Railbookers expands 2026 luxury train travel lineup

Published on Oct 1, 2025, 4:51 pm CDT

5 min read

Railbookers is enlarging its 2026 "Around the World by Luxury Train" collection with four new epic itineraries ranging from 29 to 48 days, while also reviving its flagship 60-day odyssey. The additions span Europe, Africa, and Asia on marquee rail brands, with new hotels and curated sightseeing layered in across the portfolio. The 60-day trip is set to depart on September 2, 2026, combining seven luxury trains and 5-star stays across four continents. Company leadership says demand for upscale rail continues to outpace supply, validating longer, multi-region journeys for seasoned travelers.

Key points

Why it matters: Longer, bundled routes meet surging interest in luxury train travel.
Travel impact: Travelers can stitch multiple continents into one reserved, hosted journey.
What's next: The 60-day program returns September 2, 2026, with expanded train roster.
New itineraries run 29, 31, 35, and 48 days, with named luxury trains throughout.
Railbookers highlights upgraded hotels, private tours, and transfers as inclusions.

Snapshot

The 2026 lineup adds month-plus rail vacations that link Europe to Africa and Asia on brands like Belmond Royal Scotsman, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Rovos Rail, and Golden Eagle Danube Express. The four newcomers include Venice to Victoria Falls and South Africa by Luxury Train at 29 days; Grand London to Istanbul at 31 days; Grand Rail and Safari Journey: Singapore to Venice by Train at 35 days; and Luxury Rails and Wonders from Vietnam to Scotland at 48 days. The revived 60-day Around the World route features seven luxury trains, 33 hotel nights, and private transfers, with a September 2, 2026 departure.

Background

Luxury rail's post-pandemic surge has expanded beyond short "sampler" legs into longer, multi-region itineraries. Railbookers has leaned into that demand by bundling headline trains with fixed-date departures, escorted excursions, and premium hotels to simplify complex planning. The company's 60-day global itinerary debuted to strong interest, and the 2026 edition layers in new rolling stock and refreshed properties. Across the collection, travelers can expect signature inclusions such as private airport and station transfers, skip-the-line sightseeing, and curated dining. Recent industry momentum from partner lines, including Golden Eagle Danube Express' additional Paris-Istanbul departures in 2026, further widens the canvas for ambitious rail vacations. Expect inventory to remain limited on peak-season sections. Golden Eagle Luxury Trains unveils 2026 program.

Latest developments

Four new long-form routes anchor the 2026 collection

Railbookers' new itineraries are designed as "month-plus" journeys that combine multiple famed trains and regions under one booking. The 29-day Venice to Victoria Falls and South Africa packages Europe-to-Africa travel with Golden Eagle Danube Express and Rovos Rail segments. The 31-day Grand London to Istanbul stitches Belmond Royal Scotsman, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and Golden Eagle Danube Express into a seamless, west-to-east arc. The 35-day Grand Rail and Safari Journey: Singapore to Venice by Train traverses Asia, Africa, and Europe, while the 48-day Luxury Rails and Wonders from Vietnam to Scotland culminates in the British Isles. Each includes premium hotels and guided touring.

60-day "Around the World by Luxury Train" returns September 2, 2026

The signature 60-day journey reprises with seven luxury trains and 33 hotel nights across four continents. The route begins in Vancouver on Rocky Mountaineer before continuing to Scotland on Belmond Royal Scotsman and England and Wales on the new Britannic Explorer. European legs include Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, while India is featured aboard Maharajas' Express. Southern Africa brings Rovos Rail and Victoria Falls, and Southeast Asia caps the trip on Eastern & Oriental Express. Railbookers lists private transfers and a slate of private and small-group excursions among the inclusions. Departure is scheduled for September 2, 2026.

Why luxury train travel is surging

Railbookers' president and CEO Frank Marini notes that luxury rail remains one of the company's strongest demand drivers, supporting both the return of the two-month global itinerary and the addition of four extended journeys. The model appeals to travelers who want five-star comfort, curated access, and fewer logistics overland, with the romance of storied carriages layered on top. Expect continued sell-through on high-season dates and new-to-market sleepers like Belmond's Britannic Explorer to draw incremental interest in 2026.

Analysis

The strategy here is smart: consolidate scarce luxury rail inventory into longer, guaranteed packages that eliminate friction for travelers and advisors. By anchoring each itinerary with marquee trains, Railbookers taps the halo effect of brands like Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and Rovos Rail while smoothing connections, flights, and hotel logistics that normally require bespoke planning. The return of the 60-day program on September 2, 2026 suggests the company is confident in price-insensitive, time-rich demand. Adding Britannic Explorer to the lineup strengthens the U.K. component, and the Europe-Africa-Asia arcs diversify risk from any one region's disruption. The principal headwinds are capacity ceilings and schedule rigidity on iconic trains, which can compress flexibility and raise costs. For value-minded travelers, the four new month-plus options deliver breadth with a shorter time commitment, and should be easier to waitlist or customize around shoulder seasons. Rail travel bookings steam ahead for 2025-26.

Final thoughts

If you have been waiting for the stars to align on a multi-continent rail vacation, the 2026 slate is your moment. Railbookers' four new itineraries and the September 2, 2026 return of the 60-day program package celebrated carriages, private tours, and top-tier hotels into one booking. Inventory on headline trains will remain tight, so plan early and consider shoulder-season departures for better choice. For those chasing the romance of the rails without compromise, these routes are a compelling expression of luxury train travel.