From 2026, travelers will gain access to numerous new train connections across Europe, including high-speed and night trains that promote sustainable travel. Many routes pass through Germany, linking cities like Munich, Hamburg, and Berlin to destinations in Italy, Sweden, and France. These developments position rail travel as an appealing option for environmentally conscious passengers.
Train travel is gaining popularity for its environmental benefits. Starting in 2026, several exciting new connections will launch, particularly in Europe.
The Italian high-speed Frecciarossa will link Munich to Milan from December 2026 in about six and a half hours at speeds up to 300 kilometers per hour. Stops include Innsbruck, Bozen, and Verona. The route continues to Rome, with further stops in Bologna and Florence, arriving roughly two and a half hours later.
Snälltåget will introduce a daily daytime connection from Hamburg to Stockholm from May 4, 2026, departing at 9:51 a.m. and arriving at 9:17 p.m. The train stops in Copenhagen, Malmö, and other cities; bookings are already available.
Dutch operator GoVolta will offer direct services from Amsterdam to Hamburg and Berlin from late March 2026, starting at 10 euros per route with guaranteed seating. Three times weekly in spring, daily in summer, with stops in Bremen, Hannover, and Osnabrück. A daily route to Paris follows from December 2026.
European Sleeper launches a night train from Berlin to Paris from March 26, 2026, three times weekly with a stop in Brussels; the journey takes 16 hours. From June 18, 2026, a night train runs from Brussels or Amsterdam to Milan, three times weekly, stopping in Cologne and Bern.
Additional routes include Leo Express from Przemyśl via Prague to Frankfurt am Main from June 25, 2026 (18 hours), ComfortJet from Prague to Copenhagen from May 2026 (11 hours, twice daily), and a direct Budapest-Belgrade link from February 20, 2026 (six times daily at 160 km/h).
These new options expand Europe's rail network and promote sustainable mobility, with no contradictions in the announcements.