6 New Train Routes We’re Excited About

​​Rumblings of a railway renaissance have been swirling recently, thanks to a growing interest in sustainable transportation. And with new tracks being laid and upgraded trains to look forward to, there’s even more reason to take the scenic route.

More travelers are eyeing ways to not only make their future trips stress-free but also more eco-conscious. Countries like Scotland and Spain have announced plans to roll out zero-emission hydrogen-powered trains, which is in step with the European Union’s commitment to doubling high-speed rail use by 2030 and tripling it by 2050. The rising interest in rail vacations recently led Google to expand its search options for train schedules in select countries like Germany, Spain, and Italy.

While iconic passages like the Trans-Siberian Railway have long offered travelers an exciting way to traverse the countryside, new rail adventures are popping up around the world. Whether you’re planning to reduce your carbon footprint or dreaming of a sumptuous sleeping car, these routes may entice you to get on board with train travel once and for all.

Multi-day rail tours in New Zealand

Starting in January 2023, exploring New Zealand’s off-the-beaten-path regions by train is about to get even easier. Train operator Great Journeys New Zealand, a division of KiwiRail, will debut its new multi-day tours, allowing passengers to step off and enjoy guided experiences and a night or two in various locations. The itineraries, ranging from six to 17 days, link together three scenic train journeys including the award-winning TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth, the Northern Explorer between Auckland and Wellington, and Coastal Pacific from Picton to Christchurch. Excursions include spotting whales, dolphins, and albatrosses in Kaikōura, adventuring along the Punakaiki Rocks and Hokitika Gorge on the West Coast, and sipping world-famous Sauvignon Blanc in the Marlborough wine region. And with views of volcanic peaks and turquoise blue lakes from the train, the journey is just as spectacular as the destinations. Passengers can choose between the Classic Style Tour through New Zealand’s larger cities and heartland destinations or the Signature Style Tour, which includes higher-end hotels and extras like a farewell dinner at Walter Peak.

Japan’s Train Suite Shiki-Shima

Japan’s reopening means that one of the world’s most exclusive rail experiences, Train Suite Shiki-Shima, is once again accessible to international travelers. The luxurious multi-day sightseeing train has a maximum capacity of just 34 passengers yet ample space across five sleeping cars, two observation cars, a lounge car, and a dining car. Tickets require an application and are only available by lottery (the train is currently accepting online applications for its spring 2023 dates available from April to the end of June.) Guests can choose between three itineraries departing from Tokyo—the longest being a four-day trip through Hokkaido, where guests can hop off to visit restored historical villages and hot springs and experience the region’s Indigenous Ainu culture. Those looking to immerse themselves in Japanese wine country should opt for one of the two-day circuits that pass through the coastal prefecture of Niigata. One continues to Nagano and the up-and-coming Chikumagawa Wine Valley, while the other heads to the Yamanashi Prefecture, long considered the birthplace of the Japanese wine industry.

Venice-Simplon Orient Express Winter Journeys

The midnight-blue carriages of Belmond's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express typically traverse Europe between March and November. But this year, the glamorous icon of rail travel will expand its season to include winter journeys for the first time. The 10 routes available in December 2022 will include the brand’s classic itineraries from Venice to Paris and Vienna to Paris, as well as its recently launched routes to and from Florence. Guests can look forward to relaxing with a glass of Champagne in one of the private Historic Cabins or six Grand Suites while gliding past snow-covered forests. And in the dining car, Jean Imbert’s winter-inspired menus will feature local ingredients from the scheduled stops. If you miss out on the opportunity to travel during the festive season, there’s more to look forward to in June 2023, when Belmond will launch eight new Art Deco-style suites—each one meticulously restored and designed by French artisans to reflect four distinct landscapes seen on its routes: La Campagne (the countryside), Les Montagnes (the mountains), Les Lacs (the lakes), and La Forêt (the forest).

The return of the Cascades route

For the first time since the start of the pandemic, Amtrak’s beloved Cascades train from Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, British Columbia, will resume its full route. In recent years, the train terminated service in Seattle, Washington, but as of September 2022, its daily roundtrip service to Canada has been reinstated. This means easier access for folks planning a trip north of the border (those looking to extend their rail journey even further can hop on the Rocky Mountaineer to Banff after a couple of nights at the historic Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, one of the train’s partner hotels). The 10-plus-hour Cascades journey is a showstopper in and of itself, as it travels along the coast through majestic mountain vistas, past Mount St. Helens, and across the Columbia River Gorge. The sleek European-style carriages come with modern amenities like laptop outlets and Wi-Fi, plus bike racks for those looking to hit the trails along the way. And with stops in Salem and Portland in Oregon and Tacoma and Seattle in Washington, there are more than enough detours to keep you engaged.

Ski resort hopping in Switzerland

Switzerland has no shortage of scenic rail routes, but the Goldenpass Express could make hopping between the ski resorts in Montreux, Gstaad, and Interlaken even more panoramic. Seat reservations are now open on the new locomotive by Italian design firm Pininfarina (best known for its Ferrari and Maserati cars), which can effortlessly shift between a narrow and standard track gauge—meaning travelers will no longer have to change trains at Zweisimmen station. The real showstopper, though, is its floor-to-ceiling windows, which feature anti-reflection technology for optimal photo-taking onboard. With its grand debut scheduled for December 2022 and a promise of dramatic views of the Bernese Alps, this is one train ride worth waiting for.

The Red Sea to the Mediterranean

Exploring Egypt’s ancient monuments is about to get easier, as the country ushers in its first high-speed rail line, set to be completed in 2023. Spanning over 620 miles, the new system will connect the Red Sea to the Mediterranean and includes 15 stops along the way. This means that travelers won’t have to catch a domestic flight or navigate the country’s antiquated rail system when moving between Luxor and the Pyramids of Giza or hopping over to the resort town of Hurghada. Siemens, the German industrial manufacturing company behind the project, has started working on the first 285-mile stretch, which will run between El-Alamein on the Mediterranean Sea and Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea, while also passing through Cairo and the New Administrative Capital. And it won’t only be a boon for tourism. According to Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility, the hope is that the new line will also bring about a technology boost and create more local jobs in the country’s developing cities.