Who wants to hop around Europe on Ryanair’s sardine-like seating and fee this, fee that format?
It’s certainly not for everyone.
But what always passes the vibe check is exploring the world by train. Europe tends to do a phenomenal job keeping rail routes on schedule, unlike airports, where it always feels like a crapshoot…
Better yet, many of Europe’s cities (even lesser-known locales to Americans) are offering lightning-fast journeys to an array of iconic cities and tight-lipped secrets.
Our team of experts here at Travel Off Path has put our heads together and scoured the web for Europe’s most exciting new train rides for 2026.
These are our top 3 picks for must-visit adventures next year:
3) Bypass Barcelona 🇪🇸 For Beautiful Toulouse 🇫🇷
Why is such a renowned city ranked third?
We’re glad you asked!
As you may have heard, Spain hasn’t exactly garnered national attention lately for its stunning beaches and world-renowned cities — quite the opposite, actually.
Spain has been more known for locals taking to the streets with large anti-tourism protests, given their country’s nonstop rise to prominence as one of the world’s top vacation destinations.
That’s not to say you won’t have the time of your life, but it’s always nice to visit foreign destinations where you feel welcomed with open arms — and the truth is that kind of warm embrace is iffy at best in Barcelona.
But hey, that’s all the more reason to hop aboard the city’s newest cross-border high-speed train.
Spain’s top rail operator Renfe is set to launch a speedy new journey to Toulouse, one of France’s most underrated cities.
Call us crazy, but we think it’s just as beautiful as Paris — and it certainly doesn’t hurt the appeal that prices are way, way lower across the board.
This direct route will take you through the following hidden gems before its endpoint in Toulouse:
- Girona 🇪🇸
- Figueres 🇪🇸
- Perpignan 🇫🇷
- Carcassonne 🇫🇷
As these things tend to go, this route was supposed to debut in 2025 and has since been pushed back to an undisclosed date in 2026.
2) Explore Serbia’s Unknown From Novi Sad To Subotica 🇷🇸
Why are a pair of unheard-of cities ranked higher than 2 of the most visited countries in the world?
Besides unsightly protests, more reports have expressed that lesser-known destinations are all the rage right now.
But don’t worry — we’re not sending you off to some far-flung nation impossible to reach…
Americans can fly nonstop to Belgrade, Serbia’s safe, gorgeous (and highly underrated capital, from both Chicago (ORD) and New York (JFK).
Plus, there are whispers that Miami is next!
Already connecting Novi Sad, Belgrade is a great starting point to venture across Serbia, a former Soviet nation that has since become a trendy hotspot for digital nomads, nightlife seekers, and culture lovers alike.
After some initial kinks (no, not the kind your weird uncle’s into), this nearly 70-mile stretch of countryside will connect to 2 of Serbia’s most unexplored destinations — at least for Americans, anyway.
If adventure is calling and wanderlust is itching, this is Europe’s top journey for you next year, as it’s already launched this fall.
What to expect in Novi Sad:
Serbia’s ‘second city’, if you will, is set along the scenic Danube and crowned by the Petrovaradin Fortress. Expect to find historic, elegant plazas, lush waterfront parks, and cozy wine bars galore.
What to expect in Subotica:
Subotica is quite possibly Serbia’s biggest surprise. Hugging the Hungary border, this unsuspecting city delights with ornate pastel facades and lively squares that feel more Central European than Balkan.
1) Zoom Across Europe From Paris 🇫🇷 To Munich 🇩🇪
Why is Paris to Munich our number one must-visit adventure for 2026?
It’s the best of both worlds — 2 beloved European powerhouses, surprisingly easy to explore all packed into a single breezy trip.
Wake up with a warm, buttery croissant and cap off your day with a buttery pretzel.
Okay, that might be too much butter, but you butter believe this route serves up the perfect mix of culture, cuisine, and charm in one unforgettable trip.
With no official date yet, you can’t buy tickets as tempting as it would be.
It’s expected to launch by the end of 2026. No promises for Oktoberfest, but it sounds like a definite “yes” for Munich’s world-renowned Christmas markets.
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