Europe’s expansive rail network is constantly evolving, and each year, early December sees new connections and services appear on schedules across the continent for the calendar year ahead. These new train journeys often reflect travel trends or technological advances, offering travelers more direct or frequent connections between European destinations.
The following are some of the noteworthy new routes that will shape European rail travel in 2024.
Berlin-Paris
After a 10-year hiatus, there is once again a night train connecting the German and French capitals, and it’s the only direct rail connection between the cities, period. Launched in early December by OBB (Austrian Railways) under their Nightjet range, this overnight service will initially run three times a week in both directions, with the expectation of graduating to a nightly service by the end of 2024.
Madrid-Oviedo
Spain has launched high-speed trains, the result of a massive infrastructure project that took nearly two decades, between the nation’s capital and the gorgeous (and relatively undiscovered) Asturias region. The sleek trains will whisk travelers through scores of tunnels between the capital and the lovely cathedral city of Oviedo, a city famed for its atmospheric streets, gastronomic delights and tasty cider.
Brussels-Prague
Last summer came the long-awaited debut of the startup night train company European Sleeper. Now the brand has announced an extension of its Brussels-to-Berlin night train to Prague, which will start on March 25 and run three times a week.
Zurich-Munich
These two cities are already well connected by smart, speedy trains that take travelers from Bavaria to the heart of Switzerland in just over three and a half hours. From April, there will be added departures on the line on Fridays and Sundays.
Munich-Warsaw
Instead of going straight north, this night train will head from Munich into Austria before it curls up toward Poland. Along the way, it will make stops at A-list tourist destinations like Salzburg and Krakow, providing a key transport link for travelers exploring Central Europe.
Amsterdam-Berlin
A rail connection between the Dutch and German capitals has a long history, but the time it takes to get between them will get attention in 2024. That’s because a half-hour has been shaved off the journey due to technological advances and creative route management. It will now take you five hours and 52 minutes instead of six hours and 20 minutes. When you factor in check-ins and transport from the city center to outlying airports, this compares very favorably to flying indeed.
Vilnius-Riga
Up north, these two beautiful Baltic capitals will soon be connected by rail for the first time since the pandemic. The journey between Lithuania and Latvia will take just over four hours; the link will make it possible to explore the full length and breadth of this special corner of Europe by rail.
Hamburg to Vienna and Innsbruck
Separate night trains have departed the northern port city of Hamburg headed for Austria for a while now (and vice versa), but they got a glow-up in early December. This route is the first in Europe to see OBB’s brand-new Nightjet trains that feature sleek modern interiors, tech comforts (think mood lighting and charging stations), mini-cabins for solo travelers, and showers and bathrooms in every sleeping compartment. Eventually, they will roll out all over Europe, but in 2024, this route is your only chance to experience the “future” European night trains.
