Europe’s Rail Network Adds Five New Routes in 2026

Rail travel across Europe is expected to grow in 2026, with five new international and domestic routes either confirmed or close to launch. Recent research points to rising interest in train journeys across both cities and countries. Rail operators are responding by bringing back night trains, adding faster cross-border services and introducing daytime routes designed for families, reinforcing rail as a realistic option for medium-distance travel.

New cross-border rail links planned for 2026

Several long-distance routes linking major European cities are due to start operating or return next year, with a strong focus on connections between France and Germany.

Confirmed developments include:

• Paris–Berlin (European Sleeper) – Night services relaunch on 26 March 2026, operating three times a week after the withdrawal of state support ended the previous route.
• Paris–Munich – A faster and more frequent service is planned for late 2026, operated jointly by Deutsche Bahn and SNCF, building on existing TGV connections.

Northern and Central Europe will also see new rail options designed to improve daytime and overnight travel, with added onboard features and expanded coverage:

• Prague–Copenhagen – A new daytime service launching on 1 May 2026, including a children’s cinema and modern ComfortJet trains, running year-round via Berlin.

• Basel–Malmö – A planned night train linking Switzerland with Denmark and Sweden, subject to funding approval, with services expected to start in April 2026.
• London–Stirling – A new low-cost route operated by Lumo, connecting London with central Scotland via several English and Scottish stops.

Together, these routes improve access to a wider mix of destinations beyond capital cities. Places such as Stirling, Malmö and Prague become easier to reach by train, while established hubs including Berlin, Paris and Copenhagen gain more choice in schedules and connections. Night services and faster daytime trains also make it easier to link several cities within one journey, without depending on short-haul flights.

The expanding set of new services reflects how rail operators are adjusting to how people travel around Europe. With more routes available, a wider selection of onboard features and broader geographic coverage, rail travel is increasingly practical for trips planned in 2026. These new connections are not focused on speed alone, but on comfort, simpler journeys and direct rail links between cities that were previously awkward to reach by train.