This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
They may not have the luxurious cabins and glamorous restaurant service of the famous Orient Express, but new European sleeper train routes are offering tourists an alternative to short-haul flights and busy airports.
Services setting up in 2026 include a new sleeper train between Paris and Berlin. One of the most significant developments is expected to be a planned night train from Brussels to Milan, which will connect northern Europe with services to some of southern Europe’s popular holiday destinations. This route is scheduled to launch in autumn 2026, with stops including the pretty Swiss city of Berne and the town of Stresa, Italy, on the shores of Lake Maggiore. More services will now link Dresden and Prague.
These routes reflect an effort by rail operators and policymakers to rebuild Europe’s cross-border sleeper network after decades of decline.
Although long-distance rail remains relatively niche in Europe, accounting for only a small proportion of journeys over 1,000 kilometers, additional European routes could mean more people consider trains as a long-distance travel option.
Trains vs. Planes?
For decades, speed and low-cost flights dominated European travel.
But there are some indications that public attitudes towards long train journeys appear to be changing. A survey carried out in 2021 across Germany, Poland, France, Spain and the Netherlands found that 69% of respondents were willing to take night trains, while 37% of respondents would accept travel times of over five hours when shifting from planes to trains. Recent behavioral research indicates that climate concerns are starting to play a part in some people’s decision making, although high train prices still put people off choosing rail.
Recent research on Londoners’ travel planning also suggests environmental awareness is among the strongest predictors of willingness to use night trains for leisure travel. There’s a strong environmental argument for choosing rail. Flights create a far greater level of greenhouse gas emissions, compared with train travel.
In 2024 Europeans traveled 443 billion kilometers by train, a 5.8% increase over the previous year. This reflects the growing interest in rail as an alternative to short-haul flights. For some travelers, overnight rail may also appeal as it means arriving in city centers, fewer baggage restrictions and potentially a more relaxing journey.
Other Factors?
Recent volatility in global fuel markets due to the conflict in Iran may increase interest in rail travel this summer, as travelers worry about flights being cancelled. Since jet fuel represents around 30% of airline operating costs, rapid changes in global energy markets can quickly affect flight prices.
In a warming climate, traveling overnight could also help passengers avoid some of the hottest parts of the day as Europe sees more summer heatwaves.
While Europe is rediscovering long-distance train travel, other parts of the world have been investing heavily in rail infrastructure for years. Countries such as China and Japan have spent decades expanding high-speed rail networks, making long-distance rail both practical and attractive. Japan, a pioneer in high-speed rail, operates its Shinkansen bullet trains across nearly 3,000km of track. This connects more than 550 cities and shows how sustained investment can make rail a competitive alternative to domestic aviation.
The revival of sleeper trains is not without challenges. Not all expansion plans are running smoothly. For example, the ÖBB Nightjet service between Paris and Vienna was cancelled for 2026 following the withdrawal of French government funding.
But if Europeans want to reduce aviation emissions, while still going on holiday abroad, sleeper trains could become an important part of the solution.
Mehri Khosravi, Energy and Carbon Senior Research Fellow, University of East London; United Nations University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
