great train journeys europe 2023

The best European train routes to try in 2023

Dec 27, 2022 • 8 min read

A new night train from Vienna to La Spezia, Italy offers a new way to access Liguria’s Cinque Terre © HelloRF Zcool / Shutterstock

Fans of train travel like me are looking toward 2023 with excitement – and a newly expanded to-do list.

The magic date on the European train calendar was December 11, when winter timetables kicked in. While not quite matching the bounty of peak summer services, the update udhered in new and reinstated routes, extended services and new adventures radiating across Europe in all directions.

Here are some of the most enticing European train journeys to take in the first half of 2023.

Take a sleeper train from Vienna to La Spezia, Italy

Why it’s exciting: Roll on from Vienna into an underrated Italian port city ⁠– and a more affordable base for exploring Cinque Terre . 

The Austrian capital is at the heart of the ever-expanding NightJet network operated by ÖBB ( Austrian Railways ), and the company is adding a few eye-catching extensions. The Vienna– Milan route is extending, not just to Genoa , but to the Ligurian port city of La Spezia  down the coast. Not only is this underrated spot mere minutes on an onward train from the spectacular hiking trails and colorful villages of the Cinque Terre, it’s also a much more affordable and less popular base than Monterosso , Vernazza and their fratelli . Whether you’re refueling with espresso by the Ligurian Sea after a night on the tracks or spending a few hours wandering around the old town’s labyrinthine streets before boarding a sleeper bound for the Alps, this route surely ranks as one of Europe’s top new travel experiences for 2023. Later in the year, you should be able to take this journey aboard one of NightJet’s next-generation sleeper carriages .

Travel from Prague to Zurich via Basel, Leipzig and Dresden

Why it’s exciting: A night journey through eastern Germany , with breakfast with a view traveling along the scenic Elbe Valley between Dresden and Děčín, before finishing in one of central Europe’s most beautiful capitals. 

Zurich , Switzerland is fast becoming a night train hub to match Vienna. Back following a five-year absence, the Czech Railways ( České dráhy, or ČD )–operated Canopus train once again connects the Swiss city with stately Prague via Dresden and Leipzig . (This gives you the choice of two separate night routes between the two cities, as an existing night train runs on a different route; the Canopus has a wider choice of accommodation than the existing service.) Underlining its usefulness as a hub, Zurich is only four hours from Paris via the TGV Lyria service, and the starting point for countless scenic journeys in Switzerland , including the stunning Treno Gottardo ride over the Alps to lakeside Locarno in Ticino province.

Move between Holyhead and London more frequently 

Why it’s exciting: The land-and-sea link between London and Dublin has been tricky recently, but recent timetable changes hopefully make the carbon-friendlier hop across the Irish Sea a more viable proposition.

The North Wales line is not new, in any sense. In fact, this scenic route along the north coast is one of the world’s oldest rail routes, having been built between 1844 and 1850 to connect ferry services from Dublin with Irish Mail trains bound for London. 

Avanti West Coast has recently added four additional daily departures, for five total. Avanti’s scanty service on this and other routes has been widely criticized in the UK in recent times; these additional trains are part of a hoped-for improvement between London, the West Midlands and Northwest England and north Wales . The journey should be further improved in 2023 by the introduction of updated, more comfortable train stock. 

Highlights of the line include trackside views of Conwy Castle , the Menai Strait crossing to Anglesey and the stop at Llanfairpwll , still delighting passengers who can glimpse its longer (if contrived) name of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. Transport for Wales operates other services along this line, including the iconic train running to Cardiff that comes complete with the best mainline on-board restaurant in the UK. Good-value combination tickets with ferries are also available.

Take a night train from Hamburg to Stockholm 

Why it’s exciting: Hamburg can feel a little out on a limb if you’re sticking to the core continental network. With this cozy and efficient night connection, Germany’s second city offer a gateway to Sweden’s elegant capital –  and the spectacular train routes of Scandinavia beyond.

Night trains direct from Hamburg to Stockholm started running in September – with a catch. Regulatory troubles meant that most of the carriage fitted out by Swedish state railway operator SJ were not allowed to cross Denmark . So the service has been operating since launch at a limited capacity, with only four berth couchettes for accommodation. Happily, this situation has now been resolved, and passengers now have the choice of a mixed or single-gender couchette; sleeper for one, two or three; deluxe sleeper; or bargain-priced seats all offering a night crossing of the Öresund Bridge . The route is also served by privately-run Snälltåget trains running on to Berlin , though with less frequent departures during the winter and a later departure time from Hamburg. 

Take new high-speed trains around Spain 

Why it’s exciting: Iryo offers arguably the most comfortable high-speed services in Europe, complete with tempting dining options, as the beauty of Spain ’s countryside zips past. Thanks to airline-style pricing, early bookers can enjoy these trains on a shoestring.

Iryo is a new high-speed operator that looks set to shake up the Spanish rail scene. Already operating between Madrid – Barcelona and Madrid– Valencia , by June 2023 Iryo trains will also be serving Seville , Málaga , Córdoba and Alicante . Iryo journeys promise to be fast and comfortable, offering a similar four-class service to part-owner Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa trains. On-board dining will focus on local ingredients used in sensibly priced pintxos and tapas dishes. Over the longer term, Iryo has its eye on cross-border routes, which surely would include more choice and capacity on high-speed tracks into France .

Travel into Istanbul’s long-dormant Sirkeci station

Why it’s exciting: Only a hard-hearted traveler would not thrill to see the terminus of the Orient Express enjoy some kind of new life. This may just happen some time soon. (As if Istanbul weren’t fun enough .)

The dormant tracks at Sirkeci station in Istanbul might just hum once again with arrivals and departures in 2023. With international trains to Sofia and Bucharest departing from distant Halkali and suburban trains now running deep underground to enable trans-Bosphorus services, Sirkeci has become somewhat neglected, and even its tracks – which for decades carried European international services to their terminus – have been removed. Plans to reinstate passenger trains along the coastline of the oldest part of Istanbul, hugging the ancient Theodosian Walls , are aimed at delivering an eight-station service connecting Sirkeci with Kazlicesme to the west; alongside the track, a cycling and walking track is also envisioned. While the plans looked a far from completion when I visited in October, this is a plan to keep a close eye on as the year progresses. ( Rail Turkey is a well-informed site for all Turkish train-related matters and likely to break any news first.) When (if?) this line eventually does open, it will reactivate the street-level platforms at Sirkeci and breathe new life into one of the world’s most iconic stations.

Travel from Montreux to Interlaken in Switzerland without changing trains

Why it’s exciting: Switzerland’s scenic trains, designed to offer panoramic views of some of the world’s finest mountain views, are an essential part of any visit. This technological wonder extends one of the best of these routes, linking the adventure capital of Interlaken with an easy connection to Geneva .

The GoldenPass Express is one of Switzerland’s most eye-popping services. Running from Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva , it climbs high above the lake, then over passes and across spectacular alpine scenery, passing through chi-chi resorts like Gstaad before arriving into Zweisimmen. As of December 2022, this train continues – without requiring passengers to change – to Spiez and Interlaken Ost. This is made possible via an ingenious system that allows the train to change operating gauge mid-journey, a process that usually requires carriages to be elevated and have bogies (wheelsets) removed. The GoldenPass Express can be ridden by Swiss Pass holders without paying a supplement – though reservations do cost $14.80 ($10.57 off-peak) and are advisable during peak summer months.

Finally, follow the journey of trains from Chişinău, Moldova to Kyiv, Ukraine 

Why it’s exciting: A sign of everyday life from Ukraine, where trains are a lifeline to the country.

The continued operation – not merely running, but running more or less on schedule – of Ukraine’s railways has been a symbol of resilience throughout the brutal Russian invasion. And while it will be some time before travelers from outside Ukraine can once again take the train to its defiant capital , the resumption of this service in November after 24 years is to be welcomed. Now dubbed the Victory Train, the route includes a stop at Ungheny station in the west of Moldova , from where a connection can be made to Iaşi , Romania , whose airport has been a key departure point for displaced Ukrainians.

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The 14 most scenic train journeys in Europe

Pack a book, hop on board and enjoy the most scenic train journeys in Europe, from west to east and north to south

Photograph: Shutterstock.com

From glaciers and fjords to deserts and plains,   Europe ’s home to some of the world’s most mind-blowing natural landscapes. And so, logically, it makes a heck of a lot of sense that the finest scenic rail journeys in Europe – train routes which are specifically designed to show off those spectacular landscapes – are amongst   the best in the entire world .

The European continent’s finest scenic rail journeys also double up as pilgrimages to sites of incredible feats of engineering. These trains scale dramatic mountains, plunge through ginormous tunnels and span vast distances. You won’t just be gob-smacked by the view: you’ll wonder how on earth you’re able to experience it from the comfort of a locomotive.

And, before you say anything, no, scenic rail routes certainly aren’t just for rail geeks. Oh no. They’re also amongst the most comfortable and supremely romantic ways of getting around. As well as being much better for the planet than cars and planes, train travel is a destination in itself – and that’s even more the case with scenic routes. So, without further ado, here are our top 14 scenic railways in Europe right now.

RECOMMENDED: 🚂  The best train journeys in the world 🚅  The best train journeys in Asia 🚉  The world’s most spectacular train stations

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Best train journeys in Europe

1.  oslo to bergen, norway.

Connecting Oslo and Bergen is the fairytale Bergen Line. Take it in spring or autumn, and the voyage plays out like a living painting of all four seasons, as blustery flower meadows and lush valleys fade into icy forests of pine and glittering lakes. It’s a journey that’s quite possibly up there with the best in the world. It makes little difference which way you travel – views are equally OTT in both directions, on both sides of the tracks – but start in the morning to ensure you get a full day of views on the seven-hour trip. Ticket prices are generally quite affordable, but onboard food will set you back, so pack snacks.

2.  Belgrade to Bar, Serbia and Montenegro

Often referred to as ‘the Balkan Express’, the 11-hour (on a good day) jaunt from Belgrade to Bar celebrates civil engineering and natural majesty. A whopping 435 bridges are traversed as the train trundles from the Serbian capital to Montenegro’s largest port, working as a time machine through the twentieth century in these parts. That means socialist architecture in Užice, modern ski resorts in Kolašin and the rapidly developing tourism of Montenegro’s southern coast. The last stretch is particularly stunning.

3.  Palma to Sóller, Majorca

The electric train line that links Majorca’s capital, Palma, with the northern town of Sóller was originally built to ship oranges across the island. Its vintage wooden carriages rattle out of central Palma, through the city’s hinterlands and across the great dry plains of southern Majorca. After a stop in Bunyola, it’s a steady climb into the foothills – followed by the sudden pitch black of the Sóller tunnel. And then comes the best bit: a winding route through the lush peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana, with incredible views over Sóller’s distant church, before the final descent. The whole trip only takes an hour, leaving plenty of time to catch the heritage tram down to Port de Sóller and cool off in the sea before the return leg.

4.  Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog, Wales

The small mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog has fallen on tough times with the demise of the slate mining industry, but the little steam railway that connects it with Porthmadog harbour is a gorgeous route showing Wales at its most magnificent. Most of the journey snakes through Snowdonia National Park, with plenty of stop-off options for travellers with time on their hands. The Ffestiniog Railway Company is also the oldest independent railway company on the planet, another layer of awesome to this gorgeous experience. 

5.  Zermatt to St. Moritz, Switzerland

If you’ve high expectations of an experience named ‘The Glacier Express’, get ready for them to be exceeded and then some. This mountain marvel connects the resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz, and the panoramic views make this one of the best ways to embrace all this dramatic landscape offers. The seven-and-a-half-hour journey traverses 291 bridges, 91 tunnels and a whole lot of beauty. 

6.  The Brocken, Germany

Another gorgeous journey from base to summit, The Brocken Railway picks wide-eyed passengers up from the settlement on the edge of Harz National Park called Drei Annen-Hohne. When the ride is over, those passengers find themselves on top of the world, or at least on top of the Brocken, the highest peak in Northern Germany. The journey is all tight turns, dramatic valleys, snowy vistas and lose-yourself imagery at a maximum speed of 40km/h. 

7.  Barcelona to Montserrat, Spain

There are plenty of ways to travel from Barcelona to the base of Montserrat mountain, but we’re putting our eggs firmly in the basket marked ‘train’. Actually, that would be ‘tren’ in Catalan, but you get the idea. There is a wide range of tickets available for the journey, though we recommend getting one that covers not just your train from Barcelona and then either the cable car or rack railway up the mountain itself, but also entry into the Montserrat Museum.

8.  Fort William to Mallaig, Scotland

A constant on lists of the world’s most beautiful train journeys, Scotland’s Jacobite Steam Train is an 84-mile stunner traversing the magic of Scotland from Fort William to Mallaig. Booking ahead is an absolute must but totally worth it, as the journey transports visitors across a landscape that takes the term ‘rugged’ and redefines it in that inimitable Scottish way. Some call it the Hogwarts Express after its turn in the Harry Potter films, and you can insert your own magical comment here.

9.  Myrdal to Flåm, Norway

Another frequent face on lists of the world’s best train journeys, the line between Myrdal and Flåm in Norway bridges the divide between impossibly cute and absolutely monolithic. That’s Norway in a nutshell, right? The small things are all quaint and idyllic, while the big ones bluster through stunning cliffs, jagged mountains and awe-inspiring scenery. The Flåm Railway climbs a whopping 867 metres into the sky and back, with a short shop at the Kjosfossen waterfall as the cherry on top. 

10.  Chur to Poschiavo, Switzerland

Switzerland is every bit as spectacular as its reputation suggests it might be. Actually, this place is woefully undersold and the rail route between Chur and Poschiavo is further proof, a jaw-dropping run that takes lucky passengers through the heart of the Swiss Alps. The famous mountains unravel on either side of the train, scenery that tends to see passengers put their cameras down and stare at the wonders at hand. The Bernina Express continues toward Tirano in Italy for those who need even more scenery. 

11.  La Rhune, France

What an absolute stunner of a ride. From the foot of the Pyrenees to the top via an early 1900s cog railway, the quaintest of quaint trains scaling a mighty height. It can be a little jarring, but the cobwebs are soon blown away by the stunning vistas and the majesty that awaits at the summit. The train only runs from April to September, round-trip tickets cost €20 (an absolute bargain), and it begins its journey in the town of Sare, some 10km or so from Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

12.  Prague to Bratislava, Czech Republic and Slovakia

Okay, the scenery outside the window between Prague and Bratislava is nothing to write home about. Is it pretty? Sure, we’d expect nothing less from this part of the world, but the real fun of this route is found inside. A train journey spent in a Central European restaurant car is one of those most eccentric travel experiences, so make an immediate beeline for that part of the train when boarding. Line up some excellent Czech  pivo  and enjoy the conveyor belt of characters who will invariably make their way through the car. 

13.  Málaga to El Chorro, Spain

While you can’t get a train across the thrilling and terrifying Caminito del Rey walkway, you can still experience a great journey on the way. The train from Malaga to El Chorro is a stunner, a fast route that takes less than 45 minutes and will set you back less than a tenner. That gives you just under 45 minutes to enjoy the stunning scenery and dredge up the courage to traverse the famous walkway. 

14.  Mostar to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina doesn’t have many trains, but it remains an absolute must for lovers of rail travel. Why? Well, the stretch of track between Mostar and Jablanica quickly answers that question. It offers a jaw-dropping array of twists and turns that hug the cerulean blue of the ice-cold Neretva river, as jagged cliffs hem everything in from all sides. Sure, you need to get up early to catch the train, but it is worth that sunrise alarm. The route continues to Sarajevo, passing through charming Konjic and several satellite towns along the way.

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The best new European train journeys for 2023

Overnight trains between Stuttgart and Venice and between Munich and Genoa are among several new services that have launched in recent days

Y ou might expect Europe’s 2023 train schedules to debut on 1 January 2023. They don’t. The new timetables kick in on 11 December this year, bringing myriad new travel opportunities for the year ahead. Highlights include Genoa and Dresden both securing new international night sleeper services, a new daily train between Poland and Lithuania and improved links between Oslo and Stockholm.

Night trains have been in the spotlight this past year or two. A collective determination to curb flying has driven demand for overnight trains, but there’s another key factor. The pandemic encouraged us all to rethink how we value personal space, and suddenly the possibility of a comfortable overnight journey in a private compartment holds special appeal, be it a solo or twin-occupancy sleeper or a couchette compartment for a whole family.

Nightjet from Stuttgart to Venice and Rijeka

Stuttgart used to be a major hub for European night trains: 50 years ago it was served by the Orient Express. The south-west German city slipped from the overnight schedules but has returned in grand style with a new daily night train departure at 8.29pm, which will carry sleeping cars to Venice, Vienna, Budapest, Ljubljana and Zagreb. The roll call of enticing destinations is augmented by a through sleeping car to Rijeka over Christmas and Easterand then again from mid-May to early October 2023. Stuttgart to Rijeka takes just under 15 hours, culminating in a wonderful ride through the Istrian hills before a steep drop to the Kvarner Gulf. An overnight journey with crisp white sheets in sleeping car comfort starts at about £73 for Vienna, Venice or Budapest and slightly more to stations in Slovenia or Croatia. With such good connections from London via Brussels or Paris to Stuttgart, travellers from the UK can use the 8.29pm from Stuttgart as a gateway to adventures around the Adriatic in summer 2023.

This month has also seen a new overnight train from Prague and Dresden to Basel . The train continues beyond Basel to Zürich, giving travellers from the Czech capital the choice of two completely different overnight routes to Zürich – the traditional one via Linz, traversing Liechtenstein by dead of night, and the new service via Saxony. For travellers from London, this service offers a credible new route to Dresden and Prague, travelling via Paris to Karlsruhe where the overnight train to Prague leaves at 11.07pm. The Dresden arrival is at 7.05am and Prague at 9.38am. Book it: The night sleeper services will in time all be bookable from Nightjet , though some are not yet available. A good alternative for overnight trains, and indeed many other European trains, is Rail Europe . For the new night train from Prague to south-west Germany and Switzerland via Saxony, the cheapest fares may be from Czech Railways

Ligurian links, Italy

Austria’s national rail operator, ÖBB, announced months ago that it would run trains to Liguria from late 2022, and everyone assumed this just meant Genoa. But it sprung a last-minute surprise in November, with news that the Nightjet from Munich will continue beyond Genoa, serving the Cinque Terre coast en route to its final destination at La Spezia. The new route launched on 11 December. It offers a chance to have an early dinner in Munich, then board a comfortable overnight train and alight next morning in Rapallo at 10.14am or Levanto at 10.46am.

With such civilised timings, the route will surely attract travellers heading to Tuscany. The existing night train from Munich arrives in Florence at 6.18am, which is far too early for most travellers. How much nicer it will be to enjoy a gentle rail cruise along the Ligurian coast, alighting from the Nightjet at 11.10am in La Spezia, which has good connections to Pisa and other Tuscan cities.

The new service from Munich to Liguria is complemented by a similar offering from Vienna, leaving the Austrian capital at 7.18pm for an evening journey over the remarkable Semmering Railway. The carriages from Munich and Vienna are united in the wee small hours at Villach in Carinthia, from where the train continues its journey south into Italy, stopping in Milan and Pavia en route to Genoa and the coast. One-way fares from Munich or Vienna to any destination in Liguria start at €30 for an austere overnight journey in a seat, but the trip in a couchette costs from €50 and sleeping car accommodation from €70.

Bordeaux to the Black Forest

In France, the headline rail news this month has, as in the UK, been all about strikes, but national operator SNCF is sneaking some extra long-distance trains into the 2023 schedules. There are extra TGVs between Paris and the south-west German city of Freiburg. No big surprise there, but a wholly new French destination will appear on the departure boards at Freiburg on 17 December, with the launch of a weekly service to Bordeaux . From Germany’s Black Forest region to Bordeaux in under eight hours would have been impossible a generation ago. It may be a route for wine lovers, but that’s not what’s driving demand; it is, rather, a theme park just north of Freiburg which is very popular with French visitors. It now has a dedicated station called Ringsheim/Europa-Park , where from mid-December you’ll be able to catch not just a weekly train to Bordeaux but also a direct TGV to Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy, for Disneyland Paris. That itinerary will surely appeal to those keen to sample Europe’s two leading theme parks in a single trip. One-way fares from Freiburg or Ringsheim to Bordeaux start at €59. Book it: through SNCF or Rail Europe

Lithuania reconnected

Last spring, transport activists appealed to European authorities about the complete absence of cross-border rail services into Lithuania at a time when Kaunas was in the limelight as a European capital of culture. Happily, the Polish and Lithuanian authorities responded by introducing, on 1 July, a twice-weekly local service from Białystok to Kaunas. Now, that service is being upgraded to Intercity status, with daily departures from Kraków and Warsaw to Lithuania.

The train leaves Kraków at 4.01am, when sensible travellers should really still be asleep. The Warsaw departure is at 7.35am, giving late-afternoon arrivals in Kaunas and Vilnius. One curiosity of the new service is that an easy cross-platform change of train is necessary at Mockava, a small station just inside Lithuania, where passengers switch from the Polish train to a Lithuanian one. It’s a guaranteed connection and there are through fares. A one-way ticket for the nine-hour journey from Warsaw to Vilnius starts at 120 złoty (about £22). Book it: the new direct trains from Warsaw to Lithuania can be booked with PKP Intercity

As I discovered when travelling from Norway to Sweden in the autumn, rail connections between the two countries are woeful. But a welcome upgrade to services on the Oslo-Stockholm route kicked off on 11 December. The number of direct trains has increased to five a day and comfortable, modern SJ3000 trains debut on the route. Journey times are trimmed, with the fastest services now taking just over five hours. One-way fares start at SEK385 Swedish kroner (£30). Book it: the best option for trains between Stockholm and Oslo is SJ Swedish Railways

… and losers

Timetable changes are not always good news. Trains axed from 11 December included the once-daily direct trains from Dresden to Vienna, Marseille to Madrid and Lyon to Barcelona.

Nicky Gardner is a Berlin-based writer. The 17th edition of her book Europe by Rail: The Definitive Guide is available from the Guardian Bookshop . She is co-editor of Hidden Europe magazine.

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Europe by rail: New routes and tours for 2023 and beyond

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Get on track with this year’s new rail  product and upcoming investment with  Adam Shaw’s guide to European rail holidays

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A third of Brits consider the journey to be just as important as the destination, according to research released last month by Great Rail Journeys.

And Sarah Moore, the operator’s head of product for the UK and Europe, says there has been “increased appetite from customers wanting to experience this”. With investment in routes across Europe, new tours launching and an ongoing desire for environmentally conscious tourism, it’s no wonder rail trips across the continent are popular.

“There’s no getting stuck in traffic jams, and with connections made city centre to city centre, travelling by rail helps you really make the most of your time exploring Europe’s finest destinations,” adds Moore.

While cost continues to be a challenge when selling rail travel over flying, there are signs that consumers are willing to pay more for the experience.

January was rail specialist Ffestiniog Travel’s best -ever month for high-value bookings, says general manager Maria Cook. “People are booking much more expensive trips, either on our existing tours or planning tailor-made trips. We’re seeing more people upgrade to first class on rail or staying in four-star hotels, for example,” she says.

La Dolce Vita

Great Rail Journeys’ research found that a third of its customers are planning a trip to Italy this year. It’s just as well, as the operator has launched a new 10-day Hidden Treasures of Tuscany tour.

Taking in medieval villages such as Monteriggioni and the renaissance cities of Florence and Siena, the trip also includes a chocolate-tasting experience in Perugia and a visit to a village food festival celebrating local wine, olive oil or truffles. Dates between March and October can be booked from £2,495, including rail travel to and from Italy.

Ffestiniog Travel has reintroduced its Southern Italy & Sicily trip for the first time since 2011 and Cook explains it is one of its top-three sellers for this year.

Those looking for something a bit special can consider riding La Dolce Vita

The 13-day tour includes one of the few remaining on-ferry train crossings, as well as a visit to Siracusa, the site of several filming locations for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which will be released in June.

It can be booked from £2,965 for a May 9 departure. Those looking for something a bit special can consider riding La Dolce Vita, a new train that forms part of the legendary Orient-Express. With carriages inspired by 1960s and 70s European travel – think gold-framed mirrors and sleek wooden side tables – it is set to welcome passengers later in 2023 and is taking pre-reservations.

A return journey between Rome and Montalcino can be booked with Luxury Train Tickets from £1,750.

On the right track

The Steam Dreams Rail Company, known for its UK day trips aboard classic steam locomotives, is branching out into Ireland with its first Emerald Isle Explorer tour.

Covering tracks connecting Dublin, Galway, Killarney and Kilkenny, it also takes in scenic sites including the Ring of Kerry and the River Shannon as well as offering a chance to enjoy “the only onboard railway bar serving draught Guinness”.

It has a new Historic Cities and Railways of Poland tour built around the charming old towns 

There are three seating, dining and accommodation options, with packages for the nine-day tour ranging from £1,995 for rail travel and accommodation to £3,995 for superior accommodation and a dining package, both with a May 3 departure.

After rail specialist Arena Travel became part of Leger Shearings, the group’s head of retail sales, Ashley Dellow, says “much of its rail holiday growth is planned to come through trade partners”.

It has a new Historic Cities and Railways of Poland tour built around the charming old towns of Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan and Wroclaw, with prices starting at £1,995 for a September 23 departure, including flights from Heathrow.

Future services

As well as new trade-bookable product, there are a host of improvements on their way to rail networks across Europe.

London will be connected to Berlin via Brussels on a new European Sleeper service in May, while Italy’s state-owned network operator intends to spend €110 billion over the next 10 years, including cutting travel times by up to half on routes such as Turin-Genoa and Palermo-Catania.

The future of train travel in Europe is certainly looking bright

A new undersea rail and road tunnel is also being built between Germany and eastern Denmark, cutting travel times to Copenhagen and Sweden.

The Nightjet between Vienna and Paris is set to launch upgraded trains this summer – expect wireless charging stations, private en-suite compartments and storage for bikes and winter sports equipment – and Spain has had new high-speed services linking Madrid with Barcelona and Valencia since November.

The future of train travel in Europe is certainly looking bright. And right now – whether clients want to wind past snow-tipped mountains, chug through quaint villages or ride an iconic route – there is plenty to suggest to those in search of a holiday on the rails.

Iconic journey

Switzerland’s iconic Bernina Express celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

The Bernina line, which runs from St Moritz to Tirano in northern Italy, crosses the stunning Landwasser Viaduct, offering panoramic views 65 metres above the river, and can be enjoyed on Fred Holidays’ Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, with prices starting at £1,999.

This eight-night tour also includes a trip on the GoldenPass Express which, since December, has been able to travel uninterrupted between Montreux and Luzern thanks to new technology that allows it to automatically change tracks at Zweisimmen.

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The best train journeys to take in Europe in 2023

Train travel fans like me are looking forward to 2023 with great excitement, marking all the new routes they want to travel at least once in their lives. The magic date in the European railway calendar was 11 December, when the winter timetable came into effect. While not matching the offerings of the summer timetable, the update announced new or reinstated routes and extended certain services, thus the possibility of experiencing adventures that radiate along the tracks throughout Europe in a thousand directions. Here are some of the most exciting train journeys to be experienced in Europe in the first half of 2023.

A new night train from Vienna to La Spezia offers a new way to access Liguria's Cinque Terre © Julia Lav / Shutterstock

The night train from Vienna to La Spezia

Why it's exciting: from Vienna to an underrated Italian port city and the cheapest base from which to explore the Cinque Terre.

The Austrian capital is the hub of NightJet, the ever-expanding rail network operated by ÖBB (Austrian Railways), which is adding some eye-catching extensions. The Vienna-Milan route is being extended, not only to Genoa, but also to the Ligurian port city of La Spezia. La Spezia is much underrated, but it is only a few minutes by train from the spectacular hiking trails and colourful villages of the Cinque Terre and is a much cheaper and much less popular departure point and base than Monterosso, Vernazza, etc. To sip an espresso overlooking the Ligurian Sea after a night in a sleeper berth or to indulge in a stroll through the labyrinthine streets of the Cinque Terre before heading across the Alps, this route is surely one of the best train travel experiences to be had in Europe in 2023. Later this year, NightJet is also expected to introduce new state-of-the-art sleeping cars.

By train from Prague to Zurich via Basel, Leipzig and Dresden

Why it's exciting: it's an overnight trip through Germany eastern Germany, with breakfast overlooking the picturesque Elbe Valley between Dresden and Děčín, before ending up in one of the most beautiful capitals of central Europe.

Zurich is fast becoming an overnight rail hub on the level of Vienna. After a five-year absence, the Canopus night train operated by Czech Railways (České dráhy, or ČD) returns to connect the Swiss city with elegant Prague via Dresden and Leipzig. (It is an alternative to an existing night service, so you can choose between two options, but the Canopus has more types of cabins). Zürich is only four hours from Paris via the TGV Lyria service and is the starting point for countless scenic journeys in Switzerland, including the beautiful Gotthard Train Alpine view route to Lake Locarno in Canton Ticino.

The North Wales Railway line, which has expanded its services for 2023, passes Conwy Castle © wcjohnston / Getty Images

Most frequent trains between Holyhead and London

Why it's exciting: travelling the land-sea stretch between London and Dublin has been difficult in recent times, but it is hoped that recent timetable changes will improve the more environmentally sustainable option for crossing the Irish Sea.

The line through North Wales is not new in any respect. In fact, this scenic route along the north coast is one of the oldest rail routes in the world: it was built between 1844 and 1850 to connect ferries arriving from Dublin with Irish Mail trains bound for London. Avanti West Coast has recently added four more departures, for a total of five connections per day. Avanti's poor service on this and other routes has been widely criticised in the UK in recent times. These additional trains are part of a plan to improve routes between London, the West Midlands and North West England and North Wales. The service is expected to improve further during 2023 with the introduction of more modern and comfortable trains. Highlights along the line include Conwy Castle, the Menai Strait to Anglesey and the stop at Llanfairpwll, delighting passengers at the sight of the sign with its very long Welsh name: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllllantysiliogogogoch. Transport for Wales offers other services along this line, including the iconic train to Cardiff with the best on-board restaurant in the UK. You can save money by buying a combined train+ferry ticket.

The overnight train from Hamburg to Stockholm

Because it is exciting: Hamburg may be off the beaten track compared to the main routes, but with this convenient and efficient night train connection, Germany's second largest city offers a gateway to the elegant Swedish capital and Scandinavia's spectacular railway lines.

Direct night trains from Hamburg to Stockholm were inaugurated in September, but with a restriction. Due to some regulatory problems, most of the carriages of the Swedish national railway company SJ were not allowed to pass through Denmark. So the service has been operating since the launch with only four sleeping cars. Fortunately, the situation has since been resolved and passengers now have a choice of mixed or single-genre berths, berths for one, two or three, deluxe berths, or bargain seats for the Öresund Bridge overnight crossing. The line is also served by privately operated Snälltåget trains that also connect with Berlin, although departures are less frequent during the winter and the departure time from Hamburg is later.

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New high-speed trains to visit Spain

Why it's exciting: Iryo offers probably the most comfortable high-speed trains in Europe, complete with tempting dining options, while the beauty of the Spanish countryside whizzes by outside the window.

As with planes, the earlier you book, the less you spend with Iryo. It is a new high-speed company that wants to disrupt the Spanish railway scene. Already operating on the Madrid-Barcelona and Madrid-Valencia routes, by June 2023 Iryo trains will also serve Seville, Malaga, Cordoba and Alicante. Iryo trains are fast and comfortable, with carriages of four different classes, similar to the trains of the co-owned company Trenitalia. Meals on board are based on local ingredients used in the pintxos and tapas offered at reasonable prices. The long-term plan is to open cross-border routes, which will undoubtedly include more timetables and more high-speed wagon capacity to France.

Night trains departing from Istanbul's Sirkeci station

Why it's exciting: only a cold-hearted traveller wouldn't be thrilled to see the terminus of the Orient Express come to life again, and that could happen very soon. (As if Istanbul wasn't already an exciting destination).

In 2023, the night trains at Istanbul's Sirkeci station could come rattling back with new arrivals and departures. With international trains to Sofia and Bucharest departing from distant Halkali, and suburban trains now running underground to allow trans-Bosphorus travel, Sirkeci has become a neglected station, and even its tracks, on which European international services ran for decades, have been removed. The plan to restore passenger trains running along the oldest part of Istanbul, hugging the ancient Theodosian walls, aims to provide an eight-station service linking Sirkeci with Kazlicesme to the west. Next to the tracks, a bicycle path and pedestrian pavement are also planned. As of October, they still seemed far behind, but it is worth keeping an eye on the progress of the work during 2023. Rail Turkey is an up-to-date site on all matters relating to Turkish trains and will probably be the first to give any news. When (if?) this line eventually opens, it will reactivate the street-level platforms at Sirkeci and breathe new life into one of the world's most iconic stations.

The GoldenPass Express is one of Switzerland's most amazing services and will offer new routes in 2023 © Mor65_Mauro Piccardi / Shutterstock

The direct train from Montreux to Interlaken in Switzerland

Why it's exciting: Switzerland's panorama trains offer breathtaking views of some of the world's most beautiful mountains, providing a unique travel experience.

These technological marvels run along marvellous routes, connecting the adventure capital of Interlaken with Geneva. The GoldenPass Express is one of the most mind-blowing trains in Switzerland. Running from Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva, it climbs high above the lake, then passes through spectacular Alpine landscapes, past luxury resorts such as Gstaad, before arriving in Zweisimmen. From December 2022, the train continues without changes to Spiez and Interlaken Ost. The GoldenPass Express is included for Swiss Pass holders at no extra charge, although reservations cost €16 (€12 in low season) and are quite crowded during the peak summer months.

The train from Chisinau, Moldova to Kiev, Ukraine

Why it is exciting: a glimpse of everyday life from Ukraine, where trains are a lifeline for the country.

Ukrainian trains partially continue to run, a symbol of resilience during the brutal Russian invasion. It will be quite some time before travellers outside Ukraine can once again take the train to the capital, but in the meantime we can celebrate the resumption of this service since last November, after a 24-year stop. Now dubbed the Victory Train, the route includes a stop at Ungheny station in western Moldova, from where it is possible to reach Iaşi, Romania, whose airport has served as a key departure point for displaced Ukrainians.

Published in January 2023

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The Best Train Trips in the World: 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards

Ah, the allure of train trips . Adventurers and the eco-conscious are drawn to this glamorous, old-world mode of exploration for the impeccable slow-travel vibes, but there’s also something to be said about the perspective found onboard a train; you’re experiencing the landscape and scenery in a way that you can’t experience in any other mode of travel. A train trip often brings you where everyday roads cannot, whether it’s through untouched Malaysian jungles on the revamped Belmond Eastern & Oriental itineraries relaunching in 2024, or high into the Canadian Rockies with Rocky Mountaineer. For our 36th annual Readers’ Choice Awards —which capture the travel experiences our readers love best, from hotels and airlines to cruises , islands , and luggage —we called on all of you to rank the best of the best rail journeys out there. Here, dear readers, is how the dice fell.

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20. Inca Rail, South America

If you’re interested in taking a train to Machu Picchu (and unless you’re a mountain goat, we suggest you do), Inca Rail offers a level of convenience that is difficult to match—and it’s also worth mentioning that the First Class service is priced more accessibly than other luxury operators servicing the same route. While on board, you can expect a tasty menu prepared with organic ingredients grown right in the Sacred Valley, live Peruvian music, ample windows through which you can admire the staggering Andean scenery, and a spacious Observatory Lounge complete with open-air balcony. For fresh and frothy Pisco sours this good, this is one train that’s well worth the price of admission.

19. Transcantabrico Gran Lujo, Spain

Take in all the sights and flavors of Spain ’s iconic northern coastline on this luxurious sleeper train, which over the course of a week makes its way between San Sebastián and Santiago de Compostela. You’ll enjoy on-board cuisine that celebrates each of the distinct regions through which this train passes, from Galicia to Basque Country. A unique aspect of this train is that it remains stationary overnight, allowing for late-night excursions and explorations that are uncommon on other sleeper train experiences.

18. Glacier Express, Switzerland

It’s been said that the Glacier Express is the slowest express in the world–it takes eight hours to traverse the 180-mile journey–but boy, do the views here invite a slow journey. Connecting the resort towns of Zermatt and Saint Moritz, the train provides an up-close perspective of some of this mountainous country’s most iconic natural features, including the Matterhorn, Piz Bernina, and the Rhine Gorge (dubbed Switzerland’s Grand Canyon). Book in Excellence Class and you’ll be served Champagne at your seat, followed by a six-course meal complete with wine pairings.

17. The Canadian, Canada

Take in every mile of the vast Canadian landscape from The Canadian , a special sleeper service offered by VIA Rail, the country’s national rail carrier. Keep in mind that this train is more about sightseeing from the cars than actually getting off and doing anything. But if you’re traveling in the comfort of Prestige Class—with your own private cabin, private washroom and built-in TV screen monitor with video selection—you’ll be perfectly content to take in the journey from the privacy of your very own picture window.

16. The Ghan, Australia

Completed in 1929, The Ghan runs through the heart of the Australian continent , from Adelaide in the south to Darwin in the north. It may have only started running its current route in 2004, but its history dates to the 19th century, its name harkening to the Afghan camel trainers and riders who first helped chart a course through the country’s interior. The three-day all-inclusive journey sees the train lilting its way through Australia’s Red Centre with diverse landscapes passing by. Travel through the expansive ridges of the MacDonnell Ranges, witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Simpsons Gap, and visit the opal town of Coober Pedy.

15. JR Kyushu 36+3, Japan

This train’s unusual name derives from Kyushu being the 36th-largest island in the world, and there being three key stakeholders on this journey: the passengers, the local community, and the rail company, JR Kyushu. It isn’t a sleeper train, instead offering a series of weeklong roster of one-day itineraries around the perimeter of Kyushu–a do one, do them all, or do as many as you like situation–but the journey is no less enriching for it. The inside feels like a ryokan, featuring immaculate woodwork made from local techniques, comfortable furniture, and a mix of private and communal spaces. It’s a gorgeous way to get off the beaten track on this gorgeous Japanese island, packing in a number of stops and towns into a single day of productive–yet comfortable–sightseeing.

14. Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train, Southeast Asia

The E&O is the stuff of train enthusiasts’ legends, and in February 2024, this storied train will at long last resume service after its pandemic-era pause–sort of. The train’s journey originally connected Singapore and Bangkok, but as of the new year will offer journeys through the jungles and coastlines of Malaysia, but all originating in and returning to Singapore. It isn’t the classic E&O route, but these new itineraries will offer deeper explorations of Malaysia than ever before, including guided snorkeling on Langkawi and excursions to Taman Negara National Park. Despite the new itineraries, the train still has all the old world touches that people love: Order a Singapore Sling in the Bar Car, take it to the outdoor viewing platform as the Malaysian jungle rolls on by, and you just might forget what year we’re living in.

13. Northern Belle, Europe

It’s all about the food—and the scenery, too, but mostly about the food—onboard this lovingly restored 1930s train , which zig-zags its way across the English, Scottish and Welsh countrysides. Each of the journeys on offer are day trips, so they require less of a time (and money) commitment than other luxury trains. But what the Northern Belle lacks in length she more than makes up for in quality: The meal services are exquisite, offering fine dining crafted mostly from U.K. suppliers, so you can enjoy classic British fare as the heaths, meadows, and dales roll on by.

12. The Maharajas' Express, India

There are luxury sleeper trains, and then there are luxury sleeper trains like the Maharaja’s Express , where a greeting of marigold garlands and rose petals showered at your feet kicks off the journey before your personal butler escorts you to your room. The Junior Suite rooms are surprisingly spacious, especially by train travel standards, and come with full-sized closets, comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and satellite TVs. Both of the on board watering holes–the Safari Bar and the Raja Club–have plenty of chairs, comfy sofas, books and board games. Each day of the itinerary includes special opportunities to experience India through the train’s luxurious and singular perspective: like an early-morning champagne breakfast on a private hillside overlooking the Taj Mahal.

11. Royal Scotsman, A Belmond Train, Scotland

It’s about the journey, not the destination, right? Nowhere is train travel more indulgent—or convenient!—than on Belmond’s Royal Scotsman , which departs from and arrives at Edinburgh’s Waverley Station. With only 40 guests onboard, the train circumnavigates the heart of the Scottish Highlands, passing such landmarks as the Kyle of Lochalsh and Cairngorms National Park. There’s even a dedicated spa carriage, where the specialists are trained to synchronize their motions with the natural lilts and tilts of the train. If that’s not luxury, we’re not sure what is.

10. Belmond Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train, South America

Named after the U.S. explorer who supposedly “discovered” Machu Picchu in 1911, the Belmond Hiram Bingham train line is as grand as the man’s claims. The round-trip journey connects the city of Poroy (just west of Cuzco) to the Lost City and Sacred Valley of Machu Picchu. The Belmond Hiram Bingham turns on the turn-of-the-20th-century charm, from gleaming polished wood and brass surfaces to lavish meals and accommodations, which offer plenty of space to stretch out: the perfect setting for viewing the mountains and rivers zooming past the window.

9. Golden Chariot, India

Experience a mix of Southern India’s greatest hits and lesser-explored destinations on board the iconic purple and gold Golden Chariot , which connects the Indian states of Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. All itineraries depart from Bengaluru, with options for both three-night and six-night journeys. This train’s strength is its access to off-beat attractions than what you’ll find on the well-worn Golden Triangle, such as the ruins of Hampi. With sparse crowds, and a comfortable train to retreat to at the end of each day, it’s an approach to India that captures all the magic this country has to offer.

8. Golden Eagle Danube Express, Europe

A pioneer in luxury trains for three decades, Golden Eagle is perhaps best known for its Silk Road and Trans-Siberian routes, but the Danube Express unlocks an approach to Southern and Eastern Europe which is no less breathtaking and engaging. The “Castles of Transylvania” route from Istanbul to Budapest is particularly unique–spend all day learning about Vlad the Impaler’s history through guided tours, then spend all night luxuriating in the comfort of the bar car or in the privacy of your room. It’s a combination of Europe’s best cities and most dramatic natural landscapes that is hard to experience in one go any other way.

7. Rocky Mountaineer, North America

Traveling in a coach outfitted with picture windows and glass-dome ceilings means that a Rocky Mountaineer journey leaves no sight unseen as you traverse the dramatic scenery between Vancouver , British Columbia and Banff or Jasper, Alberta. Sample local Canadian beer, wine and snacks as you kick back and enjoy the ride. The staff’s friendly service and animated storytelling help bring the landscape to life. It’s personal touches like those which keep travelers coming away from this trip amply satisfied time and time again. Since it was founded in 1990, Rocky Mountaineer has transported more than two million guests, making it the largest privately-owned premium tourist train in the world.

6. Rovos Rail, Africa

This extravagant railway has been traveling throughout Africa for over thirty years. The experiences start before you even board—when departing from Pretoria, Rovos Rail travelers are granted exclusive access to a private lounge, where Champagne and canapés greet them—and a strict “no cellphone” rule is maintained for your own good. Enjoy the moment(s) provided by this line, which range from cozy digs to formal-attired evenings, as well as full-sized, freestanding clawfoot tubs in the most grand compartments. All Rovos Rail journeys include off-train cultural, historical and safari excursions so guests can experience all the wonders that Southern Africa has to offer. The three-night Cape Town journey is a classic, but if you’re feeling extra adventurous and have a few more nights to spare, opt for the newer fifteen-day “Trail of Two Oceans” itinerary, originating in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, crossing Zambia, traversing a sliver of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and concluding in Lobito, Angola.

5. Belmond Andean Explorer, A Belmond Train, South America

Weaving through the Peruvian Andes at 14,000 feet, the Belmond Andean Explorer transports passengers between Arequipa and Cusco on one- and two-night journeys. There are just thirty-five cabins on board, each outfitted with alpaca wool blankets and handwoven fabrics for an authentic yet luxe feel. Two dining cars and two bar cars serve the whims of every guest with bites like alpaca tortellini and (of course) champagne. The train also makes excursions to Lake Titicaca , where guests can learn about local customs, visit Incan ruins, and take in breath-taking views.

4. British Pullman, A Belmond Train, England

The British Pullman ’s experience is magical no matter where you’re seated. Once you depart London , you’ll embark on a journey through the bucolic British countryside, touring cities and towns like Cambridge, York, and Canterbury along the way. The restored carriages date back to the 1920s and 1930s, so expect Art Deco touches, polished interiors, and classically prepared multi-course meals—this is the same train line that has served British royalty and government officials for years, after all.

3. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe

Year after year, the world’s most iconic locomotive continues to be a standard-setter in luxury. Of course, the decadent interiors are a fantasy of 1920’s Art Deco design, but it’s the impeccable service that keeps this train firmly ensconced in a class of its own. Bags are whisked off from the platform and magically reappear in your cabin, no glass ever runs empty, and the beds seem to make themselves anytime you step outside of your cabin. By day you can revel in the scenery of French countrysides and Swiss mountain scenes, and by night, the formal dress code feels anything but stuffy—in fact, playing dress up and making your way to the Champagne bar is, we think, one of the coolest experiences anyone could have on a train. For 2023, this over-the-top train is getting even more luxe updates, including eight new suites, two of which are original 1920s and 30s carriages carefully restored by expert French craftsmen and designers–so there’s no time like the present to book that bucket-list trip.

2. Palace on Wheels, India

India’s best-known train, the Palace on Wheels , offers a number of trips that range from a couple days to week-long excursions. Embarking from New Delhi through the Land of Kings, trips take you through the famed Pink City of Jaipur, in Rajasthan, where guests are greeted by majestic UNESCO sites like the Amer Fort as well as 16th century palaces. You can also visit Agra, home to the Taj Mahal and the perfect stop for a tour of some of the country's most iconic sites. Along the way, enjoy regional cuisine in well-appointed, colorful carriages decked out in Indian textiles.

1. Seven Stars in Kyushu, Japan

Train lovers consider this opulent Japanese locomotive among the most spacious and comfortable of them all. Every inch of Seven Stars' Kyushu train—from the beds, to the bathroom sinks, to the woodwork, to the porcelain dinner plates—is handmade by Japanese artisans, and the service is simply exquisite, with each journey limited to a positively intimate twenty passengers; but it’s not just about the onboard experience with Seven Stars. These four-day, three-night trips travel a circuit around the island of Kyushu, making stops at the region’s best shrines, onsens, porcelain studios, and more, so you truly feel like you’re exploring an authentic side of Japan , far away from the more obvious tourist tracks.

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Europe's most exciting new rail journeys

Travel in Europe is being transformed by a new wave of sleeper trains, high-speed connections and rail-themed tours. What better time to hit the tracks?

Words Anthony Lambert Map illustrations Scott Jessop

Switzerland’s GoldenPass Express (David Bochud)

There hasn’t been this much excitement about locomotion in Europe since George Stephenson’s Rocket was breaking records in the late 1920s. It’s a perfect storm. The climate crisis has combined with a host of other factors to make train travel more popular than ever, and many railways are now recording higher passenger numbers than before the pandemic.

There are many reasons for this: the value placed on slow travel, environmental awareness, flight shame, airport queues and new rail services are just a few. Added to these is a new wave of ticket offers. Anxiety over climate change has led many progressive governments to offer lower prices on public transport, and some of these are available to visitors. In Germany, the £43 D-Ticket confers free use of local public transport for a month; in Spain, short- and medium-distance RENFE trains are free in 2023. For the latter, a small deposit (£9-17) is required, which is then refundable after 16 trips; and while a tourist is unlikely to use the pass enough to earn the refund, the saving made on two journeys can be enough to justify the outlay.

Proof positive that travellers like the idea of exploring by train is the selling out in 2023 of the six-day itinerary of the new Le Grand Tour luxury train in France, despite its eye-watering cost. Developed by the Puy du Fou theme-park team, this Belle Époque-style train travels 4,000km and takes in some of the country’s most famous sights. A rival at the top end of the market will be the Orient Express La Dolce Vita in Italy, for which a start date has yet to be announced. Created by Accor Hotels, the train’s interiors are inspired by Italian decor from the 1960s and ’70s. Eight one- and two-night itineraries are planned.

For mere mortals, Italian Railways (FS) aims to launch a high-speed route between Paris and Barcelona by the end of 2024, putting them in competition with French Railways’ TGV service. Meanwhile, Zürich to Barcelona is among Nightjet’s new routes tipped for 2024, a year when Midnight Trains also plans to launch the first ‘hotel rail service’ from its Paris hub. Its map shows destinations as far afield as Porto, Copenhagen and Edinburgh.

With all eyes on Europe’s railways this year, here are just a selection of the most significant new train services and rail-based tours that are chugging your way.

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(Dalibor Brlek / Alamy Stock Photo)

(Goldenpass Express)

(Alamy Stock Photo)

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(Henk Meijer / Alamy Stock Photo)

Brussels–Berlin

The new Brussels–Berlin overnight train by European Sleeper (launched in May) connects with the London–Brussels Eurostar and promises a seamless link between the UK and the German capital. It calls at Antwerp, Roosendaal, Rotterdam, Den Haag, Amsterdam, Amersfoort, Deventer, Bad Bentheim and Hannover, and has one-, two- and three-berth compartments. There are couchettes and seats for those on a budget.

More information: One-way seats from £43; couchettes from £70; sleepers from £96. europeansleeper.eu

Hamburg–Stockholm

SJ EuroNight, part of Swedish State Railways, launched this overnight service last September. It has en-suite showers and WCs for passengers in first class; those in second-class sleepers will have a washbasin in their compartment and a toilet in the carriage; there are also second-class couchettes. As well as the regular route between Stockholm and Hamburg, the train continues on to Berlin between April and September.

More information: One-way seats from £37; couchettes from £66; sleepers from £145. sj.se

Mount Pilatus

Queen Victoria made it to the summit of Mount Pilatus riding a pony brought from England and accompanied by Highland attendants. But since 1889, the world’s steepest rack railway has allowed millions to enjoy the panorama from its 2,132m summit. Last October, faster, more energy-efficient trains replaced their 60-year-old predecessors, and their larger windows offer even better views of the sheer rock walls as they ascend the final section.

More information: Returns from Alpnachstad from £69. pilatus.ch

Goldenpass Express

Last December, a world-first train was launched in order to obviate the need to change services when travelling through the Swiss countryside between Montreux and Interlaken. The GoldenPass Express can not only change the track gauge as it moves through an apparatus at Zweisimmen, but the height of the coach body is adjusted to the different platform heights of the two gauges. The train has generous windows, swivelling leather seats in Prestige class and on-board food and drink from the local area – except the Champagne. The climb out of Montreux astonishes first-timers as the train negotiates a series of hairpin curves to gain height over Lake Geneva before diving into a long tunnel. Classic Alpine valleys and farmsteads are then followed by skirting the waterside of Lake Thun before arriving in Interlaken, a springboard for trains to the Jungfrau and Eiger.

More information: Montreux–Interlaken from £47 one-way; reservation is recommended, with booking fees starting from £18pp. goldenpass.ch

Paris–Barcelona

SNCF Voyageurs launched its TGV service between the French and Catalan capitals last December with a journey time of just over 6.5 hours. Leaving from Gare de Lyon, the train dashes across undulating countryside towards Lyon before entering the more appealing Rhône Valley and the first stop at Nîmes, which is well worth visiting for the Maison Carrée, a remarkably well preserved Roman temple, and the city’s 24,000-capacity ancient amphitheatre. After the stop at Montpellier, the sight of marshes and coast begins to fill the window until you reach Perpignan station, a building once dubbed ‘the centre of the universe’ by Salvador Dalí. Flamingos and Dali’s former home are among the curious sights to be seen as the train crosses the Pyrénées for stops at Figueres and Girona before its arrival at Barcelona Sants station.

More information: From £34 one-way; InterRail and Eurail passes are accepted. sncf.com/en/sncf-voyageurs

The Beautiful Basque Country Tour

Eurostar and TGV trains carry you from London to Hendaye to begin this new eight-day tour of the Basque country. While based in the coastal walled town of Hondarribia, excursions include visits to the gastronomic centre of San Sebastián, beautifully sited around a crescent bay. When wandering the narrow streets of the Old Town, it’s worth calling at the San Telmo, the oldest museum in the Basque country, which has been converted from a 16th-century Dominican convent and offers insights into local culture. During your day in Bilbao, don’t miss Europe’s largest covered market: bustling fishmongers occupy its ground floor, while fruit, veg and meat lies upstairs. Though Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum is the architectural icon of the city, Norman Foster designed the metro stations with entrances as distinctive as the Paris Metro. Quieter moments can be found in the fishing village of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, whereas the topography is better understood by a journey on the rack railway up La Rhune for views over the Atlantic and the western tip of the Pyrénées.

More information: From £1,199pp; Rail Discoveries. Call 01904 734939, or visit  raildiscoveries.com .

Hidden Treasures of Tuscany Tour

Turin is reached by Eurostar and high-speed train from London for the first evening of this new ten-day escorted tour. There is a morning to explore the architectural delights of modern Italy’s first capital before taking the train through Milan, Bologna and Florence to Poggibonsi for a coach transfer to the tiny fortified town of Monteriggioni, which is walled with 14 stone towers. Among the places visited are Pienza, Assisi and Perugia, before taking the Treno Natura steam train that runs from Siena to Asciano for a village festival celebrating seasonal food or wine – the particular village is chosen according to the time of year. A final day in Florence precedes the train journey home via a night in Ventimiglia on the Cote d’Azur.

More information: From £2,395pp; Great Rail Journeys. Call 01904 521936, or visit  greatrail.com

Lindau & Lake Constance Tour

Travelling out by rail via Cologne and the Rhine Valley and back via Bonn, this new escorted nine-day tour is based in the waterside German town of Lindau but uses boats and trains to explore all three countries around the shores of Lake Constance, including Switzerland and Austria. The spectacular Arlberg Pass route is taken for a day in Innsbruck, while the Swiss Appenzell region is explored via the delightful narrow-gauge network that threads the valleys. The ski resort of Oberstdorf, the southernmost town in Germany, is reached by riding a local train up the beautiful Iller Valley, whereupon you can take one of three cable cars to grab the perfect mountain panorama shot.

More information: From £1,725pp; Ffestiniog Travel. Call 01766 512400, or visit  ffestiniogtravel.com .

From the French to the Italian Riviera Tour

This new six-night tour encompasses France’s Côte d’Azur and Italy’s Genoa and Cinque Terre region, beginning in Menton – which can be reached from Paris by TGV (not included). As you travel around, the Ligurian Sea is seldom out of view as the train curves around the coast for a full day in Genoa and the chance to explore one of Europe’s largest medieval quarters. The coastal train journey then continues on to Monterosso; this village lies close to Levanto, which offers a thrilling bike ride along a former railway line to Framura that threads the old rail tunnels. Alternatively, the villages of the Cinque Terre can be explored by local train or by boat.

More information: From £1,155pp (based on two sharing); Inntravel. Call 01653 617001, or visit  inntravel.co.uk )

Grenoble–Gap–Briançon

It is unusual for an important railway to be closed for two years for rebuilding, but that is exactly what happened to this line. It only reopened last December but remains one of the great unsung railway journeys of Europe. Between Grenoble and Veynes-Dévoluy there are 26 tunnels and numerous bridges and viaducts, mostly on curves, giving passengers a clear view of the line ahead and the chasms below. Leaving Grenoble, an arc of peaks resembling malformed teeth soon fills the horizon as the train climbs to the summit of Col de la Croix Haute at 1,179m. After Lus-la-Croix-Haute a curious fin of rock – like the spine of a stegosaurus – descends to the valley floor; pines and conifers flank the line as it drops parallel with a cluster of peaks before reaching the junction of Gap. From there, take the line on to the border citadel of Briançon, where, out of season, you half expect to turn a corner and meet cowled monks or a troop of breast-plated soldiers with halberds.

More information: From £34.50 one-way. raileurope.com

Zurich–Prague

Its easy to forget just what an eye-catching city Prague can be. The Czech capital is every bit the equal of Europe’s other big hitters, with its iconic castle, centuries-old bridges, pervading Gothic menace and mazy labyrinth of quaint back lanes that hum with microbreweries. It also has a rail history dating back to 1845. Today, Prague is the main base for a number of sleeping-car trains operated by Czech Railways (CD), whose services radiate out from the city and across Europe. Its Zurich–Prague train, which runs via Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz and Ceske Budejovice, was even supplemented last December by another service operating between the cities, except that this version travels via Basel, Frankfurt, Leipzig and Dresden and is named ‘Canopus’. Both have sleeping cars and deliver passengers to Prague Hlavni station, which is an easy 15-minute walk from the old town. It’s the perfect way to arrive refreshed and ready to explore.

More information: One-way seats from £58 without reservation; sleepers from £79. cd.cz

Explore Spain with Iryo

With Trenitalia as its largest shareholder, Iryo is the new rail operator in competition with Spanish state railway RENFE. Its first service, linking Madrid, Zaragoza and Barcelona, began last November, followed by Madrid–València a month later and trains to Córdoba, Seville and Málaga in March. A service to Alicante is expected to start in June. There are four classes of comfort, though all seats on its 360km/h Frecciarossa trains come with USB and standard sockets. But it’s the destinations that really shine.

The attractions of Barcelona and Seville are well known, yet Córdoba is a revelation to many. Its narrow cobbled streets are a joy to wander, with glimpses into arcaded courtyards accompanied by the sound of water from a gentle fountain. However, it is the city’s palimpsest of a cathedral that is most spellbinding: what was an 8th-century mosque, possibly built over a Visigothic church, was converted into a cathedral from 1236. Just walking through it conjures a sense of wandering among a forest of stone. Take time to also appreciate the Moors’ genius for engineering from remnants of their sluices and locks beside the River Guadalquivir, spanned by a traffic-free Roman bridge that is a popular haunt of buskers.

Elsewhere, Cuenca’s hanging houses, above the gorge of the River Huécar, are its most striking feature, but there are plenty of other delights to be found in a city that dates back to the 8th century. Equally well explored on foot is València, where extensive restoration of the old city and the towers of its defensive walls has greatly enhanced visits. As the birthplace of architect Santiago Calatrava, check out his bridge and the many spectacular buildings of the City of Arts and Sciences that were designed by him.

More information: One-way tickets: Madrid–Barcelona from £27.50; Madrid–València from £10; Madrid–Seville from £14; Madrid–Málaga from £16. iryo.eu

Paris–Vienna & Vienna–Genoa–La Spezia

Ten years ago, optimism about sleeping-car trains was hard to find, yet Austrian Railways (ÖBB) saw an opportunity and set up Nightjet in 2016. Its growth has arguably been aided by the spread of the flygskam (flight shame) movement, which started in Sweden in 2017; consequently, we are now starting to see more sleeper services across Europe and better facilities. As well as the recent addition of Nightjet’s Paris–Vienna service, its Brussels–Vienna sleeper route will become daily in late 2023.

If you want to continue your adventure, another new Nightjet service for this year now links Vienna with Italy’s Cinque Terre region, terminating at La Spezia, just south of the famous five villages that cling to the Italian Riviera coast. This port city is worth a stay in its own right: it has a fine Naval Museum and is the starting point for boat trips to islands such as Palmaria or Portovenere. Those exploring the region’s coastal villages, such as Manarola, can buy a one-, two- or three-day Cinque Terre Train Card, which gives free access to local hiking trails (for which there is normally a fee) and unlimited train travel between Levanto and La Spezia.

More information: Paris–Vienna one-way: couchettes from £44; sleepers from £80; Vienna–La Spezia one-way: couchettes from £93; sleepers from £119. nightjet.com

Last chance to ride the rails

Not all train services last forever – even the iconic ones. Grab a final trip on these old favourites…

London–Paris on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Few trains had as much romance as the Pullman Golden Arrow service between London Victoria and Paris Gare du Nord. Until 1936, passengers had to board a dedicated Channel steamer on foot as part of the journey; thereafter, train-ferries able to carry sleeping cars were introduced. Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE), which features restored coaches from the 1920s, ’30s and ’50s, recreates the pre-1936 experience perfectly, but with one exception: the Channel crossing is made not by ship but by luxury coach through the Channel Tunnel. Sadly, VSOE has decided to discontinue the UK leg of the journey at the end of the 2023 season, so it will only operate between Paris Gare de l’Est and Venice from 2024. It’s your last chance to experience it.

More information: London–Venice from £3,530. belmond.com

Over the Rampa de Pajares

You have only to look at a map to realise that the railway beneath the Pajares Pass of the Cantabrian Mountains between Asturias and León is something special. The route almost resembles a child’s doodling in its incessant loops and curves. The views westward on both climbs to the summit tunnel are breathtaking, but the sad truth is that the train service that provides them may not survive beyond the end of 2023. A deviation with a 25km base tunnel is expected to open sometime this year, and no plans for the old route have been proposed. Contrast this with Switzerland, where the old Gotthard Pass line (also bypassed by a base tunnel) is being promoted for tourism. Consequently, this may be the last year you can take the train between Oviedo and León and enjoy one of Europe’s great railway journeys at the same time.

More information: Oviedo–León from £8. renfe.com

Please note: Like airlines, nearly all train operators have booking systems and prices determined by yield management algorithms, so prices can fluctuate by the day. Almost invariably, the further ahead you book, the cheaper the price. For train journeys, there is no better online source of information than seat61.com

I'm a seasoned train traveler. Here are 5 new trains and routes around the world that I want to take in 2023.

• I've taken trains around the US, Europe, and Canada in accommodations from coach to sleeper cabins.
• In 2023, rail lines around the world are upgrading their train cars and traveling to new places. 
• Here are the 2023 trains and routes I'm most excited about, from the US to Japan.

Over the last year and a half, I've spent nearly 150 hours traveling by train, from first-class rides in the US and Italy to business-class trips around Canada, and sleeper cars through Germany and Austria.

I take more trains than anyone else I know. 

My interest in train journeys began in late 2021 with 30-hour rides between NYC and Miami in Amtrak sleeper accommodations , where I tried out the US rail line's private roomette and bedroom cabins.

A few months later, I rode in first and business class on Amtrak Acela trains between NYC and Baltimore. Then, I traveled by Amtrak to Canada and used the country's Via Rail train line to travel through the eastern provinces of Ontario and Québec.

Most recently, I traveled by train through four European countries , — Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland — trying out classes from coach to first class, and sleeper cabins.

Along the way, I've grown fond of train travel . I've found it's a sustainable way to get around the world that offers unparalleled views along the way. I'm excited to continue riding the rails in 2023 and try out new accommodations and routes.

On the East Coast of the US, Acela Amtrak trains are getting a brand new fleet in 2023.

Acela is an Amtrak express train on the East Coast with only business and first-class seating. In 2023, it's getting a new fleet of upgraded cars, according to Amtrak's website .

When I traveled in first and business class on the Acela, I thought it was a good experience, but I think its new fleet will be even better. 

Although Acela seats were large and spacious, I found that the seats in business and first class on the Acela train were stiff and uncomfortable. But the new fleet will have nearly 25% more seating, as well as brand new seats with winged headrests, according to Amtrak's website . Each seat will also include personal outlets, USB ports, and reading lights, according to the same source. 

During my first-class Acela ride, I thought that the food menu was limited but the new trains will offer a wider selection of food, too, according to the same source. 

I also experienced motion sickness on my Acela rides, but the same source says that the new Acela trains will be faster, smoother rides.

It's unclear how much these rides will cost, but in the past, I've paid $121 for a business-class ticket and an additional $152 to upgrade to first class.

Since I live on the East Coast, I will definitely be taking a new Acela train in 2023 to compare it to my previous Acela experience. 

Nightjet, an overnight train operator in Europe, is coming out with a new fleet of upgraded sleeper cabins in 2023.

Austrian Federal Railway's OBB Nightjet train is a rail line that operates overnight routes between Austria, Italy, France, and the Netherlands, and can go as fast as 143 miles per hour, according to its website .

Nightjet trains have regular assigned seats, sleeper cars with bunks of four or six, and couchette cars, which are seats that fold out into couches in shared cabins.

Next year, the rail line is upgrading its overnight trains, according to a press release from OBB Nightjet , with new, more spacious sleeper cabins that will include a seating area in addition to beds, according to the press release.

I think that's a great thing, especially because when I traveled in an OBB Nightjet shared sleeper cabin from Austria to Italy, I found it to be cramped and uncomfortable when I shared the space with six other people. 

And since I also learned during my Nightjet ride that bunking with strangers isn't for me — I need more space and privacy to be comfortable falling asleep — I'm the most excited to try Nightjet's forthcoming mini cabins for solo travelers. These sleeper cabins will be private, enclosed spaces with a storage area, an adjustable folding table with a mirror, clothing hooks, and a luggage locker, according to the press release.

Pricing for the new accommodations is not yet available online, but in the past, I paid $477 for a week-long Eurail pass and an additional $44 for a shared sleeper cabin accommodation on OBB Nightjet. 

Great Journeys New Zealand is debuting its multi-day train journeys with overnight stops in various locations.

When I heard about train operator Great Journeys New Zealand 's new multi-day tours coming in 2023, I thought it sounded like the railroad version of a cruise, except instead of sleeping onboard, the tickets include hotel stays at every stop.

With itineraries from six to 17 days, the tours link three scenic train journeys together: the TranzAlpine  from Christchurch to Greymouth, the  Northern Explorer  between Auckland and Wellington, and  Coastal Pacific from Picton to Christchurch, according to CN Traveler . 

On these trains, guests can get off the train for excursions along the route ranging from whale spotting to wine tasting, according to the same source. Some meals and activities are included in the price of the ticket, the company's website says .

These journeys cost between $3,000 and $13,000 each, according to the same source.

I would love to take one of these journeys, not only to see this part of the world, which has been a dream of mine since I was a kid, but to do it by train. I also think these itineraries would make it easy to do and see so much with little planning.

Usually, when I travel by train, I plan how I'm going to spend my time in each place separate from my rail travel. But Great Journeys New Zealand offers more of an experiential journey, in my opinion.

Japan's exclusive luxury rail journeys onboard the Train Suite Shiki-Shima is accepting international applicants for 2023. I'd love to be one of them.

Train Suite Shiki-Shima is a luxury train for sightseeing over multiple days in Japan.

The train departs from Tokyo and has 2-4 day journeys with varying itineraries from the port city of Yamanashi to the Kanto region on the pacific coast, according to the company's website .

Based on pictures I viewed online, I think the train's interior looks unique to any train I've been on or seen. There's a tree-themed lounge designed to be reminiscent of forests, as well as two observation cars with wide, geometric contoured windows, and a hand-woven carpet flooring that looks like moss. And passengers sleep onboard the train in accommodations ranging from a suite room with a private bathroom to two-story suites that include a cypress bath.

With a max capacity of just 34 passengers, these are intimate trips and tickets for these train journeys are only available by lottery, their website states .

Tickets start at $2,343.15 per person, according to Japan Rail Pass . Travelers can apply for 2023 tickets on the company's website .

I've never been to Japan, save for a layover in the airport in Narita, so I'd love to explore the country by rail. And the interior appears to be so luxurious and stunning that I wouldn't pass up the opportunity if accepted. 

The legendary Orient Express is bringing new trains to Italy with the same classic feel as the original iconic train.

The Orient Express is an iconic luxury overnight train between Paris and Istanbul that ran from 1883 to 1977, according to Britannica and CN Traveler .

Since then, versions of the Orient Express have served other routes, like London to Paris, according to the same source. In 2023, the new Orient Express La Dolce Vita will take travelers through Italy and to Istanbul, Paris, and Split, Croatia.

The design of the six new Orient Express La Dolce Vita trains is inspired by the original Orient Express with Italian accents, according to CN Traveler, and will have plush carpets, brass accents, and artwork on display.

Six trains will take six different routes around Italy as well as into France, Turkey, and Croatia, Travel and Leisure reports . For around $2,262 per night, travelers can spend 1-3 nights on the trains, according to Lonely Planet . 

Passengers will sleep onboard in private cabins in rooms with chairs that fold into beds, a private bathroom, and a dressing room, according to the company's website . The ticket price also includes all onboard meals, according to Luxury Train Club .

This trip would be a dream come true for me since I've never traveled on a luxury train, nor such an iconic one. And when I traveled by train through Italy this year, I thought it had some of the most stunning views I've ever seen from a train window. 

My 2022 train travels have awakened my adventurous side, and I can't wait to try out new routes and lines in 2023.

I traveled on more trains in 2022 than any year prior and my new experiences on the rails have only made me more interested in railroad travel. 

From taking unexplored routes to experiencing new accommodations, I hope my 2023 is filled with more train travel, both in my home country of the US and abroad, including perhaps a few — or all — of the new trains mentioned here.

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Fashion News and Trends – Celebrity Style

The best new European train journeys for 2023 | Rail travel

Y ou might expect Europe’s 2023 train schedules to debut on 1 January 2023. They don’t. The new timetables kick in on 11 December this year, bringing myriad new travel opportunities for the year ahead. Highlights include Genoa and Dresden both securing new international night sleeper services, a new daily train between Poland and Lithuania and improved links between Oslo and Stockholm.

Night trains have been in the spotlight this past year or two. A collective determination to curb flying has driven demand for overnight trains, but there’s another key factor. The pandemic encouraged us all to rethink how we value personal space, and suddenly the possibility of a comfortable overnight journey in a private compartment holds special appeal, be it a solo or twin-occupancy sleeper or a couchette compartment for a whole family.

Nightjet from Stuttgart to Venice and Rijeka

Stuttgart used to be a major hub for European night trains: 50 years ago it was served by the Orient Express. The south-west German city slipped from the overnight schedules but has returned in grand style with a new daily night train departure at 8.29pm, which will carry sleeping cars to Venice, Vienna, Budapest, Ljubljana and Zagreb. The roll call of enticing destinations is augmented by a through sleeping car to Rijeka over Christmas and Easterand then again from mid-May to early October 2023. Stuttgart to Rijeka takes just under 15 hours, culminating in a wonderful ride through the Istrian hills before a steep drop to the Kvarner Gulf. An overnight journey with crisp white sheets in sleeping car comfort starts at about £73 for Vienna, Venice or Budapest and slightly more to stations in Slovenia or Croatia. With such good connections from London via Brussels or Paris to Stuttgart, travellers from the UK can use the 8.29pm from Stuttgart as a gateway to adventures around the Adriatic in summer 2023.

This month has also seen a new overnight train from Prague and Dresden to Basel . The train continues beyond Basel to Zürich, giving travellers from the Czech capital the choice of two completely different overnight routes to Zürich – the traditional one via Linz, traversing Liechtenstein by dead of night, and the new service via Saxony. For travellers from London, this service offers a credible new route to Dresden and Prague, travelling via Paris to Karlsruhe where the overnight train to Prague leaves at 11.07pm. The Dresden arrival is at 7.05am and Prague at 9.38am. Book it: The night sleeper services will in time all be bookable from Nightjet , though some are not yet available. A good alternative for overnight trains, and indeed many other European trains, is Rail Europe . For the new night train from Prague to south-west Germany and Switzerland via Saxony, the cheapest fares may be from Czech Railways

Ligurian links, Italy

Austria’s national rail operator, ÖBB, announced months ago that it would run trains to Liguria from late 2022, and everyone assumed this just meant Genoa. But it sprung a last-minute surprise in November, with news that the Nightjet from Munich will continue beyond Genoa, serving the Cinque Terre coast en route to its final destination at La Spezia. The new route launched on 11 December. It offers a chance to have an early dinner in Munich, then board a comfortable overnight train and alight next morning in Rapello at 10.14am or Levanto at 10.46am.

With such civilised timings, the route will surely attract travellers heading to Tuscany. The existing night train from Munich arrives in Florence at 6.18am, which is far too early for most travellers. How much nicer it will be to enjoy a gentle rail cruise along the Ligurian coast, alighting from the Nightjet at 11.10am in La Spezia, which has good connections to Pisa and other Tuscan cities.

The new service from Munich to Liguria is complemented by a similar offering from Vienna, leaving the Austrian capital at 7.18pm for an evening journey over the remarkable Semmering Railway. The carriages from Munich and Vienna are united in the wee small hours at Villach in Carinthia, from where the train continues its journey south into Italy, stopping in Milan and Pavia en route to Genoa and the coast. One-way fares from Munich or Vienna to any destination in Liguria start at €30 for an austere overnight journey in a seat, but the trip in a couchette costs from €50 and sleeping car accommodation from €70.

Bordeaux to the Black Forest

In France, the headline rail news this month has, as in the UK, been all about strikes, but national operator SNCF is sneaking some extra long-distance trains into the 2023 schedules. There are extra TGVs between Paris and the south-west German city of Freiburg. No big surprise there, but a wholly new French destination will appear on the departure boards at Freiburg on 17 December, with the launch of a weekly service to Bordeaux . From Germany’s Black Forest region to Bordeaux in under eight hours would have been impossible a generation ago. It may be a route for wine lovers, but that’s not what’s driving demand; it is, rather, a theme park just north of Freiburg which is very popular with French visitors. It now has a dedicated station called Ringsheim/Europa-Park , where from mid-December you’ll be able to catch not just a weekly train to Bordeaux but also a direct TGV to Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy, for Disneyland Paris. That itinerary will surely appeal to those keen to sample Europe’s two leading theme parks in a single trip. One-way fares from Freiburg or Ringsheim to Bordeaux start at €59. Book it: through SNCF or Rail Europe

Lithuania reconnected

Last spring, transport activists appealed to European authorities about the complete absence of cross-border rail services into Lithuania at a time when Kaunas was in the limelight as a European capital of culture. Happily, the Polish and Lithuanian authorities responded by introducing, on 1 July, a twice-weekly local service from Białystok to Kaunas. Now, that service is being upgraded to Intercity status, with daily departures from Kraków and Warsaw to Lithuania.

The train leaves Kraków at 4.01am, when sensible travellers should really still be asleep. The Warsaw departure is at 7.35am, giving late-afternoon arrivals in Kaunas and Vilnius. One curiosity of the new service is that an easy cross-platform change of train is necessary at Mockava, a small station just inside Lithuania, where passengers switch from the Polish train to a Lithuanian one. It’s a guaranteed connection and there are through fares. A one-way ticket for the nine-hour journey from Warsaw to Vilnius starts at 120 złoty (about £22). Book it: the new direct trains from Warsaw to Lithuania can be booked with PKP Intercity

As I discovered when travelling from Norway to Sweden in the autumn, rail connections between the two countries are woeful. But a welcome upgrade to services on the Oslo-Stockholm route kicked off on 11 December. The number of direct trains has increased to five a day and comfortable, modern SJ3000 trains debut on the route. Journey times are trimmed, with the fastest services now taking just over five hours. One-way fares start at SEK385 Swedish kroner (£30). Book it: the best option for trains between Stockholm and Oslo is SJ Swedish Railways

… and losers

Timetable changes are not always good news. Trains axed from 11 December included the once-daily direct trains from Dresden to Vienna, Marseille to Madrid and Lyon to Barcelona.

Nicky Gardner is a Berlin-based writer. The 17th edition of her book Europe by Rail: The Definitive Guide is available from the Guardian Bookshop . She is co-editor of Hidden Europe magazine.

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Amazing New Train Journeys To Get Excited About

Posted: 18 July 2023 | Last updated: 13 December 2023

On track for a great adventure

Travelling by train has long been romanticised as the most enjoyable way of getting from A to B – and the most sustainable too. Yet when our lives are so busy, and our time and money so precious, it can sometimes be hard to justify taking the slower route to our destination. However, these exciting new train journeys for 2023 and beyond might just convince you to give it a try. From swanky sleepers to dynamic first-of-their-kind engineering feats, these are the best new and upcoming rail routes to look forward to right now.

GoldenPass Express, Switzerland

Three years later than planned – and over a century since the project was first proposed – Switzerland’s GoldenPass Express (GPX) finally launched on 11 December 2022 and recently expanded its timetable to four daily round-trips. The long-awaited route connects three key Swiss tourist destinations – Montreux, Gstaad and Interlaken – with the complete journey taking just over three hours. While the huge panoramic windows available across all three passenger classes are quite something to behold, they aren’t the only remarkable feature of the GPX…

European Sleeper from Brussels to Berlin

Perhaps the most hotly anticipated launch of 2023 among the backpacking community is the European Sleeper service linking the Belgian and Dutch cities of Brussels, Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam to the German capital. The inaugural journey chugged out of Brussels-Midi station on 25 May, signalling the beginning of the first direct overnight rail route between Brussels and Berlin in more than a decade. Passengers can book three different ticket options according to their budget, from cosy sleeping compartments (pictured) and convertible couchettes to reclining seats.

Travellers looking to reach Berlin (pictured) from London in just under 16 hours can board the Eurostar train from St Pancras International station in the afternoon and change at Brussels-Midi for the European Sleeper departing in the evening, with arrival into Berlin before 7am the following morning. The Brussels-Berlin leg of the European Sleeper currently runs three times a week, with the aim of increasing to daily over time. From spring 2024, there are also plans to extend this service to Dresden in eastern Germany and across the Czech border into Prague.

Beautiful train journeys that don't cost a fortune

The Adirondack from New York to Montreal

While not technically “new” per se, Amtrak’s celebrated Adirondack service resumed for the first time in three years earlier in 2023, following a pandemic-induced hiatus. The epic journey, which has been listed among the most scenic train rides in the world, stretches from New York City to Montreal in Canada, via the picturesque winelands of upstate New York’s Hudson Valley and along the eastern border of the majestic Adirondack Mountains. Riding the Adirondack is an adventure in itself, with the journey taking approximately 10 hours.

Zero-emission Train de Charlevoix, Canada

The first hydro-powered, zero-emission passenger train in the Americas takes its maiden voyage through Quebec this year. Running from 17 June to 30 September 2023 on nothing but green energy, the  Train de Charlevoix  travels on a scenic round-trip from Montmorency Falls in Quebec City to the pretty town of Baie-Saint-Paul, following the St Lawrence River. While the route itself is existing, this uber-sustainable train offers a whole new way of experiencing it.

The launch of the zero-emission tourist train is part of a wider demonstration to show how hydrogen can replace diesel fuel on railways where installing electricity would be too difficult. The Train de Charlevoix uses about 110lbs (50kg) of hydrogen a day, replacing the approximately 500 litres of diesel that would otherwise be burned during the same journey, and emitting only water vapour into the air.

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Nightjet from Vienna and Munich to Genoa and La Spezia

OBB’s signature overnight trains came onto the European sleeper circuit back in 2016, and they’ve been going from strength to strength ever since. 2023 is set to be a landmark year for Nightjet , with a fleet of brand-new modern trains entering service from summer onwards, offering everything from wireless charging stations and ambient lighting to private en-suite sleeper compartments, solo snoozing pods and bike storage. Not only that, but the operator’s revamped 2023 timetable has opened up a slew of new possibilities for rail travellers in Europe.

Where Nightjet’s popular routes from Vienna and Munich originally terminated in Milan, they have now been extended further south in Italy to cover Genoa and La Spezia (pictured) – gateway to the Cinque Terre and Tuscany. The next-generation carriages are being introduced gradually on both lines, which merge at Austria's Villach, meaning passengers bound for the Ligurian coast from Austria and Germany will be able to do so in elevated comfort and style. You’ll arrive in Genoa ready for a late breakfast, or La Spezia in good time for a spot of pre-lunch exploring.

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Nightjet/EuroNight from Stuttgart to Venice, Ljubljana, Zagreb and Rijeka

Another addition to OBB’s 2023 sleeper schedule is the extension of its Nightjet and EuroNight services to Venice, Ljubljana and Zagreb. These routes have started from Munich in the past, but now passengers can board in Stuttgart, just northwest of Munich. The Nightjet to Venice will still stop at Munich, calling also at Salzburg, Udine and Treviso before reaching the Floating City. Partnering with national rail operators in Croatia and Slovenia, OBB’s EuroNight service now connects rail travellers to both countries’ capitals from Stuttgart, as well as Munich.

Seasonally, the EuroNight from Stuttgart also runs as far as the Croatian city of Rijeka (pictured), located on Kvarner Bay – an inlet of the Adriatic Sea. The journey takes just under 15 hours and passes through some of the most beautiful landscapes Europe has to offer, from historic German spa towns to sweeping Slovenian countryside, before coming to rest in Rijeka, a former European Capital of Culture. 

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High-speed train from Jakarta to Bandung, Indonesia

Despite running two years behind schedule, excitement for Indonesia’s first high-speed railway has not dampened. The new multi-billion-dollar line will link the capital of Jakarta to the west Javan city of Bandung in less than 40 minutes, revolutionising travel between the two major hubs for both residents and visitors. The railway, which has been under construction since 2016 and is built mostly on viaducts, is expected to carry up to 44,000 passengers daily during its first year of service. In May 2023, the history-making train successfully completed the first of a rigorous series of trail runs.

Orient Express La Dolce Vita, Italy

While the legendary Orient Express is certainly nothing new, it is about to get a very trendy younger sister: the Orient Express La Dolce Vita . Slated to hit the rails later in 2023, this new iteration of the historic locomotive is targeted at more design-conscious travellers, swapping out the Belle Epoque maximalism of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for the cool curves and retro swagger of the 1960s and 70s. There will be six trains in La Dolce Vita's initial fleet, all featuring luxe wood-lined cabins, live music and a restaurant car focused on sustainable Italian produce.

As you might expect of the Orient Express dynasty, a trip on La Dolce Vita won't be your average train journey. Offering one and two-night itineraries out of Rome, these stylish sojourns start at around £1,584 ($2,000) per person and come with a private concierge from the moment you book. For now, the routes will just focus on Italian destinations – such as Venice, Siena (pictured), the rustic stone-hewn city of Matera and Palermo in Sicily – but future plans involve increasing La Dolce Vita's reach internationally to Paris, Istanbul and Split in Croatia.

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Tren Maya, Mexico

If you're planning a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula from December 2023 onwards, it looks likely you'll be able to get around by train, as the Tren Maya line is primed to launch on the first of the month. Work began on the route in 2020 – which will connect popular Caribbean coast resorts like Tulum and Cancun to culture-crammed cities such as Merida and ancient archaeological sites such as Palenque (pictured). From September 2023, the partially new, partially revitalised railway will begin testing its capabilities.

The Tren Maya megaproject has caused some controversy. Indigenous leaders and environmental activists have spoken out against the deforestation and displacement of communities that construction has caused, while others believe Tren Maya will ultimately help to alleviate poverty in the areas it serves. Whatever your stance, the 948-mile (1,525km) route, which will eventually run both daytime and sleeper trains, marks a significant turning point for public transport and rail tourism in Mexico.

Amtrak from Mobile to New Orleans and wider network upgrade, USA

Expected to start welcoming passengers from autumn 2023, a new Amtrak route between Mobile in Alabama and New Orleans in Louisiana will soon cruise along southern America’s gorgeous Gulf Coast (pictured), stopping also at four stations in Mississippi: Bay St Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula. It will mark the return of passenger train services to the Gulf Coast for the first time in more than 16 years. While an exact date for the launch of the journey is yet to be confirmed, test runs on the tracks have already begun.

The Amtrak network is on track for further developments, as President Joe Biden has called on Congress to invest an enormous $80 billion (£63.3bn) in its rail services. The proposed expansion, which could connect up to 160 communities over 25 states, may take at least 15 years to come to fruition. But there’s other exciting Amtrak news in the meantime. From late 2023, a shiny new fleet of Acela high-speed trains (pictured) are due to enter service on the existing Northeast Corridor route connecting Boston, Providence, NYC, Philadelphia and Washington D.C, offering more spacious, smoother and speedier rides.

Midnight Trains, various

From 2025, there’ll be a new kid on the overnight train block, looking to further upgrade the nocturnal rail travel experience in Europe. Midnight Trains are a French start-up putting the wheels in motion for several new routes out of Paris; the first service to launch will whisk passengers to Milan and Venice under cover of darkness. Self-described as hotels on rails, Midnight Trains will feature exclusively private, en-suite rooms throughout their fleet, with plush bed linen, a library of on-demand films to keep you entertained and next-level food-and-drink amenities.

New high-speed service from Porto and Lisbon to Vigo

In November 2022, the vision for an advanced high-speed rail link between the Portuguese cities of Porto (pictured) and Lisbon and Vigo in Galicia, northwest Spain, was laid out by the Portuguese government. While the existing fast service between the country's capital and second cities takes just under three hours, this new proposal could see the journey time more than halved to one hour and 15 minutes. Extending the route to Vigo will allow passengers to travel the length of Iberia's Atlantic coast at speeds of around 186 miles per hour (300km/h).

Construction on the Porto-Lisbon-Vigo route should be starting 2024, but won't be completed until the early 2030s. This is all part of a wider infrastructure overhaul to Portugal's rail network, which will also include new local district connections and a crossing over the Tagus river (pictured), ultimately creating high-speed links from 10 of the country's main cities. In its entirety, the project is estimated for completion by 2050.

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European Sleeper from Amsterdam to Barcelona

If you’re loving the new European Sleeper between Brussels and Berlin, you’ll be delighted to know that the provider will soon be adding a second route to its roster – connecting Amsterdam to the buzzing Catalonian city of Barcelona. You’ll have to wait a little longer for this one, with the service not set to begin until spring 2025, but it sounds like it’ll be worth it. Expect modern trappings such as wifi and charging points, as well as complimentary breakfast included with sleeper and couchette bookings (as with the Brussels-Berlin route).

The proposed route to be taken by the European Sleeper between Amsterdam and Barcelona (pictured) includes stops in Montpellier, Perpignan, Figueres and Girona, though it is not yet known how long the complete end-to-end journey will be. One thing we can say for certain, though, is that the views from the window of your carriage will be nothing short of spectacular. Meandering past the evolving scenery of at least four different countries, it'll be a wonder if you manage to steal any sleep at all.

Rail Baltica, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia

They've been the missing link in the European railway map for a long time, but now – gradually – the Baltic states are finally getting connected with passenger and freight services. Rail Baltica is the largest infrastructure project in the region for a century, and will link cities such as Warsaw, Vilnius, Kaunas, Riga and Tallinn (as well as Helsinki indirectly) when the 541-mile (870km) route is completed by 2030. It’s an idea that has been more than 30 years in the making, since the former Soviet Union countries gained independence in the 1990s.

Eventually replacing the long-distance buses and unsustainable flights that travellers currently have to rely on to hop between Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, Rail Baltica will be a fully electric fleet, with a colour scheme designed to reflect the sun, sea and sand of the Baltic Coast. While there’s still a long way to go before we can enjoy this particular route, there is a new daily Intercity link between Krakow and Warsaw in Poland to Vilnius (pictured) and Kaunas in Lithuania, though you’ll have to change trains at Mockava.

African Integrated High-Speed Railway Network, various

Three pilot schemes have now been selected for the railway to be trialled: the first routes to open up will be Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to Kigali in Rwanda; Kampala in Uganda (pictured) to Bujumbura in Burundi; and Johannesburg in South Africa to Walvis Bay in Namibia, via Botswana's capital Gaborone. While the project has already seen significant delays and other practical challenges, the Uganda leg of the new Standard Gauge Railway is set to enter construction later in 2023.

Now read on for the world's best overnight trains

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