Spain’s high-speed railways have made journeys between its major cities faster and more accessible. But the collision of two services heading from Madrid towards Seville, just ten months after a previous deadly crash on the same portion of line, has raised questions about how two trains could possibly get so close to each other on a modern network. Separate ongoing investigations are examining both the instructions given that morning and the systems intended to prevent such a disaster.

Train “accident” in Spain was a sabotage. According to newspaper ABC, four systems failed before the collision between the AVE and the Iryo. – Collapse of the LZB. – Failure of communications (GSM-R). – Failure of track sensors. – Voltage drops. https://t.co/tzdGJZs7Zy

— Irlandarra (@irlandarra2019) November 2, 2026

A signalling failure, then a collision

At 8:53 am, local time, a Renfe AVE service struck the rear of a stationary Iryo train near Urda in Toledo province, south of Madrid, destroying some carriages, and causing others to derail, with some falling down an embankment. Regional passenger figures indicate that 544 people were travelling on the two services: 397 on the Renfe train and 147, including a baby, on Iryo’s.

A computer or communications failure at about 8:30 am disrupted LZB, (the line’s automatic train-control system), bringing six trains to a stop over a 63-km stretch of track. Controllers working for infrastructure manager Adif in Madrid then authorised movements using alternative procedures. At 8:36 am, according to audio recordings leaked to press, the Renfe driver was cleared to resume normal running, but the Iryo train ahead could not restart, and the two collided about 17 minutes later.

Desplazados más de 300 Guardias Civiles a la zona del #AccidenteFerroviario de Urda para apoyar en labores de auxilio e investigación. https://t.co/tETs5ADHdr

— Guardia Civil (@guardiacivil) October 28, 2026

What the recordings reveal — and what they do not

The audio reveals that a controller told the Renfe driver to disconnect and reconnect LZB, before proceeding “con marcha normal” (at normal speed). The driver seeks confirmation of that instruction, which the controller gives. The BBC reports that normal fallback protocols would ordinarily require movement according to visibility, at no more than 40 km/h.

The BBC also describes controller conversations with the Iryo driver, who tells control the train is at a halt at Urda’s entry signal. Although instructed to resume the journey, the driver subsequently explains that the train’s safety system will not permit a restart. That account suggests the control centre received notice that Iryo remained stationary while Renfe was approaching at least five minutes before the collision. It does not however establish how the information was processed or whether further warnings or instructions were issued.

The recordings reported by Spanish media have become central to public debate and outrage about the crash, with railway unions criticising the release of the excerpts and the potential for undue blame on individual workers, rather than systemic issues.

The investigation must look beyond one instruction

A judge and a government commission are now conducting separate investigations. Immediate concerns include what disabled the LZB, what information controllers possessed after the failure, why one train was able to move while the other could not, and what protections were still active. The inquiries also need to establish how the fallback rules were applied and how the stationary train’s position was communicated.

There is also a wider safety worry: why did safeguards not prevent a collision once automatic control was disrupted? In an interview reported by Politico, railway-signalling specialist Jaime Tamarit emphasises that protection systems are meant to compensate for human mistakes. Meanwhile, The Guardian reports that Iryo’s chief executive had previously raised the problem of recurring disconnections on the line.

El Gobierno de España trabaja para que la investigación aclare cuáles son las causas de este terrible accidente ferroviario. Porque no es asumible. Hay una confianza quebrada en el sistema de alta velocidad en nuestro país y la labor del Gobierno no es solamente hacer el diagnóstico. Vamos a ofrecer soluciones para que una tragedia de esta magnitud no vuelva a suceder. Y en ese trabajo estamos.

— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) October 30, 2026

How did Spain’s high-speed railways reach this point?

Questions over Spain’s repeated recent deadly crashes must factor in a range of information. The country boasts a large and expanding high-speed network but still operates ageing signal equipment in places, and some will argue authorities have got it wrong when it comes to balancing construction and upkeep costs, and the demands placed on railway staff.

Politico’s analysis, citing European Commission data, says Spain spent an annual average of €1.5 billion on high-speed rail between 2018 and 2022. Around 16% went towards maintenance, renewals, and upgrades, compared with 34%–39% in France, Germany, and Italy. Railway investment fell sharply after the 2008 and 2012 financial crises and has remained below earlier levels in real terms. Nonetheless, Adif has defended its maintenance arrangements and safety compliance record.

Technology renewal is another unfinished, and some might say, unending, task. According to Politico, the Madrid–Seville line’s German-designed signalling system dates from 1992. An upgrade to the European Rail Traffic Management System, or ERTMS, was authorised in 2020 but remains incomplete. Spain is not the only European country in that position. EU Agency for Railways figures show only about 10% of the trans-European transport network were implementing ERTMS by the end of 2024. ERTMS incorporates automatic supervision intended to prevent unsafe movements, including braking when permitted limits are breached. Whether it would have prevented this particular collision remains unclear. Still, notably, the trains involved on 28 October were not using it.

It could be said Spain is a victim of its own rail success. Its fast and popular network has seen traffic grow, with traffic controllers’ union SCF pointing to average daily Madrid–Barcelona services multiplying by 58.9% between 2019 and 2024. Increasing traffic brings concerns about staffing and capacity. Speaking to the Associated Press, SCF spokesperson Raquel Ayllón highlighted issues around staffing levels, workload, and recurrent system failures. Engineers’ union SEMAF has also issued repeated warnings about repeated LZB outages. 

The human toll and the importance of rail

Three days of national mourning began on Thursday, 29 October, with widespread ramifications felt across society. The BBC reports that hospitals postponed planned procedures to treat casualties, while authorities organised DNA sampling to help identify missing people. Travel Tomorrow’s initial report documented an urgent appeal for blood donations. 

Rail services towards Andalusia were suspended, causing disruption for travellers on a major route out of the capital. Political careers too could also be cut short, as many outlets are reporting public anger at public servants including Transport Minister Oscar Puente and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who is in the midst of a snap election campaign.

Going further, some might say confidence in the rail network in Spain—one of the world’s fastest growing tourist destinations—has been severely damaged, at a time when rail travel had been enjoying a resurgence thanks to its efficiency and environmental credentials. High profile deaths among the victims (including former Employment Minister Fátima Báñez; long jumper Julieta Gallego; and award-winning University of Cambridge researcher Dr Marta Shahbazi) have added to the media frenzy.

However, as The Guardian notes, it’s worth remembering that fatal European railway accidents overall are in decline since 2010, and rail is still far safer than road transport. The scale of this disaster warrants both compassion and scrutiny, without being held up as proof that every high-speed journey is unsafe.

L’article Spain rail crash: How did its high-speed rail network reach this point? est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Less than a year after a train crash in Adamuz, which left 46 people dead and 152 injured, Spain is being confronted with another deadly train collision. In the province of Toledo, between the towns of Mora, Orgaz, and Urda, two high-speed trains have run into each other.

#AccidenteFerroviario Imágenes de las labores de rescate de los efectivos del #GREIM y de #SeguridadCiudadana y de la evacuación de uno de los heridos por parte del #ServicioAéreo al Hospital 12 de Octubre. Además de las unidades destacadas anteriormente, se han desplegado sobre el terreno cuatro #OMAC (Oficinas Móviles de Atención a la Ciudadanía), el #ServicioCinológico y el #ServicioDeMontaña

— Guardia Civil (@guardiacivil) October 28, 2026

The trains were reportedly carrying 544 people: the Iryo 7076 had 146 passengers and one baby on board, while the AVE 2080 carried 397 passengers. At the moment of writing, 30 people have officially been reported dead, but local authorities warn the death toll could rise even further and are talking about a “major tragedy”.

Following the crash, Madrid’s blood bank issued an urgent appeal for blood donations for all blood groups in order to be able to respond to those in need.

“Shocked by the serious train accident in Toledo. I remain in constant contact with the Minister of Transport, @oscar_puente_, and with the president of Castilla-La Mancha, @garciapage. Emergency services are working on the ground to assist those affected and ensure their safety, in coordination with all the involved administrations. My affection, solidarity, and support to all the victims and their families,” Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on X.

Accidente tren La Guardia Civil ha desplegado en la zona personal de Seguridad Ciudadana de la provincia de Toledo, OMAC (Oficinas Móviles de Atención a la Ciudadanía) así como agentes del SEPRONA y de la Jefatura de Tráfico. También se desplazan a la zona en este momento unidades de Seguridad Ciudadana de Ciudad Real y Albacete, de los Grupos de Reserva y Seguridad (GRS), del Servicio Aéreo, de drones, grupo de Caballería y el Equipo de Grandes Catástrofes del Servicio de Criminalística, del Servicio Cinológico y de Policía Judicial.

— Guardia Civil (@guardiacivil) October 28, 2026

Both vehicles were travelling on the Madrid-Seville line and, according to Esther Padilla, spokesperson for the Castilla-La Mancha region, one of them may have stopped before the accident.

The exact circumstances of the incident have yet to be determined, and an investigation has been started. Reportedly, the Renfe AVE train from Madrid to Sevilla ran into the Iryo train ahead. The Spanish news agency EFE has shared that at least three carriages have derailed, including some that have fallen off the embankment.

“We heard a massive roar, a truly enormous thud that went on for 10 seconds, as if the train were ‌about to derail. Through the right-hand window, we could see a wrecked train – I imagine it must have been the other one,” Miguel, one of the passengers aboard the trains, told COPE Radio, according to Reuters.

MAJOR HIGH-SPEED TRAIN COLLISION IN SPAIN Two high-speed trains operated by Renfe and Iryo collided near Urda in Spain’s Toledo province on Wednesday morning. According to reports, a Renfe AVE train struck the rear of a stationary Iryo train causing two carriages to derail and fall down an embankment. Spanish media reports have put the death toll as high as 46 while earlier official figures confirmed at least 10 deaths. Rescue operations are ongoing and casualty figures remain subject to updates. The cause remains under investigation. High-speed rail services between Madrid and Andalusia have been suspended. Video shared online #Spain #TrainCrash

— contentkikamii (@contentkikamii) October 28, 2026

Following the accident, services between Madrid and the southern region of Andalucía have been suspended for an unknown amount of time.

The emergency service of the Castilla-La Mancha government has set up a hotline for all those who might be affected by the crash, which can be reached by calling 900 122 112, or 900 10 10 20 (Renfe), or 900 001 403 (Iryo).

“Just received the devastating news from Toledo on the collision of two high-speed trains. My heart goes out to the victims’ families and loved ones. Today, Europe mourns with you,” European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.

Spain is in our hearts today. Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the Toledo train accident. We wish the injured a swift recovery and thank the emergency teams for their tireless work. https://t.co/hwaS3RTMkJ

— EPP Group (@EPPGroup) October 28, 2026

Spain has the largest high-speed railway network in Europe and has carried 25 million passengers in 2024. Globally speaking, the country comes in second after China.

L’article High-speed train collision in Spain leaves at least 30 people dead est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

A YouGov poll commissioned by Transport & Environment (T&E), T&E, actif-trafiC and ATE, surveyed opinions from over 1,000 Swiss adults and took place in September 2026. It found 58% of respondents support developing direct rail connections to the UK, and 61% of people who would normally fly to London would choose rail instead if prices were lower. They would also be more likely to travel by rail if the train journeys were shorter.

Despite this enthusiasm for rail travel, seven in ten Swiss people travelling to the UK said they would currently fly. Part of the problem is that, at present, no direct train links Switzerland and the UK. A train journey between Zurich and London takes eight to nine hours, and from Geneva up to eight hours. The survey commissioners also argue that security checks at Gare du Nord can make catching the Eurostar on time challenging. Meanwhile, an average of 50 flights a day operate between Switzerland and London (around 23 from Geneva, 21 from Zurich and six from Basel).

Eurostar, however, is planning to launch new direct trains to connect the two non-EU countries, with the proposed services claimed to slash journey times between the two countries down to five to six hours. Travel Tomorrow reported earlier this year that Eurostar, Swiss rail operator SBB, and France’s SNCF Voyageurs signed a “memorandum of understanding” (MoU) on 11 May 2026, declaring that the trio “are dedicated to work together on the project of potential direct connections between London and Switzerland.”

The development of direct Swiss-UK trains could be a gamechanger for a huge range of travellers, from skiers, hikers, and wild swimmers, to business travellers, London sightseers, and visitors to Christmas markets. 

Demand for such services appears clear according to the survey results. Close to half of Swiss people use trains to go abroad at least once a year, and six in ten rail travellers say they would choose the train for journeys of up to six hours. In addition, a majority of Swiss people think that developing international rail infrastructure is the right priority.

With that in mind, as well as the significant reduction in greenhouse emissions the move could achieve, T&E has published a list of recommended next steps, including garnering support from Federal and Regional authorities and rail operators (CFF/SBB, Eurostar, SNCF), and calling on the Swiss government to invest in train stations ready to host direct London-Geneva and London-Basel/Zürich services.

Authorities are also being urged to work with transport operators (CFF/SBB, Eurostar, SNCF) to ensure that train fares will be attractive and affordable — a factor highlighted by the survey as key for many consumers.

L’article New survey shows consumer demand for direct trains between Switzerland and UK est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Destined for Bradford, under the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) scheme, the new rail hub will be built on the existing Bradford Interchange site. But unlike the current station, which was built as a terminus that requires trains to reverse out, the new facility will allow through trains between Leeds and Manchester, speeding up operations significantly. It will also provide a stop on the new high-speed line between Birmingham and Manchester—a route that will connect the two cities with “multiple trains an hour.”

Bradford is getting a brand-new station Today the Government has confirmed a new station at Bradford Interchange, putting our city at the heart of Northern Powerhouse Rail. That means more trains, quicker journeys across the North, and up to £1 billion boost for our economy. A city this ambitious deserves a station to match. Now we’re getting one.

— Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire (@MayorOfWY) October 20, 2026

Bradford is a significant hub for services and industry in West Yorkshire, with a local economy valued by the city’s Metropolitan District Council at roughly £10 billion to £12 billion (between €11.9 billion and €14.3 billion), driven by advanced manufacturing, logistics, finance, and a growing tourism and cultural sector. Destination manager Visit Bradford estimates the city exceeded £1 billion in economic impact following its tenure as the UK’s 2025 City of Culture. The council anticipates the new station will bring in at least a further £1 billion in economic benefits.

Hailing the station development, expected to be completed some time in the 2030s, national Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Today marks an important milestone for Bradford with a brand-new station that will transform how people travel across the north.” Her statement continued: “By bringing Northern Powerhouse Rail into the heart of the city, we are unlocking the huge potential Bradford offers – improving connections, supporting economic growth and setting the foundations for new homes, jobs and opportunities across the region.”

Meanwhile, West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin, pointed to Bradford’s “untapped potential” and predicted that “Faster, more frequent trains to Leeds and Manchester, and the transformation of the city centre through Bradford City Village, will help to finally unleash it.”

This ironclad commitment to a new station is an important milestone for Bradford. The city has so much untapped potential, and faster, more frequent trains to Leeds and Manchester, alongside the transformation of its centre, will help to finally unleash it. https://t.co/ADtzUKB9st

— Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire (@MayorOfWY) October 20, 2026

The former Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed in January 2026 that NPR would be delivered in three stages, with a funding cap of £45 billion, to be supplemented by local contributions. The station will fall under the newly nationalised Great British Railways (GBR), the single public sector body now tasked for the first time since the nineties with running the majority of rail infrastructure and passenger rail services across the country, alongside devolved and open-access operators.

L’article Bradford to get major new railway station and high-speed connections by 2030s est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Berlin-based operator plans to run three services a week in each direction, calling at Bremen and Augsburg. Tickets are already on sale, with one-way fares starting at €65 — a price point suited to building rail itineraries through Germany or connecting onwards.

Southbound trains are scheduled to leave Hamburg at 9:22 pm, stop in Bremen at 10:30 pm and Augsburg at 7:35 am, before arriving in Munich at 8:14 am. Northbound departures will leave Munich at 9.20 pm, serve Augsburg at 9.51 pm and Bremen at 7:20 am, reaching Hamburg at 8:27 the following morning.

At launch, every passenger will be allocated a “Nox Suite.” The enclosed space is designed around a large seat that reclines into a two-metre lie-flat position alongside the window. It also includes a work or dining table, power sockets, and storage for large luggage. Nox is using leased Deutsche Bahn intercity carriages, each configured with 30 suites and sliding doors for additional privacy.

That proposition is more modest than the fully private bedrooms outlined when the company first presented its plans. Nox now says it intends to introduce rooms for one or two occupants during a later phase to be confirmed, either in 2028 or from 2029. Bathrooms would remain shared.

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There will be no dining car. Instead, passengers will be able to order paid meals, including breakfast, for service at their seats. The company is also developing arrival extras such as access to showers, coworking facilities or hotel rooms. Children under four will travel free when accompanied by an adult.

Nox says it wants to make overnight rail a compelling substitute for short-haul flying. Co-founder Thibault Constant told Afar that daytime travel can waste valuable hours and hailed night train travel as “relaxing.” In a separate company statement reported by Euronews, he said the aim was to give every passenger space to work and rest while combining transport, an overnight stay, and arrival the next morning.

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The Hamburg–Munich service is the first test of a much larger proposed network. Nox has set a target of serving 100 European cities on 35 routes by 2035, with Amsterdam, Barcelona, Budapest, Copenhagen, Paris, Rome, and Warsaw among the destinations previously identified. Reaching that scale will depend on rolling stock, track access, and operating approvals across several national systems.

Nox’s introductory fare and business-class-inspired layout will test Constant’s theory that passengers are seeking seat-based alternatives to sleeper products, while waiting for the promised private rooms. The route’s first months should therefore offer an early measure of Nox’s ability to turn an ambitious continental plan into a viable night-train business.

L’article New Hamburg–Munich night train to launch with private suites from €65 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Many travellers who are exploring the U.S. tend to do so by car or by plane, but there is another unique option worth considering. As the American passenger railway is celebrating its 200^th anniversary, the nation’s destination marketing organisation Brand USA is inviting everyone to discover the country through the window of a train.

“Rail is where America’s travel story began, and 200 years later, the romance of the rails endures. The 2027 bicentennial is a timely invitation for travellers to slow down, look out the window, and take in the unique beauty of the USA mile by mile. There’s no better year to let the tracks lead the way,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of Brand USA.

Cover some distance

Due to the size of the country, the U.S. offers a vast selection of long-distance train routes, which are a great alternative to the never-ending highways. Instead of having to concentrate on the road, travellers can simply sit back and relax while taking in the astonishing landscapes. 

Long-distance Amtrak routes are some of the country’s most famous railroad options. The California Zephyr travels between Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area, crossing the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada along the way, while the Coast Starlight connects Seattle and Los Angeles on a journey through the Pacific Northwest and California. Farther north, the Empire Builder travels between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest, stopping at Glacier National Park and following a route through plains, mountains and landscapes that underscore the enormous geographic scale of the country.

Even the famous Route 66 has a railroad alternative, albeit not an exact copy of the original. The rail itinerary can parallel portions of the historic Route 66 corridor, granting a different take on the quintessential American road trip. Beginning in Chicago, travellers can use Amtrak’s Southwest Chief to travel west through Mother Road communities and into the Southwestern desert, forest and city landscapes. In New Mexico, a stop in Albuquerque introduces visitors to Southwestern architecture, cuisine and culture before the tracks continue toward Arizona. Here, Flagstaff provides a gateway to the Grand Canyon, before the journey eventually reaches Los Angeles.

From historic to contemporary

For history train buffs, there’s no better moment to visit the U.S. by rail than 2027. The country still operates a variety of historic routes and locomotives. For example, in Colorado and the surrounding Mountain West, historic trains travel through rugged mountain scenery, traversing the former mining regions that originally made rail connections so important. And Pennsylvania‘s Strasburg Rail Road operates in one of the country’s oldest railroad regions, while West Virginia‘s Cass Scenic Railroad carries passengers into the Appalachian Mountains on tracks once associated with the logging industry.

Those who’d like to take their knowledge one step further can also visit some of the country’s best museums and former railway buildings. Baltimore, Maryland provides a natural starting point during the 200th-anniversary year, as the city played a foundational role in American railroad history through its Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The city’s National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation (formerly the B&O Railroad Museum) preserves one of the country’s most significant collections of railroad artefacts and historic equipment. Bicentennial exhibitions and programming in 2027 afford additional opportunities to explore the story where much of it began.

Yet although historic trains are interesting, sometimes, comfort is what it’s all about. A new generation of trains is taking over the American railroad, specifically in the Pacific Northwest, where Amtrak’s upcoming Airo trains are expected to introduce a new generation of equipment to Amtrak Cascades, the rail corridor connecting cities including Seattle and Portland. For overseas travellers, the route makes it possible to build a rail-focused itinerary around some of the region’s biggest draws, combining city stays with access to forests, mountains, wine regions and the coast.

As the American railroad celebrates its 200^th anniversary, 2027 will be the perfect moment to rediscover the country and all it has to offer from a different point of view.

L’article US to celebrate 200 years of rail travel in 2027 with new trains and historic routes est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The group has agreed with Alstom to acquire 12 Avelia Stream trainsets, each capable of speeds of up to 300km/h. Alstom would also maintain the fleet under a 30-year contract. In a press release, Virgin estimates that the planned timetable would add almost 7.5 million seats a year and support up to 1,000 jobs.

Early design material shows a black-and-red livery, while the proposed onboard product draws on concepts used elsewhere in the group’s transport portfolio. Virgin Atlantic lounges are expected to inform pre-departure and social areas, Virgin Voyages will shape the food and drink offer, and Virgin Hotels its seating and interior design. The company also plans to integrate the service with its Virgin Red loyalty programme and is examining links between the rail network and Virgin Atlantic flights.

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Josh Bayliss, chief executive of Virgin Group, said the company expected more journeys between the UK and continental Europe to shift to rail. “We’re adding capacity for millions more international rail journeys each year, growing the market as a whole,” he said.

The proposal comes as policymakers and operators focus on spare capacity in the Channel Tunnel. About half of passenger-rail capacity in the Eurotunnel is currently unused but immediate constraints for new entrants include access to stations, border-processing facilities, maintenance depots, and connecting rail networks.

Virgin is currently the only prospective new Channel Tunnel passenger operator to have secured track access in the UK. The Office of Rail and Road has approved access to High Speed 1 from 1 October 2030 to 31 December 2040. Virgin has also signed an agreement with Eurostar to use the Temple Mills International depot in east London, the only maintenance facility directly accessible from High Speed 1.

Those agreements give Virgin a clearer UK operating pathway than other proposed challengers, although further permissions are still required for the Channel Tunnel and mainland European networks, together with relevant safety approvals.

Competition is nevertheless hot. Italy’s state-owned FS Italiane Group has ordered 19 Hitachi high-speed trains through Trenitalia France as part of an approximately €2 billion programme covering rolling stock, maintenance, and technical support. The trains will serve its wider French and European network as well as its planned Paris–London route, which the company says is scheduled to start in 2029. FS Italiane has not secured the same UK track-access position as Virgin, and its launch remains dependent on infrastructure arrangements, and regulatory authorisations.

L’article Virgin aims to rival Eurostar with cross-Channel trains by 2030 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Although change is on its way, at the moment of writing, Eurostar remains the sole operator of the Channel Tunnel. Travellers who want to travel from the United Kingdom to mainland Europe by train have thus got no other option than to book a ticket with Eurostar.

And while that might be okay for voyagers heading to Brussels, Paris, Lille, Rotterdam, or Amsterdam, it can complicate matters for travellers looking to go further. For example, until now, customers who wanted to combine a Eurostar voyage with a ride on one of European Sleeper’s night trains needed to book two separate tickets.

To avoid all unnecessary hassle and paperwork, European Sleeper has now teamed up with international train connection and cross-border ticket platform Choo-Choo. This means that as of now, people can add a Eurostar ticket to and from London to their night train journey.

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“With this new feature, we make it easier for travellers to book connecting trains across Europe. Passengers get proper travel advice and can buy the additional ticket directly within the booking flow of europeansleeper.eu. It is ideal for travellers to and from London who want to connect with the night train. Our plan is to expand this service to other cities and territories in the near future,” said Chris Engelsman, co -founder of European Sleeper.

To put it concretely, passengers coming from London will be able to catch a connecting night train in Brussels, which will transport them to destinations including Berlin, Cologne, Prague, Milan, Aarau, Lake Como, Dresden, and Hamburg. At the moment, Eurostar trains to Paris, Lille, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam cannot be booked through European Sleeper’s website.

“This new partnership between Choo-Choo and European Sleeper allows us to realise our mission to make train travel across Europe as hassle-free and accessible as possible. European Sleeper is an iconic railway company that embodies the renaissance of the international night train, and feels like a natural partner. This collaboration offers us even more opportunities to do what we were founded for: revolutionise the booking experience for international train journeys, based on human expertise,” said Choo-Choo chief executive Manuela Talana.

Passengers who are planning on using the European Sleeper website to book their Eurostar ticket to or from London are informed that while connections are carefully seated to allow for sufficient transfer time, transfers are not guaranteed. Passengers remain responsible for making their onward connection. If a delay causes a missed connection, replacement transport or alternative tickets are not automatically provided, and additional costs may apply.  

When booking a journey with a connecting train, European Sleeper provides customer service for the European Sleeper segment, and Choo-Choo provides customer support related to the connecting train segments.

The tickets combining European Sleeper and Eurostar trains are available at the time of writing, with prices starting from approximately €100 for a one-way ticket from London to Berlin.

L’article European Sleeper adds Eurostar bookings for London connections via Brussels est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Belmond has announced in a press release that it will introduce Monaco to the train’s European programme on 10 May 2027, with the new Paris–Monte Carlo journey scheduled to operate annually before continuing towards Venice. 

The overnight departure will leave Paris in the train’s familiar midnight-blue carriages, whose restored interiors draw on the Art Deco era. Accommodation ranges from Historic Cabins to Suites and Grand Suites. At the most private end is L’Observatoire, a carriage conceived with French artist JR, containing a bedroom, an en-suite bathroom with a freestanding bath, a living room, a library, and a concealed tearoom.

Nightfall brings dinner in either Étoile du Nord or L’Oriental, the two restaurant cars, followed by cocktails and live piano. By morning, breakfast is served in the cabins while the railway turns towards the Mediterranean. The line skirts the red cliffs of the Massif de l’Estérel, then threads through Saint-Raphaël, Cannes, and Nice before entering the mountainside and reaching Monaco-Monte-Carlo station, buried beneath the rock.

The destination is a natural fit for a train associated with ceremonious arrivals, but it also closes a historical circle. As Haute Living notes, in 1977, Belmond founder James B. Sherwood acquired two original Art Deco sleeping cars at a Sotheby’s auction in Monte Carlo. Their purchase launched the restoration project and the revived Venice Simplon-Orient-Express made its inaugural journey in 1982. The 2027 debut therefore comes 50 years after the auction that helped return the train to the rails.

Pascal Deyrolle, Belmond’s Area Managing Director for Trains in Continental Europe, has described Monaco as a place with a longstanding role in European travel and said adding it was a “natural continuation” for the train. The route will also sit alongside the second season of Villeggiatura by Train, Belmond’s collection connecting rail journeys with stays at its Italian hotels.

Fares for the Paris–Monte Carlo section start at €4,870 per person, based on two people sharing a Historic Cabin. The price includes the overnight journey, 24-hour steward service, meals accompanied by the sommelier’s selected wines, unlimited soft drinks, and transfers. Beyond the casino, harbour and Grand Prix circuit, Monaco’s newest expression of glamour will be by rail: through the Riviera landscape and, finally, into the station hidden inside the principality’s coastal stone.

L’article Venice Simplon-Orient-Express adds Monte Carlo to its 2027 luxury train journeys est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Recommendations adopted on Monday evening, 5 October, received 34 votes in favour, none against and seven abstentions. They follow the European Commission’s High-Speed Rail Action Plan, presented in November 2025, which aims to deliver a faster, better-connected European network by 2040.

MEPs describe high-speed rail as a strategic asset for the EU’s competitiveness, territorial cohesion and climate objectives. Their recommendations focus on creating a network that works across borders, connects with other forms of transport and delivers value for passengers and public investment.

The newly launched high-speed rail plan is not just about cutting travel times, it’s about uniting Europeans. The plan seeks to harmonise a truly interoperable European high-speed rail network. Find out more: https://t.co/wDhOxLCGPn #EUTransport #ConnectingEurope #TEN_T https://t.co/OV4imgkMDc

— EU Transport (@Transport_EU) November 26, 2025

Connecting regions, not just capitals

The committee advocates a “network-first” approach, integrating high-speed infrastructure with regional rail, urban public transport, walking and cycling routes, and major transport hubs.

Rather than concentrating solely on links between EU capitals, MEPs want the network to serve major cities across Europe’s regions and key neighbouring countries. Access could come through direct high-speed services or effective connections to the wider network.

The aim is to improve connectivity in peripheral and less-developed regions while reducing territorial disparities. The report also calls for completion of the trans-European transport network, known as TEN-T, and identification of missing links, abandoned or underserved sections, and valuable cross-border connections.

As previously reported by Travel Tomorrow, the Commission’s plan could transform five major European rail routes, including connections between Berlin and Copenhagen and Lisbon and Madrid.

Dedicated funding for expansion

MEPs want existing and future EU funds used more effectively to support high-speed rail development. They call for adequate, dedicated funding in the EU’s next long-term budget, covering 2028–2034.

Their recommendations include preserving and strengthening the Connecting Europe Facility, alongside support for investments promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion through National and Regional Partnership Plans.

More than €100 billion from EU programmes has been allocated to rail infrastructure projects since 2014, according to the Parliament’s press release. However, Europe’s major railway tunnel projects illustrate the scale of the infrastructure work and delivery challenges involved.

More affordable fares and clearer ticketing

The committee also urges governments and railway operators to make high-speed travel more affordable through accessible fares, reduced-fare schemes and subscriptions. Lower and more predictable prices could attract additional passengers and encourage a shift towards rail.

MEPs want greater transparency in ticket pricing and welcome ongoing legislative work on the Commission’s Passenger Package to support more compatible European ticketing systems.

The recommendations build on efforts to simplify international journeys, including proposals for unified European rail booking.

The committee vote does not constitute final parliamentary approval. The non-binding resolution will now go before the full European Parliament during its second October plenary session.

L’article MEPs call for faster EU high-speed rail expansion and more affordable tickets est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.