Train categories in Europe

In Europe, railway companies assign trains to different categories or train types depending on their role,[1] i.e. based on the used rolling stock, their speed (high-speed, higher-speed, conventional), distance of travel (long, medium, short), stopping frequency (Inter-city, limited express, express, limited-stop, regional, commuter) and other criteria.

There is no common classification scheme throughout Europe; each country has its own, although categories of internationally operating trains are used across borders (e.g. EC).

However, there are trademark names that are also used as train types, such as the VogtlandExpress (VX) or the former CityNightLine (CNL) and Cisalpino (CIS).

International trains are commonly classified as EuroCity (EC), while domestic Inter-city rail services frequently run as InterCity (IC).

This can, for example, refer to the railway connection of the Central Croatia's wider region with Zagreb metropolitan area.

SNCF uses a different system of train categories, based on politics wishes[clarification needed] and commercial trademarks.

A night train, named Hellas Express, links Thessaloniki with Belgrade (Serbia), via Skopje (North Macedonia).

As of 2024[update], the following categories exist:[19] The United Kingdom's railway network is unusual in not publicly numbering or classifying its trains, except by the brand of the operating company.

For most longer distance services (such as the inter-city trains operated by CrossCountry), advance tickets are sold and seat reservations can be made.