Europe’s Trains during Corona
By Edward | Uncategorized
Europe's Train Services during Corona
On this page I am aggregating all rail travel updates from European operators as the corona virus pandemic progresses. More and more countries will be added as I go along. I am reliant on what is written on the various operators' websites. Things are moving fast, so I can't promise everything is 100% up to date. But I am doing my best.
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General Observations
- Many international services are suspended, though Eurostar and Thalys are still running.
- Most operators have relaxed their refund policies, making it easy to reschedule your journey or get the money back for your ticket. Some do this in the form of vouchers.
- Currently, most domestic services are running. Local services are at a reduced frequency.
Great Britain 
Britain is in lockdown. An emergency timetable has been rolled out.
Eurostar
Eurostar is running at a reduced rate of four trains out of London. This I expect to decline further. As of 25th March, France and Belgium have tightened their restrictions yet further. Only
- Continental EU citizens returning home
- UK and non-EU with a residency permit in an EU country
- Essential workers
are allowed in. Means a romantic getaway or a brie run doesn't cut it.
Click here for Eurostar's corona page and timetable.
France is in total lockdown. Arriving in Paris, you'll need this form with you. If you can't print it, copy it out by hand.
National Services
All operators have introduced emergency timetables. At least half of all trains are cancelled. All franchises have been suspended, putting all railways under state control.
Here is National Rail Enquiries' corona page, with links to all operators' timetables.
Refund policies
Off-peak and Anytime tickets can be returned for 100% money back. Advance tickets bought before 07:00 AM on March 23rd can also be returned free of charge
Updated: 26th March. Outlook: getting worse
The Netherlands 
The Dutch have introduced a basic timetable. There are fewer trains, but the service is still good. Many thanks to Thierry for writing in with all the details!
International services
Thalys is running a reduced schedule to Brussels and Paris. If travelling to France, be sure to have this form with you.
Currently there are three Thalyses per day to Brussels, to be reduced to one per day next week. You have to change at Brussels to get to Paris.
IC Brussel is running hourly, but only between Rotterdam and Antwerp.
Since 23rd March, the Amsterdam-Berlin Intercitys have been cancelled on the Dutch stretch.
National Services
From every station there are two trains per hour in every direction (sounds better than many countries in normal times! But I digress). The reisplanner is fed with data two days in advance, and NS recommend you plan your trips at the shortest possible notice so that your timetables are accurate. They also discourage all but the most necessary trips.
Refund policies
Refund policies seem to remain the same. On a national level, most journeys are done with the OV chipkaart, so advance deals don't apply.
International tickets are refunded 100% free of charge.
Updated: 28th March. Outlook: getting worse
Belgium 
Eurostar
There are currently two daily services from Brussels to London.
Click here for Eurostar's corona page and timetable.
Thalys is running a reduced schedule to Amsterdam and Paris. If travelling to France, be sure to have this form with you.
ICEs to Germany are running at a reduced rate.
IC Brussel runs hourly between Antwerp and Rotterdam.
It seems the Nightjet to Vienna is now suspended.
National Services
Trains are being reduced. A timetable with "Trains of National Interest" is coming into effect from 23rd March. By the 23rd of March, about 75% of the usual seats in any direction will be
Here is SNCB/NMBS's corona page.
And here is a list of the trains that are planned to run.
Refund policies
Domestic tickets retain the standard rules. International tickets are refunded according to whoever is running them - be it Thalys, Eurostar or Deutsche Bahn.
Updated: 3rd April. Outlook: stable
Germany 
International Services
Almost all international services are suspended. There are NO TRAINS to
- Switzerland (though Basel is still reachable)
- Czechia
- Poland
- Denmark
- France
Railjets from Munich to Vienna are still running. Expect long and difficult customs stop at Salzburg.
TGV and ICE services to Paris are now cancelled.
Trains to the Netherlands and Belgium are running, but at a reduced rate.
Most night trains are cancelled. The Nightjets to Vienna continue to run, and EN 463/462 from Munich to Vienna and Budapest is still hanging in there. Expect border controls at Salzburg and Hegyeshalom. Nightjets to Innsbruck are cancelled as the whole of Tirol is in quarantine.
National Services
Deutsche Bahn are running almost all mainline trains. Only few ICEs and ICs are cancelled. There is an hourly service between most major cities.
However, local services are severely impacted. As I write they are being wound down to an emergency timetable effective from 23rd March at least until the 30th of April. Some lines are completely cancelled, on others the frequency has been reduced drastically.
It is likely that DB will reduce its long distance network to a minimum shortly, as there aren't many passengers and DB needs to conserve staff.
The DB lounges and the restaurant cars are all closed.
All Flixtrain services are suspended indefinitely.
Click here for DB's daily updates. (German only)
Refund policies
If you postpone your journey: DB tickets purchased up to the 13th March for travel between 13th March and 30th April are automatically commuted to fully flexible tickets and will be accepted until 30th June.
If you want to cancel your journey: you can exchange any saver (Sparpreis) ticket up to 30th April for a travel voucher of the same value.
Fully flexible tickets can be exchanged or reimbursed free of charge.
Flixtrain exchanges your ticket for a Flixbus voucher. Deutsche Bahn kindly accepts already issued Flixtrain tickets up until 30th of April. Good show, DB!
Updated: 3rd April. Outlook: getting worse
Switzerland
Switzerland is reducing all its services, starting 19th March.
International Services
International trains are cancelled
- All Railjets to Austria are cancelled
- All Nightjet services are cancelled.
Local cross-border services like the Léman express continue to run, but at a reduced rate.
Local services to Konstanz (Germany) and Domodossola (Italy) are still operational, too.
National Services
An emergency timetable is running to keep vital state functions going, especially hospitals. All frequencies are being reduced, some lines cancelled. Previous 15 minute intervals are now 30 minute intervals. Previous 3o minute intervals are now running hourly.
For the duration of the emergency timetable, cheap promo tickets (Sparbillette) are not being sold.
Refund policies
SBB are secretive about their refund terms. They say they are being "lenient".
Get ready for some serious filling in of forms and click here.
Updated: 3rd April. Outlook: stable
Austria 
Austria is scaling back its railway services to a bare-bones level.
International Services
There are NO TRAINS to:
- Czechia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Switzerland
Some trains to Hungary are still running, but expect border controls at Hegyeshalom. Only Hungarian residents are being let into Hungary.
The Railjets to Munich are also running, but expect a long and difficult customs stop at Salzburg. Same goes for the ICEs to Frankfurt via Passau. Only German residents are being let into Germany.
Local services continue to reach Simbach, Passau, Lindau and Freilassing.
The only international night trains still running are the EN 462/463 between Budapest and Munich and the EN 498/499 between Villach and Munich.
National Services
Mainline and local services are being reduced. Vienna S-Bahns are running to a reduced schedule.
Two-hour schedule of Railjets between Vienna and Salzburg and Vienna and Graz.
WESTbahn are running every two hours between Vienna and Salzburg.
Domestic Nightjet services continue to run.
Refund policies
ÖBB-Tickets up until 13th April to Italy, Slovakia, Czechia, Poland, Slovenia, Hungary, Germany and Switzerland can be cancelled free of charge via customer service.
This goes for all Nightjets, too.
Updated: 3rd April. Outlook: stable
Italy 
Italy is in total lockdown. You are only allowed out with a sound reason which you have to have in writing when the police stop you. This is the form you have to have with you. Very few trains are running.
International Services
All international services are suspended
National Services
LeFrecce: one Freccia (high speed train) per day in every direction. Here is the link to that timetable.
In major cities ONLY the main station is served: Milano Centrale, Roma Termini, Napoli Centrale and Torino Porta Nuova.
Italo: severely reduced service. Here it is.
Intercitys: one train per day in every direction. Here is the link to that timetable.
In major cities ONLY the main station is served: Milano Centrale, Roma Termini, Napoli Centrale and Torino Porta Nuova.
Local services: strongly reduced. Here is the link for all timetables of all regions.
Refund policies
Trenitalia refunds all tickets fully. Long and medium distance tickets are reimbursed as a voucher, local tickets are reimbursed in cash.
Italo reimburses you with a voucher that can be used for up to a year.
Click here for all the Trenitalia details.
Updated: 26th March. Outlook: Stable
France 
France is in total lockdown. You are only allowed out with a sound reason which you have to have in writing when the police stop you. This is the form you have to have with you.
SNCF has reduced its TGV, OUIGO and Intercités services drastically. TERs are likewise affected. Ticket offices in stations are closed (and I assume the SNCF Boutiques are as well)
International Services
TGVs and ICEs to Germany are cancelled. The Paris-Moscow and Nice-Moscow trains have long been cancelled.
Eurostars are running at a reduced rate.
Here is the link to Eurostar's updates
Thalys to Brussels, Amsterdam and Dortmund are still running at a low frequency.
Here is the link to Thalys's timetable updates.
National Services
Trains are still running, but at a sdtrict minimum Every day at 17:00 the timetable for tomorrow is made available at the link below.
All OUIGO services are cancelled from 27th March.
Here is SNCF's Corona timetable. (French. English version is now error 404)
RER and Transilien are running at a 50% level.
Police are at the entrances to stations. You are only let into the station if you've got a ticket and your form stating your crucial reason for travelling.
Refund policies
All tickets for TGVs, OUIGOs and Intercités for journeys up until the 30th of April can be exchanged and returned free of charge.
Those affected by OUIGO cancellations will get their money back automatically within three days.
TER tickets issued on paper can be returned to the SNCF boutiques up to 60 days after curfew has been lifted.
Updated: 26th March. Outlook: getting worse.
Spain 
Spain is in total lockdown. This was extended until April 11th. You are only allowed out with a sound reason which you have to have in writing when the police stop you.
International Services
I can't find any services between France and Spain. Assume all suspended.
National Services
Long- and medium distance train services are now reduced by 70%. Only 1/3 of seats on each train are sold, so as to enable people to keep at distance.
The start of RENFE's Avlo service is postponed.
Here is the link to RENFE's corona page
Refund policies
All tickets from the 18th of March to the 11th of April have been automatically cancelled and the money automatically 100 % reimbursed.
Updated: 1st April. Outlook: stable
Poland 
International Services
All international services have been suspended.
National Services
National services are severely impacted.
Many trains are completely cancelled, some have had their route curtailed. Other lines have been amalgamated. Some EIP services are being run with standard Intercity stock.
Restaurant cars are closed.
Here is PKP's extensive corona page.
And here is Polregio's extensive corona page.
Refund policies
Tickets bought before the 4th of March whose date of validity has not yet arrived can be returned for a full reimbursement.
Updated: 1st April. Outlook: getting worse.
Czechia 
International Services
All international services suspended. NO TRAINS abroad AT ALL. Only Czech citizens are allowed into Czechia, and Czechs are not allowed out. Free movement of all Czechs has been curtailed until 24th March
National Services
SuperCity Pendolinos between Prague to Ostrava/Český Těšín cancelled.
National services are being drastically scaled back. The Olomouc region is in quarantine and trains do not call at Litovel, Červenka or Uničov
Here is a map of all services running as of 28th of March.
RegioJet have adjusted their reservation system to ensure that there is enough space between travellers. Disinfectant soap is guaranteed in all loos. Free water now only in 1st class.
Leo Express is running one train a day between Prague and Bohumín in both directions. They provide every passenger with a face mask.
Refund policies
Tickets can be returned for a full reimbursement, even First Minute Europe promo tickets.
I haven't found RegioJet's refund policy yet.
Updated: 1st April March. Outlook: stable
Slovakia 
International Services
All international services suspended.
National Services
ZSSK, Slovakia's national operator, have introduced a drastically reduced timetable. All restaurant cars are closed.
Here is a link to the whole Slovak corona timetable (PDF download)
From 1st April, free travel for students is suspended. Everyone is urged to pay for tickets contactless.
Refund policies
If you bought your ticket before 13th March, 06:00 AM, you have until 30th June to exchange it free of charge or get your money back.
If you have bought your ticket after 13th March, 06:00 AM, administrative fees apply, but I can't find where they say how much. It won't be much.
Updated: 30th March. Outlook: stable
Bulgaria 
Bulgaria has closed schools and parks and discourages all but essential travel. Its borders are closed to foreigners until at least 13th of April.
Here is Bulgarian Railways' corona page (in Bulgarian)
International services
All international services are suspended.
National Services
Most national services continue to run as normal, though there are no trains to Bansko. Travel is discouraged. In sleepers, only single berths are being sold.
Refund policies
Refund policies are unchanged. BDZ assume no liability if you are prevented from making your journey.
Updated: 30th March. Outlook: stable
Russia 
Russia has had few cases so far and is hoping to deal with the coronavirus before it gets around.
International Services
There are NO TRAINS to
- Italy
- France
- Czechia
- Finland
- China
- North Korea
- Uzbekistan
- Tadzhikistan
- Ukraine
- Austria
- Germany
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Estonia
- Azerbaijan.
Abkhazia appears to be reachable.
Trains to the exclave of Kaliningrad pass through Lithuania without stopping.
The most important trains from Moscow and Saint Petersburg to Belarus and back are running, but only Russian citizens are being let into Russia.
Trains to and from Kazakhstan are running, but Kazakhstan is letting in only Kazakh citizens or people with some narrowly defined connection with Kazakhstan.
National Services
National services are beginning to suffer. On March 30th, Moscow went into lockdown.
Expect more services to be cancelled soon.
Here is the link to RZD's corona page.
Refund policies
Tickets for cancelled trains can be returned and fully reimbursed. On cancelled domestic passengers are offered an alternate train/date or full reimbursement.
Updated: 30th March. Outlook: getting worse.
Ukraine 
Ukrainian Railways (UZ) have gone into suspended animation.
International services
All international services are suspended until further notice. UZ are running special trains to bring Ukrainians back home from places like Poland and Czechia.
National Services
All national services are suspended until further notice. No long distance, no commuter, not even elektrichki. Nothing.
Refund policies
All tickets are reimbursed free of charge.
Updated: 30th March. Outlook: can't get worse, so stable.
Estonia 
International services
The services to Russia and Latvia are cancelled.
National Services
Elron, the Estonian national operator, is running a severely reduced schedule.
Refund policies
still looking for them, watch this space.
Updated: 25th March. Outlook: stable
Sweden 
My faithful reader Niklas has written in from Sweden. Thank you, Niklas, for sending me the Swedish situation.
International services
NO TRAINS to
- Denmark
- Germany
- Norway.
Denmark has closed its borders to all but Danish residents or people working in Denmark.
Norway quarantines ANYONE arriving in Norway for 14 days. All SJ trains to Norway are cancelled. Vy (ex-Norwegian Railways) services between Oslo and Göteborg run twice a day, from the 24th of March these are a bus replacement service.
National Services
Travel is discouraged. However, currently the whole network is still running, though SJ has reduced the frequency of its trains.
MTRX's Stockholm-Göteborg service continues to run. MTRX guarantee all passengers an empty seat next to them to aid social distancing.
Snälltåget is running about half its trains.
Refund policies
All operators have relaxed their refund policies. Non-flexible tickets have been made more flexible.
MTRX and Snälltåget refund non-flexible tickets as vouchers.
Updated: 1st April. Outlook: getting worse
Now what?
Well, I'm going to update this page every day. Truth be told, I'm up for some distraction now.
Why not have a look at one of my other posts and plan for better times? While you're at it, why not join my free Rail Guide Europe Club?
For the time being,
- Keep washing those hands for 30 seconds
- Stay at home
- Be kind
- Be safe and be healthy.
