Nothing screams Europe quite like hopping on a high-speed train, whooshing past medieval towns and verdant fields dotted with campaniles, as you cross international lines like they’re nothing.
You see, on this side of the globe, traveling from country A to country B is just as effortless as driving from New York state to New Jersey:
More often than not, there are usually no customs checks if you travel within the Schengen Area.
Taking the train is not only the scenic way, but it is also truly the one hassle-free option, especially if you avoid airports like the plague.
If you plan on visiting the Old Continent this year, and you’re feeling the pull of the Railway Renaissance, here are 4 of the most exciting new routes launching in the coming months:
Paris, France to Munich, Germany
Although there are ways to travel by rail from the French capital to Munich, the largest city in southerly Bavaria region, it doesn’t exactly cut it for travelers who want to avoid multiple changes, and are looking for faster, more efficient ways to avoid flying.
This year, both France’s SNCF and Germany’s Deutsche Bahn are teaming up to finally launch a direct service between both cities.
The current average journey time ranges from 6 to 7 hours, including changes in Stuttgart or Frankfurt. With the new high-speed train, this will be reduced to only 4h40, bringing it closer to the overall commute time of flying (including transfers to and from, and wait at airports).
Tickets will include 2 pieces of luggage at no additional charge, and the good news is, they’ll be as affordable as those low-cost Ryanair flights. Tickets will average $40 to $50 when booked in advance, with last-minute seats selling for $150–180.
London, England to Stirling, Scotland
This spring, a new Lumo train is hitting the tracks from London Euston, only a few steps from the world-famous Regent’s Park, all the way to Stirling, an underrated storybook gem in the heart of Scotland.
Best known for Stirling Castle, a medieval fortress perched on a prominent hill, and formerly the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the National Wallace Monument, a free-standing tower dedicated to the Scottish knight, Stirling is one of Britain’s most picturesque medieval towns.
With the new fast trains, it will take only 5h12 to bridge the 418-mile distance from the British capital to the 94,000-people-strong Scottish city, and surprisingly, tickets aren’t shockingly-expensive as some might have expected.
There’s no point sugarcoating it, UK train operators are run by a literal mafia: it’s oftentimes cheaper to fly to Spain than travel between different zones in London, let alone travel all the way from the English capital to the very north of Britain.
Seats on these Lumo trains, on the other hand, will start from only £37–£50 ($50.50–$68) one-way, booked a few months in advance. Off-peak, last-minute averages your usual £97–£100 ($132–$136).
As is the case with train travel in Britain, make sure you plan accordingly.
Tallinn, Estonia to Riga, Latvia
For the adventurous travelers out there who are finally feeling confident enough to start exploring the secret Europe that lies east of Berlin, there’s a new railway line running from Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, to Riga, its Latvian counterpart.
A UNESCO World Heritage, Tallinn’s Old Town is a cobblestone-paved, tower-flanked medieval maze dotted with churches, arch-covered alleys, and quiet corners, without the usual buzzing crowds you see elsewhere in Europe.
Riga feels less like an open-air museum, and more like a fast-growing Baltic port city revolving around a timeless Historic Center: think a unique mix of medieval architecture, Art Nouveau façades, and Soviet-era concrete giants.
Despite being separated by a mere 203 miles, tourists traveling between these 2 underrated capitals have resorted to the popular LUX buses, which are comfortable enough—they even come with seatback screens and free Wi-Fi!
Still, with the usual hectic traffic, major detours and road closures during winter, the Elron train will be a major game-changer for travelers who’ve been clamoring for more reliable transport connections for years—not to mention no strangers falling asleep on your shoulder.
Departures from Tallinn are scheduled for 2:50 PM, while arrivals to Riga for 8:46 PM, totaling 6 hours. The average fare is $34 one-way.
Basel, Switzerland to Malmö, Sweden
If you’re not in a rush to get anywhere this spring, and going to sleep in Central Europe only to wake up in Scandinavia sounds like a fun-enough idea to you, check this out:
Three times a week, starting April 15, EuroNight will run a direct overnight train from Basel, in northeastern Switzerland, all the way to Malmö, the third-largest city in Sweden, via Copenhagen in Denmark.
In case you’re wondering why even bother, given these aren’t mainstream destinations, Basel just happens to be one of the most beautiful historic riverside cities in Switzerland, with a vibrant Rhine life, a well-preserved medieval center, and an unrivaled international scene.
Though it’s fully within Switzerland, it sits right at the exact point where Switzerland, France, and Germany meet, and you can seamlessly walk from Basel to any of the neighboring countries within minutes.
Malmö is no different: a fast-developing harbor city hosting a striking-red, moated castle and a cobbled Historic Center, it’s only 21 minutes by train from the capital of Denmark. Much like Basel, it feels like the meeting point between two (or more) worlds. See a running theme here?
The total journey time is 16 hours—but again, you won’t even feel it as you’ll be asleep for most of the time—and couchette tickets typically start from $70.
Speaking of multi-country trips, you might want to check out these 3 short train trips linking two neighboring countries in under 60 minutes.
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