European Sleeper: Brussels–Milan, Paris–Berlin, and Prague night trains in 2026
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Published on 3/3/26, modified on 4/3/26
November 2025 update: Unfortunately, the seasonal line will not be renewed in 2026, as it was deemed too demanding for a small team and too complex (5 countries crossed). But the experience was a formative one for European Sleeper (testing of dining cars, operational apprenticeships, new countries where the company is now applying for access to the network... as Anne Dubost explains in our podcast episode dedicated): a true logic of pilot a matter of course. To discover the other European Sleeper lines:
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European Sleeper: Brussels–Milan, Paris–Berlin, and Prague night trains in 2026
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Good news for city trips in Europe and winter sports ! European Sleeper launches a new night train to numerous large cities (Brussels, Cologne, Munich, Innsbruck, Verona, Venice) and european ski resorts (Kufstein, Wörgl, Jenbach, Innsbruck, Bressanone, Ponte Gardegna).
The trend is definitely towards revival of night trains in Europe (and we can only rejoice!). Among those driving this change is European Sleeper, a cooperative founded in 2021 by two travel-mad entrepreneurs. While most night trains are subsidized by governments (which are generally rather cautious when it comes to opening up new lines), Elmer van Buuren and Chris Engelsman, the two founders, are putting their foot down. Thanks to a community of 350 committed investors, they will first raise €500,000 in May 2021, then a further €2 million in 2022. Enough to launch a first line between two European capitals: a few months ago, European Sleeper announced the opening of its Brussels-Prague line.
But of course, the company has no intention of stopping there, and is striking again with the announcement of a new route from the Belgian capital: Brussels-Venice. With this Belgian-Italian route, European Sleeper aims to meet the demand for more convenient connections. ski seasons and school vacations ! The Innsbruck stop, for example, is designed to facilitate access to ski resorts in the Austrian Alps.
European Sleeper
February 7, 2025 update
Visit February 5, 2025our teams were at inauguration of the line's pilot project which would allow you to fall asleep in Belgium or the Netherlands, and wake up a few hours later in Venice, via the ski resorts of Austria. Unfortunately, the project ran into a number of difficulties. Tolt, our founder, explains it all in this video 👇
In order to extend the journey to Italy, the Belgian-Dutch company had signed an agreement with Arenaways, an Italian operator with the license required to run trains on the Italian network. But according to European Sleeper, their partner reneged on this agreement the day before the inaugural run. Fortunately, a solution was found to ensure continuity of service, thanks to good relations with ÖBB, the Austrian company.
At the inauguration, passengers were able to travel to the city of the Doges in roughly the same time and at no extra cost, with just two changes (at Innsbruck and Verona).
March 3, 2025 update
In its newsletter, the company provides a few details: European Sleeper is currently evaluating the project with a view to developing a plan for winter 2026. As for the next dates in 2025, travel should go smoothly: "We are relieved to have finally found a solution for operations in Italy by March 2025" says the company.
As of March 5, 2025, a locomotive from FS Treni Turistici Italiani (the new subsidiary of the Italian FS Group, which operated the train Espresso Riviera between Nice and Milan) will pull the night train on the second leg of the journey. Thanks to the agreement signed between the FS Group and European Sleeper, the night train will be able to cross the Brenner Pass without any problems on the Brenner-Venice route.
European Sleeper - Please note that timetables are not yet definitive (to be checked on the European Sleeper website).
Please note that the 2025 season is still a pilot project with an initial plan of seven round trips. "The main challenges were finding a suitable schedule in five countries and ensuring reliable operations in Italy, a brand new destination for us." explains European Sleeper in its newsletter.
In the Brussels-Venice direction the new European Sleeper night train will leave Brussels Midi station at 18h for arrival the next day at 15h at Venice Santa Lucia station on following dates :
In the Venice-Brussels direction departures will be from 16h15 from Venice Santa Lucia, arriving the next day around 13h in Brussels, and traffic will take place on the following dates:
And if you'd like to be kept informed about the recommissioning of the plant in 2026, don't hesitate to subscribe to our free newsletter bi-monthly newsletter !
The train will stop in several European cities including :
If you want to visit the "Serenissima" and enjoy the Venice Carnival in February, take a stroll around St. Mark's Square, visit the Doge's Palace (or any other more atypical discovery for the time of a day in Venice), you'll have to reckon with about 20 hours.
In ascending order of comfort, you can choose between :
This is the most affordable option. You can choose between a seat in a 5-person compartment, or a seat with tables in the open lounge areas. Toilets are located in the corridor, breakfast can be added, and drinks and snacks are available as an option (extra cost).
In sleeper cars, there are two levels of comfort:
Note that there is also a for women only.
Photo: ©Alexis Calvignac - Tolt after a night in the sleeping car!
This is the the most comfortable Each sleeper has a maximum of 3 beds per compartment (which can be folded up to become real armchairs). The bed is prepared on request by the steward in charge of the sleeping car, and each compartment is air-conditioned. Each compartment has a washbasin (and the toilet is in the car).
The company also offers a dining car to dine on board and enjoy breakfast while watching the Alps crossing over the Brenner Pass through the window!
Photo: ©Alexis Calvignac - It adds to the charm of the night train, doesn't it?
To get the best prices, there's only one golden rule: anticipate. So book your tickets as far in advance as possible! Sales have been open since Tuesday, September 24, 2024.
To discover all our itineraries from France (Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Nice...), click here 👇
Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).
Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.
