In 2026, luxury train travel becomes a sensory experience that winds through memorable landscapes, vintage interiors and slow rituals. In a Europe rich in contrasts, where in the span of a few hours you pass from sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean to grand historic capitals, the train represents the most authentic way to discover the regions, watch them change from the window and live them without hurry.
Traveling on a vintage train means choosing slowness as a value, renouncing the frenzy of airports to embrace the time of waiting, the landscape gliding by, in-car conversations and meals served as moments of conviviality: in short, the journey becomes an integral part of the destination.
Here, then, are some of the most fascinating routes of the Old Continent that are set to debut or to be reborn.
The Seville–Madrid Route on Al-Andalus
Among the most awaited innovations stands the new Al-Andalus itinerary, one of Spain’s most emblematic luxury trains, which from spring 2026 will connect Seville to Madrid on a seven-day journey designed to explore the south of the country, traveling over more than 480 kilometers dotted with historic towns, UNESCO sites and sea views.
The itinerary includes stops such as Cadiz, Cordoba, Jerez, Aranjuez, Mérida and Alcázar de San Juan, with experiences ranging from visits to Roman ruins to royal palaces, from beach days to tapas tastings, as well as equestrian shows and flamenco evenings.
To make the journey even more special are the original Wagon-Lit Company carriages from 1929, carefully restored and brimming with history. They are the same ones used by the British monarchy to traverse France between the Riviera and Calais, and today they return to life on Spanish rails. With 14 carriages and 450 meters in length, the Al-Andalus is Spain’s longest train and hosts up to 64 passengers, for an intimate and exclusive atmosphere.
On board, the Vintage 1920s-style lounges invite guests to sip a drink as the Andalusian landscape races past the window, the bar carriage becomes a meeting point for conversations and music, while 24-hour room service allows travelers to experience the journey with total freedom. Dining is another pillar, with breakfasts that mix buffet and à la carte dishes and lunches and dinners prepared by renowned chefs, capable of reinterpreting Spanish tradition with refinement.
The Grand Class Rooms offer elegant and functional spaces, which by day transform into private lounges. For those seeking more, the Deluxe Suite Rooms add space, a large double bed and a bathroom with a hydro-massage shower. Prices, substantial but aligned with the experience offered, start at over €11,000 per person and rise for the most exclusive options.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: Paris–Amalfi Coast
In May 2026 the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will inaugurate a new route destined to enter the collective imagination: from Paris to the Amalfi Coast.
The inaugural journey, scheduled for May 4–7, promises spectacular scenery and a pace calibrated between relaxation and discovery. The historic cars from the twenties and thirties welcome guests in a refined setting, where every detail tells the golden age of train travel. The cabins, suites and Grand Suite offer different interpretations of luxury, all sharing a discreet and timeless elegance.
Once in Italy, the stay continues with two nights at the Caruso in Ravello, an 11th-century hotel perched between sky and sea, where guests can attend private live music performances in the gardens, enjoy a gala dinner with live cooking stations and moments devoted to discovering local products.
During the journey, exclusive experiences are planned, such as a boat trip along the Amalfi Coast, cooking and painting courses guided by experts, as well as an in-depth visit to Pompeii. Guests of the Grand Suite will also have access to a special tour of the House of the Regio V Lararium, usually closed to the public. All transfers are by luxury car, with the possibility to customize the itinerary on request.
The Revival of the Orient Express
The year 2026 also marks the return of an absolute rail travel myth: the Orient Express, born in 1883 and remembered as the “palace on wheels,” which threaded Europe linking cities such as Budapest, Vienna, Strasbourg, Bucharest and Munich, before ceasing service in 1977, swept away by the rise of air travel.
Today it is poised to rise again, with a project that is technical, artistic and cultural at once. The new Art Deco cabins have been restored and reimagined by thirty master artisans, including glaziers, embroiderers, upholsterers and woodworkers, who worked as if crafting a traveling work of art. Although itineraries and prices have not yet been announced, everything suggests the route will remain faithful to the spirit and historic stops of the original.
The bar carriage, with green velvet sofas, marble and rosewood finishes and a vaulted ceiling, becomes the beating heart, while the restaurant carriage, with immaculate tablecloths and mirror ceilings, allows you to watch the chef at work behind a glass wall. For those seeking the utmost exclusivity, the presidential suite boasts an entire private carriage with independent access, a marble bathroom, a separate sleeping area and velvet furnishings.
While awaiting its entry into service, those wishing to preview the project can visit the exhibition “1925-2025: A Century of Art Deco” at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, open until April 26, 2026, where models of the new cabins are on display.
Dream of the Desert in Saudi Arabia
Starting from the end of 2026, the ultra-luxury Dream of the Desert train will traverse the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, offering passengers an immersive itinerary through desert landscapes, millennial archaeological sites and elite hospitality. The train’s 14 carriages will compose an environment that blends technology, contemporary comfort and refined Made-in-Italy aesthetics, bringing to life 31 suites and two royal suites for a total of 66 guests who will be able to travel aboard this 1,001 Nights-like convoy. The travel proposal will also be organized into five thematic itineraries that allow exploring as many facets of Saudi landscape and its cultural identity.
Seven Stars in Kyushu, Japan
In Japan, the eagerly awaited Seven Stars in Kyushu train will depart in March 2026, offering itineraries of up to four days and including excursions on the main island located in the far southwest of Japan, to discover Kyushu’s heritage and cuisine, all aboard a seven-car train boasting wide suites, including two deluxe in five sleeper cars, a panoramic lounge, several bars and restaurants and a teahouse. The seats are already booked until February 2027. The name “Seven” does not refer to stars, but to the number of Kyushu prefectures (Fukuoka, Saga, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Oita, Kagoshima and Miyazaki), as well as the seven main attractions encountered (nature, culture, history, onsen, people, mind and food) and the seven carriages that compose the train. Between hand-carved woods, Japanese porcelain, Western comfort with typically Oriental attentions, this journey will be a full immersion in the fascinating Japanese world.
