Winter travel can feel like a gamble, but Europe’s railways continue to gain traction as a safer bet. The European rail tourism industry was valued at $338.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow more than 70% by 2035, according to Future Market Insights, driven by demand for scenic and sustainable travel destinations.
As winter complicates driving and flying, travelers are turning to trains for reliable routes and scenic journeys. Photo credit: Depositphotos.
The growth in European rail trips shows up on the ground each winter as travelers trade white-knuckle mountain drives, flight delays and baggage rules for a warm seat and a moving view. Trains keep running when roads turn slick, and stations are located where travelers actually want to be: in city centers, not far-flung terminals.
Winter train travel in Europe also offers rare flexibility. Christmas markets, ski towns and quieter city breaks connect easily by train, turning the journey itself part of the vacation.
Why travelers turn to trains for winter trips in Europe
A winter train trip does not promise perfection, but it does remove many of the variables that complicate cold-weather travel. Instead of planning around parking, tire chains, tolls and windy roads, travelers plan around platforms and departure times. That shift alone reduces stress.
Arrival is another advantage. Winter days are shorter, and navigating unfamiliar streets with luggage after dark can be stressful. Train stations typically place passengers near hotels, transit connections and city centers, allowing travelers to step directly into their destination rather than arriving on its outskirts.
Less weather stress than driving and fewer airport headaches
Winter driving demands constant attention. Icy mountain passes, limited daylight and spray from trucks can turn a short drive into a tense, slow-moving stretch. On a train, that responsibility changes, allowing travelers to read, rest or watch the landscape roll by.
Air travel introduces a different set of pressures. Liquid restrictions, carry-on limits, security lines and long walks to distant gates add friction to the trip. Train travel tends to be more straightforward, with fewer constraints and simpler routines: arrive at the station, validate if required, board and stow luggage nearby.
Sleepers and easy connections simplify winter travel
Night trains are gaining renewed attention because they solve a winter travel problem in a single move by turning transit time into rest. Sleepers also make one of the most uncomfortable parts of winter logistics easy, the early-morning departure in cold weather, with luggage in hand and little margin for delay.
A prominent example arrives this spring. The overnight service operated by European Sleeper, linking Paris and Berlin, is set to relaunch in March 2026, restoring a direct night connection between two major capitals. The route is scheduled to operate three times per week, offering options that range from standard seats to couchettes and private sleeping cabins.
Sleepers also simplify longer itineraries. One booking can replace multiple transfers and overnight accommodations. Instead of losing a day to transit, travelers step onto the platform and begin the morning where they want to be.
Winter train routes that work well across Europe
Some journeys pair winter-ready infrastructure with views that emerge only when temperatures drop, from snow-covered peaks to illuminated city centers. They also lead to places that stay active outside the summer rush, offering cultural events, seasonal markets and fewer crowds.
Below are three types of rail trips that perform especially well in early 2026, ranging from alpine routes to city-based itineraries, with one higher-end option for travelers drawn to old-world rail travel.
Bernina Express and Glacier Express for the alpine wow factor
These routes are as much about the view as the destination. In winter, the Bernina Express stands out, particularly along the stretch that connects Tirano and St. Moritz. The route climbs to high alpine passes, crosses sweeping stone viaducts and runs alongside glaciers.
Travelers looking for another Swiss classic often turn to the Glacier Express, which offers a slower ride between well-known mountain towns. In winter, the scenery shifts to snow-covered forests, frozen streams and villages tucked into white valleys, reinforcing why these routes are considered highlights of cold-season rail travel.
Central European cities linked by short, reliable rail hops
Winter also suits city-based rail trips in Central Europe, where short distances and frequent service make it easy to combine multiple stops without taking a flight. Cities such as Vienna, Budapest and Prague sit just a few hours apart by train, forming an efficient winter circuit of museums, cafes and historic neighborhoods.
The same rail logic applies beyond capital cities. Around Lake Constance, trains link lakeside towns across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, allowing travelers to cross borders without changing hotels or navigating winter roads.
In winter, the region shifts pace rather than shutting down. Christmas markets give way to quieter walks along the lake, museums remain open and cafes stay busy with local life. Traveling by train keeps the focus on the experience instead of the logistics, a recurring advantage for winter trips across Central Europe.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for milestone trips
For some travelers, the train itself is the destination. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express falls into that category, offering formal dining, white-tablecloth service and private cabins designed to slow the pace of travel rather than rush it.
Routes and schedules vary by season and date, and winter itineraries typically focus on festive cities and established cultural hubs. In past seasons, journeys have included connections to destinations such as Venice and Vienna, pairing overnight travel with city stays timed to concerts, holiday events and winter cultural calendars.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is not a budget option, nor is it intended to be. Tickets are often booked months in advance, and the appeal lies less in efficiency than in experience. For travelers marking a milestone or planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip, the journey itself becomes the centerpiece of the vacation.
The appeal of winter train travel in Europe
European winter rail trips are gaining momentum because they make travel feel more manageable when the weather complicates other options. A heated carriage replaces tense winter driving, city-center stations reduce long transfers and panoramic windows turn short daylight hours into part of the experience rather than a limitation.
For travelers, the appeal is practical as much as scenic. Rail networks allow winter trips to unfold at a steadier pace, with fewer decisions pushed onto the traveler and more handled by the system itself. As interest grows, trains are becoming a preferred way to move through Europe in the colder months, not despite winter conditions, but because they work well within them.
Jessy Hamel is a syndicated travel writer and the creator of Tartan & Teacups, a travel site that inspires women to stop waiting and start traveling. She covers destinations across the United Kingdom and Europe, with a focus on Scotland, Ireland, Italy and Portugal.
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