A Copenhagen-based think tank has unveiled a radical proposal for a unified high-speed rail network that could transform cross-border travel across Europe and beyond, connecting 39 destinations from Kyiv to London by 2040.
A “continental metro” for Europe
The concept, developed by the analytical centre 21st Europe, is named Starline. It envisions an integrated high-speed rail system operating like a “continental metro,” linking disparate national infrastructures into a single, cohesive network. The project’s total length would stretch to approximately 22,000 kilometres, with trains capable of reaching speeds between 300 and 400 km/h.
According to the authors’ calculations, the new network would cut travel times by around 30% compared with current transport options. For instance, the route from Helsinki to Berlin could take just over five hours instead of the current 24. Similarly, the connection between Kyiv and Berlin would become significantly more convenient than existing services.
Economic links: Milan to Munich
The Milan–Munich line is highlighted separately, with plans to transform it into a high-frequency business corridor between two of Europe’s major economic hubs.
The developers argue that Europe’s current railway landscape remains fragmented and inconsistent, undermining its competitiveness. A statement from 21st Europe reads: “A truly integrated rail network is no longer just a matter of convenience – it is a strategic necessity for Europe’s resilience.”
One look, many functions
Starline would be visually and functionally unified. Trains would be painted in dark blue, while stations would be built outside congested city centres but fully integrated with local public transport. Inside the carriages, seating would not be divided by class but by function – zones for working, resting, and family travel.
Who pays and who runs it?
Under the proposal, funding would come from member states’ public coffers, with operations carried out by national rail companies under licence.
The initiators believe demand for such a system is already evident, noting that cross-border travel in Europe today remains slow, expensive, and inconvenient. They argue that Starline could fundamentally change this situation in the long term.
