These are the 4 most exciting new train routes in Europe this summer

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Whether it’s taking the Eurostar from England to France, gliding for days through the heart of the Swiss Alps with views of jagged, snow-capped mountain peaks, or hopping the Deutsche Bahn from Germany to the Netherlands as if borders don’t even exist, nothing screams Eurotrip quite like some choo choo pleasure.

Of course, you can always fly, and that’s usually faster, but cheap Ryanair flights don’t necessarily equate to comfort or a generous baggage policy.

And let’s face it: if you’re traveling through Europe this summer, you might as well do it the scenic way, especially now that new routes are emerging, from west to east and from north to south.

In case you need some inspiration, here 4 of the most exciting new train routes will debut on the Old Continent in the coming months

Vienna, Austria → Trieste, Italy

If you happen to be in Vienna this summer, melting in the brutal Central European heat, and a beer garden on the Danube just won’t cut it anymore, how does jumping on a train straight to Italy’s Adriatic sound?

Trieste is having a moment right now. It’s one of Italy’s trendiest places, but it also has some serious cultural weight and some deep historical ties to Vienna.

Before becoming part of Italy, Trieste was part of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire and was actually part of Vienna. You can still feel that influence everywhere. However, it doesn’t quite feel like a typical Italian city: think grand Habsburg-style buildings, grand squares and arcades that honestly wouldn’t look out of place in Austria.

But then, plot twist, it is near the sea. Not only that, it’s also packed with Roman history. You have the Arco di Riccardothat’s older than some of the triumphal arches in Rome itself, and a surprisingly well-preserved ancient theater that just stands there like it’s no big deal.

And yes, in terms of food? Trieste delivers. If you are looking for the famous plum dumplings from Istria, Siora Rosa is the right choice.

Route details

Departure from Vienna, Austria

• Schedule: 06:53 → 13:31
• Operator: ÖBB (Railjet)
• Travel time: 6.5 hours
• Frequency: 1 train per day
• Average price: $40 – $100 (cheaper if booked early)

Paris, France → Berlin, Germany

After a short winter break, the European Sleeper from Paris to Berlin will be back on track this summer. This means you can go to bed in France after a cheeky dinner of bouef bourguignon and wine, and wake up like magic the next morning in Germany, with cheese pretzels waiting for you.

No stressful commute to the airport, no running around Charles de Gaulle like a headless chicken to find the right gate, and no landing miles outside the center of Berlin:

You get on the train in Gare de l’Est, in the heart of Paris, and before you know it, you leave for Berlin Hauptbahnhof the next morning. Think of it as a hotel on wheels: you combine the costs of accommodation and transportation in one reservation.

Why visit Paris or Berlin this summer? Berlin is one of Europe’s most epic city breaks in the warmer season, with beer gardens, lush city parks, quirky art galleries and an insane food scene.

Markthalle Neun does the place to go for food and a cheeky beer.

As for Paris, nothing feels summerier than a late afternoon stroll along the Seine in that heat, taking in a traditional to go, and to sit in a garden with a book while passersby walk by.

Route details

Departing from Paris

• Schedule: 6:05 PM → 9:00 AM (next day)
• Operator: European sleeper
• Travel time: 3 p.m
• Frequency: 3 trains per week (Sun/Tues/Thurs from Paris)
• Average price: $55–$130 (depending on bed type)

Malmö, Sweden → Oslo, Norway

They literally share a thousand-long border, but traveling between Sweden and Norway by train isn’t exactly smooth. It often involves multiple changes, sometimes multiple modes of transportation, and extremely long distances.

Luckily for the Scandimaniacs, there’s a new line from Malmö to Oslo that’s set to shake things up a bit this summer, once it launches in June:

Malmö is Sweden’s third largest city and is known for its… mix of traditional architecture and modern port city mood. Half-timbered houses, a moated castle, picturesque medieval squares flanked by coffee shops and tall, glass-covered skyscrapers: you’ll find it all here.

Despite being only about 500 kilometers south, a gap easily bridged by European standards, it has never had a direct connection to the Norwegian capital until this year.

No more FlixBuses lasting more than 7+ hoursor crazy train-to-bus-to-train commutes. If you are now in the south of Sweden, extending your trip to Norway to visit the iconic Oslo Opera House, the fjord neighborhoods and the beautiful Royal Palace has become an option. That much easier.

Route details

Departure from Malmö

• Schedule: 06:38 → 13:13
• Operator: Snälltåget
• Travel time: 6:30 am
• Frequency: 1 train per day
• Average price: $50 – $120 ($50 is the cheapest early booking)

Budapest, Hungary → Belgrade, Serbia

Budapest is possibly the trendiest EU capital of the moment and is seen all over social media as the safer, cleaner and arguably more beautiful alternative to the Parisian and Milanese neighborhoods of the world.

It’s just that way one of the least dangerous cities on the old continentwith a certified Level 1 status, as awarded by the US Department of State, and when you ask travelers if they feel safe in Budapest as a destination, they currently rank it at an 86/100 on our Safety Index:

As far as fun goes, July in Budapest is as underrated as July in Berlin, with lots of ‘ruin bars’ and peaceful walks along the Danube. The coolest The point, however, is that you can now combine a sun-drenched, summery Buda with a criminally underestimated Belgrade.

Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, is also located on the Danube and is quickly gaining popularity as a budget-friendly, offbeat city break, with monumental Orthodox churches, an imposing medieval castle complete with a drawbridge and grungy bars housed in repurposed industrial warehouses.

The good thing about visiting Serbia this summer?

Unlike most European countries, Americans will not be subject to the EU’s new Entry/Exit system that causes crazy delays at airports and international train stations, because… well, it’s not a member of the European Union, nor subject to Schengen area rules.

Before you fly to Europe this summer, check the entry requirements at your destination to avoid any unpleasant surprises at the airport.

Route details

Departure from Budapest

• Starting from: Budapest (Keleti)
• Schedule: 05:44 → 09:00
• Operator: MÁV / Srbija Voz
• Travel time: 3h15
• Frequency: 5 to 6 trains per day
• Average price: $30–$55 ($30 is the cheapest early booking)

Take this quiz now to find out which route is perfect for you!

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.