The Rail Renaissance: Why Train Travel Is Back
Slow, scenic and sustainable — panoramic trains are the fastest-growing way to see Europe.
Something is happening on Europe's railways. Night trains are returning, panoramic routes sell out months ahead, and travellers increasingly measure journeys in views rather than hours.
Switzerland leads the way: the Glacier Express crosses 291 bridges between Zermatt and St. Moritz, and the Bernina Express climbs above 2,200m without a single cogwheel. But the renaissance is continental — sleeper trains now link Paris to Vienna, Brussels to Prague.
Why the comeback? Partly carbon, partly comfort: rail emits around a tenth of the CO₂ of flying the same route, and city-centre stations beat airport sprawl.
Our advice: book panoramic carriages early, sit on the south side for the Alps, and pack a picnic from the departure city's market. The journey really is the destination.