Paris has high speed train connections (TGV) with many European cities through five major international train stations operated mainly by the French National Railway Company (state owned SNCF) and recently, some new private operators (French as well as other European operators).Gare du Nord is linked to United Kingdom (the famous Eurostar, which connects London to Paris in 2 hours 35 minutes), and to Cologne, Brussels and Amsterdam (Thalys). Gare de Lyon, the city’s main station, is linked to Italy, Switzerland, the Alps and the south of France. Gare de l’Est is linked to Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the east of France. Gare Montparnasse is linked to Spain and the south west of France.Gare d’Austerlitz is liked to Spain and central France.