One of my all-time favourite maps

Back-on-Track is a European network of volunteers campaigning for the expansion of better, more affordable night train services across Europe.

You can get a copy of their latest map here: https://back-on-track.eu/night-train-map/

#Eurail #Interrail #railway #passengerrail #trains #maps #Europe

Major connections are shown in rounded squares or circles, with a larger size indicating more connection opportunities.

Each connection is labelled in a pleasant sans-serif font in their respective native languages. A romanized version of a destination's name is provided beside and inferior to the original non-Latin script (i.e. София/Sofia, Αθήνα/Athína).

Service frequency is delineated by line weight and style, with heavy solid lines indicating daily service while lighter dotted lines indicate weekly or seasonal service. Future services that are under development and planned to open later this year (ojalá) are shown as well. The lightest dots indicate seat-only connecting services, such as the connection between Lyon and Torino. The map even shows a handful of long-distance ferry services, such as those between Stockholm and Helsinki.

The landmass of Europe and North Africa contrast well against a much darker ocean, with gaticules at the 30th, 45th, and 60th parallels for reference.

Member states of the Interrail/Eurail program, an international rail pass available to European and non-European residents (respectively), are shown in a slightly lighter shade of blue than non-member states.

Somehow, all this helpful information is displayed both legibly and elegantly. Aesthetically, it's one of my all-time favourite maps.

As a North American, I envy Europe. The fluid connectivity between to many countries to so many far-flung places across the continent is something I can only dream of. I can't even take the train to the country next door (Mexico) without transferring to a long-distance bus. Heck, I can't even visit San José from Los Angeles without taking a 10 hour train ride that meanders along the coast and through the mountains. One way. For US$124... This is why we fly.

Maybe one day we'll catch up. Ojalá.

If I could take the train to #Ensenada or even just #Tijuana and back in a reasonable amount of time and at a reasonable price, I would single-handedly double the #BajaCalifornia economy with the amount of fish #tacos and #birria I would consume. 🥴

@amayasnep yeah i love this map <3
it’s been in my bookmarks folder for a while now, they nailed the color palette. it’s just relaxing to look at. makes me a bit sleepy, even. great advertising for night trains :3

(they have a weird pdf viewer, direct download is here)

RE: https://meow.social/users/amayasnep/statuses/110776327591539070

@amayasnep just realised something! the connecting stations show which trains pass through with lines in the square. but it's so faint i didn't notice it until now.

@username9431 yeah! A neat design choice.