Few rides define the skyline of Europa-Park in Rust as much as the Silver Star. At 73 meters tall, the silver steel giant towers far above the roofs of the themed areas and is visible even from the A5 motorway. For over two decades, this roller coaster has been delivering thrills – and since the 2026 season, it has been integrated into a completely new themed area. We'll take you on a journey through the history, technology, and new experience surrounding one of Europe's most famous roller coasters.
The story of Silver Star: A milestone for Europa-Park
On March 23, 2002, after nine months of construction, Silver Star opened its doors and immediately became the largest and fastest steel roller coaster in Europe. The ride was designed by the Swiss specialist Bolliger & Mabillard , one of the world's most renowned roller coaster manufacturers, in close collaboration with Mack Rides – the Mack family company, which also owns Europa-Park. For Bolliger & Mabillard, it was their first roller coaster installation in Germany.
Its name is no coincidence: The "Silver Star" refers to the silver Mercedes star, as the ride has been closely linked to the car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz from the very beginning. Mercedes originally even wanted to call the roller coaster "Silver Arrow," but Europa-Park opted for the now world-famous name Silver Star.
More than 20 years after its opening, Silver Star remains among the very best: Together with "Schwur des Kärnan" at Hansa-Park, it is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Germany and ranks fourth in Europe behind Red Force and Shambhala (both at PortAventura) and Hyperion in Poland. It's no wonder that Europa-Park has repeatedly been named the best theme park in the world by the US trade magazine Amusement Today's "Golden Ticket Award" in recent years.
Even at its opening in 2002, Silver Star represented a technological quantum leap for Europa-Park: For the first time, the park boasted a roller coaster that could compete with the biggest attractions in international theme parks. Worldwide, Silver Star is the fourth so-called B&M speed coaster with this track layout – a concept that manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard had previously implemented successfully in the USA. A special feature is that each row of seats in the trains accommodates four people side-by-side, further enhancing the shared riding experience.
Impressive technical specifications
The raw numbers clearly demonstrate why the Silver Star is still considered one of the top European roller coasters:
- Height: 73 meters
- Largest fall: 67 meters
- Track length: 1.620 meters
- Maximum speed: up to 127 km/h
- Maximum centrifugal force: 4 g
- Travel time with weightlessness sensation: approximately 20 seconds at −0,2 g
- Vehicles: 3 trains, each with 36 seats
- Theoretical transport capacity: up to 1.750 people per hour
- Minimum height: 140 centimeters
The Silver Star is categorized as a "Hyper Coaster" – a roller coaster whose height exceeds 61 meters.
The journey: What to expect on the Silver Star
After ascending via the chain lift, the Silver Star ride immediately plunges you into the full-throttle action: The first drop, 67 meters deep, catapults you along the track at speeds of up to 127 km/h. This is followed by several camelbacks – hills at the crests of which you experience a brief sensation of weightlessness. In total, you'll experience this gentle negative acceleration for almost 20 seconds along the 1.620-meter-long ride, before an S-curve with a photo opportunity marks the end of the final section.
Typical of Bolliger & Mabillard are the comfortable individual seats with armrests and lap bars, as well as the so-called side-friction wheels, which ensure a particularly smooth and comfortable ride. Although the coaster is impressively high and fast, it deliberately avoids loops or inversions – making Silver Star a roller coaster that skillfully combines thrills and family-friendliness. Those who want to get a feel for larger coasters will find this an ideal introduction before, for example, riding the Blue Fire Megacoaster.
New from season 2026: The Silver Star in the Monaco themed area
With the start of the 2026 season, Europa-Park opened its 18th European themed area: Monaco . A completely new Mediterranean ambiance, inspired by the glamour of the principality and the legendary Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, was created around the Silver Star and the former Mercedes-Benz Hall, which will henceforth be known as the "Silver Star Hall".
The waiting area has been completely redesigned: A top-class fleet of racing cars, including loans from the private collection of Prince Albert II of Monaco, awaits guests, as does an original racing suit worn by Monegasque Formula 1 runner-up Charles Leclerc. An interactive, digital aquarium offers insights into the depths of the Mediterranean, and racing simulators allow visitors of all ages to experience virtual Grand Prix circuits. The Silver Star station itself also boasts a fresh design to match the new motorsport theme, before the ride takes place at speeds of up to 127 km/h.
For a complete overview of all 18 themed worlds – from Germany to Iceland to the new Monaco – please see our comprehensive guide to the themed areas at Europa-Park.
Silver Star in comparison: The major roller coasters of Europa-Park
Europa-Park is one of the world's most roller coaster-rich parks, and Silver Star tops the internal ranking in terms of height. Following behind are the Blue Fire Megacoaster in the Icelandic-themed area, the launch coaster Voltron Nevera powered by Rimac, and the wooden roller coaster Wodan – Timburcoaster, also located in the Icelandic area. Even the water coaster Atlantica SuperSplash, at 30 meters high, ranks among the park's five tallest rides. So, if you're looking for more thrills after Silver Star, you'll find several options nearby.
Unlike launch roller coasters with their explosive start, the Silver Star relies on the classic chain lift ascent – a deliberately chosen contrast that further increases the tension before the first big fall.
Curious facts about the Silver Star
Since its opening in 2002, operator Harald Gäckle has been a permanent member of the team at the station. He specifically switched from the Eurosat roller coaster to the newly built Silver Star because he was fascinated by the then-unique ride experience in Europe – a move he has never regretted. In 2022, the roller coaster celebrated its 20th anniversary, and according to the operating team, the technology still runs as reliably as on day one.
The naming of the ride is also a little story in itself: Originally, at the request of Mercedes-Benz, the ride was to be called "Silver Arrow," in reference to the brand's legendary racing cars. However, Europa-Park opted for the name Silver Star, which has stuck to this day – even after the Mercedes partnership ended during the redesign of the Monaco 2026 themed area.
Who is the Silver Star suitable for?
Due to its minimum height requirement of 140 centimeters, the Silver Star is primarily suited for older children, teenagers, and adults. Since the ride has no loops and, thanks to the smooth B&M ride technology, is surprisingly gentle, it's ideal for anyone wanting to experience a large roller coaster for the first time. Families with younger children can find an overview of suitable rides for even the youngest visitors in our Europa-Park attraction height guide .
Practical tips for your visit
Since the Silver Star is one of the most popular attractions in the park, longer waiting times can occur at the station, especially during peak season. The most relaxed way to ride is right when the park opens or in the evening. You can find more tips on how to generally reduce waiting times in the park in our article " Avoiding Waiting Times at Europa-Park".
Another tip: The waiting area is worthwhile even if you don't plan on riding the roller coaster yourself. Since it's part of the Monaco themed area, you can explore the racing car exhibition and the digital aquarium as a visitor without having to wait in line for the roller coaster.
Plan your trip well in advance: You can find information on ticket prices in our article Europa-Park Tickets and Prices , and travel tips in our Europa-Park Travel Guide . If you'd like to combine your visit with an overnight stay, you'll find what you're looking for in our comprehensive comparison of Europa-Park hotels.
The Silver Star is therefore much more than just a roller coaster – it's a landmark of Europa-Park and, with the new Monaco themed area, more exciting than ever. Whether for an adrenaline rush, a photo opportunity in the queue, or as an introduction to the world of great roller coasters: a visit is definitely worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Silver Star
How tall is the Silver Star at Europa-Park?
The Silver Star is 73 meters high, making it one of the tallest roller coasters in Europe.
How fast does the Silver Star go?
The roller coaster reaches a top speed of up to 127 km/h.
What is the minimum height required for the Silver Star?
Guests must be at least 140 centimeters tall to ride along.
Does the Silver Star have loops?
No. Despite its impressive height and speed, the Silver Star deliberately avoids loops or flips and is therefore considered relatively family-friendly.
