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Summer is just around the corner and, in all likelihood, you already have your vacation organized. According to datafrom Hosteltur, about 37.7 million people worldwide will have chosen a cruise in 2025 for pass your vacation. That figure demonstrates the boom that has suffered The cruise sectorand also explains the change in trend in their preferences for the holidays of 1% richer on the planet: train trips. But not in Any train. They are trains with a centenary history that little have to envy to the best five -star hotels.
The luxury trips over rail They are experiencing an unprecedented boom, driven by a new generation of travelers looking for unique, slow and highly personalized experiences. The train is no longer just a means of transport: it is the destination in itself.
Luxury train rebirth. The luxury train trip, which was previously seen as A nostalgic rarityis experiencing an unprecedented boom promoted by High purchasing power travelers that seek unique and exclusive experiences. Frank Marini, CEO of Railbookrs, He counted to Fortune That the demand for luxury train trips has shot in recent years, with all exhausted offers and with waiting lists of thousands of people. This trend reflects a change in the high -standing travel market and that luxury trains experiences are living their golden age.
Growth is evident in the figures: in 2024, Tara Minson, president of Inteletravel, assured that her company had registered an increase of 65% in luxury trains reserves in the last year. What distinguishes the luxury train against cruises or private jets is its exclusivity. “People wanted the opportunity to relax. There are probably better way to do it than sitting in a cabin of a luxury train, looking out the window, reading books, talking and with excellent service on board,” he said Fortune Gary Franklin, Senior Vice President of Belmond.
Changes in traveler’s profile and new routes. The profile of the luxury train traveler has changed significantly. Minson stressed that “the train, especially the luxury train, used to be for a larger audience, but now we are seeing many millennials and members of the Z generation who want to live a luxury train vacation.” The attractiveness of this type of travel lies both in the desire for exclusivity and in the Sustainability componenthighly valued by the youngest, and in the new “Slow Luxury” concept that invites you to reconnect more with experiences.
“Traditionally, the main demographic group of luxury train trips have been high purchasing power couples and friends between fifty and seventy years. But the new Belmond or Accor Group offers has attracted millennials and the most wealthy Z generation,” assured to Fortune Anna Tretter, Travel Advisor of the Agency Fora X.
The offer has also diversified. Belmond, one of the most recognized brands in the sector and owned by the luxury giant Bernard Arnault LVMHIt has a portfolio of seven luxury trains worldwide. In its catalog, the famous one is included Venice Simplon-Orient-Express covered the route between Paris and Istanbul from 1883 and was considered the most luxurious train in the world, serving as a stage for Police novels and 007 films.
But not the whole market points to the ultra rich elite. There is also space for what Minson calls “small luxuries”: short escapes in trains such as Rocky Mountaineer In Canada, which can cost about $ 1,600. “It is its anniversary, its desire list, its way of celebrating,” says the manager.
Exclusive experiences and prices at height. The experience aboard a luxury train is designed to match the standards of a five -star hotel, so it is not surprising that the price per night in experiences such as the L’Observatoire car exceed $ 100,000 per night.
Comforts include private bathrooms with heated floors and personalized butler service on board. In addition, you can find menus with Michelin stars, first level entertainment and private suites that offer maximum privacy and comfort.
The most exclusive trip of Railbookers for 2026, Around the World by Luxury Trainhas an approximate price of $ 124,000 per person and consists of a 59 -day tour that crosses more than 20 cities in 12 countries and uses seven different high -end trains. According to Marini, “the train offers views that you cannot see by car or by boat. In many cases, it is also your gastronomic experience, your hotel and even your social experience during the trip.”
Luxury also suffers delays. However, like the rest of rail traffic, luxury train trips also suffer delays. Belmond already finalized the details to carry out the first trip of his Britannic Explorerhas been forced to postpone its premiere until July 21. According to He declared a spokesman Belmond to the British The Independent“To ensure that we comply with our high operational standards, we have made the decision to adjust the initial schedule.”
Although many have decided to postpone their travel plans, the company has had to reimburse the between $ 12,000 and $ 75,000 that some passengers had paid for three days of crossing through the English countryside. “We are sure that this adjustment will allow us to offer extraordinary experience to our guests.”
In Xataka | This is the Dolce Vita Orient Express, the Italian train of up to 21,400 euros the room for two nights
Image | Bermond
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