Destinations in themselves, these trains promise to surprise passengers with new designs, luxurious carriages, impressive routes, and increasingly more speed. Confirming that the train is becoming the most desired way to travel.
When night falls in Los Angeles, a classic 1950s Pullman train awaits you at the station to invite you to dinner, perhaps have a drink, and sleep in a luxurious cabin before waking up in another great city like San Francisco. The idea of a train journey between two of California's most emblematic cities seems obvious, especially for Europeans accustomed to sleeper cars, but it did not exist in the U.S. Until now. The Dreamstar California is scheduled to start running every night from next year.
A rendering of the design that the Dreamstar California carriages will have.
The new rail service aims to merge the art deco elegance of classic carriages with the design of a boutique hotel, prioritizing passenger relaxation through "ergonomic designs, ambient lighting, and materials that promote comfort." Its old Pullman carriages have been restored with art deco interiors designed by Designworks, a subsidiary of the BMW Group.
The dream of having a nighttime rail connection between two of California's most emblematic cities is not new. In fact, the service was available until the 1960s. Today, the only alternative to the plane is Amtrak's Coast Starlight train, which connects Oakland (not San Francisco) with Los Angeles. While highly recommended for outsiders, it is a daytime service. Hence, the Dreamstar California has aroused so much anticipation. However, although the launch is scheduled for 2026, the exact date has not yet been announced. The service is awaiting final agreements with railway partners.
Saudi Arabia: a dream in the desert
The restaurant of Dream of the Desert, a design by Lebanese architect Aline Asmar d'Amman.
The Middle East will debut its first ultra-luxury train service with the launch of Dream of the Desert in Saudi Arabia at the end of next year. With one or two-day routes, the 14 carriages of this train, manufactured by the Italian hotel company Arsenale Group, will travel 1,300 kilometers between Riyadh and Al Qurayyat, near the border with Jordan, rattling through some of the country's most impressive natural landscapes. The sumptuous interiors, including 31 luxury suites and two presidential suites, are the work of Lebanese architect Aline Asmar d'Amman, with tones inspired by desert colors and a design that evokes Saudi Arabia's heritage and Italian sophistication. Menus created by Michelin-starred chefs await the 66 guests that this highly anticipated five-star hotel on rails can accommodate.
From Paris to the Amalfi Coast
The L'Observatoire carriage, one of the latest additions to the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
Starting in the spring of 2026, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the legendary train of the Belmond chain, will inaugurate its first route between Paris and the Amalfi Coast. Its glossy carriages will transport passengers southward, crossing France and reaching Italy, with a stop in Pompeii before continuing to the beautiful Ravello, an unbeatable viewpoint of the Mediterranean. There, they will stay at a gem: the Caruso hotel, a former 11th-century palace nestled on the cliff and also owned by Belmond. What else? A glamorous poolside party and a gala dinner in the gardens. In short, three dreamy days.
The fantastic panoramic ceilings of the Canadian Rocky Mountaineer.
The Rocky Mountaineer, the panoramic train that travels through Canada's sublime landscapes, will also launch a new route next year. This will run through the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, instead of the typical western route linking Vancouver with Banff, Lake Louise, or Jasper. The Passage to the Peaks will venture, with those panoramic windows, perhaps the most impressive in the world on rails, between glacial lakes and iconic peaks, covering the distance between Banff and Jasper. The journey will be available for a limited time during the summer of 2026, in the months of June and July.
New European cross-border trains
A couple reading in one of the sleeper cars of European Sleeper.
New night trains continue to connect European capitals. The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) will inaugurate a new sleeper train service between Basel, Copenhagen, and the Swedish city of Malmö on April 16. This Scandinavian route will depart from Basel at 17:35 every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, arriving at its final destination (Malmö) at 9:35 the following day. In July, European Sleeper will inaugurate its connection between Amsterdam and Brussels with a destination to Milan, via Cologne, Bern, and Stresa. Ticket sales will open in January or February 2026.
Another three-way novelty. The Czech Railways, Deutsche Bahn, and the Danish State Railways have joined forces to create the new ComfortJet, a high-speed service that will start operating on May 1, 2026. This service will connect the three coolest capitals in Europe - Prague, Berlin, and Copenhagen - aboard modern carriages capable of reaching speeds of up to 230 km/h. Depending on the route, direct or with transfers, the journey is expected to last between 11 and 18 hours.