German railway stations rank amongst the poorest in terms of cleanliness and overall user experience.

Europe loves its trains, but not all train stations provide a good travel experience. The Consumer Choice Center published the European Railway Station Index in August 2025, analysing the 50 busiest train stations in Europe.

The result of the index highlights the vast differences among Europe’s train stations. Berlin Gesundbrunnen, a German train station, ranks last, handling approximately 74 million passengers yearly. This is in stark contrast to Zurich Hauptbahnhof, which secured the top spot, handling over 100 million passengers annually.

Travelers in some German train stations often face longer waits and inadequate facilities. Six German train stations, including Berlin Ostkreuz (ranked 49), Dortmund Hbf (ranked 48), Bremen, Stuttgart, and Berlin Südkreuz, also rank among Europe’s worst.

The poor performance of German train stations is attributed to expensive and lengthy rail network renovations, newly defined punctuality limits, and outdated infrastructure. In contrast, countries like Switzerland and Poland excel in the index, with Zurich Hauptbahnhof ranking first and Wroclaw Glowny in Poland ranking second for quality and infrastructure.

Berlin Gesundbrunnen offers only three shops and seven restaurants, and the average waiting time on the platform is 10.83 minutes. Moreover, 42% of trains running at Berlin Gesundbrunnen are late, while only 4% of trains arriving at Zurich Hauptbahnhof are late, the lowest rate in Europe.

Vienna Hauptbahnhof ranks 8th among Europe’s best train stations, while Vienna Meidling comes in at 47th, showcasing significant differences in service, facilities, and punctuality within the same city. This underlines the need for improved investment in train station infrastructure and facilities in Germany.

The rankings are based on service, punctuality, and facilities. Factors considered in the analysis included ticket options, services, accessibility, free Wi-Fi, rail network coverage, and ride-sharing opportunities. European countries like Switzerland and Poland have well-equipped train stations, while Germany’s train stations often suffer from poor amenities, delays, and outdated infrastructure.

Financially, Poland and Switzerland invest comparatively more in their railway infrastructure, whereas Germany struggles with underfunding at the municipal level, leading to insufficient financing for train station maintenance and upgrades. This is a concern as travelers continue to rely on trains for their daily commutes and long-distance journeys across Europe.

German railway stations rank amongst the poorest in terms of cleanliness and overall user experience.