As flight-free travel gets momentum, European train journeys are experiencing a renaissance
Altering the method you take a trip is one the very best methods to decrease your carbon footprint According to Eurostar, flying from London to Paris produces 14 times more CO2 than taking a trip by train.
Thankfully, nations throughout the EU are buying trains that offer much better – and faster – connections than ever previously.
From budget-savvy night trains to cross-country tracks, here are all the most recent European train paths
Austria
Vienna to Paris with Nightjet
Austrian nationwide rail company ÖBB has actually been conducting Europe’s sleeper train revival with NightJet considering that 2016. In late 2021, it released a brand-new path in between Vienna and Paris through Salzburg and Munich.
The journey takes 14 hours and runs 3 times a week in both instructions, with costs from around EUR30 for a seat to EUR120 and up for a personal compartment.
In summer season 2023, Nightjet will introduce new-gen trains that measure up to first-rate flights in convenience. Anticipate cordless charging stations, totally free wifi, bike and snow sports devices storage and personal compartments with their own showers and toilets.
Vienna to Genoa and La Spezia with Nightjet
Nightjet’s brand-new 2023 schedule saw its Vienna/Munich service to Milan reached Genoa and La Spezia in Italy. From here, travelers can take trains to Monaco, Nice and Cinque Terre
Belgium
Brussels to Berlin with European Sleeper ( can be found in 2023)
The long-teased European Sleeper, a Belgian-Dutch social cooperative, is practically prepared to introduce its very first path, which will link Brussels to Berlin through Amsterdam.
Ultimately, it will go through to Prague, although this leg of the journey is not set to be functional till 2024.
Czech Republic
Prague to Zurich with Advertisement
In December 2022, the Czech Republic’s nationwide rail operator České dráhy (ADVERTISEMENT) released a brand-new sleeper service connecting Prague to Zurich, with stops at Frankfurt and Basel along the method.
The over night journey, a revival of a service that shut down in 2017, will take somewhat less than 14 hours. Visitors will have a variety of various fare alternatives, from six-bed couchettes to luxurious sleeper compartments with en-suite toilets and showers.
Tickets for a berth in a six-bed couchette start from EUR49.90.
France
Paris to Madrid with Trenitalia ( late 2024)
In December 2022, FS Italiane Group – the owner of Italy’s nationwide state-owned train Trenitalia – revealed prepare for a brand-new high-speed Frecciarossa train connection in between Paris and Madrid.
The brand-new train will connect Paris and Barcelona, where the existing high-speed service currently goes to the Spanish capital. It is predicted to introduce in late 2024, with tips that even more services might link Madrid with Italy through France
Germany
Berlin to Stockholm with Snälltåget
Swedish train business Snälltåget has actually rerouted its Berlin to Malmö train service through Hamburg and Denmark, while extending it to Stockholm. The complete journey takes simply under 17 hours with costs for the direct service from around EUR50.
Munich to Genoa and La Spezia with Nightjet
Nightjet’s brand-new 2023 schedule saw its Vienna/Munich service to Milan reached Genoa and La Spezia in Italy. From here, onward take a trip to Monaco, Great and Cinque Terre is possible.
Stuttgart to Zagreb and Rijeka with Nightjet and EuroNight
In its brand-new 2023 schedule, NightJet extended its sleeper train service from Munich to Venice, Ljubljana and Zagreb to begin in Stuttgart, Germany.
Seasonally, the path will likewise go to the seaside Croatian city of Rijeka, with an overall journey time of around 15 hours.
The Nightjet to Venice takes a trip through Munich, Salzburg and Treviso, while the service to the Croatian and Slovenian capitals is run by Croatian Railways HŽ and Slovenian Railways SŽ under ÖBB’s EuroNight.
Italy
Genoa to Naples with NTV Italo
In late 2021, Italian high-speed rail business NTV Italo released a Genoa service connecting the formerly badly linked port city in Italy’s northwest to the south of the nation.
The journey from Genoa to Naples takes simply under 7 hours and expenses from around EUR80 return.
Milan to Paris with Frecciarossa
Likewise in late 2021, Frecciarossa – the high-speed arm of Italian nationwide train operator Trenitalia – released a fancy brand-new train in between Milan and Paris.
Faster and more glamorous than previous services on this path, the train takes simply under 7 hours. Tickets are as inexpensive as EUR29 – though splash out on an ‘executive’ fare to take a trip in a comfortable armchair.
Portugal
Porto to Lisbon and Vigo with the Iberian high-speed rail network ( building and construction starting in 2024)
Portugal has actually authorized prepare for a high-speed railway in between Lisbon, Porto and Vigo. It will become part of the larger Iberian high-speed rail network joining the nation and linking it with Spain.
Presently it takes practically 3 hours to take a trip by train in between Porto and Lisbon The brand-new rail link will slash the journey time to simply 1 hour 15 minutes. Eventually, the brand-new line will link the Portuguese cities with Vigo in Spain.
Netherlands
Amsterdam to Austria with TUI’s Ski Express ( December 2022)
Snow sport fans are bracing for a brand-new over night train releasing in between Amsterdam and a few of Austria’s greatest ski resorts.
TUI’s ‘ Ski Express‘ will leave from Amsterdam every Friday night in between 23 December and 31 March. After leaving the Dutch capital at 5:30 pm, the service will stop at Utrecht, then continue straight to Austria.
Amsterdam to Zurich with Nightjet
Austrian-led night train leader NightJet released a path in between Amsterdam and Zurich in late 2021. It leaves at 8.30 pm and comes to 8.05 am.
Sleeping alternatives variety from couchettes (from around EUR60) to sleeper cabins (from around EUR120).
Spain
Madrid to Alicante and Valencia with Ouigo
In November 2022, SNCF-owned Ouigo released a brand-new high-speed path in between Madrid and Valencia. It will quickly likewise go to Alicante. Tickets will at first be priced at EUR9 one-way with one travel suitcase, however will cost around EUR30 after the launch duration.
In 2023, Ouigo prepares to extend its service to reach Cordoba, Seville, Malaga and the Costa del Sol.
Barcelona to Madrid with Iryo
Taking A Trip in between Spain‘s capital and its leading traveler city got faster and less expensive in November 2022 with this brand-new high-speed rail service from Iryo.
Iryo – a consortium in between Spanish airline company Air Nostrum and Italian train business Trenitalia – runs 16 return trains everyday in between Barcelona and Madrid, taking as low as 2.5 hours each method and costing simply EUR18.
Slovenia
Ljubljana to Budapest with Hungarian Trains
Introduced in December 2021, the Hungarian Railways train from Ljubljana, Slovenia to Budapest, Hungary goes through Graz in Austria for a picturesque trip. The journey takes 7.5 hours and trains leave at 5:05 am and 9:35 am, beginning as low as EUR16 each method.
Sweden
Stockholm to Hamburg with SJ EuroNight
Introduced in September 2022, the Stockholm Central to Hamburg-Altona night train is powered by renewable resource. It leaves daily at 5.30 pm and comes to 6.30 am, travelling through Copenhagen along the method.
The most affordable choice is a seat in a carriage (from EUR25). A bed in a shared compartment begins at EUR45, while a personal compartment for 2 individuals with a sink begins at EUR165. Personal compartments for one-to-three individuals featured their own shower, toilet and breakfast beginning with around EUR205. Pet-friendly train compartments are likewise readily available.
Integrated with existing Eurostar and Deutsche Bahn services, the service can likewise be utilized to take a trip from London to Stockholm in less than 24 hr.
Switzerland
Zurich to Rome with Nightjet ( December 2022)
In a 2020 interview, Nightjet revealed it will introduce a brand-new night train in between Zurich and Rome in winter season 2022. It stays to be seen whether the strategies will go on as scheduled. Presently, the operator’s only Rome paths consist of Vienna, Salzburg, Villach and Munich.
UK
London to Bordeaux with Eurostar ( 2027, possibly)
Eurotunnel officers have actually meant prepare for a London to Bordeaux path, which they intend to introduce within the next 5 years. They hope the brand-new facilities will motivate personal jet users to go to the Côte d’Azur more sustainably.
