S-Bahn

"S-train" redirects here. For other uses, see S Train (disambiguation).

Schema comparing rapid transit (left) with S-Bahn (right). Note the dual role of the S-Bahn with many branches from the suburbs combining to serve a busy corridor in the central area comparable with a rapid-transit system. The actual layouts vary by city, and several have rapid transit like the right image
Part of Berlin Stadtbahn. The tracks on the right belong to the S-Bahn network and the trains stop at the Hackescher Markt station, while the other two tracks are for other train types, which do not stop at this station.

The S-Bahn (/ˈɛsbɑːn/ ESS-bahn, German: [ˈɛsˌbaːn] ⓘ) is a hybrid urban–suburban rail system serving a metropolitan region predominantly in German-speaking countries. Some of the larger S-Bahn systems provide service similar to rapid transit systems, while smaller ones often resemble commuter or even regional rail systems. The name S-Bahn derives from Schnellbahn (lit. rapid train), Stadtbahn (lit. city train) or Stadtschnellbahn (lit. rapid city train).

Similar systems in Austria and German-speaking Switzerland are known as S-Bahn as well. In Belgium, it is known as S-Trein (Flemish) or Train S (French). In Denmark, they are known as S-tog [ˈesˌtsʰɔˀw], and in the Czech Republic as Esko or S-lines. In Milan, they are known as Linee S.