If you caught TPG’s guide to the best places to travel in 2024, you may have noticed our excitement about train travel. We’ve been advocating for the return of rail for some time now, and 2024 looks like it could be the year of a much-needed rail renaissance. From luxury sleepers to high-speed routes, here are some of the most exciting trains you should consider taking in 2024.
One standout moment for luxury rail in 2024 is the revival of Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental Express. After pandemic-related restrictions were lifted, this iconic train will finally return to Southeast Asia in February. The restyled trains will feature eight sleeper cars, two restaurant cars, a piano bar, and the iconic open-air observation car. Passengers can choose between two brand-new high-end itineraries, including the three-night “Essence of Malaysia” and the “Wild Malaysia” experience.
Another exciting option is the Brussels to Dresden and Prague route with European Sleeper. This expansion of the Brussels-Berlin route will connect four of Europe’s most popular tourist cities. The European Sleeper’s Brussels hub will provide effortless new connections for travelers looking to extend their destinations when traveling through Europe on the Eurostar.
For ultimate luxury, the Orient Express La Dolce Vita train will launch in late 2024. Created by hotel group Accor, this opulent rail experience will feature art-deco style cabins, haute cuisine services, world-class bartending, and slick stylings. Passengers can choose from eight itineraries, including a Sicilian service and a romantic route from Rome to Venice.
There are also new options for popular routes like Paris to Berlin. NightJet, Deutsche Bahn, and SNCF will launch new services between these two iconic European cities. NightJet will provide high-quality sleeper train services via Strasbourg and Frankfurt, while a partnership between Deutsche Bahn and SNCF will offer a high-speed TGV connection.
In December 2023, a new rail connection launched between Liege, Belgium; Aachen, Germany; and Maastricht, Netherlands. This collaboration between Arriva, SNCB, and Nederlandse Spoorwegen provides a great new route for European city hoppers.
If you’re looking for a nostalgic train experience, Gornergrat Railway’s NostalChic train in Switzerland is a must-try. This exclusive carriage, a restored 1960s cogwheel train, takes guests through Switzerland’s stunning mountain ranges, offering panoramic views and a four-course meal at Riffelhaus 1853 on Riffelberg.
For history buffs, a new high-speed rail link between Rome and Pompeii will be available in 2024. Trenitalia’s cutting-edge Frecciarossa trains will transport passengers between these iconic cities in just two hours.
Trenitalia is also set to unleash its ultra-quiet and ultra-speedy Frecciarossa train on a new route connecting Paris, Barcelona, and Madrid. Renfe, the Spanish rail company, plans to extend its Madrid to Marseille service through to Paris in time for the Summer Olympics.
For the ultimate rail adventure, Railbookers offers a jaw-dropping itinerary that takes in 13 countries across four continents. This 80-day journey includes travel aboard iconic trains such as the Rocky Mountaineer, the Belmond Royal Scotsman, the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, and more.
With an array of exciting new lines and trains launching in 2024, there’s no better time to explore the world via rail. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly travel or something more luxurious, there’s a train experience for everyone.