When you’re standing at a train station in a big city, looking at the departure board for your train, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a nervous novice. There are few travel moments that can match the momentary rush of anticipation when the possibility of adventure flickers in your mind.
As I stand beneath the giant electronic screens at train stations in Zurich, London, Vienna, Tokyo, and Shanghai, I can’t help but daydream about dropping my plans entirely and boarding a train to some faraway city.
As new routes open up and high-speed rail networks expand around the world, it’s easier than ever to resist the urge and escape by train.
From affordable overnight services to ultra-luxury ‘land cruises’, the range and quality of rail travel continues to expand. Together, they provide a snapshot of how rail travel is changing and why 2026 will be a particularly exciting year for practical and luxury rail.
“Elegance, pace and space” was the tagline for Jaguar’s luxury cars in the 1950s, and it could easily be applied to the new generation of high-speed trains. Some of the best trains in the world are the sleek red trains operated by Trenitalia and its private rival Italo.
The companies have transformed intercity travel in their countries by lowering fares, increasing frequencies and eliminating domestic air routes, and are now turning their attention to Germany, Europe’s largest rail market.
Trenitalia’s latest Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) trains, already in successful service in Spain and France, are intended for international flights from Italy to Austria and Germany, and may also compete with Germany’s domestic Intercity Express (ICE) service.
Italo has also reportedly applied for an operating license and could invest “several billions of euros” in high-speed trains of up to 40 cars for frequent service between cities such as Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Hamburg.
This move poses a major threat to Deutsche Bahn. Once seen as a beacon of German efficiency and technological superiority, it now faces unprecedented punctuality and reliability problems.
However, new entrants should be careful. Much of the unreliability of Germany’s long-distance trains is caused by crumbling infrastructure, poor planning, and network congestion. Adding more trains to a maxed-out track can create more problems than it solves.
As demand for Europe’s night trains continues to outstrip supply, the realities of providing these complex and expensive to run services are keenly felt.
In December, Austrian train operator ÖBB canceled its much-hyped Nightjet trains from Paris to Berlin and Vienna, despite the fact that they were often fully booked.
reason? Both services were dependent on financial support from the French government, but once this was abolished, the three weekly trains were no longer viable.
But European Sleeper, a Belgian-Dutch joint venture that started to take off in 2023 with an overnight route from Brussels to Berlin to Prague, has stepped into the breakthrough. In March 2026, the Paris-Berlin route via Brussels will be reinstated, also operating three days a week.
Despite the difficulty in obtaining long-term schedules and route plans, and the disruption caused by last-minute track repairs in Germany, European Sleeper is working to establish a new route.
The refurbished vehicles are equipped with sleeping compartments, couchette beds and reclining seats, with modern touches such as charging points and Wi-Fi for travelers on a variety of budgets.
Another plus for long-distance travelers in Europe is the opening in June 2026 of a brand new route linking Amsterdam and Brussels to Milan, the fashion and industrial powerhouse of Switzerland and Italy. The 680-mile (1,100 km) journey across four countries is the first scheduled overnight flight between Italy and this part of Europe in several years.
Another new venture by Dutch-Belgian start-up European Sleeper will run three nights a week in each direction via Cologne, the Swiss capital Bern and the Alpine transport hub Brig, convenient for visitors to Zermatt, Saas-Fee and the Glacier Express, the “world’s slowest express train.” Trains to and from Milan also stop in Stresa, near Italy’s Lake Maggiore.
There is no doubt that this train is extremely useful for business and leisure alike, providing a comfortable and convenient way to travel between northwest Europe and the perennially popular destinations of Italy and Switzerland.
The glass-roofed Rocky Mountaineer has long held the crown jewel of scenic rail travel, and in 2026 it will expand with new exclusive routes.
Building on existing journeys through Western Canada and the United States, the new Passage to the Peaks itinerary, scheduled for June and July 2026, will follow a new route through British Columbia and Alberta, visiting Edmonton, Jasper, Calgary, Kamloops, Lake Louise and Banff.
These range from one to nine nights and include hotels as well as guided off-train excursions such as the Columbia Icefield, Athabasca Falls, and Lake Minnewanka boat cruises.
Highlights include crossing Yellowhead Pass and Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnel, and Craigellachie, where the last spike of the transcontinental Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in November 1885.
Saudi Arabia also plans to enter the luxury rail market with the launch of its luxury train “Dream of the Desert” in 2026. This is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to attract international tourists.
The custom-built, Italian-built 41-cabin train will explore the kingdom’s desert and mountain landscapes on an 800-mile journey from the capital, Riyadh, to Al Qurayyat, near the Jordanian border.
The itinerary focuses on desert and mountain landscapes and includes excursions including a visit to the Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Nature Reserve.
Saudi Railways is collaborating with Italy’s Arsenale Group, creators of luxury trains such as the Orient Express La Dolce Vita, on a $53 million project that it says will “redefine luxury travel with a range of amenities and personalized services.”
The onboard experience has a special focus on dining, which blends international flavors with Saudi influences.
Intercity rail links in Central and Eastern Europe are often inferior to the fast, frequent, and comfortable services in other parts of the continent. Traveling abroad can be frustrating as trains are old, slow or, worst of all, almost non-existent, even between the European Union’s major capitals.
Direct trains between Hungary’s capital Budapest and Belgrade have been suspended since 2019, during which time the Serbian section of the railway was completely rebuilt with Chinese assistance.
New trains, stations and tracks costing around $1 billion are now ferrying passengers through northern Serbia at speeds of up to 195 miles per hour, and renovations are also underway on the Hungarian side of the border.
The operator hopes to restart a key regional link with up to six round-trip services a day between the two capitals from March 2026 onwards. Two of the daily trains will be Eurocity high-speed services connecting with Vienna, one of Europe’s most important rail hubs.
Easier access to Belgrade also opens the door to Europe’s most impressive off-the-beaten-path train journey, a spectacular outbound journey to Bar in Montenegro.
Connection with Scandinavia
Two of Europe’s favorite city break destinations will be linked by regular trains from May 2026 for the first time in more than a decade. In a joint venture between Czech, German and Danish railways, the new ComfortJet train will operate twice a day in each direction between Prague and Copenhagen via Dresden, Berlin and Hamburg.
The blue and white Czech-made trains reach speeds of up to 143 mph in Germany and feature bar-restaurant cars, fully accessible buses, onboard Wi-Fi and a children’s play area.
The new service will reduce journey times by more than three hours, taking 11 hours to cover around 530 miles, leaving Prague at 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. In midsummer, a third train departs at 4:30 p.m. and runs throughout the night, but no sleeping cars or sleeping cars are provided.
Once the Fehmarnbelt undersea tunnel opens between Germany and Denmark (possibly in the early 2030s), travel times will be further reduced.
The United Arab Emirates plans to make its high-speed rail debut in 2026 with the opening of Etihad Rail’s passenger network. The 560-mile system will eventually connect 11 cities in all seven emirates, from Fujairah in the east, via Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, to Al Shira in the west.
Initial services will run between Abu Dhabi and Dubai in 57 minutes at speeds of up to 195 mph. With the expansion of services, trains will be extended to Sharjah and Fujairah.
The diesel-powered trains have approximately 400 seats in three classes – economy, family and first – and are designed to handle extreme heat and desert conditions while providing a comfortable experience.
One of the world’s most exclusive luxury trains, Japan’s Seven Stars in Kyushu can accommodate just 28 passengers per trip and is booked years in advance.
The train has seven custom-built carriages, including five sleeping cars, a panoramic lounge and a salon car with a tea room, all painted a deep burgundy with gold trim. All passengers travel in exceptional comfort, but the most popular space is in car number 7. The vehicle includes two deluxe suites, including one with a large observation window.
Designed to showcase the best of Japan’s third largest island, the train focuses on Kyushu’s crafts, traditions, culture and cuisine. The interior, which combines Japanese and Western influences, classic and modern, pays homage to local craftsmanship and natural materials.
The names are taken from Kyushu’s seven prefectures, the island’s major tourist attractions, and the train’s seven cars. Itineraries range from 2 to 4 days and include non-train experiences unique to this largely unspoiled region.
Created by the team at Rocky Mountaineer, this new luxury rail journey builds on more than 35 years of experience operating purpose-built tourist trains throughout North America.
Canyon Spirit is the latest evolution of the Rocky Mountains to Red Rocks route, which launched in 2021 and brings glass-domed buses, regionally inspired cuisine, and attentive service to the American Southwest.
Passengers can choose two- or three-day itineraries that depart from Denver, high in the Rocky Mountains, and include stops in Glenwood Springs and Moab, the gateway to Utah’s national parks.
Starting in 2026, travelers will be able to add a third day from Moab to Salt Lake City. The route features expansive valley views and the 6-mile Moffat Tunnel, which passes beneath the Continental Divide.
Known for their warmth and professionalism, the onboard hosts also act as storytellers, sharing insights about the region’s wildlife, history, and landscapes along the journey.
