Whether it’s taking that Eurostar from England to France, gliding through the heart of the Swiss Alps with views of jagged snow-capped peaks for days, or hopping on a Deutsche Bahn from Germany into the Nehterlands like borders aren’t even a thing, nothing screams Eurotrip quite like some choo choo fun.
You could always fly, sure, and that’s usually faster, but cheap Ryanair flights don’t necessarily equal comfort, nor generous luggage policies.
And let’s face it, if you’re doing Europe this summer, you might as well do it the scenic way, especially now that new routes are springing up, west to east, and north to south.
Just in case you need a little inspo, here’s 4 of the most exciting new train routes debuting in the Old Continent in the next few months
PLUS: We’ve built an interactive quiz for you at the end of this article to find out which route is perfect for your Eurosummer.
Vienna, Austria → Trieste, Italy
If you happen to be in Vienna this summer, melting in that brutal Central European heat, and a beer garden on the Danube just isn’t cutting it anymore, how does hopping on a train straight down to the Italian Adriatic sound?
Trieste’s having a bit of a moment right now. It’s one of Italy’s trendiest spots, but it’s also got serious cultural weight, and some deep historical ties to Vienna.
Before it became part of Italy, Trieste was under the old Austro-Hungarian Empire and basically answered to Vienna. You can still feel that influence everywhere. It doesn’t quite vibe like your typical Italian cit, though: think grand, Habsburg-style buildings, big squares, and arcades that honestly wouldn’t look out of place in Austria.
But then, plot twist, it’s right by the sea. And not just that, it’s packed with Roman history too. You’ve got the Arco di Riccardo, which is older than some of the triumphal arches in Rome itself, and a surprisingly well-preserved Ancient Theater just sitting there like it’s no big deal.
And yeah, food-wise? Trieste delivers. If you’re chasing Istria’s famous plum dumplings, Siora Rosa is the move.
Route Details
Departing from Vienna, Austria
- Schedule: 6:53 AM → 1:31 PM
- 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 brief pause in winter, the European Sleeper from Paris to Berlin is hitting the rails again this summer. This means you can go to bed in France after a cheeky bouef bourguignon and wine dinner, and wake up the next morning in Germany like magic, with cheese pretzels waiting.
No stressful airport commutes, no running around Charles de Gaulle like a headless chicken to find the right gate, and no landing miles out of central Berlin:
You board the train right in Gare de l’Est, in the heart of Paris, and before you know it, you’re pulling up to Berlin Hauptbahnhof the next morning. Think of it as a hotel on wheels: you’re combining the cost of accommodation and transport into a single 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 urban parks, quirky art galleries at every turn, and an insane food scene.
Markthalle Neun is the place to go for food and a cheeky beer.
As for Paris, nothing feels more summery than late-afternoon strolls by the Seine under that heat, grabbing a tradi to go, and sitting in a garden with a book as passersby walk past.
Route Details
Departing From Paris
- Schedule: 6:05 PM → 9:00 AM (next day)
- Operator: European Sleeper
- Travel time: 15 hours
- Frequency: 3 trains per week (Sun/Tue/Thu from Paris)
- Average price: $55–$130 (depending on bed type)
Malmö, Sweden → Oslo, Norway
They literally share a 1,000-long border, yet it’s not like traveling between Sweden and Norway by train is exactly smooth. It often involves multiple changes, sometimes multiple transportation modes, and exceedingly-long distances.
Luckily for the Scandimaniacs out there, there is a new Malmö to Oslo line set to shake things up a bit this summer, once it launches in June:
Malmö is the third largest city in Sweden, known for its mix of traditional architecture and modern port city vibes. Half-timbered houses, a moated castle, picturesque medieval squares flanked b by coffeeshops, and soaring glass-covered skyscrapers: you’ll find it all in here.
Despite only being some 310 miles south, an easily-bridgeable gap by European standards, it never enjoyed a direct link to the Norwegian capital… until this year.
No more 7+ hours-long FlixBuses, or crazy train-to-bus-to-train commutes. Now, if you happen to be in the south of Sweden, extending your trip into Norway to visit Oslo’s iconic Opera House, fjordside districts, and stunning Royal Palace has become that much easier.
Route Details
Departing From Malmö
- Schedule: 6:38 AM → 1:13 PM
- Operator: Snälltåget
- Travel time: 6h30
- Frequency: 1 train per day
- Average price: $50–$120 ($50 is the cheapest early booking)
Budapest, Hungary → Belgrade, Serbia
Possibly the most in-vogue EU capital at the moment, Budapest is all over social media as the safer, cleaner, arguably prettier alternative to the Paris’s and Milans of the world.
It just happens to be one of the least-dangerous cities in the Old Continent, with a certified Level 1 status, as awarded by the U.S. State Department, and if you ask travelers whether 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 just as underrated as July in Berlin, with ‘ruin bars’ galore and peaceful strolls along the Danube. The coolest thing, though, is you can now pair sun-drenched, summery Buda with a criminally-underrated Belgrade.
The capital of Serbia, Belgrade also straddles the Danube, and it’s rising rapidly in 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 won’t be subject to the EU’s new Entry/Exit System that’s causing crazy delays at airports and international train stations, because… well, it is not a member of the European Union, nor subject to Schengen Area rules.
Before you fly to Europe this summer, make sure you check the Entry Requirements in place at your destination to avoid unpleasant surprises at the airport.
Route Details
Departing From Budapest
- Departing From: Budapest (Keleti)
- Schedule: 5:44 AM → 9:00 AM
- Operator: MÁV / Srbija Voz
- Travel time: 3h15
- Frequency: 5–6 trains per day
- Average price: $30–$55 ($30 is the cheapest early booking)
Now take this quiz to find out which route is perfect for you!
Question 1 of 4
What’s your primary motivation for this train trip?
Question 2 of 4
What kind of scenery do you want waiting for you?
Question 3 of 4
What is your ultimate travel priority this summer?
Final Question
What is your ideal train journey length?
Vienna to Trieste
The Adriatic Escape
The Details: A 6.5-hour ride on the ÖBB Railjet. Don’t forget to grab those famous plum dumplings at Siora Rosa once you arrive!
Paris to Berlin
The European Sleeper
The Details: A 15-hour overnight journey that combines the cost of your accommodation and transport, entirely skipping the airport chaos.
Malmö to Oslo
The Scandimaniac Link
The Details: A 6.5-hour ride on Snälltåget. You’ll swap Malmö’s moated castles for Oslo’s stunning fjordside districts.
Budapest to Belgrade
The Offbeat Danube Hop
The Details: A quick 3-hour, 15-minute ride bridging two criminally-underrated capitals. Prepare for monumental churches and grungy warehouse bars.
