train Express Régional)
These trains are subsidized by regions and do not designate a precise category, a TER route can be anything from 10 miles to more than 250 miles long. Some TER routes are longer than TGV ones.
Regional or national services, on main lines or secondary lines without supplementary fare. Used to be similar to the S-Bahn (many stops from a major city on a short distance, urban or suburban service), the Regional or RegioExpress, but can be also similar to the InterRegio-Express or Intercity (Interloire Nantes – Orléans) and the InterRegio (Orléans – Lyon, Toulouse – Clermont-Ferrand).
Some special regional trains called TERGV (TER and TGV). The TERGV consists in TGV trains subsidized for regional service, though with a supplementary fare compared to the same trip using standard TER service. These trains use the high speed lines (LGV) to quickly link cities such as Dunkirk, Calais, and Boulogne-sur-Mer to Lille in an hour.[3] Similar services in Europe include Southeastern's Highspeed service.
There are also TER200,[4] iC TER[5] and Interloire[6]
thello
These trains are not operated by the SNCF but by thello, a newly created society owned by Transdev and the FS, between France and Italy, after breaking an alliance between the SNCF and the FS.

Hungary (MÁV, GYSEV)
Long distance trains
Eurocity (often Railjet)
international trains
Intercity
trains mainly in national services on important long-distance routes often with air conditioning, restaurant car and always seat reservation
Expressz
express train with compulsory seat reservation (only summertime)
Gyorsvonat
rapid trains on long-distance routes with standard rolling stock
Sebesvonat
Eilzug equivalent
Interrégió

This trains make connections with Intercity trains from smaller towns. Air conditioned, allowed to travel with bike or wheelchair.

Local trains
Zónázó
RegionalBahn or "Regional Express" equivalent
Személyvonat
Regionalzug equivalent
EURegio
state-subsidiarised international stopping trains near the Austrian border, connects Győr to Vienna and Wiener Neustadt to Graz via Sopron, Szombathely and Jennersdorf
Regional-Express
ÖBB REX trains serve the Vienna-Ebenfurth-Sopron-Deutschkreutz line

Italy (Trenitalia and others)

Categories without * are of Trenitalia.

International quality services

These trains are long international services generally with reservation mandatory. They are operated by different companies such as Thello (Italy-Paris).

  • EuroCity
  • EuroNight (night services)

SVI (Società Viaggiatori Italia, a company of SNCF) has TGV as category.

High-speed trains

Long-distance services
  • Frecciabianca: trains running once every hour or two hours on the most important long-distance routes (replaced most Intercity on main lines as of 13 December 2008)
  • InterCity
  • InterCity Notte (night services)

Regional and local trains

These categories are also used by regional railways (generally isolated from national railway network). These trains are financed by administratives regions:

  • Regionale Veloce "RV" (Regio Express "RE" for railway Merano-Malles managed by SAD[7] and for Trenord[8]): local or interregional train stopping at few stations
  • Regionale "R": basic local train, equates to German Regionalbahn
  • Suburbano "S": suburban commuter services, for the Milan suburban railway service (* Trenord)
  • Metropolitano: for line 2 of Naples "metro" and line Cagliari-Decimomannu in Sardinia

Circumvesuviana (Naples area)

Circumvesuviana (a group of narrow-gauge railways connecting towns to the south-east of Naples) has a special classification: accelerato, diretto and direttissimo, which was the former classification used by FS. Diretto is also used by Società Subalpina Imprese Ferroviarie for the cross-border railway Domodossola–Locarno.

Ireland (Iarnród Éireann and NI Railways)

Four different train categories are operated in Ireland by NI Railways and Iarnród Éireann.

Luxembourg

Because of its small size and its location, Luxembourg has more international trains than national ones.

International trains
  • EuroCity (EC)

International trains connecting Belgium and Switzerland through Luxembourg and France (Brussels-South – Basel/Chur/Zurich).

  • InterCity (IC)

Long-distance trains from either Belgium (InterCity J: Brussels-South – Luxembourg) and Germany (Cologne – Luxembourg).

  • InterRegio (IR)

Long-distance trains from Belgium (InterRegio m: Luxembourg – Liège/Lier)

  • TGV

High-speed train from France (Paris – Luxembourg)

  • Intercités de Nuit

Night service from France (Nice – Luxembourg) and Spain (Port-Bou – Luxembourg)

  • TER Lorraine

Regional train from Lorraine, France (Longuyon – Luxembourg ; Longwy – Esch-sur-Alzette – Thionville ; Nancy – Luxembourg, French extension to Épinal and Remiremont)

  • Regional-Express (RE)

Regional train from Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany (Trier – Luxembourg, German extension to Wittlich and Cochern)

  • Piekuurtrein/rush-hour train (P)

Regional trains from Belgium, circulating in rush-hour only (Virton – Rodange, Arlon – Rodange)

  • Lokale trein/local train (L)

Regional trains from Belgium (Arlon – Rodange – Virton/Gedinne/Libramont)

National trains
  • InterRegio (IR)

Long-distance train between Luxembourg and either Diekirch or Troisvierges (extension from Troisvierges with the Belgian IR m)

  • Regionalexpress (RE)

Regional trains, including extensions to border stations in France (Volmerange-les-Mines, Audun-le-Tiche, Longwy) and in Belgium (Athus)

Luxembourgish? Foreign?

Some trains are considered both Luxembourgish (by the CFL, according to their map) and from the border country the train is from or crossing (like L and P trains from Belgium, TER from France, RE from Germany), no matter if these trains are really from Luxembourg or not, making these trains more difficult to classify. These difficulties are due to the assimilation of each train as Regionalexpress or InterRegio in Luxembourg (similar name in Germany and Belgium, specific name in France).

Netherlands (NS and others)

Also see Rail transport in the Netherlands

Thalys
High speed train to Belgium and France
ICE International
High speed train to Germany and Switzerland
Eurostar
High speed train to Belgium, France and the United Kingdom
Intercity Direct
Semi high speed trains from Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam, Breda, Antwerp and Brussels
InterCity
Brand used by NS for trains linking cities across the country, not calling at every station. Trains to Berlin are also branded Intercity. Typically calling at 25–50% of the intermediate stations they pass, Intercities are comparable to the InterRegio used in many European countries. Some call at every station for a part of their run near their terminus ("zone train").
Sneltrein
Brand used by other operators on the regional railways for trains comparable to the Intercity, but typically running shorter distances.
Sprinter
NS brand, since 2018 also used by other operators, for local trains calling at (almost) every station on the mainline railway stations
Stoptrein
Brand used by other operators for local trains calling at (almost) every station on all stations that are not located on the regional railways.

Poland (PKP and others)
EuroNight (EN)
high quality night train; operated by PKP Intercity
EuroCity (EC)
international luxury trains on the most important long-distance routes, must be reserved on domestic routes, up to 160 km/h; operated by PKP Intercity
Express Intercity Premium (EIP)
high speed rail, highest-standard trains requiring reservation, made of modern tilting-train units operating on national routes, operated by PKP Intercity using units ED250 Pendolino
Express InterCity (EIC)
luxury trains in national services on the most important long-distance routes, must be reserved, up to 160 km/h; operated by PKP Intercity;
InterCity (IC)
Trains of new EMUs and refurbished coaches, more comfortable than TLK, in national services on the most important long-distance routes, up to 160 km/h; operated by PKP Intercity;
Twoje Linie Kolejowe (TLK)
Fast trains on inter-regional routes; few up to 160 km/h operated by PKP Intercity. Pricing is same as IC.
InterRegio (IR)
Few trains between Warsaw and Łódź; cheaper than "TLK", but usually with lower standard, 2nd class only; operated by Przewozy Regionalne. Rolling stock is refurbished EMUs of late 1960s design, speed up to 120 km/h.
Regio (R)
local passenger train, 2nd class only; Formerly called "osobowy" and often confused; operated by Przewozy Regionalne.
Osobowy (os.)
local passenger train, 2nd class only; operated by Arriva RP (consortium of Arriva and DB Cargo Polska), Koleje Dolnośląskie and Koleje Mazowieckie
Szybka Kolej Miejska (Warsaw)
Szybka Kolej Miejska (Tricity)
S-Bahn in Tricity (operated by PKP SKM) and Warsaw (operated by SKM Warszawa)

Portugal

Long Distance Services
  • Alfa Pendular (AP): Fast tilting trains used on the main North/South lines, only stopping at major intermediate cities with a top speed of 220 km/h. Surcharge payable;
  • InterCidades (IC): InterCity trains used on main lines, stopping only at main towns with a top speed of 200 km/h. Surcharge payable;
  • Internacional (IN): International night trains Sud-Express (Lisbon-Hendaye) and Lusitânia (Lisbon-Madrid) and day train Celta (Porto-Vigo).

Medium Distance Services
  • InterRegional (IR): Semi-fast trains used on main lines, stopping at all main towns and some smaller towns with speeds up to 120 km/h;
  • Regional (R): Stopping trains used on main lines, stopping at all stations (with some exceptions) with speeds up to 120 km/h.

Short Distance Services
  • Urbanos (U): Commuter trains used in or around the major cities with speeds up to 140 Km/h.

Leisure Services
  • Comboio Histórico do Douro: Douro Valley Line Historic Train (Summer weekends only);
  • Comboio Histórico do Vouga: Vouga Line Historic Train (Weekends around some holidays).

Fertagus (Private Operator)
  • Urbanos (U): Commuter trains in the Greter Lisbon Area with speeds up to 140 Km/h. Operations limited to the route between Roma-Areeiro - Setúbal.

Romania (Caile Ferate Romane – CFR)

Current
Regio (R)
Local trains, stopping every station, speeds up to 120 km/h.
  • Regio Express (RE) – 1st and 2nd class cars
  • Regio – mainly 2nd class cars
  • Regio Urban/Suburban (RU/RS) – commuter trains, mainly 2nd class cars
InterRegio (IR)
Semi-fast trains, usually for long distances, speeds up to 160 km/h, stopping at the main stations and some smaller towns.
  • InterRegio – longer distance trains than Regio, only stop in stations where connections to other destinations are available
  • InterRegio Night (IRN)- sleeping services assured, frequent stops, may include cars from foreign operators and/or autoracks

Former
Personal (P)
Local trains, stopping every station, speeds up to 120 km/h.
Accelerat (A)
Semi-fast trains, usually for long distances, speeds up to 140 km/h, stopping at the main stations and some smaller towns.
Rapid (R)
Fast trains, speeds up to 160 km/h, stopping on major cities.
Euronight (EN)
Night trains, fewer stops only on major cities, speeds up to 160 km/h.
InterCity (IC)
Fast trains, speeds up to 160 km/h, stopping on major cities.
  • InterCity/EuroCity (IC/EC) – national and international services, stopping in important stations only
  • EuroNight (EN) – night services of the IC/EC
  • InterCity Night (ICN) – sleeping services assured, important stops only, may include cars from foreign operators and/or autoracks[10]

Russia (RZD)

Train category is defined by its number's digits.

1 to 150 – Skory (Fast)
All-year long-distance fast trains, mostly overnight. Speeds up to 160 km/h, but usually the average speed is not more than 70 km/h.
151 to 298 – Skory Sezonny (Fast seasonal)
Seasonal fast trains, mostly similar to Skory.
301 to 450 – Passazhirsky Dalny (Long-distance passenger)
Long-distance stopping trains.
451 to 498 – Passazhirsky Dalny Sezonny (Long-distance passenger seasonal)
Seasonal Passazhirsky Dalny services.
501 to 598 – Passazhirsky Dalny Razovy (Long-distance passenger one-time)
Additional or organized children groups carrying Passazhirsky Dalny services.
601 to 698 – Passazhirsky Mestny (Local (medium-distance) passenger)
Stopping trains travelling distances more than 150 km, but less than 700 km.
701 to 750 – Skorostnoy (Speedy – like InterCity in Germany)
Intercity trains.
751 to 788 – Vysokoskorostnoy (High-speed)
High-speed or Intercity-Express trains (Sapsans, (by Karelian Trains) Allegros).
801 to 898 – Obsluzhivaemyj dizel'- ili elektropoezdom (Served by DMU or EMU)
Mainline passenger trains featuring DMU / (out of the EMU-served Skorostnoy's and (all served by EMUs) Vysokoskorostnoy's) EMU rolling stock. Mostly fast versions of Passazhirsky Mestny.
6001 to 6998 – Prigorodny (Suburban)
Suburban trains (travelling distance up to 150 km, (almost) all-stops services).
7001 to 7598 – Skory Prigorodny ili Gorodskoy (Semi-fast suburban or urban)
Semi-fast suburban trains and urban trains.

Slovakia (ZSSK)
SuperCity – pendolino (SC)
highest-standard trains requiring reservation, operated by modern ČD Class 680 „Pendolino“ tilting-train units of České dráhy (ČD) operating on both national and international routes in cooperation with ČD
LEO Express (LE)
private trains, similar to the IC category
EuroCity (EC)
high quality, usually long-haul international services between Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Germany. Surcharge payable when travelling with domestic ticket
InterCity (IC)
high quality trains providing only air-conditioned carriages, all trains are between Bratislava and Košice
EuroNight (EN)
high quality night train between Košice and Prague and between Budapest and Berlin
Express (Ex)
this category is used for trains which operate as EuroCity in other countries, but failed to qualify for EuroCity in Slovakia due to high quality standards given by ZSSK. However, there are also domestic express service from Banská Bystrica to Bratislava (Ex 530/531) and from Košice to Bratislava (Ex 1502, runs on Sundays)
Rýchlik (R)
"fast train" – trains for longer routes, usually stops at all towns en route, but not at villages. However, there are also night trains between Humenné and Prague and from Košice to Cheb
Regional Express (REX)
local semi-fast train stopping at few stations, modern version of Zrýchlený vlak
this category is also used by RegioJet between Komárno and Bratislava
Zrýchlený vlak (Zr)
semi-fast train, today is mostly used Regional Express version; Zrýchlený vlak run from Zvolen to Žilina
Osobný vlak (Os)
stopping train, serving all stations
this category is also used by RegioJet between Komárno and Bratislava

Slovenia (Slovenske železnice [SŽ])
InterCity Slovenija (ICS)
modern air-conditioned trains whose tilting technology allows for greater speed and comfort. They enable easier travel for passengers in wheelchairs, as well as offering a range of additional services. A buffet car is available to passengers; for those who travel 1st class, this service is free. 1st class passengers also benefit from access to electrical plug sockets. At some stations free parking is available. ICS trains operate on the Ljubljana-Maribor-Ljubljana route. In the summer season and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, ICS trains also operate along the Maribor-Ljubljana-Koper route and back. Seats must be reserved on all routes and this is included in the rail fare.
InterCity (IC)
are high quality trains which operate on long-distance domestic and international routes and connect major cities, and commercial and tourist centres. They consist of comfortable carriages, and have shorter journey times with fewer stops. Most of them also offer catering services. IC services require an additional IC supplement.
EuroCity (EC)
are high quality international trains which operate along major international routes and connect important economic and tourist hubs in Slovenia and Europe. Journey times of EC trains are shorter and have fewer stops. Most of them have air-conditioned carriages and offer catering services. An additional supplement is required for travel on EC trains.
EuroNight (EN)
are high quality international night trains which include sleepers and couchettes. A supplement is required for a bed or berth. For travel on a domestic EN, as with IC trains, it is necessary to pay a supplement for a seat in a standard carriage. On certain EN trains which operate across Europe, standard international prices apply together with a reservation fee.
Local Train (LP)
connects Slovenian towns on shorter and longer routes. These are intended primarily for daily journeys to and from work or to school. Seat reservations and supplements are not required to travel on these trains.

Spain (RENFE)
AVE
High speed trains, speeds up to 310 km/h
Routes:
Alvia
High speed trains capable of operating in both high-speed and conventional lines, speeds up to 250 km/h
Routes:
  • Madrid–Valladolid–Palencia–León–Oviedo–Gijón
  • Madrid–Valladolid–Palencia–Torrelavega–Santander
  • Madrid–Segovia–Valladolid–Burgos–Miranda de Ebro–Bilbao
  • Madrid–Segovia–Valladolid–Burgos–Miranda de Ebro–Vitoria–San Sebastián–Irun
  • Madrid–Segovia–Valladolid–Palencia–León–Ponferrada
  • Madrid–Segovia–Medina del Campo–Salamanca
  • Madrid–Segovia–Medina del Campo–Zamora–Ourense–Vigo–Pontevedra
  • Madrid–Segovia–Medina del Campo–Zamora–Ourense–Santiago de Compostela–A Coruña–Ferrol
  • Madrid–Guadalajara–Calatayud–Pamplona
  • Madrid–Guadalajara–Calatayud–Tudela–Calahorra–Logroño
  • Madrid–Cordoba–Huelva
  • Madrid–Ciudad Real–Puertollano–Córdoba–Sevilla–Jerez de la Frontera–Cádiz
  • Barcelona–Lleida–Zaragoza–Logroño–Bilbao
  • Barcelona–Lleida–Zaragoza–Pamplona–San Sebastián–Irun
  • Barcelona–Lleida–Zaragoza–Pamplona–Vitoria–Burgos–León
  • Barcelona–Lleida–Zaragoza–Pamplona–Vitoria–Burgos–León–Oviedo–Gijón
  • Barcelona–Lleida–Zaragoza–Pamplona–Vitoria–Burgos–León–Ponferrada–Ourense–Vigo
  • Barcelona–Lleida–Zaragoza–Pamplona–Vitoria–Burgos–León–Ponferrada–Ourense–Santiago de Compostela–A Coruña
  • Alicante–Albacete–Cuenca–Madrid–Valladolid–Palencia–León–Oviedo–Gijón
  • Alicante–Albacete–Cuenca–Madrid–Segovia–Valladolid–Palencia–Santander
  • Alicante–Albacete–Cuenca–Madrid–Segovia–Medina del Campo–Zamora–Ourense–Santiago de Compostela–A Coruña–Ferrol
  • Castellón–Valencia–Madrid–Segovia–Valladolid–Palencia–León–Oviedo–Gijón
  • Oropesa del Mar–Benicàssim–Castellón–Valencia–Madrid–Segovia–Valladolid–Palencia–León–Oviedo–Gijón
Avant, Media Distancia
High speed trains for medium distances (also called Lanzadera AVE). Speeds up to 250 km/h
Routes:
  • Madrid–Toledo
  • Madrid Pta. Atocha–Ciudad Real–Puertollano
  • Madrid Chamartín–Segovia–Valladolid
  • Sevilla–Córdoba–Puente Genil–Antequera–Málaga
  • Barcelona–Tarragona–Lleida
  • Barcelona–Girona–Figueres
  • Barcelona–Camp de Tarragona–Cambrils–L'Hospitalet de l'Infant–Tortosa.
  • Calatayud–Zaragoza
  • A Coruña–Santiago de Compostela-Ourense
  • Valencia–Requena Utiel
Euromed
High speed trains operate in the Mediterranean coast, speeds up to 220 km/h
Routes:
  • Barcelona-Valencia-Alicante
Altaria
Trains which use different locomotives in high-speed and conventional lines, speeds up to 200 km/h
Routes:
Talgo
Tilting trains in high-speed and conventional lines, link Madrid with other capital cities, speeds up to 150 km/h
Routes:
Arco
Conventional trains, link Barcelona with other capital cities
Routes:
  • Barcelona-Mérida-Badajoz
  • Barcelona-Sevilla
  • Barcelona-Málaga
  • Barcelona-Granada
  • Barcelona-Almería
  • Barcelona-Murcia, nowadays classified as a Talgo
Trenhotel
Night services
Routes:
  • Madrid-Lisbon
  • Barcelona-Paris
  • Barcelona-Zürich
  • Barcelona-Milan C.le
  • Lisbon-Irun
  • Madrid- Santiago- A Coruña
  • Madrid – Vigo
  • Barcelona-Vigo
  • Barcelona-Gijón
Middle distance services, speeds up to 160 km/h
Routes: all over continental Spain
Cercanías
Short distance services in metropolitan areas, speeds up to 120 km/h
Areas (clockwise): Madrid, Zaragoza, Barcelona, Valencia, Murcia/Alicante, Málaga, Cádiz, Sevilla, Oviedo/Gijón, Santander, Bilbao, San Sebastián Cercanías de Zaragoza

Sweden
SJ
Fast trains
Inter-city
Regional
Night trains
County operated
Regional trains, usually with various brand names, such as Öresundståg, Västtågen, Norrtåg, Krösatåg etc
Local trains, usually called pendeltåg
Other
Arlanda Express
Blå Tåget
MTR Express
Snälltåget
Tågab

Ukraine (Ukrzaliznycya)

Day-time trains:

Eurocity (ЄС)
International long-distance services; 90–200 km/h; 1st and 2nd class only.
Intercity + (ІС+)
National long-distance services; 90–200 km/h; 1st and 2nd class only.
Intercity (IC)
National long-distance services; 70–160 km/h; 1st, 2nd and 3rd class.
Regional Express (РЕ)
Regional services; 70–140 km/h; 1st, 2nd and 3rd class.
Regional Train (Р)
Regional services; up to 120 km/h; 2nd and 3rd class only.
Suburban Train (РП)
Suburban train services; 3rd class only.
City Train (М)
Urban train services; 3rd class only.

Overnight trains:

Euro Night (EN)
International night train services; 90–200 km/h; Lux, SV and Kupe classes.
Night Express (НЕ)
International and national night train services; 70–160 km/h; Lux, SV, Kupe and Platzkart classes.
Night Fast Train (НШ)
National night train services; 50–140 km/h; SV, Kupe and Platzkart classes.
Night Passenger Train (НП)
National night train services; up to 140 km/h; Kupe and Platzkart classes.

United Kingdom
See also: List of companies operating trains in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom's railway network is unusual in not publicly numbering or classifying its trains, except by the brand of the operating company. This may approach a classification system on lines where the express and local services are operated by different companies:

Bulgaria (Bulgarian state railways BDŽ)

Train categories in Bulgaria use the simplified model of the previous century. At the beginning of rail transport in Bulgaria there were only three categories of passenger trains: "Бърз пътнически влак (БПВ)" - Barz patnicheski vlak (Fast passenger train), the equivalent of the current Fast train; "Обикновен пътнически влак (ОПВ)" - Obiknoven patnicheski vlak (Regular passenger train), the equivalent of the current Passenger train and "Смесен пътнически влак (СПВ)" - Smesen patnicheski vlak, the equivalent of Mixed train. Using this basis BDŽ now provides extended variety of these simle categories.

ЕВ – Експресен влак [Ekspresen vlak] – Express train
EV – Trains for medium and long distances, which stop only at the most major stations (in big cities or for a train connection). They provide higher comfort in the carriages and usually have catering and/or restaurant car. All the express trains used to have names (e.g. "Plovdiv Express", "Yantra Express", "Chaika Express", "Express Slanchev Bryag", "Diana Express" etc.) and sometimes unique livery, different from the other trains. There were also first-class-only trains (Express 100/101 "Plovdiv"). Because of an introduced regulation the average speed of the express trains to be at least 100 km/h, all the express trains became BVZR trains. Tariff: same as BVZR.
Reservation: obligatory. Coaches: 1st class, 2nd class, restaurant car (or catering), sometimes luggage and/or mail car. Four of the express trains ("Shipka" and "Sinite kamani") used DMUs.
Currently not in service.
УБВ – Ускорен бърз влак [Uskoren barz vlak] – literally "Accelerated fast rtain"
UBV – Trains for long distances, which stop only at one or two major stations in-between. They ran seasonally only between the capital and the seaside on Fridays and Sundays. For a short period of time this category was used as a synonym of BVZR trains. Tariff: same as BVZR.
Reservation: obligatory. Coaches: 1st class, 2nd class, bistro car.
Currently not in service.
БВЗР – Бърз влак със задължителна резервация [Barz vlak sas zadalzhitelna rezervatsia] – Fast train with obligatory reservation reservation (also seen as R-БВ or БВ-R)
BVZR – Trains for medium and long distances, which stop only at major stations. Usually former Express trains. Their average speed is not more than 100 km/h. Some of these also have names, but with the word "express" removed. Tariff: The tariff for BVZR is the most expensive in Bulgaria. The price for 100 km in 2nd class is 8,70 BGN (4,45 EUR) and 10,90 BGN (5,57 EUR) in 1st class. Reservation costs 0,50 BGN (0,26 EUR). Some trains could be more expensive on partisular dates.
Reservation: obligatory. Coaches: 1st class, 2nd class; in the past: restaurant or buffet car (or catering), sometimes luggage and/or mail car.
МБВ – Международен бърз влак [Mezhdunaroden barz vlak] – International fast train
MBV – International trains have different terms of service. There are regular, seasonal and extra MBV trains as well as trains for only international journeys and ones that could be used as regular BV trains in the country.
Tariff: Internal: same as BV; international: according to the contracts with the other countries.
Reservation: Internal: optional; international: obligatory. Coaches: international cars + cars for internal journeys (2nd class, sometimes 1st class, in the past: luggage and/or mail car). DMUs are also used between Bulgaria and Romania.
БВ – Бърз влак [Barz vlak] – Fast train
BV – Trains for medium and long distances, which stop only at major stations but more than express trains.
Tariff: According to the tariff for BV the price for 100 km in 2nd class is 5.90 BGN (3.02 EUR) and 7.40 BGN (3.78 EUR) in 1st class. Reservation costs 0.50 BGN (0.26 EUR). Some trains could be more expensive on partisular dates.
Reservation: optional. Coaches: 1st class, 2nd class; sleepers and couchette cars during the night; in the past: sometimes restaurant or buffet car, luggage and/or mail car. Sometimes EMUs or DMUs are also used.
ПВ – Пътнически влак [Patnicheski vlak] – Passenger train
PV – Trains for distances, longer than 100 km, which stop at every station.
Tariff: According to the tariff for PV the price for 100 km in 2nd class is 5.20 BGN (2.66 EUR) and 6.50 BGN (3.32 EUR) in 1st class. Currently 1st class is not available on passenger trains. Some trains could be more expensive on partisular dates.
Reservation: not available. Coaches: 2nd class; in the past: sometimes luggage and/or mail car; in case of first-class cars coupled, the taxes are the same as second-class ones. Frequently operated by EMUs or DMUs.
КПВ – Крайградски пътнически влак [Kraigradski patnicheski vlak] – Local passenger train
KPV – Trains for distances, shorter than 100 km, which stop at every station. Frequently operated by EMUs or DMUs. Tariff: same as PV.
Reservation: not available. Coaches: 2nd class; in the past: sometimes luggage and/or mail car; in case of first-class cars coupled, the taxes are the same as second-class ones.
СВ – Смесен влак [Smesen vlak] – Mixed train
SV – Trains for short and medium distances with both passenger and freight carriages. They stop at every station and usually it is for a long time, because of the cargo services. Tariff: same as PV.
Reservation: not available. Coaches: same as PV + freight waggons.
Currently not in service.

Former Yugoslavia (Successor companies of the JŽ)
Eurocity
international high-class trains
Intercity
trains used on national and international services on important long-distance routes
Intercity nagibni
Croatian Railways tilting train
Poslovni voz/vlak
Intercity – similar to express trains, usually 1st class only
Brzi voz/vlak
Express trains on long-distance routes, national and international
Zeleni vlak
Former Slovenian express multiple-unit connexions, also cross-border
Ubrzani vlak
semi-fast (like German Eilzug)
Putnički voz, Lokalni voz, Potniški vlak
Regional train stopping at all station, usually multiple unit trains

See also

Sleeper trains in Europe

Footnotes and References
  1. "ICE and ICE Sprinter". Bahn.de. 30 May 1999. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  2. "Train Identification" (PDF). Official Timetable of Switzerland. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  3. "Ter | Sncf" (PDF). Telechargement.ter-sncf.com. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  4. "Ter | Sncf" (PDF). Telechargement.ter-sncf.com. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  5. "Ter | Sncf" (PDF). Telechargement.ter-sncf.com. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  6. "Ter | Sncf" (PDF). Telechargement.ter-sncf.com. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  7. http://timetables.sad.it/getTimetablePDF.php?id=3697
  8. http://www.trenord.it/media/28279/edolo-iseo-bs.pdf
  9. Rail, Irish. "Iarnrod Eireann Services". Irish Rail. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  10. (in Romanian)http://www.jurnalul.ro/observator/schimbare-nume-trenuri-cfr-598824.htm
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