Six of the best new train journeys in Europe for 2021

Rail operators are promising exciting new routes for the year ahead, with timetables starting this month. Here are some highlights

Europe’s railways are slumbering through these dark days of the pandemic. Rarely have services been cut so drastically. In late November, there was just one train a day running from Paris to each of Amsterdam, Barcelona, Zurich and London. But brighter days are on the horizon, and many European rail operators are already promising much-improved services and a wide range of new routes for 2021.

The date on which the 2021 schedules come into effect is Sunday 13 December. So expect new timings on many routes from that date. But note that this year some service enhancements have been deferred until early 2021, as there is no point in launching new routes at a time when most people are sensibly staying close to home.