Overnight from Paris to Berlin, without changing trains to Rome, with children's cinema from Prague to Copenhagen; Europe's rail network is getting an upgrade in 2026, making train travel more efficient.
Flying may be faster, driving a car more individual. But rail travel is often underestimated. Europe's rail network will grow closer together in 2026, night trains will make a comeback and high-speed lines will shorten distances. An overview of the most exciting new train connections that will be launched in 2026.
It is one of the most romantic travel ideas in Europe and in 2026 it will become reality again: board in Berlin in the evening and wake up in Paris in the morning. After "ÖBB" discontinued its night train services, the private rail company "European Sleeper" took over the route between the major cities. The service is scheduled to start on March 26, 2026 with three departures per week. Departures will be on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Berlin Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof. The return journeys are expected to take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sunday evenings from Gare du Nord in Paris.
The train also follows suit during the day. A new, accelerated high-speed connection between Paris and Munich, operated by "SNCF" and "Deutsche Bahn", is due to start at the end of 2026. The line already exists, but in future trains are to run more frequently and take less time. However, you still have to be patient; there is no information on specific timetables or prices as yet.
One of the most charming innovations comes from Central Europe. From May 1, 2026, a new direct train will connect Prague and Copenhagen - all year round, without changing trains and via Berlin. The journey takes around eleven hours from point to point. Modern ComfortJet trains are used with an on-board restaurant, WLAN, bicycle spaces - and a detail that should please parents: a children's cinema.
The UK is also expanding its network. The rail company "Lumo" is planning a new direct connection from London Euston to Stirling, north of Edinburgh, from mid-2026. A city that is often overlooked and quite wrongly so, Stirling impresses with a castle on a volcanic rock and the National Wallace Monument. The new connection now makes them easier to reach and brings a region into focus.
From the end of 2026, it should be possible to travel from Munich to Milan or even as far as Rome without changing trains. This is made possible by a cooperation between the providers "Deutsche Bahn", "Trenitalia" and "ÖBB". Italian Frecciarossa high-speed trains are used. The planned journey times are around six and a half hours to Milan and eight and a half to Rome. We travel via Innsbruck over the Brenner Pass, past Bolzano, Verona, Bologna and Florence. A journey that is not only efficient, but also a gift in terms of scenery.
Another highlight for night train fans: from June 2026, a new connection from Amsterdam and Brussels will run directly to Milan. The route runs via Bern and Stresa on Lake Maggiore, among other places, and ends in the middle of the city rather than on the outskirts. The launch is planned for June 18, 2026, with ticket sales set to begin at the start of the year.
The Alpine region is also getting closer. New direct connections will run from cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne and Dortmund to Brig in Switzerland in 2026 without having to change trains. For many, the town is the gateway to hiking areas and winter sports resorts in Valais.
Another new night train connection will strengthen rail transport in the Alpine region from 2026. A direct night train will connect Zurich and Vienna in future. The route is designed for comfortable departures in the evening and arrivals in the morning and offers travelers an uncomplicated way to commute between Switzerland and Austria while sleeping. The connection is a relaxed alternative to flying, especially for winter trips and short city breaks.
