Five Alpine destinations are becoming easier to reach by train this winter, with new direct connections and upgraded sleeper services opening up more options for travellers planning a mountain holiday in the 2026-2027 season.
From the French Alps to Austria’s historic mountain towns and Switzerland’s scenic railway network, the new and returning services offer alternatives to flying for people heading to the mountains. The destinations also have plenty to offer beyond skiing, including winter walking trails, traditional restaurants, Christmas markets and mountain views.
The return of Eurostar Snow, additional French TGV services and new connections to Austria are among the developments making rail travel more convenient this season. Switzerland is also set to benefit from upgraded Nightjet sleeper trains, giving passengers a more comfortable way to travel overnight from the Netherlands.
Travelling by train can also help reduce the environmental impact of a winter holiday. Rail journeys generally produce fewer carbon emissions than comparable flights, making them an option worth considering for travellers looking to avoid flying.
The five destinations highlighted by Rail Europe include established ski resorts as well as places where visitors can combine mountain activities with sightseeing and local culture.
The French Alps remain a popular choice for winter holidays, and reaching the region is becoming easier with the return of Eurostar Snow and additional TGV INOUI services. From 19 December 2026, Eurostar Snow will connect Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels with six stations in the French Alps, including Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
Additional TGV INOUI services will also operate within France. On peak travel days, up to seven special trains will run from Paris to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. There will also be direct Saturday connections from northern France, alongside services towards the Chamonix Valley.
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The railway connections provide access to well-known ski areas such as Courchevel, La Plagne and Les Arcs. However, visitors do not need to spend their entire holiday on the slopes. Snowshoeing, winter walks, sledging and spa visits offer alternatives for those who prefer a slower mountain break. The region’s mountain restaurants also provide opportunities to enjoy traditional food and spend time taking in the scenery.
Travellers arriving in Bourg-Saint-Maurice can take the funicular to Arc 1600, a journey that takes approximately seven minutes. The pedestrian-friendly village is particularly suitable for families and visitors who want to explore the resort without relying on a car.
In Austria, Innsbruck offers a different kind of winter holiday by combining city attractions with easy access to the mountains. The historic Tyrolean city is scheduled to receive a new daily direct ICE connection from Hanover, travelling via Kassel and Würzburg, from 13 December 2026.
Innsbruck’s medieval Old Town is one of its main attractions, with traditional cafés, restaurants and historic architecture. The Golden Roof remains one of the city’s best-known landmarks, while its Christmas markets, which operate from mid-November until the end of December, add another reason to visit during the festive season.
The city’s location also makes it possible to combine sightseeing with time in the mountains. The Nordkette cable car system, whose stations were designed by architect Zaha Hadid, takes visitors to elevations of approximately 2,300 metres in around 30 minutes. The mountain area offers ski slopes for different ability levels and panoramic views across Innsbruck and the surrounding Alps.
Further west, St. Anton am Arlberg is preparing for improved seasonal rail access from Germany. The Austrian resort is well known for its demanding ski runs and lively après-ski atmosphere, attracting visitors who want a more active winter holiday.
From 13 December 2026 until 4 April 2027, a seasonal ICE connection from Frankfurt is scheduled to arrive on Saturdays, with return services operating on Sundays. The route continues along the Arlberg railway towards Landeck, providing access to more of western Tyrol.
Although skiing remains a major attraction, St. Anton also offers winter walking routes, traditional Tyrolean restaurants and mountain bars. These options make the resort worth considering for visitors who want to experience the area’s mountain setting without spending every day on the ski slopes.
Switzerland is another destination set to benefit from improved overnight rail services. From 13 December 2026, upgraded Nightjet sleeper trains will operate between Amsterdam and the Swiss cities of Basel and Zurich.
The trains will feature improved sleeping compartments and private mini compartments, giving passengers more comfortable options for overnight journeys. Rather than spending time at an airport and arranging onward transfers, travellers can arrive in Switzerland by rail and continue their journey towards the Alps using the country’s railway network.
Basel and Zurich also offer city attractions for visitors who want to spend time exploring before heading into the mountains. From either city, travellers can plan onward rail journeys to different parts of Switzerland, depending on their chosen destination.
Austria’s Kitzbühel completes the list, offering a combination of historic architecture, mountain scenery and winter sports. The town is internationally recognised for the Hahnenkamm ski race, but its appeal extends beyond the competition and surrounding ski areas.
Kitzbühel’s medieval centre features colourful gabled buildings, narrow cobblestone streets and a history stretching back approximately 750 years. Traditional restaurants, cafés and independent shops give visitors plenty to explore, while winter walking routes provide access to the surrounding mountain landscape.
Rail connections are also set to improve for the 2026-2027 season. The seasonal ICE Großglockner service will operate direct trains from Hamburg and Hanover on selected weekends between 18 December 2026 and 4 April 2027.
The new and upgraded services reflect a wider effort to make European winter destinations more accessible by rail. For travellers, the choice is no longer limited to flying into a nearby airport and arranging onward transport to a resort. Depending on the route and departure city, the train can take passengers directly into mountain towns or to major railway hubs with connections to the Alps.
However, services operate on different schedules, and some are seasonal or limited to particular days. Travellers should check departure dates, connections and onward transport before booking, particularly when planning trips around Christmas, New Year or school holidays.
