It’s getting increasingly easy to travel around Europe flight-free, thanks to a host of new train routes launching at a time when certain governments are going all out to reduce aviation-related emissions. France, for example, has banned domestic flights where rail journeys of less than 2.5 hours are possible, and the EU plans to double its spending on high-speed rail by 2030.
New routes launching in 2024 range from inter-city services making twin-centre holidays in Europe a breeze, to sleeper trains putting top ski resorts in easy reach of cities such as Amsterdam. On this occasion, our focus is routes between destinations on the continent, although new rail connections will soon benefit those of us in the UK – Eurostar rival Evolyn recently announced plans to launch a high-speed Channel Tunnel rail service between London St Pancras and Paris Nord in 2025.
Here are the current hot tickets for anyone planning to ride the rails in 2024.
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Brussels to Prague with European Sleeper
Launch date: 25 March 2024
European Sleeper is launching more routes in the coming years
(European Sleeper)
European Sleeper’s night train service from Brussels launched in early 2023, but rail infrastructure work meant it could only reach Germany’s capital – until now. From March 2024 it will run from Brussels to Prague, with a total journey time of around 15 hours and stops in Amsterdam and Berlin. Keep an eye out for more European Sleeper routes – including ones between the Netherlands and the French Alps, and Amsterdam and Barcelona – in 2025. A word of warning – don’t expect turndown services and chocolates on your pillow. There are three classes of cabin, and the trains are best described as pre-loved –European Sleeper has relied largely on decommissioned train carriages which have been given a quick spruce-up and brought back to life. On the plus side, the company has promised new trains – and perhaps even a chocolate on your pillow – in the near future.
Berlin to Paris with ÖBB Nightjet
Launch date: 11 December 2023
Nightjet has an extensive network of overnight routes
(Nightjet)
If a decommissioned German train carriage doesn’t do it for you, this next option might sound more appealing. In early December 2023 ÖBB Nightjet launched its new Berlin to Paris route, which operates three times a week and stops in…
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