Train holidays are becoming even more attractive with these new railway lines which will be launched in Europe in 2025.
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The rail revival continues apace, with European railway companies offering new routes every month.
Exciting new journeys are opening up in 2025, making it easier to explore the continent by rail.
We’ve selected five of the best, which are sure to inspire you to make plans for next year.
Sleep soundly from Brussels to Venice
European Sleeper is a newcomer to the world of trains: its first service Brussels to Berlin started in May 2023. But the company is preparing to launch perhaps his most exciting line in February 2025, and it looks like it’s just getting started.
European Sleeper will transport passengers from Brussels to the floating city of Venice, inaugurating the route on February 5.
The trip takes approximately 20 hours, departing from Brussels at 5 p.m. and arriving in Venice at 2 p.m. the next day. For the return trip, it leaves Venice at 3 p.m. and arrives in Brussels at 11 a.m.
Along the way, the service passes through four stunning European cities, including Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Munich in Germany, Innsbruck in Austria and Bolzano in Italy, before traveling along the foothills of the Dolomites to arrive in Venice.
There is a dining car on board for dinner service and a lounge bar for drinks. The train will run twice a week in February and March, which is ideal for spring vacationers or those who go to ski resorts in the region. It also coincides perfectly with the flamboyant Carnival of Venisewhich will take place from February 14 to March 5 next year.
The train offers three classes of travel: sleeper cabins, sleeper cabins and seats.
At the time of writing, all sleeper cabins are booked until the end of March, when the published schedule ends. However, sleeper cabins, which can accommodate five to six people with foldaway beds and cost €139.00, are available.
For an additional 14 euros you can book breakfast, served approximately 45 minutes before arrival.
Fall asleep with Van Gogh, wake up with Gaudi
One of the most anticipated services is the sleeping car line connecting Amsterdam to Barcelonatwo of the most popular cities in Europe.
It is currently possible to travel by train between the two cities, but it takes around 17 hours and several changes along the way. European Sleeper wants to change all that by offering a direct sleeper train service passing through Brussels and Lille before arriving in Barcelona.
The service was due to launch in spring 2025, but has been delayed as the train operator faces various challenges. Chris Engelsman, co-founder of European Sleeper, says he remains hopeful for a late 2025 launch, but admits it could be 2026 or later.
Either way, it’s an itinerary to watch and follow closely, as luxury travel influencer Christina Tan explains: “I’m very excited about the new rail routes that will arrive in Europe in 2025 I have a weakness for night trains, and like! Amsterdam and Barcelona are two of my favorite cities, I can’t wait to experience this itinerary. The train makes the journey as memorable as the destination!”
ADVERTISEMENTFrom Paris to Berlin in just 8 hours
Since December 2023, the Nightjet sleeper train runs three times a week between the French and German capitals.
The journey takes just over 13 hours from Paris and around 14.5 hours from Berlin. Trains depart in the early evening and arrive the following morning, and this connection has proven popular with those who like to sleep in while crossing the continent.
But from the end of the year, a new high-speed link will be put in place during the daywhich will reduce the travel time to eight hours and allow you to discover the best of Europe while crossing the countryside.
Mark Smith, better known as “the man in seat 61”, told Euronews Travel: “There will be a new direct ICE train between Paris and Berlin, the first direct daytime train in decades. It will depart Paris Est at 9:55 a.m. and reach Berlin Hbf at 6:03 p.m. It will offer a relaxing day with a dining car for lunch and free WiFi access. With prices starting from 59.99 euros, I think this service will be very popular!”
ADVERTISEMENTLaunched on December 16, the service will reduce travel time between the two cities to just eight hours. With stops in Strasbourg, Frankfurt and Karlsruhe, the service passes through the magnificent interior of theGermanywhere passengers will be happy to be able to take advantage of the day to admire the landscape.
Ultimate luxury on the tracks of La Dolce Vita
In a celebration of life and luxury, the Orient Express The Dolce Vita may be at the higher end of train travel, but it’s worth it if you want a taste of the golden age.
The new “vintage” style train will only have 11 cars for 62 people. These include 12 luxury cabins, 18 master suites and a “La Dolce Vita” suite. Each cabin is equipped with a double bed, sofa, armchairs and a private bathroom.
Most trips depart from Rome and have one- to two-night itineraries on board. Routes go north and south and include Venice, Portofino, Matera and Catania. La Dolce Vita is expected to add other international routes in 2025, including to Paris, Istanbul and Split in Croatia.
ADVERTISEMENTThis is a train journey that is much more about the journey than the destination, and the fares reflect that. Prices start at 2,500 euros per person per night in a luxury cabin and 4,000 euros in a suite. The first departure is scheduled for April 4, 2025.
GoVolta for big trips at low prices
Nicknamed the “easyJet of railways”, the Dutch company GoVolta is preparing to offer long-distance services at lower costs in 2025.
It plans to connect Amsterdam and Berlin from September, with early morning departures and late afternoon arrivals. Then, connections are planned between Amsterdam and Copenhagen and Basel, both of which will launch after Berlin, but still in 2025.
Unlike most popular European services, GoVolta trains will not be at high speed. This means, inevitably, that journeys will be longer – Amsterdam-Berlin should take eight hours instead of six hours with the German railway.
ADVERTISEMENTBut slower speeds save money, and GoVolta is keen to pass them on to its customers. Standard second class seats on the inaugural route are offered from 10 eurosmaking them significantly cheaper than any other option.
Tickets go on sale in January, and the company has promised at least 110 tickets for less than 10 euros on each service.
