When Silver Star opened at Europa-Park on March 23, 2002, it instantly became one of the biggest steel coasters on the continent — the tallest ride Bolliger & Mabillard had ever built, and the tallest, fastest, and longest-dropping coaster anywhere in Europe. More than two decades and dozens of newer giants later, it’s still one of the most-ridden hyper coasters in the world thanks to Europa-Park’s massive annual attendance.
This guide covers everything you need before you ride: full stats, what the layout actually feels like, the height and age rules at the gate, how the trains and capacity work, and how Silver Star stacks up against Europa-Park’s other headline coaster, Blue Fire.
Quick Answer
Silver Star is a 73-metre (240 ft) Bolliger & Mabillard hyper coaster at Europa-Park in Rust, Germany, reaching about 127 km/h (79 mph) with zero inversions across a 1,620-metre out-and-back layout of camelback airtime hills. Riders must be at least 140 cm tall and 11 years or older, and the ride sits in the park’s Monaco-themed area.
Key Stats at a Glance
Park: Europa-Park, Rust, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard. Opened: March 23, 2002. Height: 73 m (240 ft). Drop: 67 m (220 ft), at a maximum incline of roughly 68.5 degrees. Top speed: about 127 km/h (79 mph). Length: 1,620 m (5,310 ft). Ride duration: around 3 minutes. Inversions: zero. Max G-force: about 4G in the valleys between hills.
These figures come from Bolliger & Mabillard’s own records and Europa-Park’s official ride page, and they’ve held steady since the coaster’s 2002 debut — the only thing that’s changed is how the numbers rank against newer coasters built elsewhere in Europe.
The Ride Experience
Riders board one of three 36-seat trains — nine cars, four across — inside the covered station before a chain lift hauls them 73 metres up. From the top, the train plunges 67 metres at a steep angle, hits roughly 127 km/h, and launches straight into a long run of camelback hills that deliver strong ejector airtime on every crest and up to 4G in the dips between them.
Beyond the basic hill sequence, the layout includes a sweeping 180-degree horseshoe turn, a climbing 270-degree helix, and an S-bend section where the on-ride photo is taken. Magnetic trim brakes on select crests (which replaced the coaster’s original friction-brake trims) keep the ride smooth without killing the pacing, and the full 1,620-metre course means the train still carries real speed into the final brake run rather than coasting in on fumes.
Height, Age & Restraint Requirements
Per Europa-Park’s official rules, riders must be at least 140 cm (about 4 ft 7 in) tall and 11 years of age or older — Silver Star is one of the few rides at the park where an age minimum is enforced alongside the height rule, not just a height cutoff. Guests under that height cannot ride even with an accompanying adult.
Because of the speed and G-forces involved, Silver Star uses a lap-bar restraint rather than an over-the-shoulder harness, and the bar’s closing angle depends on hip and thigh circumference — riders with a larger build may not be able to close the restraint fully. A test seat is available near the queue so you can check fit before waiting in line. The ride is also off-limits to pregnant guests, standard practice for a hyper coaster in this speed class.
Trains, Capacity & Wait Times
Three 36-passenger trains run simultaneously, giving Silver Star a theoretical hourly capacity of around 1,750 riders — high by coaster standards, but Europa-Park draws heavy crowds, especially on weekends, school holidays, and summer afternoons. Arriving at rope-drop or riding during the last two hours before closing typically means the shortest waits.
Europa-Park’s app shows live wait times for Silver Star and every other major attraction, which is the most reliable way to plan your ride order for the day rather than guessing from historical averages.
Records, History & the Mercedes-Benz Connection
At its 2002 opening, Silver Star swept three titles at once: tallest coaster B&M had ever built, and the tallest and fastest (and longest-dropping) coaster in Europe. Those European marks have since been passed — Ferrari Land’s Red Force in Spain overtook it on height and speed, and Fury 325 at Carowinds in the US later became B&M’s tallest hyper coaster worldwide. Even so, Silver Star remains one of the highest-capacity, most-ridden B&M hypers on the planet simply because of how many people pass through Europa-Park’s gates each year.
The ride’s station was originally branded as the ‘Mercedes-Benz Hall,’ and the Silver Star name itself is a direct reference to the automaker’s three-pointed-star logo — a sponsorship tie-in that was unusual for a European coaster at the time and helped cement the ride’s launch as a major event for the park.
Where Silver Star Sits in Europa-Park Today
Silver Star now stands within Europa-Park’s Monaco-themed area, which reworked the zone around the coaster’s original Mercedes-Benz Hall footprint with French Riviera and Monaco Grand Prix theming. The ride itself — layout, trains, stats — hasn’t changed; it’s the surrounding land and queue presentation that’s been refreshed as the park continues expanding its themed ‘countries’ concept.
Silver Star vs Blue Fire: Which Should You Ride First?
Europa-Park’s two flagship coasters are built for different thrills. Silver Star is the height-and-speed hyper coaster: a tall lift, a steep first drop, and a long string of floater-airtime hills with no inversions. Blue Fire, by Mack Rides, is shorter (38 m) but launches from 0 to 100 km/h in about 2.5 seconds and includes four inversions, trading raw scale for a punchier, more compact launch coaster experience.
If you’re chasing classic out-and-back airtime, ride Silver Star. If you want inversions and launch g-forces packed into a tighter footprint, Blue Fire is the better fit — most visitors end up riding both, since they’re only a short walk apart and rank among the park’s most popular attractions.
Planning Your Visit
Europa-Park sells single-day and multi-day tickets, along with ResortPass annual options, all through its own ticketing system — pricing is tiered by date (standard weekdays vs. peak weekends, holidays, and school breaks), so the same ticket type costs more on busy days. Buying online in advance is generally cheaper than paying at the gate. Opening hours shift seasonally and can vary day to day based on weather and capacity, and the park closes for a short break each winter, so exact hours and current prices should always be confirmed directly with the venue.
For up-to-date hours, ticket prices, and parking rates, check the official Europa-Park tickets page before you go.
Silver Star roller coaster at Europa-Park FAQs
Where is Silver Star located?
Silver Star is located at Europa-Park in Rust, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, within the park’s Monaco-themed area.
Does Silver Star have any inversions?
No. Silver Star is a hyper coaster with zero inversions — its thrills come from height, speed, and a long series of airtime-producing camelback hills.
How fast does Silver Star go?
Silver Star reaches a top speed of about 127 km/h (79 mph), hit shortly after the 67-metre first drop.
What is the height requirement for Silver Star?
Riders must be at least 140 cm (about 4 ft 7 in) tall. Europa-Park also enforces a minimum age of 11 years old for this ride.
How long does the ride last?
The full ride, from lift hill to final brake run, lasts about 3 minutes.
How many people can ride Silver Star per hour?
With three 36-passenger trains running, Silver Star has a theoretical hourly capacity of around 1,750 riders, though actual waits vary with park crowds.
Is Silver Star still Europe’s tallest or fastest coaster?
No. It held those titles at its 2002 opening, but Red Force at Ferrari Land later took the European speed and height records, and Fury 325 in the US became B&M’s tallest hyper coaster.
Why is it called Silver Star?
The name and the coaster’s original station branding as the ‘Mercedes-Benz Hall’ reference the automaker’s three-pointed-star logo, a sponsorship tie-in from the ride’s 2002 launch.
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