High-speed European metro may connect Budapest with other European cities

Travelling by train is not only cheaper and more comfortable than driving or flying, it’s also far more environmentally friendly. That’s why the idea of creating a so-called European metro to connect major cities across the continent has emerged—fittingly, in Denmark. With trains capable of speeds between 300 and 400 km/h, the proposal could offer a timely alternative to short-haul flights.

Plans for a European Metro

According to a bold proposal released by Danish research institute 21st Century Europe, 39 cities would be linked via five high-speed “European metro lines”. Known as Starline, the concept aims to replace air travel with a transport system that’s cheaper, greener and more convenient.

The initiative is still at the discussion stage, with the goal of sparking wider debate among policymakers. If adopted, planning and construction would follow—but challenges abound. Different national rail systems would need to be synchronised, and in some regions, infrastructure is so dated that high-speed travel would currently be impossible. This is certainly the case in Hungary, where outdated railway tracks often prevent modern trains from reaching their top speeds.

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For instance, seven years ago the train journey between Mátészalka and Debrecen took nearly two hours—and on some stretches, it was possible for a person to outrun the train on foot:

Stations Could Be Located Outside Cities

The plan features five corridors spanning 22,000 kilometres, with standardised cross-border rail connections. The trains themselves would resemble travelling hotels, offering workstations, communal areas and family cabins.

According to Index, the receiving stations may not be located within city centres but rather on the outskirts. These would serve as transport hubs, easing pressure on inner cities while also acting as cultural and economic centres, complete with restaurants and event venues. For instance, a major band performing a gig wouldn’t require fans to venture deep into a city—just hop off the high-speed train and enjoy the show not far from the station.

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Budapest Included in Major Infrastructure Vision

Currently, numerous obstacles stand in the way of realisation—chief among them, funding. This is clearly not a short-term initiative but rather a discussion point on how to reshape Europe’s motorway and flight-dominated transport future.

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Proposed Routes of the European Metro

The five proposed lines—which may include additional stops (noting that these would increase journey time)—are as follows:

• Line A (Naples to Helsinki): Rome, Milan, Zurich, Munich, Vienna, Prague, Berlin, Warsaw, Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn.
• Line B (Lisbon to Kyiv): Madrid, Bordeaux, Lyon, Milan, Rome, Zagreb, Sarajevo, Tirana, Athens, Sofia, Bucharest, Chisinau.
• Line C (Madrid to Istanbul): Barcelona, Marseille, Lyon, Paris, Luxembourg, Frankfurt, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Sofia.
• Line D (Dublin to Kyiv): Liverpool, London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Warsaw, Lviv.
• Line E (Milan to Oslo): Zurich, Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Stockholm.

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