Editing Transport in Luxembourg

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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
'''Transport in Luxembourg''' is ensured principally by road, rail and air. There are also services along the river [[Moselle]] which forms the border with [[Germany]]. The road network has been significantly modernised in recent years with motorways to adjacent countries. The advent of the high-speed [[TGV]] link to [[Paris]] has led to renovation of the capital's main [[Luxembourg railway station|railway station]] while a new [[Schengen Area|Schengen]]-only passenger terminal at [[Luxembourg Airport]] opened in 2017. [[Tram]]s in the capital were reintroduced in December 2017 and there are plans for [[light-rail]] and/or [[tram-train]] lines in adjacent areas.

All public transport in Luxembourg (buses, trams, and trains) has been [[Free public transport|free to use]] since 29 February 2020, as part of a larger mobility experiment with goals to increase walking for short trips, increase bicycling, and increase the transit ridership sharply as the network is enlarged and service frequency is increased.<ref>{{cite news |date= 29 February 2020 |title= Luxembourg becomes first country with free public transport |url= https://www.france24.com/en/20200229-luxembourg-becomes-first-country-with-free-public-transport |work= France 24 |location= Luxembourg |access-date= 10 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date= 29 February 2020 |title= Luxembourg makes public transport free |url= https://www.dw.com/en/luxembourg-makes-public-transport-free/a-52582998 |work= Deutsche Welle (DW) |access-date= 10 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= Kirby |first= Paul |date= 29 February 2020 |title= Free transport in Luxembourg, but what's the cost? |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-51657085 |work= BBC News |access-date= 10 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= Abnett |first= Kate |date= 29 February 2020 |title= Luxembourg becomes first country to make public transport free |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-luxembourg-politics-transportation-idUSKBN20N0RX |work= Reuters|location= Luxembourg |access-date= 10 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= Calder |first= Simon |date= 29 February 2020 |title='Like the first step on the moon': Luxembourg makes history as first country with free public transport |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/luxembourg-free-travel-train-bus-tram-public-transport-rail-fares-ticket-a9366226.html |work=The Independent |access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jgtr/5/2/5_161/_pdf |title=Reinventing public transport system in Luxembourg and its implications for foreign tourists |first=Toshihiko |last=Shi |journal= Journal of Global Tourism Research |volume=5 |number=2 |year=2020 |pages=161–166|doi=10.37020/jgtr.5.2_161 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

[[File:Luxembourg - CFL network 2025 EN.svg|thumb|right|Current cross-border railway network, connecting Luxembourg City with Luxembourg's neighbouring countries, north (Belgium) – south (France) and east (Germany) – west (France)<ref>[[:File:Luxembourg.png]]</ref>]]

== Railways ==
{{See also|History of rail transport in Luxembourg}}
Operated by [[Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois]] (CFL), Luxembourg's railways form the backbone of the country's public transport network, linking the most important towns. The total length of operational ([[standard gauge]]) track is {{Cvt|274|km}}, though it was some {{Cvt|550|km}} at the end of the [[Second World War]]. There are regular services from [[Luxembourg railway station|Luxembourg City]] to [[Ettelbruck]], [[Esch-sur-Alzette]], [[Wasserbillig]] and [[Kleinbettingen]] while international routes extend to [[Trier]], [[Koblenz]], [[Brussels]], [[Liège]], [[Metz]] and [[Nancy, France|Nancy]].<ref>[http://www.gouvernement.lu/tout_savoir/geographie/trans.html Les transports en commun au Grand-Duché]. Retrieved 3 March 2009.</ref>

The railway network links into [[Transportation in Belgium|Belgium]], [[Transportation in Germany|Germany]] and [[Transportation in France|France]]. Some of the cross-border services are run by CFL, others by [[SNCF]], [[National Railway Company of Belgium|NMBS/SNCB]] and [[Deutsche Bahn|DB]].

There is now a frequent [[TGV|high-speed]] connection to [[Paris]] via the [[LGV Est]] line. [[EuroCap-Rail]] is a proposed high-speed axis connecting Brussels, Luxembourg (city), and Strasbourg.

== Roads ==
===Road network===
[[File:A7 between Luxembourg and Ettelbrück.jpg|thumb|Luxembourg's A7 motorway]]
The six [[List of motorways in Luxembourg|Luxembourg motorways]] cover a total distance of {{Cvt|165|km}}, linking the capital with [[Trier]] (Germany), [[Thionville]] (France) and [[Arlon]] (Belgium) as well as with [[Esch-sur-Alzette]] and [[Ettelbruck]] in Luxembourg. Luxembourg's motorways are toll free. The speed limit is normally {{Cvt|130|km/h}}, {{Cvt|110|km/h}} in rainy weather. With {{Cvt|56.8|km}} of motorway per {{Cvt|1000|km2}}, Luxembourg probably now has the highest density of motorways in [[Europe]].<ref>[http://www.autostrade.it/en/studi/dossier3.html Autostrade in Europe - Data updated to 1 January 2003] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080825005204/http://www.autostrade.it/en/studi/dossier3.html |date=25 August 2008 }}. Retrieved 4 March 2009.</ref>

Luxembourg City is a major business and financial center. Many workers prefer to live in the three neighboring countries and drive to work each day. This creates huge traffic jams during peak commuting hours. Tailbacks on the E411 motorway can extend five or more kilometers into Belgium and can take an hour or more to navigate.

The remaining road network in Luxembourg accounts for a total length of {{Cvt|2730|km}}, consisting of {{Cvt|839|km}} of trunk roads (RN or ''routes nationales'') and {{Cvt|1891|km}} of secondary roads (CR or ''chemins repris'').<ref>{{Cite web|title=Routes nationales et Chemins Repris|url=http://travaux.public.lu/fr/reseau-routier/routes.html|access-date=2021-01-04|website=travaux.public.lu|language=fr}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Evaluation of road km<ref>{{Cite web|title=Longueur du réseau routier|url=http://travaux.public.lu/fr/statistiques/longueur-reseau-routier.html|access-date=2021-01-04|website=travaux.public.lu|language=fr}}</ref>
!Year (as of 01.01)
!1990
!1995
!2000
!2008
!2012
!2016
!2017
!2019
|-
|
|[km]
|[km]
|[km]
|[km]
|[km]
|[km]
|[km]
|[km]
|-
|Roads (total)
|2775
|2820
|2863
|2875
|2899
|2908
|2912
|2914
|-
|Trunk roads
|869
|869
|837
|837
|837
|837
|837
|839
|-
|Motorways
|78
|123
|115
|147
|152
|161
|165
|165
|-
|Secondary roads
|1828
|1828
|1911
|1891
|1891
|1891
|1891
|1891
|}

===Bus services===

Comprehensive bus services linking the towns and villages of the [[Grand Duchy of Luxembourg]] are contracted out to private operators by the RGTR (Régime général des transports routiers) under the Ministry of Transport.<ref>[http://www.mobiliteit.lu/mobilite/transports-publics/bus/RGTR.php Les autobus RGTR from Mobilitéits Zentral.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315121328/http://www.mobiliteit.lu/mobilite/transports-publics/bus/RGTR.php |date=15 March 2009 }} Retrieved 4 March 2009.</ref>

[[Luxembourg City]] is served by 250 of its own AVL (Autobus de la Ville de Luxembourg) buses transporting some 40 million passengers per year (2018).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quatre ans pour faire rouler tous les bus de la Ville à l’électricité |url=https://www.lesfrontaliers.lu/mobilite/quatre-ans-pour-faire-rouler-tous-les-bus-de-la-ville-a-lelectricite/#:~:text=Le%20r%C3%A9seau%20de%20bus%20de,bon%20chemin%20pour%20la%20capitale. |last=Jacquemot |first=Patrick |date=2023-05-12 |website=lesfrontaliers.lu |language=fr}}</ref> 170 of these are, as with the RGTR, contracted out to private operators.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Comment Luxembourg-ville compte électrifier tous ses bus |url=https://paperjam.lu/article/comment-luxembourg-ville-compt |last=Obert |first=Mathilde |date=2023-06-05 |website=Paperjam |language=fr}}</ref> Most of these buses are in AVL colors but the owner's name is often mentioned on them in small print. Also, the letters on the license plate can give ownership away to those that know how that system works. There are 31 regular bus routes plus special bus services through the night.

The TICE or Syndicat des Tramways Intercommunaux dans le [[Esch-sur-Alzette (canton)|Canton d’Esch/Alzette]] operates several bus routes. They are centered on the city of Esch-sur-Alzette in the southeast of the country. Most are urban and suburban routes but some extend into the surrounding countryside.<ref>[http://www.tice.lu/Tramways Intercommunaux du Canton d’Esch]. Retrieved 4 March 2009.</ref>

CFL, the Luxembourg railway company, operates some 17 bus routes, mainly serving towns and villages that are no longer served by rail.<ref>[http://www.cfl.lu/CFLInternet/Espaces/01EspaceVoyageurs/06BusCFL/HorairesdeslignesdebusCFL.htm Horaires des lignes de bus CFL.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304173029/http://www.cfl.lu/CFLInternet/Espaces/01EspaceVoyageurs/06BusCFL/HorairesdeslignesdebusCFL.htm |date=4 March 2009 }} Retrieved 4 March 2009.</ref>

A number of smaller cities like Ettelbruck and Wiltz have started their own local services, some of which reach out to nearby villages. These services are not part of the RGTR and national tickets are not always honored.

All transport companies work together under the ''Verkéiersverbond'', which covers all bus, tram, and train routes. Starting from 29 Feb 2020, all public transport was made free throughout the territory of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, funded through general taxation. However first class tickets can still be purchased for use on the trains: a ticket valid for 2 hours is €3, whilst a one-day ticket is €6.

=== Cycling ===
[[File:Veloh 21 03 2008 knuedler.jpg|thumb|Veloh bike sharing Luxemburg]]
In the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the [[EV5 Via Romea Francigena]] runs {{convert|107|km|abbr=on}} and follows a network of dedicated cycle paths from the Belgian border, through to its cliff-top capital city, and towards the French and German borders at Schengen. The EV5 follows the following national routes in Luxembourg: PC18, PC17, PC12, PC13, the Luxembourg-City route no. 10, PC1, PC11, PC7 and PC3.

In Luxembourg, the EV5 goes through [[Strassen, Luxembourg|Strassen]], [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]], [[Hesperange]] and [[Schengen, Luxembourg|Schengen]]. It then passes through back to France.

==Trams==
{{Main|Trams in Luxembourg}}
Luxembourg City's historic [[tram]]way network closed in 1964 as part of a general decline of trams across Europe, but the city [[Trams in Luxembourg#Contemporary and future usage|reintroduced]] trams at the end of 2017 with the construction of a new tram line (T1) opening in a phased approach. The final leg opened in March 2025. The line connects Luxembourg Airport to the EU institutions on the [[Kirchberg, Luxembourg|Kirchberg plateau]], the [[Ville Haute|city centre]], [[Luxembourg railway station|Luxembourg Station]], the new [[Gasperich|Cloche d'Or]] business district and [[Stade de Luxembourg|national stadium]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lemaire |first1=Christophe |title=Tram takes first passengers to Luxembourg Airport |url=https://www.luxtimes.lu/luxembourg/tram-takes-first-passengers-to-luxembourg-airport/46740272.html |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=Luxembourg Times |date=9 March 2025}}</ref> Additional lines are foreseen, both in Luxembourg City, and extending to [[Esch-sur-Alzette]] as part of Luxembourg's National Mobility Plan 2035.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 April 2023 |title=Brochure : PNM 2035 - National mobility plan |url=https://transports.public.lu/fr/publications/strategie/pnm-2035-brochure/pnm-2035-brochure-en.html |access-date=23 October 2023 |website=transports.public.lu |language=en}}</ref>

== Water ==
The river Moselle forms a {{Cvt|42|km}} natural border between Luxembourg and [[Germany]] in the southeast of the country. In the summer months, the Princess Marie-Astrid and a few other tourist boats operate regular services along the river.<ref>[http://www.moselle-tourist.lu/bateau/FR/horaires.php MS Princesse Marie-Astrid. Entente Touristique de la Moselle.] Retrieved 4 March 2009.</ref>

[[Mertert]] near [[Grevenmacher]] on the Moselle is Luxembourg's only commercial port. With two quays covering a total length of {{Cvt|1.6|km}}, it offers facilities connecting river, road and rail transport. It is used principally for coal, steel, oil, agricultural goods and building materials.<ref>[http://www.mt.public.lu/transports/navigation_fluviale/port_mertert/index.html Le Port de Mertert from Ministère des Transports]. Retrieved 4 March 2009.</ref> In 2016, the port handled 1.2 million tonnes of cargo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-businessreport.com/article/the-port-of-mertert-is-connecting-with-the-transport-hub-at-bettembourg/ |title="The Port of Mertert is connecting with the transport hub at Bettembourg" |publisher=The Business Report  |date=22 January 2018 |access-date=22 January 2018}}</ref>

[[File:L-Remich6.JPG|thumb|Moselle tourist boats at [[Remich]]]]

== Air ==
[[Luxembourg Airport]] at [[Findel, Luxembourg|Findel]], some {{Cvt|6|km}} to the north of the city, is Luxembourg's only commercial airport. Thanks to its long runway (4,000 m), even large types of aircraft are able to use its facilities.<ref>[http://www.mt.public.lu/transports/aviation/index.html Aviation from Ministère des Transports]. Retrieved 4 March 2009.</ref>

[[File:Luxembourg-Findel International Airport.jpg|thumb|Luxembourg airport]]

[[Luxair]], Luxembourg's international airline, and [[Cargolux]], a cargo-only airline, operates out of the airport. In 2008, the airport ranked as Europe's 5th largest and the world's 23rd by cargo tonnage.<ref>[http://www.aci.aero/cda/aci_common/display/main/aci_content07_c.jsp?zn=aci&cp=1-5-54-4819_666_2 Cargo Traffic 2007 FINAL from Airports Council International]. Retrieved 4 March 2009.</ref>

[[Luxair]] has regular passenger services to 20 European destinations and operates tourist flights to 17 more.<ref>[http://viewer.zmags.com/showmag.php?mid=wwrsfd#/page0/ Luxair Winter Timetable 2008/2009]. Retrieved 4 March 2009.</ref> Other airlines operating flights to and from Luxembourg include [[British Airways]], [[KLM]], [[Scandinavian Airlines]], [[Swiss Global Air Lines]], and [[TAP Portugal]].

A large new airport terminal building was opened in 2008 with more modern facilities, including an underground carpark.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Luxembourg Airport|url=https://www.lux-airport.lu/corporate/the-company/our-story/|website=Luxembourg Airport}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Parking|url=https://www.lux-airport.lu/passengers-visitors/parking/|website=Luxembourg Airport}}</ref> In order to accommodate anticipated growth in travel within the [[Schengen Area]], in 2016 an abandoned terminal was renovated to handle low-capacity and regional flights.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Terminal B, Luxembourg International Airport |url=https://www.airport-technology.com/projects/terminal-b-luxembourg-international-airport/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Airport Technology |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Pipelines ==
The trunk natural gas pipelines in Luxembourg have a total length of {{Cvt|155|km}} (2007).<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/luxembourg/ CIA World Factbook - Luxembourg]. Retrieved 4 March 2009.</ref>

[[Russia]] and [[Norway]] are the main producers. The Luxembourg network is connected to [[Germany]], [[France]] and [[Belgium]].<ref>[http://www.erdgas.lu/mmp/online/website/content/info/28/index_FR.html Infos gaz naturel - Au Luxembourg from Erdgas]. Retrieved 4 March 2009.</ref>

== Merchant navy ==
[[File:Luxembourg-Moselle near Ehnen 29ASD.jpg|thumb|MS Princesse Marie-Astrid on the river [[Moselle]] near [[Ehnen]]]]

Luxembourg has 150 vessels in its [[merchant navy]]. These include 4 [[bulk carriers]], 1 [[container ship]], 21 general cargo ships, 3 [[oil tankers]], and 121 others.<ref>{{cite web |title=Luxembourg |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/luxembourg/#transportation |website=[[The World Factbook]] |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |access-date=26 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524110758/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/luxembourg/#transportation |archive-date=2023-05-24 |language=en |date=22 May 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[The Integrated Traffic and Landscape Concept for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg]]
*[[Plug-in electric vehicles in Luxembourg]]
*[[Trams in Luxembourg]]

==References==
{{Commons category|Transport in Luxembourg}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Luxembourg topics}}
{{Transportation in Europe}}

[[Category:Transport in Luxembourg| ]]
[[Category:Free public transport]]