Rail travel continues to evolve, and 2026 brings with it an array of new offers around the world, from low-cost sleeper trains to high-speed routes, and luxury long-distance adventures. Here’s Travel Tomorrow’s round-up.
Europe
Major EU commitments have been made to expanding the region’s international high-speed rail network, including from Madrid to Lisbon, as well as a new Baltic route and the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel between Germany and Denmark. While those are longer-term projects, a Belgrade to Budapest train line will return to operations in 2026, with direct trains between the Hungarian and Serbian capitals and stopping in Vienna, set to operate on a Chinese-backed, nearly €1-billion new line, six times a day from March.
Meanwhile, a collaboration between Czech, Danish, and German railways is set to slash journey times by three hours on new ComfortJet trains to Prague and Copenhagen twice a day, calling at Dresden, Berlin, and Hamburg. A third daily departure each way will be timetabled in the peak season.
Demand for night trains is high in the region, yet Austria’s rail operator ÖBB terminated its beloved Paris-Berlin-Vienna Nightjets in December 2025, after the French government withdrew its subsidy. The good news for rail passengers is that European Sleeper is taking up the mantle, offering a thrice-weekly Paris–Berlin route via Amsterdam, Brussels, Cologne, Bern, Brig, and Stresa, from March 2026. European Sleeper is also updating its accommodation with recliners, charging points, and wi-fi.
Meanwhile, Italy’s highspeed Frecciarossa (Red Arrows) are looking to expand from Italy and Spain and fulfill their destiny as a truly international train, with operating licence applications from state operator FS Italiane Group to serve Germany’s high-demand market at destinations like Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich, currently dominated by Deutsche Bahn and compete with InterCity Express (ICE) services.
Frecciarossa trains could also run on cross-channel Eurotunnel routes by 2029, with operational planning for services out of St Pancras “at an advanced stage” according to Chief Executive Stefano Antonio Donnarumma, speaking in April 2025. In a move that could be transformative for UK to Europe commuters, the group has pledged to rekindle Ashford International station on the UK’s south coast as part of a team-up with Spain’s Evolyn.
Middle East
Another Italian group, Arsenale, is collaborating with Saudi Arabian Railways to build a custom-made, 41-cabin train set to serve a premium Dream of the Desert itinerary, also due to launch in 2026. It will take passengers from the Saudi capital Riyadh, over 1,200 km across desert and mountain landscapes, to Al Qurayyat near the Jordanian border. The $53-million project embodies high-end adventure, and Saudi Arabian Airways says it will “redefine luxury travel with an array of amenities and personalized services.”
And the UAE will launch the first section of its high-speed, heat-resistant Etihad Rail network in 2026, taking just 57 minutes to cover the first 150 km between Dubai and Abu Dhabi of what will eventually be a 900-km route connecting Fujairah, Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Al Sila. Trains will boast around 400 seats in three different classes.
North America
One of the world’s most iconic train routes, The Rocky Mountaineer will expand seasonally in 2026, adding a “Passage to the Peaks” suite of one-to-nine night itineraries for June and July. The offer includes hotel stays, cruises, and guided excursions, such as to the Columbia Icefield or Athabasca Falls, and is part of efforts to redistribute Vancouver’s tourist arrivals, taking passengers through British Columbia and Alberta, and calling at Edmonton, Jasper, Calgary, Kamloops, Lake Louise, and Banff.
Meanwhile, Canyon Spirit, another initiative from the Rocky Mountaineer creators, takes travellers from Denver through the Rockies and the American Southwest. Its itinerary is set to gain a new third-day option in 2026, from Moab to Salt Lake City, and propose regional gastronomy, entertainment, and expert talks along the way.
Asia
Over in Japan, the much anticipated Seven Stars in Kyushu train is launching in March 2026, offering itineraries up to four days long and including excursions on Japan’s southwesternmost main island, exploring heritage and cuisine and Kyushu’s “rich earth, pure waters, and timeless traditions.” from the comfort of a seven car train that boasts deluxe suites, five sleeper cabins, a panoramic lounge and salon tea room. It is already booked out until February 2027.
