The Short Answer
Yes, you can drink alcohol on most European trains.
And not just secretly-sipping-from-a-paper-bag drinking. We’re talking openly enjoying a bottle of wine with your travel companion, cracking a beer while watching the countryside roll by, or sipping prosecco to celebrate the start of your vacation.
For Americans used to strict open container laws, this feels almost rebellious. But in Europe? It’s completely normal. Nobody will stare. Nobody will call the conductor. You’re just… a person enjoying a drink on a train.
Welcome to European train culture.
The Cultural Shift
In most of the United States, drinking in public spaces is illegal or heavily restricted. Open containers on public transit? That’s a ticket—or worse.
Europe operates differently. Trains are considered semi-private spaces, and moderate alcohol consumption is socially accepted (and often expected) on longer journeys. Many trains even have bar cars selling beer, wine, and cocktails.
That said, rules vary by country and operator. Let’s break down what you need to know.
General Rules Across Europe
Where drinking is generally allowed:
- 🇩🇪 Germany (Deutsche Bahn): Yes. Beer on trains is practically a national pastime. ICE trains have dining cars serving alcohol.
- 🇦🇹 Austria (ÖBB): Yes. Bar service available on Railjet trains.
- 🇮🇹 Italy (Trenitalia/Italo): Yes. Enjoy that Aperol Spritz.
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland (SBB): Yes. Wine with your Alpine views? Absolutely.
- 🇪🇸 Spain (Renfe): Yes. Café cars serve alcohol on long-distance trains.
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands (NS): Yes, though it’s less common culturally.
- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic: Yes. Czech beer culture extends to trains.
The universal rule: Drink responsibly. Being visibly intoxicated or disruptive can get you removed from any train, anywhere.
Eurostar Rules
Eurostar—the high-speed train connecting London with Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam—has specific alcohol policies worth knowing.
Can You Bring Your Own Alcohol?
Yes, but with limits.
Eurostar allows passengers to bring alcohol on board for personal consumption. However, they reserve the right to refuse service or confiscate alcohol if passengers are intoxicated or disruptive.
Can You Buy Alcohol on Board?
Yes. Eurostar has a bar car (Café Métropole) selling:
- Beer
- Wine
- Champagne
- Spirits and cocktails
Standard class passengers can visit the bar car. Business Premier passengers get complimentary drinks (including alcohol) served at their seats.
Important Notes
- No glass bottles are permitted in some classes—you may be asked to transfer drinks to plastic cups
- Pre-departure drinking: London St Pancras has champagne bars and pubs in the departure lounge—take advantage
- Don’t overdo it. Staff can refuse boarding to visibly intoxicated passengers
The Vibe
Eurostar leans upscale. A glass of champagne to celebrate your Paris trip? Très chic. Shotgunning beers with your rugby squad? You might get looks.
TGV (France) Rules
France’s high-speed TGV trains are operated by SNCF, and the French relationship with alcohol is… relaxed.
Can You Bring Your Own Alcohol?
Yes. There’s no rule against bringing wine, beer, or other drinks aboard. Many French travelers pack a picnic—cheese, bread, charcuterie, and yes, wine—for longer journeys.
This is not only allowed but culturally encouraged. You’re in France.
Can You Buy Alcohol on Board?
Yes. TGV trains have a bar car (called the “Bar TGV” or restaurant car on some services) selling:
- French wines
- Beer
- Soft drinks and coffee
- Snacks and light meals
First-class passengers on certain routes may receive complimentary drinks.
Important Notes
- No restrictions on glass bottles (unlike Eurostar), but be careful with breakage on a moving train
- Recycling: Dispose of bottles properly—the French take environmental responsibility seriously
- Restaurant cars: Some TGVs have actual sit-down dining with full wine menus
The Vibe
The TGV feels like an extension of French café culture. A solo traveler quietly enjoying a half-bottle of Bordeaux with a book? No one bats an eye. A French family sharing wine with lunch? Standard Tuesday.
Just don’t be the loud tourist who treats the quiet car like a frat party.
Quick Comparison: Eurostar vs. TGV
| Rule | Eurostar | TGV (SNCF) |
|---|---|---|
| Bring your own alcohol? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Buy alcohol on board? | ✅ Yes (bar car) | ✅ Yes (bar car) |
| Glass bottles allowed? | ⚠️ Sometimes restricted | ✅ Generally yes |
| Complimentary drinks? | Business Premier only | First class (some routes) |
| Drinking culture | Upscale, moderate | Relaxed, café-style |
Practical Tips for Drinking on European Trains
What to Bring
- Wine: Grab a bottle (and a corkscrew!) from a local shop. French supermarket wine is excellent and cheap.
- Beer: Cans are easier than bottles on a moving train. Less breakage risk.
- Plastic cups: Not required, but useful if you’re sharing wine and want to feel civilized.
- Snacks: Drinking on an empty stomach + train motion = bad idea. Pack cheese, crackers, or sandwiches.
Etiquette Do’s and Don’ts
✅ Do enjoy a drink or two quietly with your travel companions
✅ Do offer to share if you make eye contact with friendly seatmates (very European)
✅ Do dispose of bottles and cans properly
✅ Do keep volume down, especially in quiet cars
❌ Don’t get visibly drunk—you can be removed at the next station
❌ Don’t bring hard liquor and take shots (technically allowed but socially weird)
❌ Don’t spill red wine on the seats (obvious, but worth saying)
❌ Don’t drink in first-class lounges if it’s not provided (check the rules)
Money-Saving Tip
Train bar car prices are marked up significantly. A beer that costs €2 at a station kiosk might be €5 on board. Same with wine.
Stock up before boarding. Every major European train station has convenience stores, supermarkets, or bars where you can grab drinks at normal prices.
Where Drinking Is Restricted
A few exceptions to know:
- UK domestic trains: Rules vary by operator. Some restrict alcohol during certain events (football matches) or on specific routes. ScotRail banned alcohol entirely in 2020.
- Swedish trains (SJ): Alcohol consumption is restricted to the dining car only. You can’t drink your own alcohol at your seat.
- Some regional/commuter trains: Local trains in various countries may discourage or prohibit alcohol, especially during rush hours. Use common sense.
When in doubt, observe what locals are doing. If no one else is drinking, maybe hold off.
The Bottom Line
For Americans, drinking on trains feels like getting away with something. For Europeans, it’s just… traveling.
Pack a bottle of wine. Grab some local beer at the station. Settle into your seat, watch the scenery slide by, and toast to your adventure.
Just remember: the goal is “pleasantly enjoying the journey,” not “removed from the train in Stuttgart.”
Prost, santé, salute—and happy travels.
Pro tip: If you’re taking the TGV through wine country (Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne), buy a local bottle at your departure station. Drinking regional wine while rolling through the vineyards where it was made? That’s peak European train travel.
