Which European Countries Have the Best Public Transport?
This article offers a rundown of which countries in Europe have the best public transport systems, either in terms of sustainability, punctuality, overall service and cost.
There’s also a look at the services offered by The Moving Partnership, who can help with commercial and domestic moves to all parts of the continent.
If you are moving to Europe, then you may not need to take your car with you. Much will depend on how good and convenient the public transport is – so The Moving Partnership has been finding out which places are rated among the best, and why.
European DIY Removals with The Moving Partnership
At The Moving Partnership we can either come up with a bespoke removals quote for you, or we can help you with a DIY move to all parts of Europe and further afield. You can call us on 0800 772 3709.
The Netherlands – for the Sustainability
The Dutch excel at combining rail and cycling infrastructure. Most train stations serve as "mobility hubs" with thousands of bike parking spots and easy rental schemes. Most cities also offer bus and trams, many of which run on sustainable fuel, while in Amsterdam and Rotterdam the metros are electrically powered.
The Dutch system is also extremely user-friendly. Timetables are designed with the traveller in mind, and a single chipcard is valid on every tram, bus, and train in the country, allowing for seamless transfers between different modes of transport.
France and Germany – for the Overall Mix
If you are considering removals to Germany or France, the good news is that most of the two countries’ major cities (notably Paris and Berlin) score highly in customer satisfaction surveys.
The dense, 115-year-old Parisian metro system has more than 300 stations across 16 different lines. This ensures that, according to The Paris Pass, you should never be more than 500 metres away from an underground station. Looking further afield, there’s also an extensive network urban services in the major cities, as well as high-speed trains (TGV) across the country.
Much the same applies in Germany. Large cities feature a mix of U-Bahn (underground), S-Bahn (suburban), and tram systems, alongside extensive cycle paths and bike-sharing options. Almost nine out of every 10 Germans live within 1km of a public transport stop.
Switzerland – for the Punctuality
Switzerland is frequently ranked No. 1 in surveys of international public transport due to its "clockwork" precision. According to the latest 2026 reports from Swiss Federal Railways, 94.1% of all passenger trains arrived at their destination on time (defined as within three minutes of the schedule). So, if you were a daily commuter in 2025, you would have arrived late only about 28 times over the entire year.
It also has a highly integrated network, where trains, buses, boats, and even cable cars are perfectly synchronised. And as in the Netherlands, there is a single travelcard (The General Abbonement, or GA) which you can use on almost all public transport nationwide.
Luxembourg – Because it’s Free!
If you are thinking of international removals to Luxembourg, then one thing you won’t have to worry about is the cost of getting around. This is because in 2020 the country introduced free travel on trains (second class only), trams, and buses for residents and visitors.
The aim is to reduce traffic and protect the environment. Because Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in the world in terms of size and population, the Government can afford to subsidise the €41 million lost in annual ticket revenues.
Removals to Europe with The Moving Partnership
Whether you want to move to Germany, France, Luxembourg or anywhere in Europe, The Moving Partnership can help get you there. Our network of contacts in the international removal industry means we can come up with a competitive quote which will meet your needs and budgets.
To learn more about our European removals service, click here. You can kick-start the whole process off by booking a video survey of your own home. This will save you plenty of time and trouble.
FAQS:
Q: How do I pay for public transport in European cities?
A: As in the UK, many cities now offer contactless payment (tap-on/tap-off) directly at turnstiles or on board with debit/credit cards or smartphones. It is often more cost-effective to buy daily, weekly, or monthly passes though, which allow unlimited travel on many parts of the network.
Q: What are the advantages of European DIY removals?
A: If you opt to take on much of the removals work yourself, then you could save some money and have more control over the timings of your move. However, you might lose out on some of the expertise such as our professional packing (and unpacking) services, our storage facilities, as well as our currency exchange option, many of which you might need during (or after) the move.
