Montenegro could become a key part of one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in Europe’s history – a superfast rail network that is expected to connect nearly the entire continent by 2040. According to a map presented by the Danish think-tank 21st Europe, Podgorica is located on one of the main routes of this futuristic railway network, called Starline.
Montenegro is situated along the red line B route (Lisbon – Kyiv), which would connect southwest and eastern Europe. The route runs from Lisbon, through Madrid, Barcelona, Marseille, Rome, Tirana and Podgorica, before continuing to Belgrade, Bucharest, Chișinău and ending in Kyiv.
This effectively means that Montenegro would be directly connected to key European metropolises such as Madrid, Rome, Belgrade and Kyiv – all via high-speed trains capable of reaching speeds of up to 400 km/h.
For Montenegro, such a network would not only represent a major infrastructure leap but also a potential economic, tourist, and strategic transformation. Being integrated into Europe’s high-speed network would place the country in a new position in terms of connectivity, mobility, and integration into broader European flows.
If the Starline network’s vision comes to fruition by 2040, as planned, Montenegro could have one of the most modern railway connections in Europe – for the first time in its history.
Starline – An ambitious plan for a “Metro Network” of high-speed trains across Europe
The Starline vision aims to reshape existing railway infrastructure, describing it as “fragmented, uneven, and often slow,” offering ultra-fast connections that would compete with air travel.
“A truly integrated railway system is no longer just a matter of comfort; it is a strategic necessity for Europe’s resilience in the 21st century,” states the document.
Designed like a metro system, Starline seeks to change the perception of Europeans – not as a collection of distant countries, but as one fast, interconnected network.
Traveling from Helsinki to Berlin in five hours
The planned 22,000-kilometer network will connect 39 destinations, including the UK, Turkey, and Ukraine. Trains will travel at speeds of 300 to 400 km/h, meaning that the trip from Helsinki to Berlin would take just over five hours – significantly shorter than the current full-day journey.
Passengers will not be divided into classes but into “need zones” – quiet areas for work, family sections, and more. Trains will have a distinctive dark blue design, and stations will be built outside major cities with direct links to urban transport.
The plan is for these stations to become urban cultural hubs – featuring restaurants, shops, concert halls, museums, and sports facilities.
Competing with air travel and supporting climate goals
21st Europe believes Starline has the potential to become a crucial tool in achieving the EU’s climate goals. In 2022, transport was responsible for about 29% of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. High-speed rail, they note, emits up to 90% less CO₂ per journey compared to short flights.
While some countries, such as France and Austria, have already limited flights on routes with good rail alternatives, the real effect can only be achieved with a continental approach.
“A decisive shift to high-speed rail may be Europe’s best chance to meet the 2050 zero-emission goal – while keeping mobility fast and accessible,” the think-tank argues.
Publicly funded, EU-supervised system
To turn this vision into reality, 21st Europe proposes a publicly funded model where national railway companies would manage the lines through a franchise system. Central coordination would be handled by a new European Railway Agency (ERA) within the EU, which would oversee technical standards, interoperability, and long-term network development.
The workforce – from train operators to station staff – would be trained according to unified European standards to ensure consistency across the network.
Although highly ambitious, the project has a clear timeline: the goal is for Starline to be operational by 2040.
“We are now beginning to build the network to drive real change – bringing decision-makers, designers, and industry leaders together to turn this vision into reality,” concludes the think-tank.
