Top 10 Exciting New Train Routes for 2023

As governments delay climate action, travelers around the world are choosing trains over other modes of transport, making a clear statement with their travel choices.

With soaring fuel prices and unreliable airline schedules, the benefits of switching to eco-friendly rail travel have never been more compelling.

While much work is still needed to address years of underfunded rail systems globally, each year brings fresh routes, more trains, and thrilling new adventures for those eager to explore.

Here are 10 exciting new train journeys to look forward to in 2023.

Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail, Indonesia

Indonesia's inaugural high-speed rail service is set to launch in 2023, two years behind schedule, cutting the travel time from Jakarta to Bandung from over three hours to just 36 minutes.

Created by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China, a partnership of four Indonesian state-owned companies, and China Railway International, a division of China Railway Group (CREC), this 142.3-kilometer high-speed rail line mirrors China's advanced network. With speeds up to 350 km/h (217 mph), it is set to revolutionize travel.

Around 83 kilometers (50 miles) of the route will be elevated on viaducts, soaring above cities and agricultural land.

China has supplied approximately 11 CR400AF Fuxing high-speed trains, each with capacity for 555 passengers in second class, 28 in first class, and 18 in 'VIP class.'

In the first year of operation, the trains are expected to carry up to 44,000 passengers.

Brussels to Prague by Sleeper

As demand for overnight train services in Europe is set to surge in the late 2020s, several new ventures are planning thrilling routes, with the Belgian-Dutch collaboration European Sleeper leading the way.

The company plans to debut its Brussels-Amsterdam-Berlin-Prague route in 2023, pending the timely acquisition and renovation of appropriate carriages.

European Sleeper has teamed up with RegioJet, a successful private operator from the Czech Republic known for its extensive daytime and overnight services across Central and Eastern Europe, to run the new service.

Connecting four of Europe’s top tourist destinations, tickets for seats and berths on the train will be highly sought after, particularly during the summer peak for Interrail/Eurail backpackers.

The refurbished carriages, designed for travelers on various budgets, will feature sleeping compartments, couchette beds, and reclining seats, along with modern amenities like charging ports and Wi-Fi.

In addition, European Sleeper is collaborating with travel company Sunweb to offer new overnight trains from the Netherlands and Belgium to French ski resorts this winter, along with a seasonal route to the French Riviera starting in summer 2023.

Panda Panoramic Express, China

When we think of scenic trains, our minds often drift to the winding Alpine tracks of Europe or the majestic Rocky Mountains of North America.

However, in 2023, China will unveil a stunning new panoramic train route that promises breathtaking views.

Similar to the Swiss trains, this meter-gauge railway will tackle steep mountain terrain using a rack-and-pinion system between the rails.

The first segment is slated to open by the end of 2023, with full service expected by 2026, cutting the 129-kilometer journey from Dujiangyan to Siguniangshan Town from five hours to just two.

Another remarkable feat of civil engineering by China’s railway sector, this line features 11 stations, 25 bridges spanning 35 kilometers, and 86 kilometers of tunnels.

The four-car, driverless trains are equipped with 145 seats across three classes, large curved panoramic windows, and cutting-edge automation, 5G-supported monitoring, and satellite navigation for fault detection.

Tren Maya, Mexico

Starting in December 2023, visitors to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula will be able to experience a thrilling new rail route.

Tren Maya is a 1,525-kilometer (948-mile) rail network, combining new and upgraded tracks, designed to connect Caribbean hotspots like Cancun with inland cities, cultural landmarks, and lesser-known destinations.

Construction began in 2020 on the first section of the route, which runs from Palenque in Chiapas State through the historic city of Mérida, the iconic Mayan ruins at Chichén Itzá, and ends in Cancun.

Future phases will extend the line from Cancun to the resorts of Playa del Carmen and Tulum, before looping back through Bacalar and Xpujil to reconnect with the Palenque-Cancun route at Escárcega.

Global transportation leader Alstom is providing 42 modern multiple-unit trains in three distinct styles, manufactured at their Mexican facility in Ciudad Sahagún.

The 'Xiinbaal' (walking) regular service trains are equipped with large panoramic windows, while the 'Janal' (eating) restaurant cars feature local cuisine. The 'P’atal' (staying) trains are designed for long-haul trips, offering comfortable cabins for both day and overnight travel.

Inspired by Mayan art and culture on the outside and the blue of the Caribbean Sea on the inside, these trains blend tradition and modernity with a strong regional flair.

Switzerland’s GoldenPass Express (GPX)

Switzerland's latest panoramic train journey, the GoldenPass Express, was launched on December 11, three years behind schedule and 150 years after the initial proposal.

The GoldenPass Express (GPX) now directly links three of Switzerland’s top tourist destinations—Montreux, Gstaad, and Interlaken—on a special route made possible by innovative new trains capable of adjusting their wheel gauges and coach body heights.

GPX passengers can relax in their comfortable seats throughout the journey, enjoying uninterrupted views through the massive panoramic windows.

This breathtaking route passes some of Europe’s most picturesque lakes, hidden valleys, and dramatic mountain passes, cutting through central Switzerland along a historic trade route that dates back to the Middle Ages.

Travelers can choose from three classes, with 28 lucky passengers per trip enjoying the comfort of a reclining leather seat in Prestige class.

First and Prestige class passengers can also enjoy an at-seat service offering locally sourced food and drinks to complement their journey.

The new GPX trains add an exciting new dimension to the Golden Pass route, likely drawing many new visitors to experience this hidden treasure of a journey.

Amtrak’s new flagship

A new generation of Acela high-speed trains is set to begin operations in late 2023, connecting key cities along the Northeast Corridor including Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C.

Amtrak will soon receive 28 Avelia Liberty trains, developed from France’s renowned TGV, to boost both speed and frequency on Acela services.

The new trains, offering up to 25% more capacity, will run every half hour during peak times between New York and Washington, allowing Amtrak to boost service on this busy route.

The trains can reach speeds of up to 160 miles per hour (260 kilometers per hour) and feature tilting carriages, enhancing speed, stability, and comfort on curved sections of the track.

Onboard amenities include free Wi-Fi, real-time information, charging outlets, improved accessibility for all passengers, and a Café Car.

Baltic Boost – Krakow-Vilnius

Sustainable travel options to the Baltic States—Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia—are currently limited due to a lack of rail connections.

Once part of the Soviet Union until its dissolution in the early 1990s, the rail networks in these three countries were largely oriented towards Russia, using wider-than-usual tracks.

Until then, travelers from central and western Europe have had to rely on long-distance buses or flights to visit these small but vibrant European Union nations.

For the adventurous rail traveler, there is now a daily train service connecting Krakow and Warsaw in Poland to Vilnius in Lithuania.

While the connection isn’t seamless due to differences in track gauges, Polish Railways offers a comfortable Intercity service to Mockawa, where passengers can switch to a Lithuanian train heading to the capital, Vilnius.

Currently, travel to Riga and Tallinn is only possible by bus, but when Rail Baltica opens in 2030, it will revolutionize travel within and through these countries.

Nightjet’s new European routes

Austria’s Nightjet sleeper trains have sparked a remarkable resurgence in overnight rail travel in recent years, and they’re about to improve even further.

In 2023, new routes and a fleet of custom-designed trains will significantly enhance Nightjet’s services, providing a superior travel experience for European passengers.

Since December, the Vienna/Munich to Milan Nightjet route has been extended to the port city of Genoa, and the Munich-Venice/Budapest trains now originate from Stuttgart, offering better connections from southwest Germany and France.

However, the big highlight for Nightjet passengers in summer 2023 will be the launch of new trains on major international routes from Vienna and Munich to Rome, Milan, and Venice.

By the end of 2025, 33 new Nightjet trains will be in service, providing additional capacity, enhanced comfort, and more privacy for travelers.

Each new train will feature state-of-the-art interiors, including pod-hotel-style mini-cabins for solo travelers, sleeping compartments with en suite showers and toilets, and a multi-functional car with secure bike spaces and room for large luggage and winter sports gear.

Orient Express La Dolce Vita

If the classic Orient Express feels a bit outdated, travelers now have the opportunity to add Italy’s newest ultra-luxury train to their itinerary in 2023.

Created by the Accor Hotels group, Orient Express La Dolce Vita targets design-savvy travelers while preserving the vintage glamour of the original.

With interiors influenced by the bold Italian design of the 1960s and 1970s, and an exterior inspired by sleek varnished motorboats like the iconic Riva Aquarama, this will offer a very different experience from the classic Belle Epoque ambiance of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

The ultra-luxurious 11-car train includes a sophisticated bar car offering live music and entertainment, 12 elegant wood-paneled cabins, and 18 master suites featuring double beds, a sofa, armchairs, and a private bathroom.

As expected, the restaurant car will offer an exquisite selection of Italian dishes, regional specialties, and top-tier seasonal wines.

Once booked, passengers can reach out to their personal concierge to tailor their journey and prepare for a truly bespoke experience.

International routes are on the horizon, with stops planned in Paris, Istanbul, and Split along Croatia’s beautiful Adriatic coast.

Great Journeys New Zealand

From January 2023, travelers will find it even easier to explore New Zealand’s hidden gems by train.

Train operator Great Journeys New Zealand will launch new multi-day tours, providing passengers with opportunities for guided excursions and overnight stays in various scenic locations.

Tour itineraries vary between six and 17 days, connecting three iconic train journeys – the breathtaking TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth, the Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellington, and the Coastal Pacific between Picton and Christchurch.

Excursions will offer the chance to see whales, dolphins, and albatrosses in Kaikōura, explore the Punakaiki Rocks and Hokitika Gorge on the West Coast, and indulge in wine tasting in the renowned Marlborough region.

Passengers can opt for the Classic Style Tour, which covers New Zealand’s major cities and scenic heartland, or the Signature Style Tour, featuring upscale accommodations and extra exclusive experiences.