When you’re standing in a big-city railway station, scanning the departure board in your prepare, it doesn’t matter whether or not you’re a seasoned traveler or a nervous newcomer. Few journey moments match that temporary tingle of anticipation, as the probabilities for journey flicker by your thoughts.
Standing beneath the large digital screens at stations in Zurich, London, Vienna, Tokyo or Shanghai, it’s onerous to not daydream about scrapping your plans altogether and boarding a prepare to some far-off metropolis.
As new routes open and high-speed rail networks broaden throughout a lot of the world, it’s changing into simpler than ever to present in to that impulse and escape by prepare.
From price range in a single day providers to hyper-luxury “land cruises,” the vary and high quality of rail journey proceed to broaden. Together, they provide a snapshot of how rail journey is altering — and why 2026 might show a very exciting 12 months for trains, each sensible and indulgent.
“Grace, pace and space” was the tagline for Jaguar’s luxurious automobiles of the Fifties, nevertheless it might simply as simply apply to a new era of high-speed trains. Among the most effective in the world are the glossy crimson trains operated by Trenitalia and its privately owned rival, Italo.
Having reworked intercity journey in their house nation by decreasing fares, growing frequencies, and placing domestic air routes out of business, each corporations are actually eyeing Europe’s largest rail market: Germany.
Trenitalia’s latest Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) trains — already operating efficiently in Spain and France — are meant for worldwide routes from Italy to Austria and Germany and will additionally compete with InterCity Express (ICE) providers on German home routes.
Italo has additionally reportedly applied for an operating license and will make investments “several billion euros” in a fleet of as much as 40 high-speed trains to supply frequent providers between cities comparable to Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Hamburg.
The strikes pose a serious risk to Deutsche Bahn — as soon as considered a beacon of German effectivity and technological superiority, however now struggling unprecedented punctuality and reliability woes.
However, a word of warning for the new entrants: a lot of the unreliability of German long-distance trains is brought on by crumbling infrastructure, poor planning and community congestion. Adding extra trains to maxed-out tracks might trigger extra issues than they remedy.
As demand for evening trains in Europe continues to outstrip supply, the realities of delivering these difficult and expensive-to-operate providers are hitting house.
In December, Austrian rail operator ÖBB ended its much-trumpeted Nightjet trains from Paris to Berlin and Vienna, regardless of them being regularly absolutely booked.
The motive? Both providers relied on monetary help from the French authorities, and when this was withdrawn, the thrice-weekly trains had been not viable.
However, Belgian-Dutch cooperative European Sleeper, which hit the rails in 2023 with a Brussels–Berlin–Prague in a single day route, has stepped into the breach. In March 2026, it should revive the Paris–Berlin route, additionally operating three days every week and routed by way of Brussels.
Despite difficulties in gaining long-term schedules and route plans, and disruptions brought on by short-notice observe repairs in Germany, European Sleeper is working to ascertain new routes.
Renovated carriages characteristic sleeping compartments, couchette beds and reclining seats, with fashionable touches comparable to charging factors and Wi-Fi geared toward vacationers on totally different budgets.
Another plus for European long-distance vacationers in June 2026 would be the launch of a brand-new route linking Amsterdam and Brussels with Switzerland and Italy’s trend and industrial powerhouse, Milan. The 680-mile (1,100-kilometer) journey throughout 4 nations would be the first common in a single day service between Italy and this nook of Europe in a few years.
Another new enterprise by Dutch-Belgian startup European Sleeper it should run three nights per week in every route, calling in Cologne, the Swiss capital Bern and the Alpine transport hub of Brig — handy for guests to Zermatt, Saas Fee and for the “world’s slowest express train,” the Glacier Express. Trains may also name at Stresa, near Italy’s Lake Maggiore, on their approach to and from Milan.
There’s little doubt that the prepare might show extraordinarily helpful for enterprise and vacationers alike, offering a cushty and handy approach to journey between northwest Europe and perennially widespread locations in Italy and Switzerland.
The glass-roofed Rocky Mountaineer, lengthy positioned on the premium finish of scenic rail journey, is increasing with a new limited-edition route in 2026.
Building on its current journeys by western Canada and the United States, the new “Passage to the Peaks” itineraries in June and July 2026 will take a new route by British Columbia and Alberta, visiting Edmonton, Jasper, Calgary, Kamloops, Lake Louise and Banff.
These vary from one to 9 nights and embody accommodations and guided off-train excursions, together with the Columbia Icefield, Athabasca Falls and a ship cruise on Lake Minnewanka.
Highlights embody crossing the Yellowhead and Rogers passes, Kicking Horse Canyon, the spiral tunnels and Craigellachie, the place the final spike of the transcontinental Canadian Pacific Railway was pushed in November 1885.
Saudi Arabia can also be coming into the high-end rail market in 2026 with the launch of its Dream of the Desert luxurious prepare — a part of the dominion’s broader push to draw worldwide vacationers.
The bespoke, 41-cabin, Italian-built prepare will discover the dominion’s desert and mountain landscapes throughout an 800-mile itinerary stretching from the capital, Riyadh, to Al Qurayyat close to the Jordanian border.
The itinerary emphasizes desert and mountain landscapes, with excursions together with visits to the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve.
Saudi Arabian Railways is collaborating with Italy’s Arsenale Group — creator of luxurious trains such because the Orient Express La Dolce Vita — on the $53 million challenge, which it says will “redefine luxury travel with an array of amenities and personalized services.”
The onboard expertise locations explicit emphasis on eating, mixing worldwide and Saudi influences.
Intercity rail hyperlinks in central and jap Europe usually evaluate poorly with the quick, frequent and cozy providers elsewhere on the continent. Even between main European Union capitals, trains may be outdated, gradual or — in the worst circumstances — nearly nonexistent, making worldwide journey irritating.
Direct trains between the Hungarian capital, Budapest, and Belgrade have been suspended since 2019, throughout which period the Serbian part of the railway has been fully rebuilt with backing from China.
New trains, stations and tracks costing round $1 billion now carry passengers by northern Serbia at speeds of as much as 125 mph, whereas upgrades are additionally underway on the Hungarian aspect of the border.
From March 2026, operators hope to run as much as six round-trip providers per day between the 2 capitals, reopening a key regional hyperlink. Two of these each day trains are anticipated to be quick EuroCity providers connecting with Vienna, one among Europe’s most necessary rail hubs.
Easier entry to Belgrade additionally opens the door to one among Europe’s most putting off-the-beaten-track rail journeys: the spectacular onward route to Bar in Montenegro.
The Scandi connection
Two of Europe’s favourite city-break locations will likely be linked by common trains for the primary time in greater than a decade from May 2026. A three way partnership between Czech, German and Danish railways will see new ComfortJet trains operating between Prague and Copenhagen — by way of Dresden, Berlin and Hamburg — twice each day in every route.
The blue-and-white Czech-built trains can attain speeds of as much as 143 mph in Germany and have a bar-restaurant automotive, absolutely accessible coaches, onboard Wi-Fi and a play space for kids.
The new service cuts greater than three hours from the journey time, taking 11 hours to cowl round 530 miles, with departures from Prague at 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. During excessive summer time, a 3rd prepare will go away at 4:30 p.m. and run in a single day, though no sleeping or couchette automobiles will likely be supplied.
Once the undersea Fehmarnbelt Tunnel opens between Germany and Denmark — probably in the early 2030s — journey instances will likely be lowered additional.
The United Arab Emirates is about to make its high-speed rail debut in 2026 with the launch of the Etihad Rail passenger community. Eventually connecting 11 cities throughout all seven emirates, the 560-mile system will run from Fujairah in the east by way of Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi to Al Sila in the west.
Initial providers will function between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, taking 57 minutes at speeds of as much as 125 mph. As providers broaden, trains will likely be prolonged to Sharjah and Fujairah.
The diesel-powered trains have been designed to deal with excessive warmth and desert situations whereas providing a cushty expertise, with round 400 seats throughout three lessons: financial system, household and first.
One of the world’s most unique luxurious trains, Japan’s Seven Stars in Kyushu accommodates simply 28 passengers per journey and is booked years in advance.
The prepare has seven bespoke automobiles: 5 sleeping automobiles, a panoramic lounge and a salon automotive with a tea room, all completed in a deep wine-red livery with gold detailing. While all passengers journey in distinctive consolation, the most coveted area is the seventh automotive, which comprises two deluxe suites, together with one with a big remark window.
Designed to showcase the most effective of Japan’s third-largest island, the prepare highlights Kyushu’s crafts, traditions, tradition and delicacies. Blending Japanese and Western influences, traditional and fashionable, the interiors pay homage to native craftsmanship and pure supplies.
The title refers to Kyushu’s seven prefectures, the island’s main sights and the prepare’s seven automobiles. Itineraries vary from two to 4 days and embody off-train experiences distinctive to this largely unspoiled area.
Created by the crew behind Rocky Mountaineer, this new luxurious rail journey builds on greater than 35 years of expertise working devoted scenic trains throughout North America.
Canyon Spirit is the most recent evolution of the Rockies to the Red Rocks route launched in 2021, bringing glass-dome coaches, regionally impressed delicacies and attentive service to the American Southwest.
Starting in Denver, excessive in the Rocky Mountains, passengers can select a two- or three-day itinerary by way of Glenwood Springs and Moab, the gateway to Utah’s nationwide parks.
From 2026, vacationers can add a 3rd day, persevering with from Moab to Salt Lake City. The route options sweeping canyon surroundings and the six-mile Moffat Tunnel, which passes beneath the Continental Divide.
Onboard hosts — recognized for his or her heat and professionalism — additionally act as storytellers, sharing insights into the area’s wildlife, historical past and landscapes all through the journey.