Which trains include meals? Which trains have a dining car?

Most long-distance trains in Europe have either a full dining car or a bistro area for take-away meals, drinks or snacks. Meals are usually not included in your ticket, unless specifically stated otherwise. Dining cars in all countries include vegetarian options; for vegan or gluten-free options, consult the menu of your specific country/type of train.

Germany & Austria

All ICE and Railjet (RJ & RJX) trains have either a bistro area for take-away drinks, snacks and meals, or a dining car with at-your-seat service. In first class, you can order at your seat from the train attendant.
IC (Intercity) trains do not have a dining car anymore as of 2024. On some routes, vending machines are available for hot and cold drinks and snacks.
EC (Eurocity) trains have a full dining car on some routes but no catering on other routes; please consult a rail planner app/website about your specific train.
Westbahn (WB) trains have vending machines available for hot and cold drinks and snacks.

France

All TGV trains, including international routes to Germany, Switzerland and Spain, have a bistro car for simple (hot and cold) meals, snacks and drinks. In first class, you can order at your seat from the train attendant.
Intercity-trains have a trolley service on certain connections.
International Eurostar trains have a simple café-car with hot and cold drinks and snacks. For some first-class tickets a three-course meal (depending on the time of day) is included in the price and will be served at your seat; please consult your ticket for details.

Switzerland and Swiss scenic trains

All international long-distance trains (TGV, IC, EC, ECE) and most national Intercity (IC) trains have a full restaurant car for either take-away or at-your-seat service.
Some interregional or regional (IR/R) trains have simple vending machines and coffee machines on board as well.
Glacier Express offers at-your-seat meals and drinks, and meals can be ordered along with your ticket/seat reservation beforehand. In our Rail Tour packages a three-course meal is included as standard.
Bernina Express and Gotthard Panorama Express offer at-your-seat snacks and drinks.
GoldenPass trains have at-your-seat service for snacks and drinks, which can also be ordered along with your ticket. In our Rail Tour packages, drinks and/or snacks are sometimes included as standard.
The Luzern-Interlaken express has a dedicated dining car for take-away or at-your-seat service.

United Kingdom

Most long-distance train companies offer a mobile bar service throughout the train, which is free to passengers in first class.
On some longer connections simple meals are available, free for to first class passengers. These include most intercity services from/to London and Scotland. Check a rail planner app/website or your travel itinerary for more details.

Spain

Most long-distance trains have a buffet car and/or a mobile bar service. In first class on some trains, you can order directly from your seat. This varies per individual train, so please consult the travel itinerary for more details.
In some first-class tickets, meals are included in the ticket price. Please consult your ticket.

Italy

Most long-distance trains have a buffet car with simple meals, drinks and snacks.
International EC and RJ trains often have a bistro or full dining car.
Consult your travel itinerary for more details.

Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia

Central-European countries almost always offer a full dining car on international trains, and on some national connections as well.
These countries have the best quality and most freshly prepared meals available in their dining cars.
Check in a rail planner app/website or at the station whether your specific train has a dining car available.

Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg

National trains do not have any catering.
Only international Eurostar & TGV (see 'France') and ICE (see 'Germany') trains have catering options.

Norway, Sweden

Long-distance trains have dining cars or bistro areas on board.
In Sweden, in first class you can order from your seat.

Denmark

National trains and international trains to Germany do not have catering options.
Only international connections to Sweden, which have dining cars, and ordering from your seat in 1st class.