Travelers looking take a slow rail journey in style this year will have a wealth of fresh options, thanks to a wave of new design-forward trains set to debut across the world in 2026.
Ultra-luxury sleeper trains, art deco–era private dining cars, and retro-inspired high-speed lines are all part of the mix, and on board, passengers can expect detailed interiors from prominent designers. Gorgeous suites, double-decker bistro cars, and elaborate bars are also among the highlights.
Here are three stylish new rail experiences that will offer journeys through the English countryside, coastal French villages and Chinese UNESCO sites.
British Pullman unveils dining car designed by Moulin Rouge! director
Film director Baz Luhrmann and designer Catherine Martin collaborated on Celia, the new private dining carriage debuting on Belmond’s British Pullman in 2026.
Photo by Hugh Stewart
One of the United Kingdom’s most iconic trains is getting an upgrade this spring. On May 15, Belmond’s British Pullman train will launch a lavish new private dining carriage designed by film director Baz Luhrmann and Oscar-winning costume and production designer Catherine Martin. The pair (who also happen to be married) are long-time creative collaborators, known for their sumptuous aesthetic exemplified by movies like Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby.
The private dining car, called Celia, is an original 1932 Pullman carriage refurbished to seat up to 12 guests. Travelers can expect to enter an immersive fantasy world with design influences from the British countryside and Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Imagine intricate marquetry, custom tableware from Duchess China, and thick velvet upholstered furniture in hues ranging from deep purples and reds to lighter yellows and greens. Along with the dining area, Celia will have a private lounge and cocktail bar, as well as its own pantry, kitchen, and dedicated stewards.
The car will operate across all British Pullman journeys, which are daytime sightseeing tours traveling round trip from London’s Victoria Station. Among the itineraries are those to picturesque towns like Bath and Oxford and landmarks like Blenheim Palace. The Pullman is also known for its culinary journeys, where the main event is a multi-course Sunday brunch or a holiday-themed dinner, enjoyed while the scenery glides by. Bookings for the Celia car start at £15,000 (around US$20,230) and must be made by submitting a request to Belmond’s reservation team.
Golden Eagle’s New Silk Road Express in China
Oversize panoramic windows in the Silk Road Express observation lounge frame views of China’s countryside and desert landscapes.
Courtesy of Golden Eagle
The new Silk Road Express train from rail travel company Golden Eagle is sure to become an instant icon among the world’s top luxury sleeper trains when it debuts in September 2026. Each opulent car has been designed by Studio HBA to evoke historical Chinese details as well as the bygone golden era of rail travel of the early 20th century.
During the journey, travelers can watch the green undulating foothills of China’s countryside go by or view the Gobi Desert’s towering sand dunes roll past while relaxing in their roomy cabin, complete with red brocade sofas, double picture windows, and a mini bar and fridge. Each cabin features an en suite bathroom outfitted with aquamarine tile and brass fixtures, marble shower, and a Toto smart toilet. Outside of their rooms, passengers can take in the striking scenery from a cozy armchair in the observation car, with its oversize panoramic windows (the largest of any train in China).
Those looking to revel in even more decadence can book the Han Dynasty suite. This grand space measures nearly 240 square feet and comes with a double bed, a separate living room and table for private dining, and an en suite bathroom with a shower, bathtub, Hermes toiletries, and double marble vanity. Guests will receive a welcome bottle of Dom Perignon and will have a private guide and chauffeured car service in each destination.
Mealtime will be an elegant affair in the two restaurant cars, one with a Western-inspired menu and the other serving Chinese fare. In the larger restaurant car offering Western cuisine, details include green brocade curtains, brass sconces, and tufted armchairs. Passengers will dine at four-seat tables draped in white tablecloths, but the furniture can also be arranged into a single, continuous table for gala-like dinners.
The Chinese restaurant car’s ambiance is meant to reflect local culture, according to Golden Eagle. Wood-carved banquettes are upholstered in bright red and topped with brass filigree. Roman window shades with tassel pulls and parquet floors enhance the space, while an orange-red ceiling emits a subtle glow for mood lighting.
In both cars, expect multiple courses with delicacies like caviar, filet mignon, and seafood tartare, along with white-glove service, fine china, and silver cutlery. After dinner, travelers can relax in the sophisticated bar car, whose design was inspired by Han Dynasty chariots, and sip a nightcap while a live pianist enhances the party atmosphere.
The new train’s inaugural journey will be the 22-day “Grand Silk Road” itinerary, which traverses the entire width of China. The second leg of the journey, with stops in Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, will be made aboard another one of Golden Eagle’s luxe sleeper trains. Stops will include the Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, and a visit to a silk and carpet workshop. Cabins start at $53,000 for double occupancy, and booking inquiries can be made on Golden Eagle’s site or through a travel advisor.
France’s high-speed trains get retro-modern overhaul
The redesigned TGV INOUI interiors by Japanese studio Nendo feature soft pastels and curved seating meant to evoke the smooth flow of a river.
Photo by Yann Audic
One of France’s workhorse high-speed TGV trains is getting a well-deserved glow-up: the national rail operator SNCF is launching a new version of its TGV INOUI train this July, and the new interiors exude a modern-yet-retro sense of chic.
Designed by Japanese firm Nendo, the revamped train is meant to evoke “a flowing river” motif, according to the design plans, with seats and fixtures reflecting smooth surfaces resembling flowing water. First-class seats are two inches wider than the current train seats and come with an automated recline function. Second-class seats have two more inches of legroom than before and an adjustable headrest. Plus, the new TGV INOUI will be outfitted with an extra passenger car for a total of nine cars, providing more seats than the current train.
But the true showstopper aboard the reimagined bullet train may be the double-decker bistro car. On the lower level, travelers can buy self-serve snacks and beverages, which they can then take upstairs to a dining area lined with colorful banquettes. Each spot has a yellow table lamp and “cushions of different sizes in various orientations, just like pebbles in a riverbed,” Nendo states. The effect is a fun and aesthetically pleasing area to eat, lounge, and take in the views from the surrounding windows.
TGV INOUI connects Paris to smaller cities and towns throughout France, including Lyon, Biarritz, Bordeaux, Toulouse, and Nice; the latter is considered one of the most scenic routes through the French countryside and along the coast. Tickets are available on SNCF’s site and start at about €25 (US$30) one-way.
