Luxury trains are making a big comeback. New Orient Express routes, exclusive panoramic cars, and multi-day rail journeys through Europe are transforming travel itself into an experience once again. But we wonder: Is this a sustainable “slow travel” trend worth embracing, or is it just another cruise on rails?

What exactly constitutes a luxurious train?

If luxury trains bring to mind the Hogwarts Express from Harry Potter. Or Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express,” you’re on the right track. These trains feature private compartments, lavishly appointed dining cars, and attendants pushing carts down the aisles to serve passengers snacks and drinks. The heyday of luxury trains began in the late 19th century when rail travel was the fastest and most comfortable way to cross Europe.

The Orient Express, which first ran in 1883, connected Paris with Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) and quickly became a symbol of elegant travel. Diplomats, artists, industrialists, and aristocrats traveled across Europe in sleeper cars with velvet upholstery and dining cars with silver cutlery.

However, with the rise of air travel, these luxurious trains began to lose their significance in the 1950s. Many routes were discontinued, and historic cars disappeared (hopefully) into depots or museums. However, in recent years, the industry has experienced a renaissance.

Millions are being invested in reviving luxury trains

Companies such as Belmond, Accor, and the Italian Arsenale Group are investing millions in restored railcars, new train concepts, and exclusive routes. Meanwhile, many travelers are embracing the idea of slow travel. Recognizing that the journey is an integral part of the vacation experience, not just a means to an end.

Info: Why are there two Orient Express trains?

Since the 1980s, the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has traveled through Europe in restored historic cars, connecting Paris with Venice and Vienna, among other destinations. Meanwhile, hotel group Accor is working to bring back the original Orient Express and relaunch the legendary Paris–Istanbul route.

When you travel on a luxury or vintage train, you get more than just a seat. Depending on the train, you can expect to find private sleeping compartments, spacious suites with en suite bathrooms, elegant dining cars serving multi-course meals, cocktail bars, lounges, and panoramic cars with floor-to-ceiling windows. Some trips last just a day, while others span several nights as you pass through Alpine passes, coastal landscapes, and historic cities.

Are luxury trains sustainable?

The short answer is: It depends on what you’re comparing them to.

Compared to an airplane

Passengers traveling by train rather than by plane on routes such as Paris–Vienna or St. Moritz–Zermatt generally generate significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions per passenger-kilometer. This is especially true in countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, whose rail systems are largely powered by electricity (including green energy), resulting in a smaller carbon footprint than comparable air travel.

Compared to a regular train

The comparison with a regularly scheduled train is different:

• Luxury trains carry significantly fewer passengers. (By comparison: The luxury suites on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express accommodate 8 passengers per car (23.45 meters long). On the ÖBB Nightjet, however, 20 passengers travel in a 26.40-meter-long sleeper car.
• The historic cars are heavier (for comparison: the 1929 Orient Express Lx-type sleeper car weighs 53 tons according to the CIWL list; the ÖBB Nightjet weighs 45 to 48 tons per car, according to Siemens Mobility Global.)
• Multi-course meals and elaborate service increase resource consumption.

Therefore, an ICE or TGV is usually the more efficient option per person. However, they are not quite the same thing. These historic trains also represent cultural heritage.

Original railcars are being tracked down and restored

The new owners recounted in the Accor/Orient Express press kit how railway historian Arthur Nettetal and Orient Express Vice President Guillaume de Saint Lager traveled to Poland with a translator and photographer to find the remaining original cars. From Warsaw, they traveled four hours to a remote village. There, the historic Orient Express cars had been sitting “out in the open” for ten years. Fortunately, the cars were still in surprisingly good condition, including their original Art Deco elements.

Conclusion: A luxury train cannot be compared to a regular commuter train in terms of environmental impact. However, rail travel can be a significantly lower-emission mode of transportation compared to air travel or cruises. At the same time, many of these trips prioritize the conscious experience of the journey itself over speed and efficiency—an aspect often associated with the principles of slow travel.

Such luxury trips are designed as “once-in-a-lifetime” experiences, which naturally comes with exorbitant prices. Ultimately, we think it’s great if even one person chooses an Orient Express (or similar) trip instead of a cruise. Especially since doing so helps preserve cultural heritage that would otherwise likely remain forgotten.

How much does a luxury train trip cost?

Prices vary widely. For instance, a trip on the Glacier Express in the Excellence Class from St. Moritz to Zermatt costs as little as 600 to 900 euros. A trip on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express costs 8,000 euros for the new 2026 Paris–Amalfi Coast route, and prices start at 21,000 euros for the original Paris–Istanbul route.

Many trips are fully booked several months in advance.

“The entire project (of the Orient Express) has been conceived as a work of art. (…) It will be an incomparable train travel experience, imagined through a contemporary vision of comfort and extreme luxury.” – Maxime d’Angeac, Orient Express-Architekt

Paris: The hub of the new luxury train trend

No other city is more closely linked to the history of luxury rail travel than Paris. In 1883, the Orient Express embarked on its maiden voyage to Constantinople from here. Today, the train runs twice a year and arrives in Istanbul after six days. Departures are scheduled for September 2026 and May 2027. There is also a route from Paris to Venice, and a new route to the Amalfi Coast will begin in May 2026. The four-day journey along the Ligurian coast to southern Italy is another option.

Hotel recommendation in Paris

A green oasis in the heart of Paris ©Hotel Le Pavillon in Paris

We recommend two hotels in Paris where you can relax before catching your train. Le Pavillon and Amélie, both Green Spirit Hotels, are located in the 7th arrondissement, right in the heart of Paris. They are just about six kilometers from Gare de l’Est, where the Orient Express usually departs. (In fact, it has been departing from there since 1883.)

Le Pavillon and Amélie are not grand hotels but rather small, charming boutique hotels that offer an organic breakfast. With orthopedic beds, double-glazed windows, and an air filtration system, you’ll find everything you need for a peaceful night’s sleep in the heart of the city.

Munich: One of the stops of the Orient Express

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) stops in Munich on select routes. Visit the Belmond website to find the exact dates for these special trips.

Hotel recommendation near Munich

Those wishing to begin their journey in the Munich area can spend a few days beforehand at the historic Gut Sonnenhausen as been carefully restored and now focuses on organic farming (based on permaculture principles), on-site food production, and a close connection to modern art. It is located southeast of Munich and includes an old farmhouse.

As the saying goes in our digital world: “Travelers who love the Orient Express will also love Gut Sonnenhausen” 🙂

Zermatt: The luxury train option in the Alps

Not every luxury train requires a red carpet. The Glacier Express is considered one of the world’s most spectacular scenic trains. Its eight-hour journey between St. Moritz and Zermatt passes over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels, including the Oberalp Pass at an altitude of 2,033 meters. In Excellence Class, you get a guaranteed window seat in the panoramic car, concierge service, and a multi-course meal.

For more information, visit the Glacier Express website.

Glacier Pullman Express

The Glacier Express Excellence Class offers a luxurious day trip between St. Moritz and Zermatt, while the Glacier

Pullman Express is designed for railway enthusiasts. This two-day journey features historic Pullman cars from the 1930s, UNESCO World Heritage railway routes, a ride on a steam locomotive across the Furka mountain route, an overnight stay in Andermatt, and excursions to Disentis Abbey and the Aletsch Glacier.

Hotel recommendation: Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt

<p><p>For those who wish to extend their stay in Zermatt after two days on the Glacier Pullman Express, the family-run Hotel Bella Vista Zerrmatt offers the perfect contrast to the glamour of the historic Pullman cars. This small hotel, managed by the Anthamatten family, has just a few rooms and is located in a tranquil area above the village, providing direct access to the ski area.<p>With plenty of Swiss stone pine, a cozy lobby with a fireplace, and a small spa area, the hotel has an atmosphere that feels more like a Swiss home than a classic hotel. Guests particularly appreciate the personal hospitality of the family, who have run the hotel for generations. End your trip in style with a view of the Matterhorn and a little more time to explore the surrounding mountains.

Why luxury trains are booming right now

The success of luxury trains probably has more to do with the times than with luxury itself.

Many people spend their daily lives juggling appointments, apps, and screens. Air travel is no different, with stress and hustle at the airport, crowds, noise, and cramped conditions on the plane, not to mention the constant need to check your phone for departure times and the like. A vacation doesn’t really begin until you arrive at your destination, and it ends when you leave your accommodations, not when you arrive home.

On a luxury train, however, the journey itself becomes part of the vacation again. Rather than trying to arrive as quickly as possible, passengers can enjoy the scenery, have conversations, enjoy good food, and experience Europe at a different pace. Those who stay in one place for several nights and combine the train journey with a hotel stay can get to know a region more deeply than during a typical city-hopping trip.

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