If you are tired of being poked by airport security or stuck in a middle seat between two people who do not believe in personal space, I have some lovely news. Europe has decided that trains are cool again. A recent survey of 11,000 people found that half of us want to ditch the planes and embrace the rails. To celebrate, a wave of new routes is launching in 2026. This means you can now travel across the continent without ever having to wonder if your suitcase is two grams over the limit.
Sleep Your Way to Berlin (and Beyond)
The French government recently pulled the plug on the Paris to Berlin night train because they apparently hate romance and efficiency. Thankfully, European Sleeper has stepped in to save the day. Starting 26 March 2026, you can board a train at Paris Gare du Nord on a Sunday evening and wake up in Berlin on Monday.
If you fancy a bit of Italian espresso instead of a bratwurst, watch out for the Brussels to Milan sleeper. It is slated for an 18 June launch. This beauty lets you bypass the annual tradition of battling the Paris Metro to change stations. You just hop on a night train and wake up in the land of pasta.
Cinema on the Tracks: Prague to Copenhagen
If you have ever been stuck on a long train journey with a bored child, you will appreciate this next one. From 1 May 2026, a new daytime service will link Prague to Copenhagen via Berlin. It is the first direct line connecting Central Europe to Scandinavia without a single stopover.
The new ComfortJet trains feature an actual children’s cinema. While the kids are distracted by cartoons, you can enjoy the on-board restaurant or use the special windows designed to actually let your mobile signal through. A standard ticket will cost you about 1,704 CZK, which is roughly 62 quid.
Launch date: May 2026. Tickets already available from 1st May onwards. Book on CD (České dráhy)
| Route | Launch Date | The Highlight |
| Paris to Berlin | 26 March 2026 | The sleeper returns to save your holiday. |
| Prague to Copenhagen | 1 May 2026 | Direct link with a cinema and cheap tickets. |
| Budapest to Belgrade | TBC 2026 | The “Soko” is fast but faces delays. |
| Warsaw to Rijeka | July 2026 | A five-country sleeper tour to the coast. |
| Birmingham to Highlands | Jan 2026 | Wake up in Scotland without visiting London. |
The Balkan “Maybe”
The direct link between Budapest and Belgrade is the one everyone is talking about, but don’t pack your bags just yet. This route, featuring the high-speed Soko trains, was supposed to be open by now. Complex engineering has pushed it back. When it eventually opens, it will turn an eight-hour slog into a three-hour breeze. It is currently the “I’ll believe it when I see it” route of the year.
If you want a more certain Eastern adventure, look at the Adriatic Express. It is a sleeper running from Warsaw to Rijeka in Croatia. It crosses five different countries in a single night. It is perfect for anyone who wants to see the sights of the East without the joy of a long-distance bus journey.
Launch date: No completion date announced…yet. Watch this space!
Freedom for the Midlands and Stirling
For the Brits who hate the London-centric world, there is a major win. The Caledonian Sleeper is adding Birmingham International as a stop. You can now go to sleep in the Midlands and wake up in the Highlands. No trek to London Euston required.
If you are on a budget, low-cost rail firm Lumo is launching a London to Stirling service in mid-2026. You can visit a medieval castle built on a volcano or stand at the Wallace Monument. It is a brilliant way to see the “underrated” side of Scotland without paying the “overrated” prices of the peak-time express.
Launch date: January 2026, tickets are also already available to book on the Caledonian Sleeper website.
It seems 2026 is the year we all stop flying and start enjoying the view from a window that actually opens.
Just try not to spill your coffee when the train hits top speed.
Related topics: Travel
