Railbookers and other tour operators say demand for Train journeys is hitting new highs, prompting a wave of fresh itineraries and even brand-new luxury sleepers.
Key Points
- Why it matters: Railbookers bookings up sharply for 2025-26, signaling sustained appetite for train-based vacations.
- Intrepid Travel rail bookings rose 24 percent year over year after adding six Tours.
- G Adventures' April Rail Collection launch drew strong engagement and 60 train-heavy trips.
- New luxury hardware-Britannic Explorer in the U.K., La Dolce Vita Orient Express in Italy, and Golden Eagle Silk Road Express-keeps buzz high.
- Social media, nostalgia, and lower carbon footprints all fuel traveler interest.
Snapshot
Railbookers reports a 35 percent jump in year-over-year bookings for 2025 and a 51 percent leap for 2026, while sister brand Amtrak Vacations is up 15 percent for 2025. Competitors are feeling the same tailwind. Intrepid Travel has registered 24 percent growth since launching its dedicated rail range last year, and G Adventures' new Rail Collection-where at least half of each trip moves by train-opened to "ton-of-engagement" demand. Travelers cite slower pacing, immersive scenery, and greener credentials as prime reasons to swap flights for rail rides.
Background
Rail travel's renaissance has roots in several converging trends. Travelers emerging from pandemic disruptions look for journeys that value the experience itself, not just the end point. Train cabins double as moving observation decks, cocktail lounges, and social hubs, echoing a golden age of travel that social media now amplifies daily. Environmental awareness also plays a part: modern high-speed and electrified lines promise lower emissions than comparable flights, and operators increasingly track and market those savings. Factor in new hardware-from renewed overnight services in Europe to high-speed expansions in Asia-and the rails are suddenly the place to be.
Latest Developments
Railbookers and Amtrak Vacations
The Railbookers Group says bookings for 2025 are 35 percent higher year over year, with 2026 already tracking 51 percent ahead. Amtrak Vacations, its U.S. arm, shows a 15 percent uptick for 2025. Popular products include panoramic routes through Switzerland, complemented by recent promotions such as the company's [Switzerland Week rail deals]. ([Travel Weekly][1])
Intrepid Travel Adds Six New Trips
In July, Intrepid expanded its rail portfolio to 50 trips across four continents, citing a 24 percent jump in rail bookings. New Tours span Kenya's Madaraka Express, Malaysia's Jungle Railway, and cross-border bullet-train loops linking China, Laos, and Thailand. ([Intrepid Travel][2])
G Adventures Unveils 60-Trip Rail Collection
G Adventures' April launch groups 60 itineraries in 20 countries, each featuring at least 50 percent rail mileage. Routes range from Poland's regional trains to Shinkansen-powered Tours of Japan. Early sales momentum already has the company planning further rail expansions. ([Travel Professional NEWS(R)][3])
New Luxury Trains Debut
- Britannic Explorer, U.K. Belmond's first overnight sleeper for England and Wales sets off on July 21 2025, offering three-night circuits from London that pair Michelin-level dining with onboard spas. ([Mediahub - Belmond][4])
- La Dolce Vita Orient Express, Italy. The first Italian-built Orient Express rolled out of Rome on April 4 2025, marrying Dimorestudio interiors with eight art-and-wine itineraries across the peninsula. ([Orient Express][5])
- Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, China-Central Asia. Golden Eagle Luxury Trains confirmed a 2026 launch for its fully en-suite Silk Road Express, featuring 22-day Beijing-to-Samarkand odysseys. ([Luxurytravelmag.com.au][6])
Analysis
Pent-up wanderlust, climate consciousness, and the viral power of TikTok reels are converging to turn train-focused vacations from a niche to a mainstream product line. Operators report that clients now ask first about "how" they will travel, not merely "where." Railbookers' double-digit gains show that flexible, build-your-own itineraries resonate with independent travelers, while escorted specialists like Intrepid and G Adventures prove that small-group rail circuits can scale globally. The hardware side is no less dynamic. Historic brands are re-inventing sleeper glamour, positioning new trains as rolling boutique hotels complete with spas, tasting menus, and grand-suite cabins. These launches keep rail headlines-and Instagram feeds-fresh, which in turn feeds demand. Advisors should note demographic shifts: Gen X and millennials now book luxury rail just as readily as retirees, drawn by nostalgia for a slower era they never actually experienced. With Europe's night-train revival and Asia's bullet-train proliferation, the supply pipeline suggests today's momentum is sustainable through the decade, provided operators maintain transparent sustainability metrics and competitive pricing.
Final Thoughts
Whether chasing carbon savings, iconic scenery, or the romance of dinner in a linen-draped dining car, travelers are booking rail in numbers unseen for decades. Tour operators that curate thoughtful itineraries-and spotlight the journey as much as the destination-stand to ride this wave well beyond 2026, keeping Rail Travel bookings firmly on track for further growth.
Sources
- All aboard! Demand for rail travel picks up steam
- Intrepid adds six new trips to rail range
- G Adventures Launches the Rail Collection: 60 Trips in 20 Countries
- The Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train, U.K. Makes History As It Takes To The Rails
- The Grand Premiere of La Dolce Vita Orient Express
- Golden Eagle Luxury Trains to Launch Silk Road Express