TrainAtlas
"Train tracking" means two completely different things, and most "best apps" lists quietly mix them up. Some people want to track the trains they have already taken - a logbook, a map, a record. Others want to track trains live right now - is it late, which platform, where is it. The best app for one is rarely the best app for the other.
So this guide splits them cleanly. Below are useful apps in 2026 for logging your rail history, following trains live, and combining those jobs. Third-party plans and features change, so the comparison was reviewed on 18 July 2026 and links to their sites are the best source for their latest details.
First, which kind of tracking do you mean?
- Tracking trips you have taken - logging journeys, drawing them on a map, building stats and a sense of collection over months and years.
- Tracking trains live - real-time departure times, delays, platforms and running position for a service you are about to catch.
Pick your camp, then jump to the right section. If you want both in one place, skip to the app that does both.
Best apps for logging the trains you have taken
1. TrainAtlas - a strong choice for iPhone users. A native iOS app built for logging on the move. Each trip snaps to the actual track rather than a straight line, it adds live delays and platforms from 30+ operators, and it turns your travels into an Atlas Passport with Map Replay, 90+ achievements and share cards. Everything stays on your device with no account. If you want a private record on iPhone, it is built for that use.
2. Trainlog - for multiple travel modes. An online travel diary for trains, buses, ferries and flights that plots journeys on a map and includes global leaderboards. Logging is primarily manual, with selected imports available. It is a useful option when you want one record across several modes of travel.
3. Viaduct - for network-coverage statistics. A web tracker that draws European routes and shows how much of a country's railway you have ridden in percent and kilometres. It imports from Rail Planner, CSV and Träwelling, and documents train and ferry trips. Its core product is free, with optional Patron features.
4. Träwelling - best free, open-source option. A community "check in to your train" service with a lightweight, social feel. It is free and open-source, and a nice way to share status, but it is a check-in tool rather than a polished personal atlas.
Track every train you take.
On your iPhone, along real track geometry.
Best apps for tracking trains live
For live running, the honest answer is that the best app depends on where you are. Official operator apps are often the best source for their own network's live information.
- DB Navigator - DB's official app for trip planning, tickets, travel notifications and real-time journey information.
- National Rail and Trainline - National Rail offers Live Trains, disruption information and journey alerts in Great Britain. Trainline is a separate booking and travel-information option.
- Realtime Trains - a detailed UK-focused service with train-specific running, location or progress, and platform information where available.
- SNCF Connect - SNCF's app for booking, real-time traffic information and alerts in France.
- Rail Planner (Interrail/Eurail) - useful for offline timetables and trip planning. Live updates are available for some carriers when online.
- Your operator's own app - for a specific journey, also check the relevant operator's app or website and the station boards for late changes.
Cross-border trips can require checking more than one source, especially when live data differs by operator.
"The best live app is whichever country you happen to be standing in."
The app that bridges both
TrainAtlas is built to keep your rail history and show live status for supported operators in one place. The trips you log carry a live layer of delays and platforms drawn from 30+ operators, and your current journey can appear on the lock screen and Dynamic Island while you travel. For a focused head-to-head guide to recording past rail journeys, read our TrainAtlas vs Trainlog vs Viaduct comparison. For independent country-level delay trends, visit the weekly delay reports.
Quick comparison: the logging apps
| TrainAtlas | Trainlog | Viaduct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Native iOS | Web | Web |
| How you log | Journey logging + real track geometry | Primarily manual, selected imports | Timetable + manual |
| Live delays & platforms | Yes, 30+ operators | Check current coverage | Check current coverage |
| Map replay | Yes | Check current features | Check current features |
| Network coverage % | Not yet | Per country | Percent + km |
| Other modes | Train | Train, bus, ferry, air | Train + ferry trips |
How to choose
| Pick | If you… |
|---|---|
| TrainAtlas | want an iPhone logbook, accurate routes, a live layer and a private passport in one app. |
| Trainlog | want one diary for trains, buses, ferries and flights. |
| Viaduct | want web-based coverage statistics showing how much of each network you have ridden. |
| DB Navigator | need planning and real-time journey information from DB's official app. |
| National Rail / Realtime Trains | are travelling in Great Britain and want live running and platforms. |
There is no single "best train app" - there is the best app for logging, the best for live running in each country, and the one that pulls both together. If that last one sounds like what you want, TrainAtlas is available now on the App Store.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app to track the trains you have taken?
For logging rail history on a map, TrainAtlas is a strong native iPhone option - it snaps each trip to real track, adds live delays and platforms, and builds a passport. Trainlog and Viaduct are web-based alternatives with different strengths.
What is the best app for live train times and delays?
It depends where you are: DB Navigator is useful for trip planning and real-time journey information, National Rail provides live and disruption information in Great Britain, Realtime Trains is a detailed UK-focused service, and SNCF Connect provides real-time traffic information and alerts in France. TrainAtlas adds a live layer across 30+ operators tied to the trips you take.
Is there a free train-tracking app?
TrainAtlas is free on the App Store. Träwelling is free and open source. Check Trainlog, Viaduct and operator apps directly for their current plans and feature tiers.
What is the best train app for Interrail?
The official Rail Planner app is essential for offline timetables on a pass. To map and remember the trip afterwards, TrainAtlas logs every train along real track and turns it into a shareable passport.