Is a new era of night trains beginning now?
The Good Night Train by European Sleeper – a crowdfunded night train that first ran from Brussels to Berlin and now offers routes to Dresden, Prague, and Venice. Since then, a lot has happened in the night train scene, a new Berlin startup By 2027, it even plans to offer night trains with exclusively private cabins, offering travelers comfort and privacy while competing with airline fares. Is Europe on the verge of a new era of night train travel?
From Brussels to Berlin
Europe's night train network is experiencing a revival, there's no doubt about it. New connections, modern compartments, and private providers are making overnight travel attractive again – from Brussels to Berlin and soon beyond.
The European sleeper has been leading the way for several years: The company was founded as a cooperative in 2021, and now over 4.000 people have participated, collectively contributing around 5,5 million euros. This makes the young company one of the few private night train operators in Europe. The concept: simple, modern, and straightforward. The train leaves Brussels three times a week in the early evening, rolls through Flanders, stops briefly in Amsterdam—and arrives in Berlin at dawn. For some, this is the most romantic way to travel; others book for climate protection reasons, to save on overnight costs, or simply because the journey becomes part of the experience.
New routes to Barcelona
Probably the biggest wish of all night train fans: more destinations. European sleeper is also responding to this – and is planning a really cool connection starting in 2026: from Brussels or Amsterdam to Barcelona. Those boarding in Berlin will then only need two nights to travel via Brussels to Spain. A route to Milan is also in the works.
With three classes – Budget, Classic, and Comfort – the operator aims to cater to a variety of travel needs. The Comfort variant is particularly popular: a maximum of three beds per compartment, a sink, made beds, towels, and little extras like breakfast and a welcome drink. There are also women's compartments and space for around 26 bicycles. The only drawback: accessibility is still lacking.
Nox: Night train reimagined
While European Sleeper offers a modern interpretation of the classic concept, a Berlin start-up goes one step further. Nox aims to transform the night train market starting in 2027 – with a radical approach: exclusively private compartments. This means no mixed couchettes with strangers, but rather secluded spaces throughout, reminiscent of small hotel rooms on rails.
The young company is focusing on a completely new train design and a product specifically geared toward comfort and privacy. Three room categories will be available in the future: Single Loft Rooms, Double Loft Rooms, and Double Vista Rooms. In the Loft Rooms, travelers reach the loft beds via sturdy, fold-out ladders; separate seating areas, large tables, and ample storage space ensure comfort. The beds are designed as single or double beds and are oriented vertically to the direction of travel.
The Vista Rooms offer level access to the lower bunk, flexible seating with fold-down beds, and a large table. The upper bunk, in particular, offers a fantastic view of the passing landscape directly from the comfort of your bed. Tickets are available for as little as €79 one-way per night.
The future travels overnight
Just a few years ago, the chapter on night trains seemed almost over. Today, however, a growing network is emerging in Europe with increasingly better connections and concepts. Those traveling through Europe in the coming years will increasingly have the choice between flying and taking the night train. If prices reach or remain at a reasonable level (unfortunately still the biggest sticking point for many), night travel could become the first choice for more and more people.
What do you think: night train travel – yes or no?
© Photos: unsplash / PLaton Matakaev, IMAGO / ANP, unsplash / Flo's
Nadine Pinezits
Nadine is a freelance editor and copywriter. She lives in Austria and commutes between Salzburg and Vienna. This means she is either in the mountains or in the urban jungle, but at the same time tries to spend as much time as possible in her beloved country, Portugal.
4 Comments
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Cornelia Banisch
I'm on the night train just before the Corona shutdown.
Traveling from Hendaye to Lisbon... it was more like a train with the motto: "No picking flowers while the train is moving"... expensive and completely lacking in comfort, but adventurous, and you could eat incredibly cheaply in the train's restaurant car. Unfortunately, this connection no longer exists... it would be nice if it could be reinstated, perhaps with a bit more space in the compartment at night... -
Daniel
A few years ago, I took the night train from Munich to Paris. For around €200, I had my own compartment and breakfast. Arriving in Paris refreshed at sunrise – a fantastic experience.
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Andre
That would require significantly more connections and/or significantly lower prices. If I want to travel from Munich to Barcelona today, it takes me three days by night train (Munich - Berlin - Brussels - Barcelona) compared to a 90-minute flight…
Ulla Maurer
In the mid-8s, I regularly took the night train from Frankfurt to Vienna. It was affordable and a comfortable eight-hour journey! Unfortunately, there are no boarding points in Frankfurt, and changing trains in the evening is often inconvenient.
I regularly follow the news from European Sleeper, and here too, I notice that we don't have a direct connection in Frankfurt. In the spring, I'll try the ÖBB train to Venice via Stuttgart!
I hope to be able to use a night train more often in the future!