Full Steam Ahead: The Most Exciting New Train Journeys Debuting in 2024
Full Steam Ahead: The Most Exciting New Train Journeys Debuting in 2024 - Luxury on the Rails: Opulent New Sleeper Trains in Europe
For those seeking a indulgent and intimate way to explore Europe, 2024 brings exciting news. Several new ultra-luxury sleeper trains are set to launch, evoking the glamour of train travel's golden age.
Leading the pack is the Orient Express La Dolce Vita. Debuting in 2024, this six trainset fleet will link Rome, Paris, Istanbul and Split on multi-day journeys. State rooms feature lavish Italian design, while dining cars serve gourmet feasts. Butler service, onboard entertainment and stops at cultural sites complete the experience. Fares start around €2,000 for a one night trip.
For a contemporary twist, the Midnight Trains network plans new overnight routes connecting major European cities by 2024. Sleeper cabins will be transformed into stylish hotel rooms. Look for cocktail bars, healthy dining options and a focus on wellness. Night owls will love the "living room" car for socializing into the wee hours. Midnight Trains aims to appeal to solo travelers with single cabins and communal areas.
In Spain, luxury hotel brand Four Seasons is restoring 1920s Wagon-Lits carriages for all-inclusive trips. The Four Seasons train between Madrid and Seville launches in late 2024. With just 14 carriages, it promises intimate, exclusive access to Andalusian culture, cuisine and scenery. Guests can savor regional wines and cheese between stops. Fares likely exceed €3,000 per person for two to three nights.
For alpine glamour, the Rocky Mountaineer is introducing a new two-day train linking Geneva and Munich by late 2024. The train snakes past snow-capped peaks and fairy tale castles. Sleeper cabins have full bathrooms, while an elegant dining car serves Swiss and German specialties. Guests can hike and bike during stops in picturesque mountain towns. Standard fares start around €1,200 per person.
Finally, luxury travel pioneer Belmond is rumored to be restoring the legendary Eastern & Oriental Express. Connecting Paris to Istanbul via Budapest and Bucharest, service could resume as soon as late 2024. While fares haven't been announced, the 1928 art deco train will surely demand top dollar. Yet for history buffs retracing frontiers of the old Austro-Hungarian empire, it may prove priceless.
What else is in this post?
- Full Steam Ahead: The Most Exciting New Train Journeys Debuting in 2024 - Luxury on the Rails: Opulent New Sleeper Trains in Europe
- Full Steam Ahead: The Most Exciting New Train Journeys Debuting in 2024 - All Aboard the Coastal Express: New Scenic Rail Routes Along Europe's Coasts
- Full Steam Ahead: The Most Exciting New Train Journeys Debuting in 2024 - Rolling Through the Outback: Australia Unveils Long-Distance Train to Central Desert
- Full Steam Ahead: The Most Exciting New Train Journeys Debuting in 2024 - India on the Fast Track: High-Speed Rail Connecting Delhi and Mumbai
- Full Steam Ahead: The Most Exciting New Train Journeys Debuting in 2024 - New Heights in the Andes: South America's First Luxury Mountain Trains
- Full Steam Ahead: The Most Exciting New Train Journeys Debuting in 2024 - Snowy Siberian Sojourns: Russia Expanding Luxury Winter Train Network
- Full Steam Ahead: The Most Exciting New Train Journeys Debuting in 2024 - Cruising on Wheels: US and Canada Launch Multi-Day Rail Journeys
- Full Steam Ahead: The Most Exciting New Train Journeys Debuting in 2024 - Slow Travel Takes Off: Slower Train Routes Offer Relaxing Journeys
Full Steam Ahead: The Most Exciting New Train Journeys Debuting in 2024 - All Aboard the Coastal Express: New Scenic Rail Routes Along Europe's Coasts
For travelers seeking stunning sea views without the hassles of driving, 2024 brings exciting new rail journeys along some of Europe's most spectacular coasts. These immersive train trips reveal the continent's captivating coastal landscapes and cultures at a relaxed pace.
One highly-anticipated route is the Coastal Express, connecting key ports along Portugal's southern coast between Lagos and Faro. Set to launch in early 2024, the 9-hour trip traverses beach paradises, cliffs and grottos aboard panoramic coaches. Extended stops in the seaside towns of Portimão, Albufeira and Olhão allow time to explore local cuisine, nightlife, beaches and attractions.
Further north, Brittany Ferries is collaborating with French National Railways to launch a new train service in 2024 linking Paris to the French ports of St. Malo and Caen. The scenic 6-8 hour journey winds past Norman abbeys and the D-Day landing beaches before arriving at the fortified island commune of St. Malo. Travelers can wander St. Malo's ramparts and cobblestone streets before continuing on to ferry services to the UK and Channel Islands.
In Spain, Renfe plans to expand its picturesque FEVE narrow gauge rail network with a new coastal route between Gijón and A Coruña in 2024. The leisurely 12-hour ride between these northern Spanish cities serves up vistas of rugged Atlantic headlands, secluded coves and quaint fishing villages. Extended stops in seaside towns like Llanes allow time to sample local sidra and seafood before continuing through the Galician countryside blanketed in vineyards.
Though not along the ocean, the Bernina Express's new summer-only, open-air panorama coaches will showcase Italy's Lake Como starting in 2024. Departing from Tirano, this 4-hour trip snakes past steep valleys, gushing waterfalls and mirror-like lakes sandwich between the Alps and Apennines Mountains. Stops in St. Moritz and Poschiavo give a flavor of the ritzy Swiss mountain resorts that draw Europe's elite.
Full Steam Ahead: The Most Exciting New Train Journeys Debuting in 2024 - Rolling Through the Outback: Australia Unveils Long-Distance Train to Central Desert
For those yearning to explore the rugged heart of the Australian Outback, an exciting new rail journey debuts in 2024. The Ghan Expedition will be Australia’s first true long-distance train traversing the Outback between Adelaide and Darwin. Spanning nearly 2,000 miles over 2-3 days, this epic trip opens vast swaths of the remote Red Centre to comfort-minded travelers.
Traditionally, the iconic Ghan train has only ventured briefly into the Outback on the short hop between Alice Springs and Darwin. But starting in 2024, newly reimagined Ghan Expedition journeys will follow a marathon route deep into the Outback landscapes of South Australia and the Northern Territory.
After departing Adelaide, the Ghan Expedition traverses areas never before reachable by rail. The raw, rugged beauty of the Flinders Ranges roll past as the train snakes between weathered peaks. Ghost towns left abandoned after long-ago gold rushes provide glimpses of pioneer history. At Manguri siding, the stargazing experience offered by the International Dark Sky Reserve amazes.
The real Outback immersion begins entering the Northern Territory. The train traverses landscapes so remote they rarely see visitors, even though Uluru is nearby. A stop at Erlunda allows hiking among burnished Mesas and buttes. Further north, Katherine showcases its world-famous Gorge carved through ancient sandstone.
Crossing the sprawling Barkly Tablelands provides a taste of Aboriginal life, when Indigenous guides join the train to share stories, art, and didgeridoo lessons. Delving deeper into the Outback, the tropics emerge near Daly Waters, where open-air barbecues capture the Northern Territory’s famed ranch hospitality.
The climax comes as the train reaches the final miles approaching Darwin. A cruise along Yellow Water Lagoon reveals the wildlife richness of Kakadu National Park, as crocodiles, jabiru, and myriad birdlife populate the floodplain. After the Zen-like isolation of the central deserts, this spectacle brings home the reality that the end of the line has been reached.
Full Steam Ahead: The Most Exciting New Train Journeys Debuting in 2024 - India on the Fast Track: High-Speed Rail Connecting Delhi and Mumbai
For decades, India's railway system has been notorious for delayed trains, rickety coaches and poor on-time performance. But starting in 2024, India will leap into the future of high-speed rail. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor promises to slash travel times and transform how both Indians and foreign visitors traverse the subcontinent.
Once completed in 2024, the bullet train will cover the nearly 600 miles between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in just 2 hours. Reaching speeds over 200 mph, the sleek trainsets built by Japan promise a smooth, quiet ride compared to India's conventional trains. This high speed link aims to relieve overcrowding and congestion faced by over 150 million annual passengers across this corridor.
Travelers praise how the train will expand tourism beyond the 'Golden Triangle' hubs of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Ahmedabad, center of Gujarati culture and cuisine, will become easily accessible from Mumbai's international gateway. Heritage sites like Modhera's Sun Temple and Patan's Rani ki Vav stepwell will be within quick daytrips. Venturesome tourists can also use Ahmedabad as a jumping point for exploring villages and wildlife in the hinterlands of Gujarat.
For business travelers, the time savings are invaluable. Instead of the 7-8 hour slog between Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports, they can cover the distance in 2 hours and connect onwards to destinations across India. Aggressive expansion plans aim to extend high speed rail north to Delhi by the 2030s.
Yet some Indians lament the bullet train's price excludes average citizens. With fares around Rs 3,000 ($40 USD), it costs over 10x more than second-class sleeper tickets. Supporters counter that as India's first high speed route, the aim is to prove viability and expand the network over coming decades. Japan has agreed to finance and construct over 80% of initial costs.
Early riders have praised the experience as transformative. While India's conventional trains offer unparalled people watching and local interactions, the bullet train is more about solitude, personal space and optimized comfort on long journeys. Some see it as India's new air travel equivalent for the masses. Signaling the nation's economic rise, the sleek trainsets and smooth ride impart a new sense of national pride.
Full Steam Ahead: The Most Exciting New Train Journeys Debuting in 2024 - New Heights in the Andes: South America's First Luxury Mountain Trains
For generations, the train journey from Cusco to Puno and Lake Titicaca was a basic means of transportation, not a luxurious experience. But starting in 2024, PeruRail is aiming to transform this iconic route through the towering Andes into South America's premiere luxury mountain train.
The new Andean Explorer train aims to showcase Peru's magnificent alpine landscapes in unparalleled style and comfort. "Picture sweeping vistas of snow-capped peaks from your private, glass-domed carriage," urges Mateo Soto, PeruRail's CEO. "This will be the finest high-altitude rail experience in South America."
The 10-hour journey between Cusco and Puno hits its climax ascending to 14,253 feet to pass mountain lakes so vividly turquoise they seem surreal. Conventional coaches feature only small windows and an open-air platform between cars. But the new luxury carriages will have panoramic windows and glass ceilings optimize viewing for all 34 passengers.
An observation deck at the rear also promises the perfect vantage point for snapping photos and videos without obstructions. The rail line traverses 28 tunnels and crosses 59 bridges during its 300 mile traversal of the rugged Vilcanota mountain range, providing plenty of dramatic moments.
You'll be ensconced in your lofty dome watching vicunas graze across windswept tundras bisected by streams when the train switches direction for an entirely different view. PeruRail promises personal touches like blankets, hot cocoa and foot warmers will enhance comfort at altitude.
Oxygen dispensers have been added throughout the train to aid any suffering from slight soroche (altitude sickness). The luxury experience extends to opulent dining with menus designed by Peruvian celebrity chef Virgilio Martínez. Local ingredients like alpaca and Andean potatoes come alive through his culinary mastery focused on Peru's diverse ecosystems.
What truly sets this new train apart is how it doubles as a hotel allowing overnighting in Puno instead of rushing to return to Cusco. "Most travelers feel shortchanged only getting a brief glimpse of Lake Titicaca after the magnificent mountain crossing," notes Jose Espinoza, the train manager.
Adding an overnight expands time to visit the islands and villages inhabited by the indigenous Uros people who construct floating reed islands. Their unique culture traces back to Pre-Incan times. "Our custom carriages can be configured as bedrooms, letting you wake to majestic views across the expansive lake from the comfort of your bed," explains Espinoza.
Full Steam Ahead: The Most Exciting New Train Journeys Debuting in 2024 - Snowy Siberian Sojourns: Russia Expanding Luxury Winter Train Network
For intrepid travelers who relish Arctic adventures, Russia's forbidding Siberian expanses have long proved an irresistible magnet. Yet frigid temperatures and sparse infrastructure often dissuade casual visitors. Luxury tourism pioneer Golden Eagle is betting that expanding its opulent Trans-Siberian Express train deeper into Siberia will unlock this frozen frontier for discerning globetrotters.
"We're committed to showcasing the soul-stirring beauty of Siberia's endless steppes blanketed in deep snow," explains Alexandra Volkov, the company's marketing director. "Our heated coaches and cozy, en-suite cabins provide the ideal base for experiencing Russia's coldest corners in comfort."
By late 2024, Golden Eagle's Winter Trans-Siberian Express will extend over 1,500 miles further north from Moscow before turning east towards Japan. This new extension opens a spellbinding snow-swept realm never before accessible to foreign tourists aboard a private train.
Travelers alight at the remote city of Krasnoyarsk, located where the Yenisei River meets Siberia's permafrost. Visiting ethnic Khakas communities reveals the reindeer herding cultures that have endured for millennia in the unforgiving climate. Days are filled with romping through frosted pine forests on Khakas ponies or gliding across frozen lakes behind sleigh dogs.
The original Trans-Siberian skirts Lake Baikal's southern tip, but this new northerly sojourn hugs its frozen northern shores. Glittering ice grottos and the ethereal glow of the Aurora Borealis prove mesmerizing. "Seeing those vibrant curtains of light shimmering across the iced-over lake is an experience you'll never forget," promises Volkov.
The trains exclusive charters mean flexibility for delays when pausing for photo ops in scenic sections. "If polar bears or elk herds appear, we stop until everyone grabs the perfect shot," Volkov explains. For animal lovers, highlights include visiting research centers working to protect Siberia's endangered species, including snow leopards, wolverines and the wild reindeer called caribou.
Full Steam Ahead: The Most Exciting New Train Journeys Debuting in 2024 - Cruising on Wheels: US and Canada Launch Multi-Day Rail Journeys
For American and Canadian travelers seeking a leisurely way to explore the landscape without the hassles of driving, exciting new rail journeys debuting across North America in 2024 provide the perfect answer. Spanning two to seven days, these immersive train trips open vast swaths of the countryside through panoramic windows in relaxed comfort.
"Multi-day train travel offers a throwback to an earlier era when the journey itself was the real adventure," says Douglas Kerr, co-founder of Canadian tour operator Northland Expeditions. The company's new 7-day train linking Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City launches in 2024. "Passengers forge new friendships in the dining and lounge cars as the unspoiled wilderness of Ontario and Quebec glides past outside."
The 2,400 mile route allows active travelers to alight in Algonquin Provincial Park for canoeing and hiking among moose and beaver. Francophiles can practice their French during long stops in Quebec City and Montreal, wandering atmospheric cobblestone lanes. The train doubles as a hotel during overnights in these cities.
In the western U.S., Rocky Mountaineer trains add new 2-4 day routes between Denver, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas starting in 2024. Floor-to-ceiling windows in bi-level coaches provide optimal sightlines. The 10 hour ride between Denver and Moab in Utah allows adventurers to detrain and enjoy multi-day rafting or mountain biking excursions.
"These point-to-point trains through wide open prairies and lofty Rockies let you enjoy national parks and monuments not visible from Amtrak's existing routes," explains Jonathan Roberts, the company's VP of Tourism Development. Free-flowing drinks and regionally sourced cuisine add to the relaxing vibe. Roberts says multi-day rail trips appeal to mature travelers and time-pressed professionals seeking more immersive escapes.
"It's cruising on wheels," says Martina Buckwald, who sampled a preview run. "I'm a train nut who never wants to fly again after this experience. Waking up in cozy sleeper cabins with mountain views made me feel part of the landscapes we traversed." She raved about sunset views of the Grand Canyon accessible via a detour on the new Las Vegas train.
Full Steam Ahead: The Most Exciting New Train Journeys Debuting in 2024 - Slow Travel Takes Off: Slower Train Routes Offer Relaxing Journeys
In our increasingly hectic and fast-paced world, slow travel is a growing antidote. Starting in 2024, new luxury train journeys in the US and Europe will fully embrace this mindset by focusing as much on the voyage itself as the destination. Unrushed itineraries with extended strolls in charming villages and cramped sightseeing replaced by leisurely meals, reading and socializing aim to de-stress travelers and create space for meaningful connections.
"It's not about getting from point A to point B as fast as possible. It's about enjoying quality time with your travel companions while soaking up landscapes and cultures along the way," explains Gabriela Espinoza, co-founder of low-key tour operator Journeywell Journeys. The company's new 7-day train trip between San Francisco, Portland and Seattle launching in 2024 promises to embody this philosophy.
Activities enroute range from wine-tasting in Napa Valley to gazing at the wild Pacific coastline north of San Francisco at a contemplative pace. "There's no set schedule each day. Guests lingering over coffee or napping aren't rushed back to the train. Flexibility ensures adventures never feel forced," says Espinoza.
In Europe, Cruise and Maritime Voyages introduces slow travel rail journeys through pastoral countryside along sections of the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express route. The new 5-day trip between Venice, Slovenia and Austria sets aside ample time for hiking alpine trails, cycling through quaint villages and sampling local cuisine.
"It's about rediscovering the pleasure of meaningful conversations that technology often interrupts. People disembark feeling relaxed and rejuvenated," says spokesperson Nina Dalton. She notes slow travel trains appeal especially to solo travelers craving communal dining and socializing absent the isolation of pure sightseeing. Multi-generational families also appreciate the ability to tailor activities to both elder and younger travelers' interests and activity levels.
Retiree James Wilson embarked on an early trial run of the new slow travel train trips after a stressful career negotiating high-stakes deals left him yearning for a more mindfulness-focused holiday. "I relished having no set agenda beyond enjoying the journey. Reading books for pure pleasure and bonding with fellow travelers over leisurely meals felt like a rediscovered luxury," he explains.
"Slow travel trains recreate Europe's classic era of romanticized voyages immortalized in stories like Murder on the Orient Express but updated to modern sensibilities," says Wilson. He praises how socializing is encouraged but never forced, with private nooks offering respite when desired. Onboard experts providing insightful commentary on regional history and culture add depth without the information overload of more frenetic tours.