Do trains in Europe have wifi & power sockets?

Train wifi and power socket availability varies widely across European trains. There is no standard network so coverage, reliability and cost will vary.

The most reliable way to use the internet while travelling is to take a dongle for mobile broadband or use your smartphone as a modem and connect your phone to your laptop. Just make sure you check the associated roaming costs so you don't get a nasty surprise when you get home. 

IN THIS ARTICLE

Eurostar

  • Wifi on board?: Yes.
  • Railway station wifi? Yes*
  • Cost: Free on board applicable trains and at London St. Pancras and in First Class lounges.
  • Power Sockets: UK and European power sockets are available at every seat on newer trains. USB sockets are available in Business and Standard Premier on these trains. Older trains have UK and European power sockets in coaches 5, 14, and all Business Premier and Standard Premier coaches. 
  • Travelling between Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Germany : Our continental trains have individual electrical outlets to charge your phones, computers and other devices.
  • Travelling to and from London : We have UK and European power sockets at every seat on our trains. We also have USB sockets in Standard Premier and Business Premier.

*You can access Wifi from many stations. First Class & Business travellers can access this for free, Standard Class passengers will incur varying costs. St. Pancras station has free Wifi enabled for everyone, business and departure lounges included.

TGV

  • Wifi on board?: Wifi is currently available for free on the TGV on many routes.
  • Railway station wifi? Lots of stations are wifi-enabled but with varying availability and costs.
  • Cost: Usually free. Travellers need to enter their ticket number to access TGV Connect. Data limits apply. 
  • Power Sockets: All First Class and most Second Class seats have power-points for laptops & mobiles with European-style two-pin sockets.

ICE

  • Wifi on board?: Yes 
  • Railway station wifi? Sometimes, via Deutsche Telekom.
  • Cost: Free in all classes. It is also free in the First Class lounges of some stations. Second class has data limits.
  • Power sockets:  Yes