Travel
Flight-free travel: the best new European train routes that will launch in 2023 and 2020
The full list of new routes in Europe, arranged by country.
Train travel in Europe is experiencing a boom as the trend towards flight-free travel grows. renaissance.
The latest inter-country link will connect three cities that are not well-known in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.
You can reduce your travel costs by changing the way you travel. Carbon footprint. For example, flying between London and Paris emits 14x more CO2 than traveling by train.
Fortunately, many countries in the EU are investing. Railways This new technology provides faster and better connections than ever.
Here are the latest European railways, from budget-friendly night trains to cross-country tracks. Railway routes.
Austria
Nightjet from Vienna to Paris
Austrian national railway company OBB has been a trailblazer in Europe’s sleeper train Nightjet has been bringing back the spirit of revival since 2016. It launched a new route in late 2021. Vienna Paris is reached via Salzburg and Munich.
The journey lasts 14 hours, and is run three times a weeks in both directions. Prices range from EUR30 for a single seat to EUR120 for a private compartment.
In summer 2023 Nightjet New-generation trains will be launched that rival first class flights in terms of comfort. Wireless charging stations, free WiFi, bicycle and ski equipment storage, and private compartments that have their own showers, toilets, and bathrooms are all expected.
Nightjet from Vienna to Genoa, La Spezia and La Spezia
Nightjet’s new timetable for 2023 extended its Vienna/Munich service from Milan to Genoa and La Spezia, Italy. You can continue on to Monaco, Nice, and elsewhere by train. Cinque Terre.
Belgium
European Sleeper: From Amsterdam to Berlin via Brussels
The long-teased European SleeperOn 25 May, a Belgian and Dutch social cooperative launched its first route, from Brussels to Berlin via Amsterdam.
Passengers on the European Sleeper can travel to Paris, London and Warsaw with just one change. The service will be extended to Dresden and Prague in 2024.
****Arriva and SNCB offer a direct service from Liege to Aachen, Maastricht and Maastricht. (December 2023)
A new train service linking Aachen, Germany, Liege, Belgium and Maastricht will be launched.
The project is a collaborative effort between Arriva, a part of the German Deutsche Bahn Group, SNCB (the National Railway Company of Belgium), and NS (Nederlandse Sporwegen).
Czech Republic
CD from Prague to Zurich
In December 2022 the Czech Republic’s national rail operator Ceske drahy launched a new train service. Sleeper service Frankfurt and Basel are included in the route from Prague to Zurich.
You can also find out more about the following: overnight journeyA revival of a service which was closed in 2017 will take less than 14 hours. Travellers can choose from a variety of fares, including six-bed couchettes and deluxe sleeper compartments that include en-suite showers and toilets.
Tickets for a couchette with six beds start at EUR49.90.
France
SNCF trains from Paris to Aurillac (December 2023)
The Paris-Aurillac Night Train, which was taken out of service at the beginning of this century, will be making a comeback in late 2018.
SNCF Voyageurs announced that Le Pyreneen et L’Occitan, night trains, will connect the French capital to the south-central commune as of 10 December 2023.
During the holiday season, a daily train will run between Cantal and the surrounding areas. The rest of the year, the trains will run on Friday and Sunday nights in both directions.
This is part a larger initiative to relaunch night trains in the country, which has included services between Paris and Nice as well as Paris and Lourdes.
TGV from Paris to Berlin (2024)
France and Germany announced a new TGV route between Paris, Germany and Berlin. The route is expected to begin running in 2024.
A trip between the two capitals currently requires travellers to change trains at a different station, such as Cologne or Frankfurt. The new high-speed connection would allow passengers to complete the journey in seven hours.
Midnight Trains from Paris to Venice (2025)
French startup Midnight Trains The European Commission is backing a new night-train service that will connect France and Italy from Paris to Venice, via Milan, starting in 2025. This will make it easier for UK travellers to travel to Italy by train.
Trenitalia: From Paris to Madrid (starts in late 2024)
In December 2022 FS Italiane Group, the owner of Italy’s state-owned national railway Trenitalia, announced plans for a high-speed Frecciarossa Train Connection Between Paris and Madrid.
The new train will connect Paris Barcelona, where a high-speed service already connects the Spanish capital with the city. It is expected to launch by the end of 2024. There are hints that additional services could connect Madrid and Italy via France.
Germany
Snalltaget: From Berlin to Stockholm
Swedish railway company Snalltaget rerouted some of its trains Berlin The train service from Malmo to Stockholm is extended through Hamburg, Denmark and Stockholm. The journey is just under 17 hours long, and prices start at around EUR50 for direct services.
Nightjet from Munich to Genoa & La Spezia
Nightjet’s new timetable for 2023 has extended its Vienna/Munich service from Genoa and La Spezia to Milan. From here, travel to MonacoNice and Cinque Terre are possible.
Nightjet and EuroNight: From Stuttgart to Zagreb, Rijeka and Rijeka
Nightjet’s new schedule for 2023 includes sleeper trains from Munich to Venice, Ljubljana, and Zagreb, starting in Stuttgart, Germany.
The route will also run seasonally to the coastal Croatian The journey takes approximately 15 hours to reach the city of Rijeka.
EuroNight is operated by Croatian Railways HZ, and Slovenian Railways SZ, and the Nightjet service to Venice travels through Munich, Salzburg, and Treviso.
Brussels to Berlin with European sleeper
Details below
Arriva, SNCB, and NS: From Liege to Aachen and Maastricht (December 2023)
Details below
Italy
NTV Italo: From Genoa to Naples
In late 2021, Italian High-speed rail NTV Italo has launched a service in Genoa that connects the port city, located in the northwest of Italy, with the south.
The journey from Genoa Naples It takes about seven hours to get back and costs around EUR80.
Frecciarossa from Milan to Paris
Frecciarossa, the high-speed arm to Italian Trenitalia, the national train operator, has launched a new train between Milan Paris is a great place to visit.
The train is faster and more luxurious than the previous services on this line. It takes just under seven-hours. Tickets start at EUR29, but you can spend more on an executive fare for a comfortable armchair.
Portugal
Porto to Lisbon, Vigo and the Iberian High-Speed Rail Network Construction to begin in 2024
Portugal The government has approved plans to build a high-speed railway line between Lisbon, Porto, and Vigo. It will be a part of a wider Iberian high speed rail network that connects Portugal with Spain.
At the moment, it takes nearly three hours to travel between Porto and Lisbon. The new rail link will reduce the journey time from 2 hours to only 1 hour and 15 minutes. The new line will eventually connect the Portuguese cities to Vigo in Spain.
Netherlands
Amsterdam to Austria with TUI Ski Express
Snow sports Lovers are preparing for the launch of a new overnight rail service between Amsterdam and some Austria’s largest ski resorts.
TUI’s ‘Ski ExpressThe service will leave Amsterdam every Friday between 23 December and the 31 March. After leaving the Dutch capital, at 5:30pm, this service will stop in Utrecht before continuing directly to Austria.
Nightjet from Amsterdam to Zurich
Austrian-led Night Trains Nightjet has launched a new route between Amsterdam and Zurich in late 2021. It departs at 8.30pm, and arrives at 8:05am.
From couchettes (starting at around EUR60) up to sleeper cabins starting at around EUR120, there are many options for sleeping.
Arriva, SNCB, and NS: From Liege to Aachen and Maastricht (December 2023)
Details below
Amsterdam to Barcelona with European sleeper (Spring 2025)
The soon-to-launch Dutch and Belgian train operator European Sleeper is hoping to launch a night train service between Amsterdam and Barcelona Spring 2025. This would greatly improve the north-south rail links in Europe.
Spain
Madrid to Alicante with Ouigo, Avlo, and Iryo
In November 2022, SNCF will own Ouigo Launched a new low-cost, high-speed route between Madrid and Valencia. In summer 2023, it will also be running to Alicante. Tickets will initially cost EUR9 for one-way travel with one suitcase. After the launch period, tickets will cost EUR30.
Aryo, a low-cost operator of Renfe, will launch its own Madrid-Alicante service starting on 27th March at EUR7. Iryo will launch the same service on 2nd June.
In 2023-2024, Ouigo plans on expanding its service to Cordoba and Seville.
Barcelona to Madrid with Iryo
Traveling between SpainThis new high-speed train service from Iryo will make the journey between’s capital city and its top tourist destination faster and cheaper by November 2022.
Iryo, a consortium formed by Air Nostrum of Spain and Trenitalia of Italy, runs 16 return trains between Barcelona and Madrid every day. The journey takes just 2.5 hours and costs only EUR18.
The low-cost rail service will launch a new service between 31 March 2023. MalagaThe journey between Madrid and Cordoba takes three hours. Avlo, Renfe’s Avlo, will link Madrid to Malaga and Seville from June 2023.
Renfe: From Madrid to Marseille via Barcelona (starts in mid-2023)
In 2023, the state-owned rail network of Spain will launch new high speed AVE services from France. The trains will initially run alternate days, but later they will be increased to twice daily.
Renfe from Barcelona to Lyon via Montpellier & Nimes (mid 2023)
Renfe plans to extend its rail services into France, including a new route between Barcelona and Lyon that will be launched later this year.
By the end of this year, we expect to see more routes to Paris.
Slovenia
Hungarian Railways: Ljubljana-Budapest
The Hungarian Railways train will launch in December 2021 from Ljubljana to Budapest. Hungary The scenic route runs through Graz, Austria. The journey takes about 7.5 hours, and prices as low as EUR16 per way.
Sweden
SJ EuroNight: From Stockholm to Hamburg
The Stockholm Central to Hamburg-Altona train will be launched in September 2022. Night train It is powered by renewable energies. It departs daily from 5.30pm to arrive at 6.30am.
The cheapest option (starting at EUR25) is a seat on a carriage. A bed in a compartment shared starts at EUR45. A private compartment with sink for two people starts at EUR165. Private compartments with a shower, toilet, and breakfast are available for up to three people starting at EUR205. Pet-friendly There are also compartments for trains.
The service can be used in conjunction with existing Eurostar or Deutsche Bahn services to travel from London Stockholm in less than 24 Hours
Switzerland
Nightjet from Zurich to Rome
Nightjet announced at a press conference in 2020 that it will launch a brand new night flight. Trains Zurich and Rome will be connected in winter 2022. It remains to be determined whether the plans will proceed as planned. The operator’s only option is to use the existing network. Rome The routes include Vienna, Salzburg Villach and Munich.
UK
London to Bordeaux via HS1 (approximately 2026)
High Speed 1 (HS1) in the UK, which operates the Channel Tunnel rail line, is preparing to launch a brand new route from London. Passengers must travel through Paris in order to reach the French wine region. The journey takes almost six hours. The new line will bypass Paris and reduce travel time to five hours.
Author
Tourists have been caught smuggling all kinds of stolen souvenirs home from holidays, from artefacts picked up in Pompeii to sand from Italy’s famous pink beach on the island of Sardinia.
The Belgian city of Bruges is the latest victim of keepsake crime, but the item visitors have taken a fancy to is unexpected.
The city council has reported the theft of dozens of cobblestones from the city centre, and suspects tourists are the culprits.
Tourists suspected of pilfering Bruges’ cobblestones
Bruges’ cobblestones are increasingly being pilfered from well-known spots in the UNESCO-designated historic centre, public property councillor Franky Demon reported this week.
“At iconic locations such as Minnewater, Vismarkt, Markt and Gruuthusemuseum, it is estimated that 50 to 70 pieces of cobblestone disappear every month. And that number could be even higher,” Demon told press.
“The phenomenon increases significantly, especially during busy tourist periods such as spring and summer,” he added.
For this reason, authorities suspect visitors are pocketing the stone as souvenirs.
‘Leave that cobblestone where it belongs’
As well as damaging a valuable part of the city’s heritage, the stolen stones have created safety issues.
The gaps from removed stones present trip hazards for pedestrians – and are costly to repair.
“It’s unfortunate that our employees constantly have to go out to fix potholes and loose stones. This causes a lot of additional work and costs: about 200 euros per square metre of reconstruction,” explained Demon.
The councillor urged visitors to respect the historical environment of Bruges.
“We simply ask for respect. Anyone walking through Bruges crosses centuries of history. Leave that cobblestone where it belongs,” he said.
Bruges’ cobblestones are apparently not the only sought-after street souvenir.
Along the famous Paris-Roubaix cycling route, tourists are known to pilfer parts of the pavement.
While Rome’s iconic ‘sampietrini’ – cobblestones made of solidified lava – have also disappeared into suitcases over the years.
Author
Travel
‘Inequality and infinite growth’: Canary Islands anti-tourism protests reignite amid record arrivals
This weekend, residents of Spain’s Canary Islands are coming out in force to protest against mass tourism.
People on the archipelago have been growing increasingly vocal about its struggles with visitor numbers.
Last year, locals held multiple protests to highlight overtourism’s strain on local infrastructure and housing availability. They look set to continue again this summer as residents say little has been done to tackle the problem.
Protests planned across Spain against overtourism
On Sunday, 18 May, residents of the Canary Islands will take to the streets to join protests organised by campaign group Canarias tiene un límite (The Canary Islands have a limit).
Demonstrations will be held on all the islands of the archipelago as well as in several cities across Spain.
Protests will begin at 11 am on the seven main Canary Islands – El Hierro, La Palma, La gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura – and at 12pm on mainland cities including Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia.
Residents in the German capital of Berlin are also planning to take to the streets in solidarity.
Why are residents of the Canary Islands protesting?
The organisers say they are protesting to oppose the current economic model “based on overtourism, speculation, inequality and the infinite growth on very limited land”.
Instead, they want a transition to a people-centred, environmentally responsible model that respects the archipelago’s ecological and social needs.
Specifically, they are calling for a halt to destructive hotel projects across the islands and the building of a motor circuit on Tenerife; a moratorium on new tourist developments; guaranteed access for residents to healthcare and housing; and a functional ecological tourist tax.
The group also wants the immediate introduction of measures to curb marine pollution and the creation of an environmental restoration law.
Canary Islands receive record number of tourists in March
Earlier this month, authorities announced that the Canary Islands received more than 1.55 million foreign visitors in March, up 0.9 per cent on the record set in the same month last year.
The figures were released by the Canary Islands National Statistics Institute (INE), which added that the total number of international tourists for the first quarter of 2025 was 4.36 million, an increase of 2.1 per cent year-on-year.
The tourist influx comes despite dozens of protests staged last year by Canary Island residents against mass tourism.
Similar demonstrations have already taken place this year. Over Easter, around 80,000 hospitality workers in Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro walked out in a dispute with unions over pay.
Author
A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the Greek island of Crete early this morning, Wednesday 14 May.
Authorities issued a tsunami alert in the area shortly after the tremor, which was felt as far away as Israel, Syria and Egypt.
Tourists are being warned to stay away from coastal areas in the popular holiday spot.
Here is the latest travel information from the local government.
Tourists in Crete urged to move away from coastlines
The earthquake was at a depth of 35 kilometres with its epicentre near the islands of Kasos and Karpathos in the Aegean Sea.
Greece’s Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection issued a precautionary tsunami warning for the area, including the east coast of Crete and the island of Rhodes.
Authorities urged residents and tourists on the island to keep away from the coastline and move to higher ground.
“A magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred 48km SE of Kasos. Risk of possible Tsunami in your area,” the Ministry posted on its X account this morning. The magnitude was later updated to 6.0.
“Move away from the coast immediately. Follow the instructions of Local Authorities.”
Samaria Gorge, one of Crete’s most popular hiking routes, is temporarily closed as officials check for any damage done to the route.
“The Natural Environment and Climate Change Organisation announces that due to the earthquake that occurred today south of Kasos, the gorge will remain closed to visitors in order to check the route for possible rockfalls,” authorities said. “A further announcement will be made late this afternoon.”
Crete earthquake: Is it safe to travel and am I entitled to compensation?
Foreign governments have not issued travel advisories as yet, so it is currently still considered safe to visit Greece and its islands.
This also means that, should you choose not to go ahead with your trip, you are unlikely to receive compensation.
Depending on your travel insurance policy, you may be able to receive a refund for some or all of your trip if it includes compensation for cancellations due to natural disasters. Check with your provider and read your terms and conditions carefully.
There have been no reports so far of injuries or major damage from the earthquake, but authorities are monitoring the situation closely and have warned people should remain vigilant.
If you are on holiday in or about to travel to Crete, Kasos or Karpathos, make sure you stay up to date with the latest information.
Crete and its surrounding region are considered one of Europe’s most seismically active zones.
In October 2021, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook the island just weeks after another tremor killed one person and injured several others.
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