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Is the night train in Europe experiencing a renaissance? While some operators are scaling back operations, European Sleeper continues to expand. After relaunching a route Brussels-Berlin extended to Prague, in 2026, the cooperative will roll out a full-fledged European nighttime network: Paris-Berlin, Paris–Hamburg, and a new strategic focus Brussels–Milan !
The cooperative also unveiled its rollout schedule for 2026–2027: reservations for the Brussels–Milan route are open until January 3, 2027; the night train will begin service to Hamburg starting in July 2026; and the Brussels–Milan route via the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland will launch in December 2026.
This strategy underscores the company’s ambition: to gradually build a true European network of night trains, using a cooperative model capable of achieving financial stability without ongoing subsidies. Here’s a closer look at European Sleeper, its current and upcoming routes, its fares, and its approach.
In 2026, European Sleeper will operate four major international routes:
The network is now organized around two key pillars:
Launched in May 2023 between Brussels and Berlin, the route was extended to Prague in March 2024. It now runs three times a week in each direction.
Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Prague are the main cities served. This route crosses four countries overnight and forms the backbone of the European Sleeper network.
© European Sleeper
Passengers can choose from different classes: seats, couchettes, or sleeper cars. Fares vary depending on the season and how far in advance the reservation is made.
Following the discontinuation of the Paris-Berlin ÖBB x SNCF Voyageurs route in December 2025, European Sleeper is relaunching the route.
The first departures are scheduled March 26, 2026, with three round trips per week operated by the European Sleeper cooperative.
The train will depart from Paris-Nord at 5:45 p.m. and will arrive at Berlin Hauptbahnhof at 9:59 a.m. the next morning.
On the return trip, trains will depart from Berlin at 6:31 p.m. for arrival at Paris-Nord at 10:45 a.m..
With nearly 1,100 kilometers between the two capitals, the Paris-Berlin route is ideally suited for a night train. This new connection marks an important milestone in the The Revival of the European Night Train, by directly connecting two major capitals without having to fly!
The train will connect Paris to Berlin, passing through several cities in France, Belgium, and Germany:
© European Sleeper
Starting on July 13, 2026, the train will also continue on to Hamburg-Harburg, south of Hamburg.
The complete itinerary will therefore be:
Paris → Aulnoye-Aymeries → Mons → Brussels → Liège → Hamburg → Berlin
As with most night trains, the schedule is designed to Avoid business closures between midnight and 6 a.m., in order to ensure a good night's sleep for travelers.
The line will operate three times a week in each direction.
Departures Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday
Departures Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
© European Sleeper
Good news: European Sleeper doesn't offer just one way to travel, but several levels of comfort, from the most economical to the coziest. That way, you can tailor your trip to your budget (and your need for sleep).
In practical terms, you have three main options:
A seating car on the Paris-Berlin overnight train
If you choose a bunk bed, the essentials are included: sheets, pillow, and blanket are included. With some of the more luxurious options, you may also be entitled to a towel, slippers, and even breakfast.
In terms of configuration, not all compartments are created equal: the Comfort compartments can accommodate up to three passengers and offer more space and privacy than the Classic five-berth compartments.
Rosalie in a Classic Cabin on the European Sleeper night train!
Here, we're looking at a "Classic" night train, modernized, with a rather friendly atmosphere. It’s comfortable, without being luxurious. Also note: there are no private restrooms in the cabins.
So, what should we choose?
Tolt in a sleeper car during the inaugural run of the European Sleeper's Paris-Berlin overnight train
Unlike the ÖBB's Nightjet trains, European Sleeper trains do not currently have a dining car. But don't worry: you can buy drinks, snacks, beer, hot beverages, and a few light meals right on board.
Ordering is very simple from your compartment by scanning the QR code on board. The train staff will then bring your order directly to your seat. You can also speak to the stewards on the train.
For the Paris–Berlin route:
Morning service then resumes starting at 6:30 a.m.. Passengers who have reserved breakfast will have it delivered directly to their compartment, even if they get off the train before that time.
Starting on July 13, 2026, the Paris-Berlin overnight trains will also run Hamburg-Harburg, a train station located south of Hamburg.
This will make it possible to reach Direct overnight service from Paris to Hamburg, arriving early in the morning.
The days on which vehicles are allowed on the road will remain the same:
Paris to Berlin via Hamburg
In practical terms:
The final schedules are still being coordinated with the infrastructure managers in the countries along the route and will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Hamburg is one of the the largest rail hubs in Northern Europe.
From the city, it's very easy to get to:
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Thanks to this new nighttime route, it will therefore be possible to Leave Paris in the evening and continue on to Scandinavia the next day, without a plane.
This extension strengthens the European and interconnected nature of the Paris-Berlin line, which is becoming a true rail corridor between Western Europe and Northern Europe.
For European Sleeper, the addition of Hamburg enhances the appeal and economic viability of the future Paris–Berlin route.
By connecting Paris, Brussels, Hamburg, and Berlin along a single nighttime route, the cooperative is strengthening its strategy: to prioritize the launch of long-distance routes with high passenger-load potential that can break even without ongoing subsidies.
European Sleeper will offer several levels of comfort:
© European Sleeper
These different options make it possible to travel from a basic economy seat to a private cabin, depending on their budget and desired level of comfort.
On September 9, 2026, European Sleeper launched a new overnight route connecting Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy! In other words, you’ll soon be able to fall asleep in Brussels (accessible via the OUIGO Paris-Brussels route (starting at 10 €, for example), Antwerp, or Eindhoven… and wake up in Milan.
With this new north–south route, the cooperative is laying the groundwork for a true overnight rail corridor between the Benelux countries and Italy.
The first launch took place on September 9, 2026, and tickets have been on sale since March 17, 2026. Originally scheduled for June 18, 2026, the Brussels-Milan overnight route has ultimately been postponed until September due to major construction work on the German rail network this summer and the certification process in Switzerland, a country the cooperative is entering for the first time. Initially, it will operate only from Brussels.
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An Up-Close Look at European Sleeper's New Brussels-Milan Night Train
Starting December 13, 2026, European Sleeper will change the route of the line with a A new route via Antwerp, Breda, and Eindhoven before continuing on to Cologne, Switzerland, and then Milan.
© European Sleeper
This new route also illustrates a very concrete reality of European rail travel: launching an international night train involves more than just connecting major cities on a map. It also requires dealing with network congestion, available nighttime capacity, and the operational constraints of several countries.
Choosing a route via Breda and Eindhoven rather than Amsterdam could thus enable European Sleeper to further improve the reliability of its future service to Italy, while strengthening Cologne as a strategic hub in its European network.
The cooperative is thus laying the groundwork for a true overnight rail corridor between the Benelux countries and Italy. Although Amsterdam is no longer included in the announced route at this stage, European Sleeper reaffirms its ambition to gradually connect the Netherlands to northern Italy via overnight train.
In short, a cooperative version of the Benelux–Italy Mini Nightjet!
Here are the schedules currently posted on the European Sleeper website for departures from Brussels:
In all three cases, the train arrives at Milano Porta Garibaldi the next day around 11:40 a.m. (12:40 p.m.–12:45 p.m. starting in late October, when the clocks are set back for standard time).
When it launches, the train will connect Brussels to Milan via Liège-Guillemins, Aachen, and Cologne, before crossing Switzerland via the Gotthard Pass (stops in Aarau, Bellinzona, Lugano, and Como) rather than via the Simplon, due to scheduled construction on that line through 2027.
© European Sleeper
Starting December 14, 2026, the route will change to include a stop at Antwerp, Breda, and Eindhoven before moving to Cologne, Switzerland, and then Milan.
Tickets will start at €49.99 for a shared Classic compartment. Private compartments will be available starting at €179.99.
Travelers will be able to choose between Budget, Classic, and Comfort classes, as well as women-only compartments.
Directly on the cooperative's website:
When the Paris-Berlin night train line was inaugurated in late March 2026, Benjamin—aka Tolt—was on board! Here’s what he had to say about the experience:
👆 Here's what's covered in this video breakdown:
- An Analysis of a Failure: Why Did the SNCF and ÖBB Throw in the Towel Despite High Ridership?
- What Is European Sleeper? A Profile of Elmer van Buren and Chris Engelsman, the Two Entrepreneurs Who Want to Revitalize Your Nights.
- Public vs. Cooperative Startup: A Clash of Business Models
- Onboard Review: We tested the “Comfort Plus” class. An unfiltered verdict on sleep, service, and amenities. -
- The Future: Barcelona, Milan, Zurich... What are the next steps in the rail revolution?
European Sleeper is unlike any other operator because it is a cooperative. Founded in 2021 by two Dutch rail enthusiasts, Chris Engelsman and Elmer van Buuren, its mission is clear: to connect European cities with comfortable night trains that are accessible to as many people as possible.
Initially funded by its co-owners (including Anne herself, who says she bought “two shares of European Sleeper” even before applying), the cooperative quickly organized itself around an international team of about 20–25 people.
Unlike the major established operators, European Sleeper does not yet own its own rolling stock. In our 72nd podcast episode, Anne Dubost, Director of Strategy and Business Development at European Sleeper, explains: "We don't own railcars, passenger cars, or facilities today; we lease the equipment from partners."
To operate its trains without owning any rolling stock, the cooperative relies on:
An agile—but also complex—operational process, particularly when launching routes that cross multiple countries.
European Sleeper fosters a strong bond with its members: "We have members who […] help us with the purchase of rolling stock […]. We have strong support from the public sector […], the community, and the passengers on the train."
Having already transported 230,000 passengers, the cooperative relies on:
A major advantage in an industry where innovation depends heavily on the ecosystem.
The cooperative's first permanent route was launched in May 2023: three round trips per week between Brussels and Berlin. Less than a year later, in March 2024, the route was extended to Prague, still with three round-trips per week, via Amsterdam and Berlin.
European Sleeper is gradually seeing an increase in occupancy. Anne says the company is getting closer to breaking even: “We’re getting closer; we haven’t quite reached the point of being truly transparent (…), but during the high and mid-season months, we’re breaking even.”. The real challenge: the off-season months, when revenue doesn't yet cover costs.
In early 2024, European Sleeper also tested a seasonal route between Brussels and Venice. It will not be renewed because it is too demanding for a small team and too complex (involving 5 countries).
But the experience was a learning opportunity: testing dining cars, gaining operational insights, exploring new countries where the company is now seeking access to the network, analyzing schedules… A true pilot approach, taken on with confidence.
© European Sleeper
European Sleeper aims to demonstrate that night trains can achieve financial sustainability without long-term subsidies.
“We want to show that it’s possible to achieve economic balance with a night train route. And that, as a result, it’s possible to offer a night train service without subsidies—or at least without permanent subsidies.” — Anne Dubost | European Sleeper
Some routes, on the other hand, will never be able to operate without public subsidies (she cites Paris–Aurillac, in particular, as a counterexample). But for routes such as Brussels–Prague or Paris–Berlin, Anne believes profitability is achievable.
The occupancy rate is a key factor: a night train isn’t profitable in its first month; it takes time to build up ridership; and, most importantly, the high season only partially offsets the low season, which remains the real challenge.
Distribution is also a key factor: their tickets are sold through their website, as well as through Trainline, Omio, SNCB, and Czech Railways.
“For us, it’s still an opportunity to be visible where passengers usually buy their tickets.” — Anne Dubost | European Sleeper
While Midnight Trains aimed for a premium offering, European Sleeper offers several levels of comfort. This is a more “mass-market” approach—one that is accessible and capable of expanding the customer base.
“We offer several comfort classes […]. We cater to budget travelers with seating compartments […] starting at 30€, and then we have sleeper compartments and sleeper-car compartments.” — Anne Dubost | European Sleeper
While several operators are cutting back on their night train services due to a lack of subsidies (Paris–Vienna and Paris–Berlin on the Nightjet, Stockholm–Berlin…), European Sleeper is staying on track.
Anne's message is clear: yes, the situation is challenging, and yes, night trains need support to get started; but no, they should not have to rely on subsidies indefinitely if the service is designed intelligently.
European Sleeper therefore aims to demonstrate the viability of the model by starting with the most reliable routes, including the Paris-Berlin route!
In 2026, European Sleeper:
Step by step, the cooperative is helping to build a more cohesive and accessible European night-time network!
In short, European Sleeper is an ambitious, agile cooperative that is clear-eyed about the challenges and convinced that a night train can be popular, comfortable, and cost-effective all at once. In the end, the Brussels-Prague route was just the beginning. With Paris-Berlin, Hamburg, and Milan, European Sleeper could very well reshape the network of European night trains!
In the meantime, to stay up to date on all the latest European Sleeper news in real time, feel free to subscribe to our Locomissive (the HOURRAIL! newsletter, delivered to your inbox every other Thursday):
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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.
