Travel by Train: Upcoming Rail Lines in Europe

Written by Sophie Renassia

Published on June 4, 2025

From Scandinavia to southern Italy, via Berlin, Belgrade, and Lisbon, the European rail network is on the move—and we couldn’t be more excited. Train travel is gaining momentum across the continent, as more and more travelers seek to reduce their carbon footprint by opting for the train, which—contrary to popular belief—is sometimes more convenient and affordable than flying. In this article, we update you on the most exciting new European train routes—whether high-speed or overnight—to keep an eye on in the coming months and years!

Also read: The trains set to revolutionize our travels in 2025

TGV Lyria: Marseille (France) – Geneva & Marseille – Lausanne (Switzerland) – Summer 2025

From summer 2025, TGV Lyria will extend its seasonal service between Marseille and Lausanne via Geneva. The direct summer route between Marseille, Geneva, and Lausanne will operate daily from June 28 to August 24, 2025.

Status

The service is already announced and available for booking!

Extension in 2026

Starting in 2026, the route will be extended from April to October, with trains running Thursday to Monday and daily round-trips during the peak summer season (June 27 to August 23).

Main stops

• Marseille Saint-Charles
• Aix-en-Provence TGV
• Avignon TGV
• Lyon Part-Dieu
• Geneva (under 4 hours)
• Lausanne (under 5 hours)

PKP Intercity: Night Train Warsaw (Poland) – Rijeka (Croatia) – Summer 2025

A seasonal night train between Warsaw (Poland) and Rijeka (Croatia) will run from June 27 to August 31, 2025, with four trips per week. Tickets can be booked via PKP Intercity’s official website, as well as on Interrail/Eurail (for pass holders) or third-party platforms like Trainline.

[Book your Warsaw–Rijeka tickets]

Status

The service is confirmed for summer.

Main stops

The train serves multiple cities in Poland, then travels through the Czech Republic (Ostrava), Austria (Vienna), Slovenia (Ljubljana, Postojna), and Croatia (Opatija, Rijeka).

How to get to Warsaw by train from France?

ÖBB x SNCF x DB: Night Train Paris (France) – Berlin (Germany) – Summer 2025

A direct route is set to launch in summer 2025 thanks to cooperation between ÖBB, SNCF, and Deutsche Bahn! Part of the expanding Nightjet network, this route, inaugurated in December 2023, will continue for summer 2025 with three weekly round-trips: departures from Paris on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and returns from Berlin on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

Status

The connection has been confirmed by the operators.

Main stops

Notably stops in Strasbourg, Frankfurt (Main) South, Erfurt, Halle (Saale), and Berlin Hbf.

Also read: The return of the Paris–Berlin night train: practical info

Tickets available on Nightjet (ÖBB), Deutsche Bahn (DB), SNCF Connect, or Trainline.

FlixTrain: Direct Route Berlin (Germany) – Warsaw (Poland) – Late 2025

FlixTrain has announced a direct route between Berlin and Warsaw starting December 2025, with an operating license until December 2030! With two daily round-trips between Berlin Hauptbahnhof and Warsaw (Warszawa Wschodnia), this marks FlixTrain’s first international service to the Polish market. The trip will take around 5 hours, faster than current EuroCity trains thanks to fewer stops (skipping places like Frankfurt or Rzepin).

Status

The official announcement has been made. Slot allocations are the next step.

Main stops

The train will stop in Poznań, western Poland.

How to get to Berlin by train?

Budapest (Hungary) – Belgrade (Serbia) – Late 2025 to Early 2026

The Budapest–Belgrade line, under renovation since 2018, is set to reopen by late 2025. Thanks to a speed of 200 km/h, the trip will connect the two capitals in under 3 hours (previously over 6!).

Status

Work is well advanced. Full modernization on both the Hungarian and Serbian sides is expected by late 2025 or early 2026, with commercial service starting soon after.

Main stops

• Budapest Nyugati
• Szeged
• Subotica
• Novi Sad
• Beograd Centar

SBB (Swiss Railways): Night Train Basel (Switzerland) – Copenhagen (Denmark) – Spring 2026

A new night train—backed by Swiss Railways (SBB) and Railroad Development Corporation (RDC)—is planned to link Basel to Copenhagen via Hamburg by spring 2026, with a possible extension to Malmö. This is great news, as no direct night link has existed between Scandinavia and Switzerland since the CityNightLine Aurora was discontinued in 2014.

Status

The project is still pending funding and regulatory approvals in Switzerland, Germany, and Denmark. A seasonal launch in spring 2026 is targeted.

Main stops

The train would run from Basel to Copenhagen via Malmö, covering Switzerland, Germany, and Denmark—with a potential Swedish extension.

SBB & Trenitalia: Zurich – Florence/Livorno – 2026

Swiss Railways (SBB) and Trenitalia plan to launch direct routes to Florence and Livorno in 2026 as part of strengthened north-south connectivity.

Status

The launch has been confirmed for 2026 (per official SBB communications). This is part of a renewed cooperation between SBB and Trenitalia, who have jointly transported over 30 million passengers between Switzerland and Italy since 2009.

Main stops (to be confirmed)

• Zurich HB (departure)
• Lugano
• Milan Centrale
• Florence (Firenze S. M. Novella)
• Livorno (Livorno Centrale)

SBB & Trenitalia: Zurich – Rome – 2026

SBB has also announced plans to launch a direct route between Zurich and Rome by 2026, in cooperation with Trenitalia. The goal: to offer a fast, comfortable alternative to flights, connecting both cities in 7–8 hours.

Status

The intention has been announced by both SBB and Trenitalia. However, several technical and logistical challenges remain (lack of suitable rolling stock, rail infrastructure capacity issues in both Switzerland and Italy).

Main stops

• Zurich HB
• Lugano
• Milan Centrale
• Bologna
• Florence (Firenze S. M. Novella)
• Rome Termini

Trenitalia & DB: Rome – Munich – Late 2026

Trenitalia and Deutsche Bahn (DB) plan to launch a high-speed rail connection between Rome and Munich via the Brenner Pass by December 2026. Daily round-trips will operate between both cities, as well as between Milan and Munich.

Status

Announced for December 2026, this partnership between Trenitalia, DB, and ÖBB is supported by the EU as part of a pilot program to boost cross-border rail connections.

Main stops

• Rome Termini
• Florence (Firenze S. M. Novella)
• Bologna
• Verona
• Trento
• Bolzano
• Brenner
• Innsbruck (Austria)
• Munich Hauptbahnhof

The Italian portion (Rome–Verona) will be high-speed, while alpine sections will run at reduced speed. Extensions to Berlin (north) and Naples (south) are being considered for 2028.

Trenitalia, DB & ÖBB: Milan/Naples – Berlin – Late 2028

By December 2028, travelers should be able to ride directly from Milan or Naples to Berlin via Rome, Florence, Bologna, Verona, Bolzano, Innsbruck, Munich, Nuremberg, and Erfurt. The initiative—led by Trenitalia, DB, and ÖBB—aims to build a more connected European high-speed rail network.

Status

• Phase 1: The Brenner Base Tunnel is scheduled to open by 2032, cutting travel time by about one hour. The Italian excavation was completed in May 2025.
• Phase 2 (2026): Direct high-speed routes will connect Rome–Munich (approx. 8h30) and Milan–Munich (approx. 6h30).
• Phase 3 (2028): Extension to Berlin and Naples expected by December 2028.

Main stops

• Naples Centrale
• Rome Termini
• Florence Santa Maria Novella
• Bologna Centrale
• Verona Porta Nuova
• Bolzano
• Innsbruck (Austria)
• Munich Hauptbahnhof
• Nuremberg
• Erfurt
• Berlin Hauptbahnhof

The Milan–Berlin route will merge with the same itinerary from Verona onward.

Trenitalia: Paris – London – 2029

In April 2025, FS Group (Trenitalia) announced plans to compete with Eurostar by launching its own high-speed service between Paris and London via the Channel Tunnel by 2029. A key hurdle: obtaining Eurotunnel certification.

Status

An agreement has been signed with the Spanish consortium Evolyn, already working on a similar project. The partnership aims to pool technical expertise and funding. However, station slot allocations in Paris Gare du Nord and London St Pancras, as well as tunnel safety certifications, are still pending.

Main stops

Possible calls at Lille (Europe) and Ashford (Kent) are under consideration. Long-term extensions to Lyon, Marseille, and Milan are also being discussed but are not part of the initial plan.

Trenitalia: Madrid – Lisbon – 2030

Long awaited, the high-speed rail line between Madrid and Lisbon is expected by 2030. It would link both capitals in around 6 hours—or even 3 hours in the long term, once all high-speed sections are completed (currently over 10 hours).

Status

In 2024, the Spanish and Portuguese governments reaffirmed their commitment to completing the line by 2030. Agreements have been signed and construction planning is underway.

In Spain, several segments—especially between Badajoz and Plasencia—are already completed or in advanced stages, with some high-speed trains already in operation.

Main stops

• Madrid Atocha
• Toledo
• Navalmoral de la Mata
• Plasencia
• Badajoz (Spain–Portugal border)
• Elvas
• Évora
• Lisbon Oriente

Other intermediate stops like Mérida (Spain) or Poceirão (Portugal) may be added, but speed will be prioritized.

Also read: Hendaye–Lisbon night train: where do we stand?