Types of Trains Abroad

Planning a trip abroad?

Have a look at the categories of trains that you will encounter abroad…

DB Trains (inland transport)

S-Bahn (S) – regional trains integrated into the system of municipal mass transport in larger cities (e.g. Dresden, Berlin, Hamburg, Munich) composed of carriages more reminiscent of the metro (e.g. Berlin) or of regular railway units (e.g. Dresden); generally stopping at all stations and stops; without a supplement; option to use integrated transport tickets of the relevant city; 2nd class carriages, on selected trains 1st class compartments as well; corresponding roughly to ČD’s “Esko” system
Regionalbahn (RB) – the basic element of regional transport providing connections among smaller settlements in specific regions as well as connections between smaller municipalities and larger stations where it is possible to transfer to higher-category trains; stopping at all stations and stops; without a supplement; 2nd class carriages, on selected trains 1st class compartments as well; corresponding roughly to ČD’s “local train” (Os) category
Regional-Express (RE) – trains providing links between larger regional centres and their connection to higher-category trains; not stopping at certain stations and stops; without a supplement; 2nd class carriages, also 1st class compartments on most trains of this category; corresponding roughly to ČD’s “limited-stop train” (Sp) category
Interregio-Express (IRE) – trains providing connections between larger cities, serving in particular as a link between regional and long-distance transport; stopping only at larger stations and stops; without a supplement; 1st and 2nd class compartments; corresponding roughly to ČD’s “fast train” (R) category
Schnellzug / D-Zug (D) – – day and overnight long-distance trains especially to countries of central and eastern Europe, but – unlike IC, EC and EN trains – without guaranteed quality of services; stopping only at large stations; composed of 2nd class carriages or couchette and sleeper carriages; fares according to the tariff for long-distance travel; without a supplement (for sleeper and couchette carriages it is necessary to purchase a sleeper or couchette supplement); reservations available; corresponding roughly to ČD’s “fast train” (R) category
Intercity (IC) – higher-quality trains providing connections at regular intervals to the largest German cities; subject to strictly defined quality standards; 1st and 2nd class compartments; electrical sockets in 1st class; dining or bistro carriage; fares according to the tariff for long-distance travel; reservations available
Eurocity (EC) – higher-quality trains providing connections at regular intervals to the largest European cities; subject to strictly defined quality standards; 1st and 2nd class compartments; electrical sockets; dining or bistro carriage; fares according to the tariff for long-distance travel; reservations available
Intercity-Express (ICE) – comfortable high-speed trains connecting the largest German and west European cities in Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Denmark at one-hour intervals; subject to strictly defined quality standards; 1st and 2nd class compartments; electrical sockets; dining or bistro carriage; fares higher than in trains of other categories – generally dependent on the specific connection (they need not adhere strictly to the kilometric distance); reservations available, reservations required only on ICE-Sprinter trains; above-standard services in first class
EuroNight (EN) – higher-quality overnight trains for travelling long distances; composed of couchette and sleeper carriages, seating carriages or carriages with specially modified seats for sleeping (the so-called “sleeperette”); sleeper or couchette supplement or a uniform “global” price; refreshments available from sleeper and couchette carriage attendants; reservations available or required; in seating carriages generally 2nd class only

You can find more information about travelling on Deutsche Bahn on www.bahn.de.

Trains Operated by Selected Private Carriers

ALEX (ALX) – long-distance trains of Länderbahn group operating mainly in Bavaria, e.g. on the route Munich - Schwandorf - Prague; 1st and 2nd class carriages; fares on German territory according to the Vogtlandbahn and ALEX tariff; tickets can be purchased at customer centres or on the train; more information
Oberpfalzbahn – regional trains of Länderbahn group operating mainly in the Bavarian border region; local integrated transport tickets and Deutsche Bahn tickets are valid
Trilex (TLX) – regional trains of Länderbahn group operating in border regions of the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland on the route Liberec – Zittau – Varnsdorf – Seifhennersdorf/Rybniště; 2nd class carriages only; ZVON and IDOL integrated transport tickets are valid; more information
Vogtlandbahn (VBG) – regional trains of Länderbahn group operating mainly in Saxony and Bavaria; 2nd class carriages; on selected trains 1st class compartments as well; on German territory the Vogtlandbahn company’s tariff is valid; tickets can be purchased at customer centres or on the train; more information
Waldbahn (WBA) – regional trains of Länderbahn group operating mainly in the Bavarian border region between Železná Ruda and Plattling
ÖBB Nightjet – overnight trains connecting large cities in western and central Europe; generally composed of couchette and sleeper carriages, seating carriages; sleeper or couchette supplement or a uniform “global” price; reservations;

All information provided here is provisional in character. You can find the exact wording of the transport terms and conditions in the official materials of the relevant carriers.

ÖBB Trains (inland transport)

S-Bahn (S) – regional trains integrated into the system of municipal mass transport in larger cities (e.g. Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck); composed mainly of electrical or diesel units; generally stopping at all stations and stops; without a supplement; option to use integrated transport tickets of the relevant city; 2nd class carriages, on selected trains 1st class compartments as well; corresponding roughly to ČD’s “Esko” system
Regionalzug (R) – the basic element of regional transport providing connections among smaller settlements in specific regions as well as connections between smaller municipalities and larger stations where it is possible to transfer to higher-category trains; generally stopping at all stations and stops; without a supplement; 2nd class carriages, on selected trains 1st class compartments as well; corresponding roughly to ČD’s “local train” (Os) category
RegionalExpress (REX) – trains providing links between larger regional centres and their connection to higher-category trains at larger stations; not stopping at certain stations and stops; without a supplement; 2nd class carriages, on selected trains 1st class compartments as well; corresponding roughly to ČD’s “limited-stop train” (Sp) category
Schnellzug, D-Zug (D) – day and overnight long-distance trains especially to countries of central and eastern Europe, but – unlike IC, EC and EN trains – without guaranteed quality of services; stopping only at large stations; composed of 2nd class carriages or couchette and sleeper carriages; without a supplement (for sleeper and couchette carriages it is necessary to purchase a sleeper or couchettes supplement); reservations available; corresponding roughly to ČD’s “fast train” (R) category
InterCity (IC) – higher-quality trains for long-distance inland transport connecting large Austrian cities and tourist centres; stopping only at the largest stations; without a supplement; 1st and 2nd class compartments; dining or bistro carriage; reservations available
EuroCity (EC) – higher-quality international trains providing connections between large European cities; stopping only at the largest stations; generally modern air-conditioned carriages; high travel speed; without a supplement; 1st and 2nd class compartments; dining carriage; reservations available
Intercity-Express (ICE) – comfortable high-speed trains connecting the largest Austrian and west European (especially German) cities; subject to strictly defined quality standards; 1st and 2nd class compartments; on Austrian territory without a supplement; dining carriage; reservations available
ÖBB railjet (RJ) – a new concept in long-distance trains of the highest quality connecting the largest Austrian cities (Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck) and neighbouring regions in Germany, Hungary, Czechia and Switzerland; travel classes divided into Economy Class, First Class and Business; fare in the first two classes the same as in other ÖBB trains; use of Premium Class subject to the purchase of a supplement; bistro carriage
ÖBB Nightjet – overnight trains connecting large cities in western and central Europe; generally composed of couchette and sleeper carriages, seating carriages; sleeper or couchette supplement or a uniform “global” price; reservations;
EuroNight (EN) – higher-quality overnight trains for travelling long distances; composed of couchette and sleeper carriages, seating carriages or carriages with specially modified seats for sleeping (the so-called “sleeperette”); sleeper or couchette supplement, or a uniform “global” price; refreshments available from sleeper and couchette carriage attendants; reservations available

Trains Operated by Selected Private Carriers

Westbahn (WB) –long-distance trains of the company Westbahn, operating between Wien, Linz and Salzburg; fares according to the tariff of the company Westbahn, reservations available; more information

Several other private carriers also operate in Austria. Their trains are classified into their own categories and they generally serve only certain regions. You can find more information about their connections by visiting the websites of specific carriers. You can find more information about travelling by train in Austria on www.oebb.at.

All information provided here is provisional in character. You can find the exact wording of the transport terms and conditions in the official materials of the relevant carriers.

Przewozy Regionalne (PR) trains

REGIO (R) – the basic element of regional transport (PR) providing connections among smaller settlements in specific regions as well as connections between smaller municipalities and larger stations where it is possible to transfer to higher-category trains; generally stopping at all stations and stops; without a supplement; 2nd class carriages; fares according to the PR tariff for REGIO connections; corresponding roughly to ČD’s “local train” (Os) category
interREGIO (IR) – trains providing links between larger regional centres and their connection to higher-category trains; stopping only at larger stations and stops; without a supplement; 2nd class carriages, on selected trains 1st class compartments as well; fares according to the PR tariff for interREGIO connections; corresponding roughly to ČD’s “limited-stop train” (Sp) category
REGIOekspres (Re) – inter-regional trains operated by the company Przewozy Regionalne (PR) providing connections to larger cities, halting only at major stations and stops, without a supplement, generally with 1st and 2nd class carriages, and fares per the PR tariff for REGIOekspres connections; these trains correspond roughly to ČD’s “fast” (R) train category

You can find more information about travelling on Przewozy Regionalne trains on www.przewozyregionalne.pl .

PKP Intercity trains (inland transport)

Międzynarodowe pospieszne (MP/D) – day and overnight long-distance trains, but – unlike IC, EC and EN trains – without guaranteed quality of services; stopping only at large stations, 2nd class carriages or couchette and sleeper carriages; fares according to the PKP IC “fast train” tariff; without a supplement (for sleeper and couchette carriages it is necessary to purchase a sleeper or couchettes supplement); reservations available; corresponding roughly to ČD’s “fast train” (R) category
Twoje Linie Kolejowe (TLK) – nationwide network of limited-stop trains belonging to the company PKP Intercity; connecting major Polish cities and tourist destinations; stopping only at large stations; without a supplement; fares according to the PKP IC “fast train” tariff; 1st and 2nd class carriages; reservation included in the ticket price; corresponding roughly to ČD’s “fast train” (R) category
Expres InterCity (EIC) – trains providing inland long-distance transport arising from connecting the categories Ekspress and InterCity; supplementing the network of EC connections; air-conditioned 1st and 2nd class carriages; restaurant or bistro carriage; on selected connections also four-seat “manager” compartments; fares according to the PKP IC “express train” tariff; reservations required
Expres InterCity Premium (EIP) – a network of high-speed trains connecting Warsaw with the cities of Gdynia, Gdańsk, Kraków, Wrocław and Katowice, Pendolino-type multiple units, air-conditioned 1st and 2nd class carriages, bistro carriage, fares per the PKP IC “express” tariff, supplement in the amount of PLN 43, required reservations (a seat reservation is included in the price of a Polish domestic ticket, must be purchased separately for use with an international ticket)
EuroCity (EC) – higher-quality international trains providing connections between large European cities; stopping only at the largest stations; generally modern air-conditioned carriages; high travel speed; 1st and 2nd class compartments; dining carriage; fares according to be PKP IC “express train” tariff; reservations required
EuroNight (EN) – higher-quality overnight trains for travelling long distances; composed of couchette and sleeper carriages, seating carriages or carriages with specially modified seats for sleeping (the so-called “sleeperette”); sleeper or couchette supplement or a uniform “global” price; refreshments available from sleeper and couchette carriage attendants; reservations available

Note: All trains operated by the company PKP Intercity have required reservations – a seat reservation is included in the price of a Polish domestic ticket; a seat reservation must be purchased separately for use with an international ticket.

You can find more information about travelling on PKP Intercity trains www.intercity.pl .

Trains Operated by Other Selected Carriers

Arriva RP – regional trains belonging to the company Arriva operating in northern Poland in the Pomeranian and Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeships; fares of the Arriva company; tickets can be purchased at Arriva ticket offices or at ticket offices of the carrier Przewozy Regionalne; more information on www.arriva.pl
Koleje Dolnośląskie (KD) – a company active in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship in southwest Poland operating regional trains on several regional and national lines; 2nd class carriages only; fares according to the tariff of the company Koleje Dolnośląskie and selected tickets of the company Przewozy Regionalne; tickets can be purchased on the train without a surcharge; more information
Koleje Mazowieckie (KM) – regional trains operated in the Warsaw area; 2nd class carriages, on selected trains 1st class compartments as well; fares according to the KM tariff; some tickets issued by the Warsaw municipal mass transport system and the companies PKP Intercity and Przewozy Regionalne are also accepted; more information
Koleje Śląskie (KS) –a company active in the Silesian Voivodeship in southern Poland operating regional trains on several regional and national lines; 2nd class carriages only; fares according to the tariff of the company Koleje Śląskie; more information
Szybka Kolej Miejska (SKM) – regional trains integrated into the city and suburban mass transport systems of larger cities or agglomerations (e.g. the three-city agglomeration Gdańsk– Sopoty – Gdynia, Warsaw, Upper Silesia); composed primarily of electrical units; generally stopping at all stations and stops; without a supplement; option to use integrated transport tickets of the relevant city; 2nd class carriages, on selected trains 1st class compartments as well; corresponding roughly to ČD’s “Esko” system

All information provided here is provisional in character. You can find the exact wording of the transport terms and conditions in the official materials of the relevant carriers.

ZSSK Trains (inland transport)

Osobný vlak (Os) –trains for travelling short distances; usually stopping at all stations and stops; without a supplement; providing regional transport and connecting to higher category trains; without a supplement; 2nd class carriages
Zrýchlený vlak (Zr) – a fast connection within regions primarily on secondary lines; connecting the region to higher-category trains; not stopping at smaller stations and stops; 2nd class carriages, on selected trains 1st class compartments as well; without a supplement; corresponding roughly to ČD’s “limited-stop train” (Sp) category
Regional expres (REX) – international or inland limited-stop train primarily providing connections to the border regions of neighbouring countries; without a supplement; 2nd class carriages, on selected trains 1st class compartments as well
Rýchlik (R) – the basic element of long-distance transport providing connections to all larger Slovak cities; stopping only at larger stations; without a supplement; 1st and 2nd class compartments; certain trains can be operated as overnight connections; reservations available
Expres (Ex) – trains providing inland or international long-distance transport; supplementing the network of IC and EC connections; shorter travel times and more modern carriages than (R.) trains; without a supplement; 1st and 2nd class compartments; reservations available
InterCity (IC) – higher category trains intended for inland long-distance transport connecting the largest Slovak cities and tourist centres; with a supplement; 1st and 2nd class compartments; generally a dining carriage; tickets can be purchased at five price levels; reservation included in the ticket price
EuroCity (EC) – higher-quality international trains; providing connections between large European cities; modern air-conditioned carriages; high travel speed; with a supplement, 1st and 2nd class compartments; dining carriage; reservations available
EuroNight (EN) – higher-quality overnight trains for travelling long distances; composed of couchette and sleeper carriages, seating carriages or carriages with specially modified seats for sleeping (the so-called “sleeperette”); with a supplement, a sleeper or couchette supplement, or a uniform “global” price; refreshments available from sleeper and couchette carriage attendants; reservations available

You can find more information about travelling by train in Slovakia on www.zssk.sk.

All information provided here is provisional in character. You can find the exact wording of the transport terms and conditions in the official materials of the relevant carriers.