Rail travel across Europe isn't just holding steady this year — it's surging. Bookings on some routes have jumped by 40-50% compared to last year, new sleeper trains are relaunching connections that disappeared decades ago, and a whole generation of travelers is choosing the train as part of the trip, not just a way to get there. Here's what's actually driving the numbers, and which routes are worth booking now.
Why train travel is having a moment
A few forces are pushing this at once. "Flygskam" — flight shame — has gone from a Swedish niche concept to a mainstream reason people choose rail over short-haul flights, especially for journeys under six hours. The EU's climate targets are pushing real investment into cross-border rail infrastructure. And socially, sleeper cabins and sunrise views from dining cars have become their own kind of travel content — the train isn't just transport anymore, it's part of the story people want to tell about the trip.
1. Budapest ↔ Prague
This is the standout number of the season. Two of Central Europe's most atmospheric capitals, connected by a comfortable EuroCity service through the Slovak countryside — no wonder it's become one of the fastest-growing routes on the continent. Both cities reward a few days each: Budapest's thermal baths and ruin bars, Prague's old town and castle district.
2. Amsterdam ↔ Brussels
A short, frequent, high-speed hop between two of Europe's most walkable capitals — canals and museums in Amsterdam, medieval squares and comic-strip murals in Brussels. It's an easy add-on to almost any Northern Europe itinerary, and the growth here reflects how many travelers are stacking two or three cities into a single week rather than picking just one.
3. Paris ↔ Munich
A faster daytime connection between Paris and Munich launched this year, cutting a route that used to feel like an afterthought into a genuine one-day option — French elegance to Bavarian beer halls and Alpine views, no flight required.
4. Prague ↔ Copenhagen
A new daytime link now stitches together Central Europe and Scandinavia in a single journey — Prague's spires to Copenhagen's harbourfront, a combination that used to require a flight or an awkward multi-train relay.
Also worth watching
A couple of 2026 launches haven't made it into our booking tool yet, but they're worth knowing about if you're planning ahead. A new night train now links Basel and Malmö, threading Switzerland to southern Sweden in a single overnight hop — one of the clearest signs of the sleeper-train revival in action. And a new service connects London and Stirling in Scotland, opening up the Highlands gateway without a domestic flight. We'll add both as soon as ticketing support is live.
Plan the rest of the trip with AI
Chaining two or three of these routes into one trip is exactly what our planner is built for. Describe where you want to go and get the full itinerary — connections, hotel suggestions and booking links — in seconds.
Your train. Your world.
Describe your trip and get a full European rail itinerary, free.
Plan with AI →