Rail travel can be one of the best ways to experience a destination, giving travellers the chance to travel slowly and thoroughly immerse themselves in the journey and picturesque landscapes.
With Europe being so diverse and train-friendly, a rail journey can take passengers from rolling hills and towering mountains to charming cities and stunning coastal landscapes, all in a matter of a few days.
But how do you choose the right route or train for you? We’ve rounded up the best upcoming vintage trains and routes launching in 2026, showcasing iconic destinations from the south of Spain to the Amalfi coast.
Al Andalus’ Seville to Madrid route
A new Spanish luxury vintage train is launching between Seville and Madrid next spring. With several stops including UNESCO sites to beach towns, this more than 480km journey will give travellers the chance to experience southern Spain in a much more immersive way.
The seven-day route launched by Al Andalus will include stops such as Alcázar de San Juan, Cádiz, Córdoba, Jerez, Aranjuez and Mérida. Travellers can explore ancient Roman ruins and royal palaces, indulge in beach days and tapas or watch equestrian and flamenco shows.
The train features carefully renovated original Wagon-Lit Company wagons from 1929. This is the same series of cars used by the English monarchy on their journeys through France between the Côte d’Azur and Calais.
With 14 wagons, the Al Andalus can accommodate 64 passengers and is also the longest on Spanish tracks at 450 meters. It is divided into two restaurant cars, a bar car, a kitchen car, seven bed cars, a playroom car, a generator car and a crew car.
Travellers can take advantage of 24-hour room service or relax in one of the four 1920s-style lounges aboard, while tucking into traditional Andalusian drinks and dishes. Indulge in some lively games or enjoy a night show, while soaking in the picturesque southern Spain landscapes from the windows.
Breakfast offers both buffet meals and an a la carte menu. Lunches and dinners will feature traditional Spanish train journey dishes as well, prepared by celebrated chefs.
Travellers can choose between two stay options, the Grand Class Room and the Deluxe Suite Room.
The Grand Class Rooms feature two single beds, along with a safe, wardrobe, minibar, luggage compartment, air conditioning and private bathroom with a shower, hairdryer and welcome amenities. During the day, the cabin can be turned into a private living room, with travellers able to fold their beds into armchairs to enjoy the panoramic views.
For one traveller, these start at €11,200, going up to €13,200 for two travellers.
For a more luxurious stay, passengers can pick the larger Deluxe Suite Room, which includes all the facilities of the Grand Class Rooms, along with a private bathroom with a hydromassage shower. These rooms also have a large double bed, which converts into a comfortable daytime sofa.
The Deluxe Suite Room starts at €13,800 for a single traveller and €15,800 for two passengers.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express’ Paris to Amalfi Coast route
The iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will introduce a new route from Paris to Italy’s Amalfi Coast in May 2026.
The inaugural journey from 4 to 7 May will feature stunning views of both the French and Italian Rivieras, taking in the best of summer countryside landscapes.
The trip includes other off-board experiences as well, such as a picturesque boat tour along the Amalfi coast, cooking classes with local experts and produce, painting classes and a guided tour to Pompeii, among others.
The train features luxurious carriages dating back to the 1920s and 1930s, with passengers able to choose between a Historic Cabin, a Suite and a Grand Suite.
The journey includes one night aboard the luxury train, as well as two nights at the Caruso hotel, an 11th-century hotel in Ravello.
Enjoy a variety of entertainment such as live piano music with sommelier wines or signature cocktails onboard and private live music garden performances at the Caruso. The hotel also offers a gala dinner with live cooking stations and local producers one night.
Grand Suite passengers will also receive a tour of the historic Casa del Larario Regio V, which is usually closed to the public.
Luxury car transfers between destinations are also included off-board, with the possibility of bespoke destinations being added to the itinerary too, upon request and at an extra charge.
Revival of L’Orient Express
The L’Orient Express, not to be confused with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, is a revival of the 1883 Orient Express Train, due to launch in 2026 or 2027.
The original train, dubbed a “rolling palace”, travelled through Budapest, Vienna, Strasbourg, Bucharest and Munich in a week-long journey. It ran until 1977 when operations finally stopped due to rising competition from air travel.
However, this historic train is now being revived, complete with restored art deco cabins designed by 30 master artisans, including glassmakers, embroiderers, upholsterers and cabinetmakers.
While the exact itineraries and ticket prices have not been revealed yet, the train is likely to stick somewhat close to the original Orient Express route.
The bar car will have plush green sofas, along with marble finishings, rosewood and a vaulted ceiling. Travellers can soak in scenic views from panoramic windows.
The dining car will feature elegant white table cloths, a mirrored ceiling and deep armchairs. Travellers can watch the chef prepare exquisite meals through a glass wall at the back of the car.
“The rebirth of the Orient Express is a technological challenge, meeting scientific, artistic and technical criteria, where the entire project has been conceived as a work of art,” according to Maxime d’Angeac, architect of L’Orient Express.
“From the nuts and bolts stamped with Orient Express’ signature to the innovative concept of the suites, an exact science of detail will allow travellers to rediscover the great splendour of the Orient Express.”
Passengers looking for an extra taste of luxury can opt for a presidential suite, which offers an entire train car with its own private entrance.
It features a marble bathroom, a bedroom with a double bed and an additional sleeping area, as well as velvet sofas.
Travellers looking for a first peek at the inside of this train can head to the “1925-2025: A Century of Art Deco” exhibition in Paris’ Musée des Arts Décoratifs, where models of L’Orient Express’ cabins will be on display. The exhibition will run from 22 October until 26 April 2026.
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