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Night Trains in France and Europe: A Complete Guide

Written by Sophie Renassia

Published on October 25, 2024, modified on October 1, 2026

Fall asleep in Paris and wake up in Nice, Vienna, or Berlin? Close your eyes in Brussels and open them in Venice or Prague? Discover several European capitals while saving on hotel stays? Want to enjoy a unique travel experience, dine in a dining car, and watch magnificent sunsets and sunrises from your bunk? That’s the magic of night trains!

If you want to give it a try and visit the Old Continent (great idea!), here's a quick guide to help you get started. What is the night train network in Europe? And in France? Where can you book your tickets? First of all, why travel by night train instead of a daytime train, and is it really comfortable? We'll explain everything.

Night Trains in Europe

The Revival of Night Trains in Europe

After being neglected for several decades, night trains are also making a big comeback in Europe. What sparked this trend? In 2016, the Austrian company ÖBB is taking over some of the night trains that Deutsche Bahn has discontinued and launching its own brand Nightjet. It then became the driving force behind the revival of night trains, before being joined by other companies… and by newcomers determined to shake up the industry.

From Paris, there is only one international overnight route left: the one operated by European Sleeper, which departs from Paris-Nord for Brussels, Hamburg, and Berlin. Otherwise, all you have to do is go to a major nearby train station (Brussels, Zurich, Milan…) to catch your overnight train.

And to see the entire network at a glance, the Back-on-Track Night Train Map is a real gold mine!

A sample of the map of night trains in Europe by ©Back on Track.

The night train scene is changing rapidly: some routes are closing, others are being revived, and new companies are entering the market. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, here’s the latest news, from most recent to oldest.

Article

Night Trains in Europe: Collapse or Comeback?

Where can you buy your tickets, and how much do they cost?

The easiest (and safest) way is to book directly with the airline the company that operates your train: that's where you'll find all the class options, the best fares, and up-to-date information.

• Night Intercités (France): on SNCF Connect. Book on SNCF Connect (affiliate link)
• Nightjet: on nightjet.com or bahn.de
• European Sleeper: on europeansleeper.eu
• Intercity Notte: on trenitalia.com
• MÁV and ČD: on mavcsoport.hu and cd.cz

And how much does it cost? It all depends on the date, the class, and how far in advance you book. To give you an idea, here are a few starting prices:

Our tips for saving money:

• Book early: Berths and cabins sell out quickly, especially during school breaks.
• Is your train not for sale yet? SNCF Connect offers a ticket-on-sale alert, sent via email.
• Are you traveling with an Interrail pass? Be sure to reserve your seat: it's required on most overnight trains.

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Interrail Pass 2026: The Complete Guide to Traveling by Train in Europe

ÖBB and its extensive Nightjet network (Austria)

Nightjet, the brand name for the Austrian railways' night trains, is known for its midnight-blue trains and its evocative name—but that's not all. What makes it famous, above all, is its extensive network : Service to more than 25 major European cities, starting at €34.90.

And its next-generation trains—which run, for example, between Hamburg or Amsterdam and Vienna, between Munich and Rome, and between Hamburg and Zurich—are truly something to dream about.

A slight downside for the French: as of December 2025, Nightjet trains will no longer serve Paris due to a lack of government subsidies.

To book your tickets, go to nightjet.com. And here's something good to know: Deutsche Bahn, a Nightjet partner, also sells tickets on bahn.de.

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Revolution in Night Trains with the New Nightjet Trains

And among Nightjet's partner companies are, notably:

Deutsche Bahn (Germany)

Deutsche Bahn has not operated its own night trains since 2016, but it remains a key partner of Nightjet. You can actually book your Nightjet tickets directly on bahn.de.

SBB (Switzerland)

The Swiss company also works closely with Nightjet to offer Night trains departing from Zurich and Basel, to Germany, Austria, or the Netherlands.

For more information and to book your tickets, visit on the company's website.

❌ SNCF Voyageurs (France)

Unfortunately, the two international night trains departing from Paris—the Paris–Vienna and Paris–Berlin routes, operated in partnership with ÖBB—were discontinued in December 2025 due to a lack of government funding.

Article

Paris-Berlin and Paris-Vienna night trains: can they still be saved?

Fortunately, the Paris–Berlin route was taken over by European Sleeper in March 2026 (we’ll tell you more about it below).

Article

Paris–Berlin night train: European Sleeper relaunches the route (and adds Hamburg)

There are no direct overnight trains to Vienna, but other options are available:

Article

The Paris-Vienna overnight train no longer runs: here's how to get to Vienna by train anyway

Trenitalia and its InterCity Notte service (Italy)

Over in Italy, you'll be spoiled for choice! The network Intercity Night Trenitalia connects Milan, Turin, and Rome to the southern regions and Sicily almost every night. From France, the easiest way is to travel to Milan or Turin by daytime train, then board the train that same evening.

Tickets are accessible (starting at €29 for a seat and €41 for a berth), and here’s a little Italian quirk: sleeper car compartments are never shared with strangers! And as a bonus, your four-legged friend is welcome on board, as long as you reserve the entire compartment for yourself.

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Intercity Notte: everything you have to know about night trains in Italy

© Trenitalia.com

In terms of comfort: Like most rail companies, Trenitalia offers seats, couchettes, or sleeper cars (with breakfast included if you’re traveling in a couchette). A little Italian quirk: sleeper cars are automatically private ! And as a bonus, your four-legged friend is allowed on the train.

To view all connections and book your ticket, It's here (InterCity Notte offer on trenitalia.com).

MAV (Hungary)

In Central Europe, the Hungarian night trains operated by the company MÁV allow you to travel from Budapest to several major cities, such as:

• Zurich (Switzerland 🇨🇭),
• Munich and Stuttgart (Germany 🇩🇪),
• Berlin (Germany 🇩🇪),
• Prague (Czech Republic 🇨🇿),
• Warsaw (Poland 🇵🇱),
• or even Bucharest (Romania 🇷🇴)!

And the good news is that these trains run every day, all year round. In the summer, some even head toward the Adriatic, as far as Split, Rijeka, or Koper.

Quick tip: You can't buy night train tickets through the MÁV apps. And if you're traveling with an Interrail pass, don't forget to make your reservation.

To make a reservation, go to the MAV company website or on the Nightjet website.

And if you'd like to learn more, feel free to check out our article on the Retro Istria Express, Europe's most retro night train, with its 1980s-style design, which connects Budapest to the popular seaside resorts on the Istrian Peninsula.

ČD (Czech Republic)

If you want to travel through Central and Eastern Europe, Czech night trains ČD also allow you to connect:

• the Czech Republic 🇨🇿,
• the Slovakia 🇸🇰,
• the Hungary 🇭🇺,
• the Austria 🇦🇹,
• the Switzerland 🇨🇭,
• and the Poland 🇵🇱.

In terms of comfort: ČD offers Economy compartments (with shared showers and restrooms) or Deluxe compartments, with private showers and restrooms. It’s just like traveling in a hotel!

© cd.cz - ČD Night Train Map

To make a reservation, go to the company website ČD or on the Nightjet website.

European Sleeper

Among the new additions to the family are European Sleeper : a Belgian-Dutch cooperative founded in 2021 by two rail enthusiasts. And not just any cooperative—it’s clearly one of the key players in the revival of night trains!

After launching its first route between Brussels and Berlin, which was later extended to Prague, the company notably took over the Paris–Berlin route, which Nightjet had discontinued. It currently operates three routes:

• Paris–Brussels–Hamburg–Berlin, departing from Paris-Nord, with stops in Aulnoye-Aymeries, Mons, Brussels, and Liège;
• Brussels–Amsterdam–Berlin–Prague ;
• Brussels–Zurich–Milan, to reach Italy overnight.

Article

European Sleeper: Brussels–Milan, Paris–Berlin, and Prague night trains in 2026

To book your tickets, go to the European Sleeper website.

Thibault Constant from the YouTube channel @SimplyRailway in front of a European Sleeper night train

And if you'd like to learn more, check out our Top Most Comfortable Night Trains in Europe !

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An Up-Close Look at European Sleeper's New Brussels-Milan Night Train

In Scandinavia

Heading north! Two night trains connect Berlin and Stockholm via Hamburg and Denmark :

• the Snälltåget, a private company within the Transdev Group;
• the EuroNight, operated by the German company RDC since SJ withdrew from the route, with sleeper cars, berths, and seats.

Article

Snalltaget: the Berlin - Copenhagen - Stockholm night train

In the United Kingdom

Off to Scotland with the Caledonian Sleeper, departing from London!

Article

The Caledonian Sleeper: travel to Scotland by night train from London

Coming Soon: Nox Mobility

And the youngest member of the family is named Nox Mobility. This young Berlin-based company is preparing its first overnight train between Hamburg and Munich, with one promise: a private space for every passenger.

Article

Exclusive: Nox Mobility Unveils Its First Night Train (Tickets Now on Sale for Hamburg–Munich)

Night Trains in France

So what about France? Good news: after years of decline, night trains have made a big comeback (much to our delight)!

For the record, France had 118 night train routes in 1981, when the TGV was launched. By 2017, only two remained: Paris–Briançon and Paris–Rodez/Latour-de-Carol. Since then, the network has been rebuilt, and today there are Eight Intercités night routes which connect Paris-Austerlitz to Briançon, Nice, Rodez/Albi, Aurillac, Toulouse, Latour-de-Carol, Cerbère, and Tarbes/Lourdes. They are funded by the government and operated by SNCF Voyageurs.

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Night trains in France: Where do we stand?

The Current Night Train Network in France

Currently, about ten French cities are served by INTERCITÉS night trains departing from Paris-Austerlitz (To book your tickets, go to www.sncf-connect.com).

Paris–Briançon

Want to fall asleep in Paris and wake up in the heart of the Alps to breathe in the fresh mountain air?

• Hours: Departure from Paris-Austerlitz in the evening, arrival in Briançon in the morning.

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Hautes-Alpes: what to do around Briançon for a weekend?

Paris-Nice (via Cannes and Antibes)

Want to fall asleep in Paris, wake up on the French Riviera, and take a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais? It’s been possible since 2021 (in fact, our reporter Louise tried it out for you!).

• Estimated schedule: Departure from Paris-Austerlitz around 9:00 p.m., arrival in Nice around 9:00 a.m.
• Good to know: The train also stops in Toulon, Saint-Raphaël, Cannes, and Antibes. No need to look for a separate Paris–Cannes train!

Psst… Once you're in Nice, why not continue your adventure by TER to Menton or Ventimiglia?

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J’ai testé pour vous : le train de nuit pour aller à Nice

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Visiting Nice in slow mode: our top recommendations

Paris–Rodez / Albi

Would you like to fall asleep in Paris and wake up in the Aveyron, or in the “Red City” and its episcopal city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

• Estimated schedule: Departure from Paris-Austerlitz around 7:30 p.m., arrival in Rodez around 7:00 a.m.
• Albi: The train runs all the way to Albi on certain days. Be sure to check your date on SNCF Connect!

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Aveyron : things to do in Rodez in 48h

Paris–Aurillac

Want to fall asleep in Paris and wake up in the Cantal surrounded by magnificent scenery?

• Estimated schedule: Departure from Paris-Austerlitz around 7:30 p.m., arrival in Aurillac around 7:00 a.m.

Paris-Toulouse

Want to fall asleep in Paris, wake up in the "Pink City," and take a stroll along the Garonne River?

• Hours: Departure from Paris-Austerlitz in the evening; arrival in Toulouse in the morning.

Paris–Latour-de-Carol

Want to fall asleep in Paris and wake up in the Pyrénées-Orientales, right on the border with Andorra?

• Estimated schedule: Departure from Paris-Austerlitz around 10 p.m., arrival in Latour-de-Carol around 10 a.m.

Paris to Cerbère (via Montpellier, Perpignan, and Argelès)

Want to fall asleep in Paris and wake up on the border with Spain, overlooking the Mediterranean?

• Estimated schedule: Departure from Paris-Austerlitz around 9:30 p.m., arrival in Cerbère around 9:15 a.m.
• Good to know: The train also serves the Catalan coast, with stops such as Perpignan, Collioure, and Banyuls-sur-Mer.

Paris–Tarbes / Lourdes

Want to fall asleep in Paris and wake up in the Hautes-Pyrénées?

• Hours: Departure from Paris-Austerlitz in the evening; arrival in Tarbes in the morning.
• Stations served: Les Aubrais, Biganos-Facture, Dax, Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse, Bayonne, Orthez, Pau, Lourdes, Tarbes.
• Good to know: Since late 2024, you can also travel to Gironde or the Landes thanks to two stops along the line: Biganos-Facture (Gironde) and Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse (Landes). From Biganos-Facture, for example, you can reach Arcachon by TER.

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A weekend in Lourdes: nature, culture and sport in the Hautes-Pyrénées

And for winter sports enthusiasts, there's also a special overnight ski train, the Travelski Night Express:

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Car-free skiing: we tested the Travelski Night Express overnight

But come to think of it... why take a night train?

Practical reasons: time savings and cost savings

First of all, as you might expect, taking a night train lets you save money. When you fall asleep in one city and wake up in another, not only You don't notice how time flies since the trip takes place at night, but You save on one night's hotel stay.

You wake up the next morning at your destination, and all you have to do is enjoy your day.

Tolt on a trip!

The “Wow” Factors: A Unique Travel Experience

Saves time, saves money… The overnight train already has everything going for it. But beyond the practical benefits, it lets you above all, to have a different kind of travel experience ! And we really like that about HOURRAIL!

If you've never taken a night train before, here's what the guests who shared their travel stories with us have to say about it on Want a hit? :

Landscapes

“Eating breakfast in your pajamas while watching the scenery go by outside the window is better than a hotel.” - Luc, who traveled 31,000 km through 27 countries on his Interrail trip.

"The Trans-Siberian is like being on another world. "Three and a half days on a train traveling through the wilderness, surrounded by snow and trees as far as the eye can see." - Benjamin, who traveled all the way to Mongolia by train.

Comfort

“Since I was with my dog, we were lucky enough to have a six-berth bunk just for the two of us. “Thanks, Rafiki!” - Marion, who traveled with her Shetland sheepdog, Rafiki, to Stockholm by train.

"The sleeper train through the Carpathians, along with this little traveler's kit, was truly one of the magical moments of this journey." - Anna, on her train trip to Greece.

Encounters and Discoveries

“I love night trains. They’re all different, and you meet all kinds of people. They all have their own little quirks. For example, on Hungarian and Czech trains, they give us a chocolate-filled croissant in the morning.” - Luc, who traveled 31,000 km through 27 countries on his Interrail trip.

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Travelling with a pet: from Lille to Stockholm by train with a dog

Seat, berth, or sleeper car: How do they compare in terms of comfort?

Each company has its own classification system. But most of them offer these 3 travel classes :

• Seating (in open seating or a 6-person compartment): a standard second-class seat, the most economical option.
• Bunk: Typically in rooms for 4 to 6 people, with bedding provided, so you can sleep comfortably.
• Sleeper car: The most luxurious option, with a real bed just like in a hotel, for greater comfort and privacy. Some cabins even have their own private shower and toilet (like ČD’s Deluxe cabins)!

© Thibault Constant - "Seated" option

© Thibault Constant - "Sleeper" option

© Thibault Constant - "Sleeper Car" Option

Other operators, such as SNCF Voyageurs, offer a different option: on overnight Intercités trains, you can choose between seats and berths (in first or second class), but there are no sleeper cars.

And when it comes to charging, don't worry: in the sleeper cars, each passenger has their own individual power outlet (in the seating cars, they're shared). So you won't have any trouble charging your phone!

Good to know: With Nightjet, you can reserve an entire compartment of berths or seats, and breakfast is included on the sleeper train.

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Top 8 of Europe's most comfortable night trains

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He tested all the night trains in Europe: from worst to best

To take it a step further: a little inspiration for your next overnight train adventures!

If you're looking for inspiration for your next night train trips, we highly recommend these articles:

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Two 100% night train itineraries from Brussels

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Paris-Istanbul by night train with @SimplyRailway

There you go. With all this information, you should know everything there is to know about night trains. But the best part is still experiencing it for yourself… Have a great trip!

Written by Sophie Renassia

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.

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