In a continent as interconnected as Europe, it’s surprising that a high-speed, metro-style train network like this hasn’t existed before. Now, a visionary project could transform the way we travel across Europe. The proposal for a new high-speed train system will span 13,670 miles, linking 39 major cities, including Helsinki, Turkey, Kyiv, Dublin, Barcelona, Naples, Athens, Lisbon, and more.
Designed to travel at speeds of up to 250 mph, the trains would be faster than regular rail and more affordable than short-haul flights. The service would also be 30% faster than both car travel and traditional train services, revolutionising European rail connectivity.
The 21st Europe think tank, led by Kaave Pour—co-founder, CEO, and Creative Director at SPACE10—proposed this ambitious initiative.
While still in its conceptual stage with no official launch date set, this vision for a revolutionary European rail network is beginning to take shape.
The Starline project is set to transform a long full-day trip from Helsinki to Berlin into a quick trip of just over three hours.
The once overnight trip from Kyiv to Berlin will now be a smooth and reliable ride, while the previously slow and winding route between Milan and Munich will be completed in just a few hours.
The new Starline network aims to provide a station in every country, ensuring connections from England all the way to Turkey and Ukraine—without relying on national rail systems.
Stations will be designed with the local culture in mind, featuring spaces like concert halls and museums that reflect each city’s unique qualities and character, while contributing to a collective European identity.
The train’s integrated café areas and family-friendly sections will ensure comfort during the journey, while dedicated quiet zones will provide spaces for focus and relaxation though it will be envisioned more like a tube in the way that it won’t have the traditional train class divisions.
Beyond passenger travel, the Starline project also aims to address Europe’s freight transport needs, reducing the demand for short-haul flights and ease the burden on road networks.
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