For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, Europe’s rail networks were the backbone of transportation. But as air travel became cheaper and car ownership more widespread, riding the rails took a backseat in modern transport. Now, however, trains in Europe are having a major comeback. With new routes in the works and ambitious infrastructure investments in place, a new golden age of European rail may be beginning. Here’s what’s driving Europe’s so-called “rail renaissance.”
The Early Days of European Trains
Europe has a storied history when it comes to the rails. In the early 19th century, as the Industrial Revolution was rapidly reshaping the continent, the Stockton and Darlington Railway in England became the first train system to carry both freight and passengers in 1825. Just five years later, the Liverpool and Manchester Railway became the first intercity railway, marking a turning point for mass transportation.
Though early trains were noisy, slow, and uncomfortable by today’s standards, they ultimately revolutionized travel by offering faster and more reliable alternatives to the then-dominant horse-drawn carriages and boats. By the mid-19th century, rail networks had expanded across the continent, and in the 1880s, luxury trains such as the Orient Express had captured the imagination of Europe’s elite.
Like in the U.S., European rail travel reached its peak in the early 20th century, and the postwar era brought a decline. Car production soared, highway routes expanded, and, later, with the proliferation of budget European airlines throughout the late 1980s and into the ’90s, passengers were further lured away from train travel by speed and convenience.
A European Railroad Revival
In recent years, however, rail travel has been having a somewhat unexpected resurgence. While nostalgia for simpler times may have something to do with this trend, there are other factors at play. Increasingly, travelers are opting to practice slow travel, embracing the journey as much as the destination. Long-distance train travel enables both.
Meanwhile, European governments have introduced low-cost passes to encourage train use. Germany’s Deutschlandticket, for example, allows unlimited regional travel on all public transportation, including trains, for a monthly fee of €58 (about $63 USD). Budget-friendly train operators such as Ouigo in France and Spain and Italy’s Italo offer lower fares on high-speed routes.
Another key factor is the environment. Trains are widely seen as a more sustainable option; rail travel produces approximately 1% of the CO2 emissions per passenger compared to planes, and about one-tenth of the emissions generated by a car. Carbon-conscious policies such as France’s ban on short-haul domestic flights when a rail alternative exists has also pushed travelers to opt for trains over planes.
Add in rising fuel costs for cars, an airline industry that increasingly offers fewer amenities for more money, and the fact that more countries are considering short-haul flight bans, and trains have suddenly become an attractive alternative.
Infrastructure, Investments, and Reinventions
With interest in train travel increasing, so too are investments and infrastructure. Decades of neglect are being reversed to modernize tracks and stations, and new routes are popping up frequently.
One of the rail resurgence’s most notable aspects is the return of overnight trains. Once a staple of European travel, overnight trips had dwindled or been entirely discontinued by the early 2000s thanks to competition from budget airlines.
The European Sleeper, a private Belgian and Dutch railway, is one company that is capitalizing on the renewed demand for overnight train travel. After launching a Brussels-to-Berlin route in 2023, the company announced a new route between Brussels and Venice for 2025. The overnight ride will stop in Eindhoven, Cologne, Munich, Innsbruck, Bolzano, and Verona. Meanwhile, the ÖBB’s NightJet has invested in 33 new sleeper trains to be introduced into service by the end of 2025.
Prefer daytime train journeys? Spanish-owned Renfe railway is expanding service throughout France, with a new, high-speed trip connecting Barcelona and Toulouse set to debut in late 2025. The 3.5-hour journey will also include stops in Girona, Figueres, Perpignan, and Carcassonne.
And in July 2025, Belmond will debut the chic new Britannic Explorer, a luxury train (complete with sleeper cars and an onboard spa) offering scenic journeys through London, Cornwall, Wales, and the mountainous Lake District. Unique experiences along the way include a private party in a Cotswolds pub and a Cornish wine tasting with views of St Michael’s Mount.
Finally, the new La Dolce Vita Orient Express is offering an exclusive journey that covers eight routes across 14 breathtaking regions of Italy — and it might just be worthy of a spot on your travel bucket list.
The Future Is Bright (and Fast)
Amid the excitement around Europe’s rail renaissance, some challenges remain. Border control regulations, disparities in investment among European countries, and inconsistent ticketing systems mean that, while some regions are seeing rapid expansion, others lag behind.
Still, the momentum remains strong. A unified ticketing system for rail operators across Europe could be in place as soon as 2026, and a large-scale shift from the road to the rails remains one of the key objectives of the European Green Deal. With train travel continuing to grow year over year across the continent, the new golden age of European train travel looks like it’s guaranteed to be high-speed ahead.
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