Train stations can evoke a number of emotions as they can hold memories of sad farewells, loving reunions and amazing adventures. It’s little wonder then that there are some stations that just seem to tick all the boxes and that people just love.
At the top of the list then is Zürich Hauptbahnhof – located in Switzerland. Bounce, a luggage storage app, conducted the study which placed the station at the top of its rundown which analysed Europe’s 30 busiest stations on factors such as passenger reviews, number of platforms and social media popularity.
It said: “Zürich Hauptbahnhof tops the list with an overall score of 7.76, with a high review score, substantial Instagram and TikTok presence, and a remarkably short travel time to Zurich Airport.
“Often abbreviated as Zürich HB, it’s one of Switzerland’s most important railway stations, with numerous domestic and international services passing through.
“Zürich HB serves as a crucial link in Switzerland’s extensive rail network, offering direct connections to other major Swiss cities and regions and international destinations such as Germany, Italy, France, and Austria.”
The station – which was dubbed the best train station for customer service in Europe – sees nearly half a million passengers through it every single day.
Zurich’s Hauptbahnhof is the largest train station in the country and offers so much more to its passengers beyond the nearly 3,000 trains that arrive and depart from the station’s 26 platforms daily – with an absolute array of shops, bars and restaurants. It even boasts its own shopping mall.
Set in an incredible building the station is also located within one of the most attractive cities on the continent.
The European Commission’s latest report on the quality of life in European cities has also identified Zürich as the top place to live among the 83 cities included in the survey.
According to the report, around 97 percent of Zürich’s residents are satisfied with living in their city.
Pollution is a major problem around the globe as air pollution can increase people’s risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory problems. But data from the team at SmartAir revealed that Zurich also ticks off green credentials as it has the world’s cleanest air.
Many expats who live in Zurich work in the banking or finance sectors. Salaries are generally high although the cost of living in Switzerland is much higher than in the UK. Residents in the Swiss city also enjoy a relatively long life expectancy.