european sleeper train journeys

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Seven of the best European sleeper train routes for 2022 ​

Europe’s railways are being revolutionised by a new generation of sleeper trains with plush cabins, speedy wi-fi and even handcrafted cocktails. Discover seven of the best new routes for a memorable, sustainable way to explore the continent.

A cry for more environmentally friendly travel is leading to a European sleeper train renaissance. These gilded overnighters once crisscrossed the continent but became nearly extinct with the rise in cheap flights. What remained were mostly luxe locomotives or budget bunks for backpackers. But a raft of new routes — many running on renewable energy — marks an exciting new era of overnight rail travel, with stylish cabins and in-cabin entertainment now par for the course, and luxury operators revamping their offering as well. Riding the red-eye rail is often more peaceful and streamlined, too, allowing travellers to doze off in one city centre and wake in another without long airport queues, liquid limits and lost baggage, while saving on the cost of a hotel room.

1. Amsterdam to Zurich

Nightjet , from Austrian firm ÖBB, has been a catalyst for the sleeper boom since it started rolling out night routes after its launch in 2016. New to its network is a 12-hour overnight route connecting the Netherlands with Switzerland, via Cologne and Frankfurt in Germany. The train also links with the Eurostar in Amsterdam, so those travelling from London can hop on board and snooze their way south. In addition to affordable fares, Nightjet’s accommodation is varied, spanning seating carriages and four-berth couchettes to private en suite sleeper cabins with a Viennese breakfast. Couchette fares from €49.90 (£42).  

2. Paris to Rome

Leap into the lap of luxury on this new route between two of Europe’s most stylish capital cities. Following the expansion of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in the last two years, Belmond relaunched the train’s Rome route this April after a 14-year hiatus. Guests can board elaborately restored 1920s carriages for a glass of Champagne before tucking into a four-course dinner with cheese board, coffee and petits fours for good measure. The bar car is the next stop for tipples and tunes on the Baby Grand before bed. Private cabins with steward service range from a wood-panelled twin with banquette-turned-berth to a palatial Grand Suite. Twin Cabin from £3,885.  

3. Stockholm to Hamburg

Sweden will feel even closer to the European mainland with SJ’s soon-to-launch sleeper. From September, the SJ EuroNight will be the first daily, year-round night train between Sweden and the rest of the continent. Departing stylish Stockholm around 5.30pm, the train will zip through Malmö, Copenhagen and Odense before arriving the following morning to Hamburg, a port city crossed with canals and fuelled with buzzy cafes. It’s also a sustainable ride: the sleeper will run on 100% renewable energy in Sweden. Choose from seating carriages, six-bed couchettes or cosy sleeper compartments with showers. Second class sleeper from €80 (£67).

4. Graz to Warsaw

The daily Vienna-Warsaw Nightjet service takes travellers from the art-filled Austrian capital to the bustling streets of Warsaw. Before boarding the train, take a few days to visit Vienna’s grand palaces and many world-class art museums and galleries, leaving some time to taste Viennese wine in the city’s surrounding vineyards. Departing Vienna around 11pm, the train calls at Ostrava in the Czech Republic before arriving in Warsaw before 9am – leaving you refreshed and ready for exploring Warsaw’s historic inner-city streets and green spaces. Sustainable travellers can rest easy as all Nightjets run on electrified lines and use 100% green energy in Austria. Three-bed sleeper from €190 (£160) each.  

5. Rome to Istanbul

The Orient Express has enjoyed a long luxurious legacy since it sliced across Europe from Paris to Constantinople in 1883. In a murderously exciting comeback, the sleeper is returning to Italy in 2023 with a collection of La Dolce Vita routes, intersecting 14 Italian regions. Two routes will stretch beyond the border to Paris and Split in Croatia, but perhaps the most alluring is the route to Istanbul. This involves an epic overland journey in historic Italian wagons splashed in a bright retro palette; from Rome, the train will stop in Venice before tracing the historic rail route to the peerless Turkish city. After a bed in Rome? The first Orient Express Hotel is set to open in 2024 in a 17th-century palazzo. Fares TBC.  

6. Brussels to Prague

All aboard — a new train is leaving the station this year. European Sleeper is a Dutch-Belgian cooperative launching its first route this summer, which will link Brussels and Prague three times a week. After departing Belgium in the evening, the overnighter will glide through Amsterdam, Berlin and Dresden and arrive 15 hours later in the architectural powerhouse of Prague around 10.30am — leaving plenty of time for a midday Pilsner. A ticket (fares to be announced) will include breakfast, wi-fi and a lie-flat bed. The company has ambitions to introduce a new night train from The Netherlands each year, with Warsaw on the cards for 2023.  

7. Paris to Southern Europe

French start-up Midnight Trains is reimagining the overnight train experience. This affordable ‘hotel on rails’ is set to be a revolutionary ride when it launches in 2024; forget bunking with strangers — travellers will have private compartments in single-, double- or four-bed configurations to share with family or friends. All include en suites, comfy bedding and on-demand films. Opt for room service or slide up to the bar and restaurant for seasonal dishes, craft beers and cocktails. Predicted initial destinations from the company’s Paris hub include Italy and Spain, which will kick-start its ambitious plans to create a network linking the French capital with a dozen major European cities by 2030.  

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Night trains offer a comfortable way to travel by night. From reclining seats to private sleeping cabins, there's a travel option for every wish and budget. Save precious travel time by moving from one destination to the next while you sleep.

Most European night trains are included in the Eurail passes. You’ll just need to reserve and pay for your preferred sleeping accommodation type in addition to your pass.

Don't forget about your seat reservations!

High-speed trains in Europe require a seat reservation, most commonly in France, Italy, and Spain. Reservation fees are charged by the railway carriers, and are not included in your Eurail Pass. Read all about reservations  →

Reservations for night trains

Reservations are mandatory for all night trains. Depending on the train, you can make these reservations online, by phone or through our reservation service. A reservation guarantees you a seat or a bed on the train. 

Night trains have a number of accommodation options, ranging from reclining seats to single cabins with private bathrooms. You will pay a higher reservation fee for the more luxurious options.

Read more about reservations or check out the reservation fees for night trains .

Travel days for night trains

When traveling on a night train, you only have to write down the day of departure . For example, if you travel on a night train from August 9 to 10, you only write down August 9.

On the day of departure of the night train, you can take as many trains as you want; it's on the same day after all. If you take another train after the night train has arrived, you'll have to use a new travel day.

If you have a need for speed, or want to travel at night to save costs, we've got you covered.

Find out more about the many other train types in Europe. 

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European night trains: Seven great sleeper services

Posted on Last updated: July 11, 2023

Travel across Europe while you sleep on board these European night trains, a sustainable and good-value way to explore the continent, with seven great routes from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean.

* This site contains affiliate links , where I get a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.

AD: This post is brought to you in association with Omio

European night trains have seen a resurgence recently, with new routes opening up as an increasing number of people try to reduce their environmental impact and travel more slowly and sustainably by flying less. And they make a great alternative to flying, with no airport queues or sneaky extra fees for checking luggage or reserving a seat.

I’ve travelled by night train all over the world, and as well as being a good way to save on accommodation costs, sleepers are also an adventure in themselves. You can gaze out of the window watching the scenery go by, read a book and have a picnic. Then go to sleep on a proper flat bed and arrive into the city centre the next morning ready to explore.

So if you fancy trying out an overnight train journey, here are seven great European night trains to inspire you, taking you all the way from Sicily to Lapland. And we also share our tips for planning your trip and choosing accommodation on board.

A guide to sleeper train accommodation

Facilities vary from train to train, but in general there are three main types of accommodation on European night trains: sleeper compartments, couchettes and seats.

Sleeper compartments are the most comfortable – and expensive – option. These small cabins have three fold-down beds, with one above each other, but they’re not always all used so can be set up as a single, double or triple room. The lower bed becomes a seat in the daytime and the beds are made up by your sleeper attendant at night.

Compartments have a washbasin, towels and toiletries. Toilets are usually at the end of the carriage, though some routes have en-suite compartments with toilets and showers.

Next up are the couchettes, which sleep either four or six people on more basic bunk beds. By day there are two benches which face each other and at night the bunks fold down from the wall. You’re given a sheet, pillow and blanket so you can make your own bed at night, and there are shared bathrooms at the end of each carriage.

And the cheapest option are the seats. They usually recline with a bit more leg room than you would get on a regular train, but you can’t lie flat and the lights often stay on all night so you’re not likely to get a particularly good night’s sleep. So if possible it’s usually worth upgrading to a couchette or sleeper compartment for the night.

Sleeper train travel tips

Food and drink : Many European sleeper services have a café or dining car on board – but not all, so check in advance what’s available and stock up on supplies of water, drinks and snacks before you get on board. Some sleeper fares include breakfast but it’s usually something basic like coffee and a pastry so you may want to bring your own.

Sleeping : Sleeper trains can be quite noisy so ear plugs are useful – and an eye mask to block the light if you’re in a seat. It’s less common to be woken up to have your passport checked at borders now but does happen on some Eastern European routes.

Luggage : There are usually luggage racks in sleeper compartments where you can store your bags. But they’re not always easy to get to in the night so it’s a good idea to carry a smaller bag with overnight essentials and keep any valuables on you.

Sharing cabins : If you book a single berth in a sleeper compartment you will normally have to share a room with others of the same gender. But couchettes are usually mixed so you may have to share with a mix of men and women.

What to wear : Dress comfortably as you’ll be spending a lot of time sitting around. Passengers in sleeper compartments usually change before bed, but those in couchettes don’t usually get changed so wear something you can sleep in. And flip flops are useful for midnight trips to the bathroom if you don’t have an en-suite.

On arrival : Most sleeper services arrive into their destination early in the morning, so if you want to head out exploring straight away you can often store your bags at your hotel before check in. There are also left luggage services at most most major train stations or you can use a service like Stasher to store bags in hotels or shops.

How to book night trains

You can book tickets for European night trains using the Omio app or website. Once you’re booked, you can either download an electronic ticket and show it to the ticket inspector on your phone or print out a paper copy of your ticket. Most services go on sale six months in advance with airline-style pricing, so the cheapest tickets sell out first.

Seven great European night trains

1. The Caledonian Sleeper (London > Scotland)

Wake up to see the sun rise over the mountains, moors and lochs of the Scottish Highlands on board the Caledonian Sleeper . It’s one of only two sleeper trains in the UK (the country’s too small to fit in any more) which runs from London to Scotland every night except Saturdays on two different routes in recently upgraded, luxurious trains.

The Lowland Sleeper takes you to Edinburgh and Glasgow in 7.5 hours, leaving London just before midnight. Or for more chance to enjoy Scotland’s spectacular scenery, the Highland Sleeper leaves London around 9.15pm and splits en route into three sections to reach Fort William (12.5 hours), Inverness (11.5 hours) and Aberdeen (10.5 hours).

On board you can choose from reclining seats or three types of cabins. Classic rooms sleep up to two in upper and lower bunks and have a sink with towels and toiletries. Club rooms are similar but with an en-suite shower and toilet and breakfast included.

Or you can splash out on a night in a Caledonian Double, an en-suite room with a double bed. Sleeper passengers can enjoy a traditional Scottish dinner of haggis, neeps and tatties with a whisky nightcap in the sociable lounge car before retiring for the night.

2. The Night Riviera Sleeper (London > Cornwall)

The UK’s other overnight train service runs from London to Penzance in Cornwall , with connections that make it easy to reach seaside destinations like Newquay, Falmouth and St Ives . The Night Riviera Sleeper runs every night except Saturdays and takes 8 hours to reach Penzance, so you’ll wake up in time to admire the sea views.

These sleeper trains had a makeover in 2018 so you can can spend the night in comfort in a private single or twin sleeper compartment, with a washbasin and towel and toiletries. There are toilets at the end of each carriage, and although there are no showers you have access to showers in the first-class lounges in Paddington, Truro and Penzance.

There’s also a comfortable lounge car for sleeper passengers which sells drinks and snacks (with a takeway counter for seat passengers). And an early morning bowl of cereal, a croissant or bacon roll is included in the sleeper fare to start your day.

3. Intercités de Nuit (Paris > South of France)

The recently restarted Intercités de Nuit service whisks passengers from Paris to the South of France, in a time efficient-trip which departs Paris Gare d’Austerlitz at 9.20pm and arrives into the glamorous resorts of the Côte d’Azur around 8 hours later.

One service heads to St Raphael, Cannes, Antibes and Nice, and there’s also a summer-only route from Paris to Carcassone and Perpignan and routes to Briançon in the Alps and Latour de Carol on the Spanish border, where you can connect on to Barcelona.

There are reclining seats and 1st and 2nd class couchettes (with four berths in 1st class and six berths in 2nd class). They’re usually mixed but some are reserved for women and children – or you can book a whole couchette to yourself. There’s no café but you can pre-order food online or pack a French-style picnic of bread, cheese and wine.

4. InterCityNotte (Milan > Sicily)

Travel all the way to Sicily by train on this quirky sleeper service, where the train travels on board a ferry. The InterCityNotte sleeper service to Sicily runs every day, leaving Milan at 8.10pm and travelling down the west coast of Italy during the night.

You wake up to views of the Calabrian coast on the way to Villa San Giovanni, where the train is split into four and loaded onto a ferry to cross the Straits of Messina. The crossing only takes 20 minutes, but you can get off the train to see the views.

Once in Sicily the train splits into two sections so you can reach Taormina (18 hours), Catania (19.5 hours) and Siracuse (20.5 hours) on one branch or Cefalù (21 hours) and Palermo (22 hours) on the other. It’s not the quickest way to reach Sicily but a really relaxing journey where you can soak up the scenery, read and nap.

The trains have sleeping cars and couchettes, but no seats. Standard sleepers have one, two or three beds and a washbasin. Or the four-berth Comfort couchettes are a cheaper option. There are toilets at the end of each carriage but no café so bring supplies.

5. ÖBB Nightjet (Paris > Vienna)

Nightjet trains are comfortable overnight services run by ÖBB (Austrian Railways) on various routes around Europe. And one of their newest services connects Paris with Vienna, and travels along part of the route of the legendary Orient Express.

The train leaves Paris Gare de L’Est station at 8pm on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday nights. It speeds across Northern France to Strasbourg then travels on through Munich , Salzburg and Linz, before finally arriving into Vienna 14 hours later.

On board there are single, double or triple sleeper compartments (standard versions with a washbasin or deluxe versions with toilets). There are also four- or six-berth couchettes and seats. There’s no restaurant, but sleeper passengers get an Austrian breakfast (rolls with jam and coffee) and you can get food and drink delivered to your room.

6. Snälltåget (Berlin > Stockholm)

After the Berlin to Malmö train service was cancelled during the pandemic, Swedish train operator Snälltåget took it on and launched a new route, which runs from April to September and also connects Berlin to the Swedish capital Stockholm.

The train leaves Berlin around 9pm and calls in Hamburg before travelling overnight across Germany and Denmark, crossing the Great Belt Bridge and Øresund Bridge on the way to Malmö (10.5 hours) and Stockholm (17 hours). It’s one of the greenest European night trains too, with all power coming from renewable energy sources.

There’s a choice of six-berth couchettes (which can be booked as private compartments for groups) and seats, with bathrooms at the end of the carriage. There’s a restaurant on board known as Krogen (‘The Pub’) which is open between Malmö and Stockholm, and vice versa, plus a counter for drinks and snacks the rest of the time.

7. The Santa Claus Express (Helsinki > Rovaniemi)

Head to the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland on board the wonderfully named Santa Claus Express. The train departs from Helsinki and travels north to Rovaniemi – official home of Santa Claus – and on to Kemijärvi, just above the Arctic Circle, in around 12 hours.

Scandinavia’s high prices make the Santa Claus Express a bargain, especially if you book in advance. It has double-decker carriages with seats and sleeper compartments for one/two people – with washbasins and shared bathrooms downstairs or en-suite toilets and showers upstairs. There’s also a café-bar where you can get food and drink.

There are departures around 7pm and 11pm every day. In summer you can watch the snowy scenery from the window all night as it never gets dark under the midnight sun. Or in winter you might get lucky and see the Northern Lights as you travel.

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Andrew Warren

Sunday 8th of January 2023

Absolutely fascinating. But why are there still no night trains that reach the southern half of mainland italy?

Lucy Dodsworth

Saturday 14th of January 2023

Hi Andrew, this is just a sample of the night trains in Europe, there are a lot more in Italy including services from Rome or Milan to Lecce, Turin to Salerno and Milan to Sicily.

17 Best Sleeper Train Journeys In The World (Luxury & Budget)

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17 Of The Best Sleeper Train Journeys In The World (Luxury & Budget)

• Sleeper trains are a cost-effective option that combines accommodation and transportation, making them ideal for budget travelers or those seeking a luxurious experience.
• From the OBB NightJet in Europe to the Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia, there are sleeper train journeys available around the world that cater to all types of travelers.
• Prices for sleeper train tickets vary depending on the route and level of luxury, but there are affordable options starting at $29, making sleeper trains accessible for many.

Sleeper trains are becoming more popular than ever, and it’s easy to see why. Not only do they combine two key costs for travelers (accommodation and transportation), making a journey more affordable, but there are sleeper trains around the world for all types of travelers.

Whether travelers are backpacking on a budget or looking for a luxurious experience in a first-class cabin, the perfect overnight train exists. These are 17 of the best sleeper train journeys around the world, and there’s something for every type of traveler.

UPDATE: 2023/10/03 14:39 EST BY MARIA BOU INK

Sleeper train journeys are limitless, but a few of them are remarkable. Therefore, this list was updated to include additional luxurious and on-budget sleeper train trips around the world, so vacationers can choose the best ones close to them for their next travel.

17 Brussels To Vienna, OBB NightJet

With budget-friendly tickets, OBB NightJet is one of the best sleeper trains in the world, not only in Europe. The outstanding amenities are the highlight of the service. The cost of the ticket includes a modest breakfast with tea and coffee as well as access to an ensuite bathroom and shower. Additionally, a welcome package with beverages, towels, earplugs, and snacks is given to customers. Moreover, air conditioning and lockable compartments are both provided.

• Prices: Starting at €29 ($30.35) per passenger

Bicycles and dogs are allowed on board.

16 New York To Miami, Silver Meteor Or Silver Star

If looking for a train experience that includes magnificent scenery, interesting history, and fascinating culture, passengers can make a reservation on one of Amtrak's Silver Meteor or Silver Star trains, which cruise down America's east coast between New York and Miami. Passengers have the possibility to stop along the route to break up the trip's 29-hour overall duration. Highlights include Charleston, where there are many historical museums and superb restaurants; Tampa, where there are many mesmerizing white sandy beaches; and Orlando, where there are many family-friendly activities.

• Prices: Starting at $130 for a one-way trip

15 Paris To Venice, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Most people have heard of the Orient Express from the famous novel by Agatha Christie entitled “Murder on the Orient Express.” In real life, the train runs across Europe from London to Istanbul. However, the most popular sleeper train route is from Paris to Venice, which takes around 20.5 hours to complete , meaning passengers spend 1 night bunking on the train. Travelers can choose to book a single cabin, a twin cabin, a suite, or a grand suite, depending on their budget.

• Prices: Starting at £3745 (4517.4) per passenger for a twin cabin

Experience the same all-inclusive luxury you'd get onboard a cruise ship while traveling overland on one of these epic train journeys!

14 Hanoi To Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Vietnam is a favorite country to visit among backpackers who are traveling around Southeast Asia. Given how long and narrow the country is, a sleeper train is a great way to get from the northern capital city of Hanoi to the southern city of Ho Chi Minh without riding on a motorbike. This sleeper train route is suitable for the budget traveler, only costing around $40 for the 32 to 37-hour journey .

Depending on how much passengers are willing to spend on a ticket, they can choose from several seat classes. These are 3rd class (hard wooden seats), 2nd class (soft seats with AC), 2nd class (sleeper with 6 beds per compartment, with AC), or 1st class (sleeper with 4 beds per compartment, with AC).

• Prices: Starting at $40 per passenger

13 Zambia To Tanzania, TAZARA Railway

Train travel might not be the first thing that comes to mind when travelers imagine exploring Southern Africa, but spending a night on the TAZARA Railway’s sleeper train is an excellent way to travel between Zambia and Tanzania. TAZARA stands for Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority. The journey takes two nights, running passengers between Kapiri Mposhi and Dar es Salaam. The trains have sleeper cabins and a restaurant car for a comfortable journey across Africa.

• Prices: A 2nd class sleeper cabin ticket costs 84,600 Tanzanian shillings (around $36.29), and a 1st class sleeper cabin costs 104,000 Tanzanian shillings (around $44.62).

Aptly described as a "hotel on rails," the Caledonian Express is an unforgettable journey from London, England to the heart of the Scottish Highlands.

12 London, England To Scotland, Caledonian Sleeper

Travelers exploring the UK can forget flying and opt for a comfortable overnight train journey through the Scottish Highlands instead. The Caledonian Sleeper transports passengers from London to various destinations around Scotland, such as Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Inverness. The sleeper cabins are designed to be exceptionally comfortable, complete with a Glencraft mattress.

Passengers can book the more basic Classic Room, which has twin bunk beds and an in-room wash basin, or they can go for a more high-end Club Room, which includes breakfast. If they prefer a double bed to bunk beds, book the Caledonian Double Cabin instead. Passengers should book in advance because these spaces fill up quickly.

• Prices: Starting at £225 ($271.4) for a classic room from London to Glasgow

11 Moscow, Russia To Beijing, China, Trans-Siberian Railway

The Trans-Siberian Railway is one of the greatest adventures in the world, taking passengers across the vast country of Russia to Mongolia or China. Taking the train from Moscow to Beijing takes 16 days, but there are several stops along the way, including the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar . When riding the Trans-Siberian railway, passengers can choose from a variety of cabin types.

The Standard cabin sleeps 4 people in a bunk bed formation; the Classic and Superior cabins sleep 2 people. Private cabins can also be booked.

• Prices: Starting at €650 ($681.2) per passenger

With tickets selling for under $40, the spectacular Bar-to-Belgrade route is one of Europe’s least-known rail journeys—and arguably its most scenic.

10 Delhi To Mumbai, India, Maharajas’ Express

The Indian Splendour route on the Maharajas’ Express is a grand tour of India from the bustling streets of Delhi to the majestic buildings of Mumbai that takes 6 nights and 7 days. Destinations along the way include Agra, Ranthambore, Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Udaipur. This is a luxury travel experience that doesn’t come cheap.

• Prices: Starting at $5820 for a single passenger in a deluxe cabin

9 Pretoria To Capetown, South Africa, The Blue Train

The Blue Train route from Pretoria to Capetown, South Africa, takes two nights and offers spectacular views of the African countryside. Train tickets on The Blue Train include all meals, a sleeper cabin, high tea, drinks, and one excursion in Kimberley. Passengers can choose to book a Deluxe Suite or a Luxury Suite, depending on their budget.

• Prices: Starting at R36 945 ($1,915.8) in low season and at R45 145 ($2,341) in high season

8 Oslo To Bergen, Norway

The train ride from Oslo to Bergen is one of the world's most scenic journeys. The distance between these Norwegian cities isn’t as vast as some other sleeper train journeys around the world, but it’s still possible to book a sleeper cabin for the 7.5-hour trip.

• Prices: Starting at $59 for a sleeper accommodation which a passenger books for themselves (there are no shared cabins with other passengers).

7 Bangkok To Chiang Mai, Thailand

Traveling in Thailand has never been more accessible since the introduction of the sleeper train running between Bangkok, where most international flights land, and Chiang Mai, the digital nomad paradise of the North . There are two options when booking a sleeper journey on this train: passengers can book 2nd class sleeper seats (with air conditioning) or 1st class sleeper seats (with air conditioning). The 2nd class booking includes a lie-flat seat in a shared train car, while the 1st class seat offers a private cabin. The journey takes just over 12 hours to complete when the trains are running on time.

• Prices: Starting at 1,453 THB ($39.20) for a first-class sleeper

6 Cusco To Arequipa, Peru, Belmond Andean Explorer

Explore the Peruvian Andes from the comfort of a luxury train car. The Belmond Andean Explorer offers sleeper accommodation for passengers traveling between Cusco and Arequipa. It’s possible to book bunk bed cabins, twin bed cabins, or suite cabins. The train also has a lounge car, an upscale dining car, an observation car for appreciating the impressive landscapes whizzing past, and an onboard spa. The Peruvian Highlands route takes 3 days and 2 nights to complete , from Cusco to Arequipa via Puno.

• Prices: Single occupancy tickets start at around $3,940

5 Chicago To San Francisco, On The California Zephyr

Embarking on this 2,400-mile (3,900 km) journey takes travelers from the shores of the Great Lakes in Chicago to the Pacific Coast in San Francisco. This route is run by the California Zephyr and takes some of the most incredible terrains the USA has to offer. While travelers relax in their accommodations, the train tackles sheer gorges, hot desert, snowy mountains, and plenty of tunnels and switchbacks. These tracks were the first to cross the Continental Divide to link the Atlantic and Pacific. Now Travelers need to simply arrive at the station in Chicago before 2 pm, and they will be swept away to the West Coast. Book early for the best prices.

• Prices: Starting at $150 per passenger

4 Brisbane To Longreach, Australia

Many of the best overnight trains in Australia are multiple-day rides, such as the Ghan that runs through Australia's "Red Centre" between Darwin and Adelaide and the Indian Pacific that links Perth and Sydney. The Spirit of the Outback running from Brisbane to Longreach is just over a day long, with much of the trip happening at night when travelers are sleeping. The ride itself takes travelers intimately close to and along the coast before it turns inland to the stunning landscape of Australia's outback.

• Prices: Starting at $140 per passenger

3 Amtrak Auto Route - Washington D.C. To Orlando, Florida

Amtrak is the national train carrier of the United States and offers a number of overnight sleeper options on its trains . Of these, the Amtrak Auto Route is arguably the most unique. The Amtrak Auto Route doesn't just have accommodation for the passengers to sleep on board, but also its passenger cars. That's right, on this train; people can bring their car onto the train. The Auto Route runs from Washington D.C. to near Orlando and spares passengers from the hassle of driving down to Florida by themselves.

• Prices: Starting at $95 per passenger

2 Deccan Odyssey: A Palace On Wheels

The Deccan Odyssey is one of the most luxurious train rides in the world . It has been designed as a palace on wheels and explores some of the most iconic attractions in India. Passengers are dotted upon as though they were Maharaja royalty, and the train celebrates the best of the heritage of the Rajasthan region of India. Enjoy impeccable service, rich Indian heritage, and one of the most comfortable train accommodations found anywhere.

• Prices: $8,330 per passenger in a deluxe cabin for single occupancy

1 Royal Scotsman, Scottish Highlands

The Royal Scotsman may be one of the most luxurious and one of the most expensive train rides in the world. There are multiple rides to select from around the Scottish Highlands, the Scottish Lowlands, and even in England. Like the Deccan Odyssey, the Royal Scotsman is a palace on wheels with a range of package tour options. The train cars of the Royal Scotsman combine Edwardian elegance with the comforts of a country house.

• Prices: Starting at $4,675 per passenger

The best train rides in Europe: 10 amazing journeys for 2024

Jan 16, 2024 • 8 min read

Incredible scenery awaits traveling through the Bernese Alps; Jungfrau, Switzerland © Thomas Barwick / Getty

There’s something magical about a journey by train.

Sometimes the magic is inside – on a train you have room to move and meet people, dine in a restaurant car with white tablecloths, and sleep in a private compartment between crisp, clean sheets with the sound of steel wheels swishing on the rails beneath you. Sometimes the magic is outside, in the landscape the train traverses – an adventure, an experience, an insight into the heart of a nation.

Below are some of the most beautiful train rides in Europe – some well known, some less so, some luxurious and expensive, others true bargains. From countryside views and mountain villages to alpine passes and landmark bridges (with a little wildlife spotting thrown in for good measure), the continent offers up some of the most scenic train rides in the world.

The best European train trips include the fabulous Bernina Express, the most enchanting Swiss Alpine ride of all, and the spectacular railway from Belgrade to Bar through the mountains of Montenegro . The latter is one of the most scenic train rides you’ve probably never heard of, with a bargain fare of just €21. So here they are, the 10 best train journeys in Europe, extracted from Lonely Planet's Amazing Train Journeys .

1. Settle to Carlisle, England

Route: Settle to Carlisle Best bit? Marveling at the Ribblehead Viaduct, one of the great views of northern England , preferably as a steam train thunders over. Distance:  113km (73 miles) Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes

England’s Settle-to-Carlisle line has long been synonymous with the fight to preserve beautiful and historic stretches of railway. But this is no heritage line. Proudly part of the British rail network and served by regular mainline trains, the railway enjoys a double life as a frequent host of steam specials and, even rarer, steam-hauled mainline services.

Whether you have the whiff of steam in your nostrils or the hard-working growl of diesel-hauled regular trains in your ears, the views from the carriages are pretty much unmatched on the English railway network.

Passengers can feast their eyes on mile after mile of magnificent Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines scenery, interrupted only by stations so sweet you would expect to find them pictured on a box of biscuits.

2. Le Petit Train Jaune, France

Route: Villefranche-de-Conflent to Latour-de-Carol Best bit? Holding your breath as you cross the gravity-defying Pont Gisclard. Distance:  63km (39 miles) Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes

Since 1910, the dinky, sunflower-yellow carriages of the Ligne de Cerdagne have been rattling and clattering their way through the rolling forests and saw-toothed mountains of the Pyrenees , and they have secured a special place in the hearts of many French travelers.

Affectionately known as the Canary, or Le Petit Train Jaune (Little Yellow Train), this mountain railway is frequently cited as the most scenic in France , but it’s definitely not a luxury service – it’s a rollercoaster ride on which you will feel the wind in your hair and the chill of the mountain breeze as you ratchet your way up to the highest train station in France. On y va!

3. Belgrade-to-Bar Railway, Serbia and Montenegro

Route: Belgrade to Bar Best bit? Levitating atop the 499m-long (1637ft), 198m-tall (650ft) Mala Rijeka Viaduct, one of the planet’s highest railway bridges, before the train glides over the Balkans’ largest lake, Skadar. Distance: 476km (296 miles) Duration: 12 hours

Dramatic is the operative word for this route, which rumbles over an unsullied, mountainous landscape from Serbia 's capital, Belgrade , to Montenegro ’s Adriatic Coast . During the 12-hour journey, the train disappears into the Dinaric Alps, charges through canyons, teeters on stilted bridges spanning river gorges and skims atop an ancient, tectonic lake.

Like the region it serves, the railway, which chugs across the heart of the Western Balkans , eludes most tourists’ maps. The reward for treasure-hunting travelers, who are informed (or lucky) enough to know where to dig: an embarrassment of authentic culture and pristine geographic riches at every bend.

4. The Bernina Express, Switzerland

Route: Chur to Tirano Best bit? Marveling at the astonishingly turquoise Lago Bianco from the route’s highest station, Ospizio Bernina (2253m/7392ft). Distance: 156km (96 miles) Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes

We can wax lyrical about the glacier-capped mountains, waterfall-draped ravines, jewel-colored lakes and endless spruce forests glimpsed through panoramic windows on Switzerland ’s Bernina Express – but, trust us, seeing is believing.

Rolling from Chur in Graubünden to Tirano in northern Italy in around four hours, this narrow-gauge train often tops polls of the world’s most beautiful rail journeys. It's certainly one of the most scenic train journeys in Switzerland.

Beyond the phenomenal Alpine landscape, the railway itself is a masterpiece of early 20th-century engineering, taking 55 tunnels and 196 bridges in its stride. The line is on the UNESCO World Heritage List – and with good reason.

5. The Heart of Wales Line, Wales and England

Route: Swansea to Shrewsbury Best bit? Disembarking at lonely Sugar Loaf Station for a walk or picnic around the iconic nearby knoll of the same name. Distance: 194km (121 miles) Duration: 4 hours

This is Swansea to Shrewsbury the slow and, frankly, surreal way. This one-carriage train traverses track through Wales and England that might easily have been consigned to a museum or an out-of-print book, but that has somehow defied time and logic to survive as a passenger route.

Expect a spectrum of scenery, alternating from the sand-edged estuaries of South Wales, via bucolic farming towns and tracts of forest and hill country you probably never knew existed, through to one of England’s prettiest medieval cities. This four-hour, 34-station zigzag passes almost no major sights or countryside villages, but a very high concentration of spectacularly zany ones.

6. Munich to Venice on the Brenner Railway, Germany, Austria and Italy

Route: Munich to Venice Best bit? Stretching your legs at 1371m (4498ft) Brenner Pass, the highest point on the trip. Distance:  563km (350 miles) Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes

The Brenner Railway is attractive for two key reasons: mountains and wine. There may be more technically astonishing high-altitude trains, but this was the first to cross the Alps, in the 1860s.

On a surprisingly speedy day trip, you pass through three countries – Germany , Austria and Italy – and descend from the snow line to sea level. You’re rarely far from highways, but the vineyard views are still stunning. Bonus: great European cities with historic architecture – Munich and Venice – are at either end.

7. The Kyle of Lochalsh Line, Scotland

Route: Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh Best bit? Passing under the gentle grassy slopes of Fionn Bheinn – a munro rising high over Achnasheen. Distance:  135km (84 miles) Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Scotland has an abundance of windswept railways – the West Highland Line and the Far North Line to Thurso among them. Though comparatively unsung, perhaps the loneliest of all is the Kyle of Lochalsh Line – with trains rumbling doggedly from Inverness through desolate glens and past snowy munros, connecting the cold shores of the North Sea to the furious whitewater of the Atlantic.

It is a railway line full of poetry and beloved by aficionados – but it’s also a useful way for independent travelers to access remote nooks of the Highlands, and make a journey to the Isle of Skye.

8. Nova Gorica to Jesenice, Slovenia

Route: Nova Gorica to Jesenice Best bit? Catching a glimpse of picture-perfect Lake Bled’s church, castle and bright-blue water. Distance: 89km (55 miles) Duration: 2 hours

Here is a near-perfect railway adventure that most people have never heard of. Then again, you could be forgiven for missing it. The Bohinj Railway, after all, connects two places whose significance can be lost to modern travelers. Europe’s shifting borders and politics may have rather marooned the Nova Gorica–Jesenice line, but that only adds to the appeal.

An unassuming regional train rattling out of a faded-grandeur halt on the Italy– Slovenia border doesn’t even hint at what’s to come. The journey is a spectacular tour of Slovenia’s upland highlights, climbing through mountain towns and villages along the Soča River, passing through superb Alpine scenery close to Lake Bohinj , and past world-famous Lake Bled , offering photo opportunities galore.

9. The Centovalli Express, Switzerland and Italy

Route: Domodossola to Locarno Best bit? Taking in the Isorno viaduct, the site of Switzerland’s first bungee jump. Distance:  52km (32 miles) Duration: 2 hours

Often eclipsed by Switzerland’s more famous rail rides, this two-hour trundle from Locarno on the palm-rimmed shores of Lake Maggiore to Domodossola over the Italian border in Piedmont is something of an unsung beauty.

Brush up your Italiano to swoon in sync with fellow passengers as the dinky train clatters across 83 bridges and burrows its way through 34 tunnels. The views make for spirit-lifting stuff: waterfalls shooting past cliffside views, hillside vineyards, gracefully arched viaducts, slate-roofed hamlets, glacier-carved ravines and mile after mile of chestnut and beech forests, all set against the puckered backdrop of mountains that are snow-capped in winter.

10. Bergensbanen, Norway

Route: Oslo to Bergen Best bit? Gazing over the soul-stirring landscape of Hardangervidda between Geilo and Finse. Distance: 496km (308 miles) Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes

This astonishing train is one of the wonders of 19th-century railway building, and yet outside Norway hardly anyone knows about it. In just over six hours and some 490km (300 miles), it covers the spectrum of Norway ’s natural splendor: climbing canyons, crossing rivers, burrowing through mountainsides, swooping past fjords and traversing barren icescapes. All aboard for the Oslo to Bergen trainline, Bergensbanen: a mainline into Norwegian nature.

This article was first published Aug 20, 2019 and updated Jan 16, 2024.

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Budget rail travel: These are the best-value sleeper trains in Europe

With welcome packs, bike storage and spectacular views, these budget sleeper train trips are also more enjoyable than taking the plane.

Rail travel is all the rage this summer as travellers continue to opt for environmentally friendly modes of transport.

But trains can still often be more expensive than flying.

To help encourage sustainable choices, booking company Omio has put together a ranking of the best value sleeper train journeys in Europe.

With amenities like welcome packs, bike storage and spectacular views, these budget sleeper train trips are also more enjoyable than taking the plane.

What is Europe’s cheapest sleeper train?

Omio determined Europe’s best-value night train by calculating the cheapest journey per mile and per minute.

The rankings also include a score for services such as bike storage, ensuite showers, air conditioning and wheelchair accessibility.

Europe’s best value sleeper train is from Paris to Nice

The research found that SNCF’s night service from Paris to Nice is the best value for the distance. Passengers can travel 1,088 kilometres for as little as €19 per person.

The route is a popular one, whisking you out of France ’s busy capital and down to the dreamy French Riviera.

It runs once a day and passengers can choose between seating or a couchette - including wheelchair-accessible berths and carriages.

That said, the service ranked low for amenities. Customers are provided with a toiletry kit and bike storage is available.

But there is no cafe or bar car so you should think about having dinner before you board.

Bratislava to Split for the longest journey

ÖBB’s sleeper from Bratislava to Split comes in second place for value for money, with tickets from €29 per person.

Known as the EuroNight, this has private compartments with seating, couchettes and sleeper cabins available.

It’s one of Europe’s longest train journeys , running for 960 minutes, and if you can’t sleep you can watch the wonders of Austria and Croatia rolling past the windows.

Passengers can enjoy breakfast included and free drinks and snacks.

Berlin to Brussels on Europe’s newest sleeper

Taking third place is the European Sleeper , which launched in May this year.

The service offers three classes: seats, comfort couchettes and deluxe. The latter has breakfast included and a wash basin in the compartment. Toilets are along each corridor.

The route is 766 km long and tickets can be purchased for as little as €49 per person.

Munich to La Spezia for the best start to a holiday

ÖBB’s NightJet from Munich in Germany to La Spezia Centrale in Italy takes the fourth spot. It has the lowest starting price per person at €11.

It has excellent amenities including complimentary towels, earplugs, breakfast and snacks. Compartments are equipped with locks and air conditioning.

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This daily route is the perfect start to a holiday in Italy’s Cinque Terre - five villages famed for their colourful houses on the cliffside.

From La Spezia, you can hop on a local train connection that chugs along the coastline.

Brussels to Vienna for the best amenities

Another ÖBB NightJet makes the ranking in fifth place with tickets as low as €29 per person.

The best part of the service is the exceptional amenities. Passengers have access to an ensuite toilet and shower and a small breakfast with tea and coffee included in the ticket price.

Customers receive a welcome pack with towels, earplugs, drinks and snacks. You can bring dogs and bikes onboard. Compartments are lockable and fitted with air conditioning.

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11 Exciting European Night trains and How to Use Them like a Pro

Is this you? You’re on a Europe trip. You’ve been up since 4 am to get this plane, having only just caught it because a taxi happened along. You’ve coughed up three times your airfare to take your suitcase with you.

Now it turns out that this airport “Munich West” is very far west of Munich indeed – more than 70 miles.

Thank God there’s a coach service, for which you duly pay twice your airfare. At 2 pm you finally reach your hotel and flop down and go to sleep.

At 6 pm you’re finally on the Marienplatz, waiting to watch the clock dancers twirling. One day almost wasted.

It doesn’t have to be like this, introducing the best night trains in Europe.

Introducing one of America’s Great Inventions – the Night Train

• The classy option

The economic option

The self-defeating option.

• 1. Munich-Rome
• 2. Munich-Venice
• 3. Vienna-Rome
• 4. Vienna-Venice
• 5. Paris-Venice
• 6. Nice-Moscow
• 7. Lisbon-Hendaye (-Paris)
• 8. Warsaw-Kraków-Budapest/Vienna/Prague
• 9. Budapest-Bucharest
• 10. London-Scotland
• 11. Vienna-Kiev

In the Evening

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You could have been on a European night train, covering the distance in your sleep, waking up at a civilized hour in the city center.

George Pullman built the first railway coach with sleeping compartments in 1864. His first full hotel train with sleeping and dining cars ran in 1867.

Georges Nagelmackers, a Belgian businessman, got a concession to introduce trains like this in Europe in 1872. The Orient Express was born.

What the Europeans have Done with the Night Train

While long-distance rail travel has plummeted in the USA, in Europe it is still a popular mode of travel, and night trains are a crucial part of the mix. In Western Europe, they have been declining because of ever faster day trains and low-cost airlines subsidized up to the eyeballs, but in Central and Eastern Europe they are a pillar of long-distance transport.  

Day trains generally have just seating, but European night trains have cars in which you can lie down and sleep.

Luxury sleeper trains in Europe

Sleeping cars are the most stylish way to travel. You can book a compartment completely for yourself (a single) or share it with one or two other people (double or triple). In addition to your A to B ticket, the berth will cost you between €30-130, depending on the train. Some sleeping car compartments have en-suite showers and toilets. Breakfast is nearly always included free of charge.

Couchettes (coo-SHETTs, from the French, to lie down) are the minimum level of comfort I recommend. A couchette is a bunk in a compartment occupied by four or six people. Four-berth couchettes cost a bit more, but are well worth the extra money, as six-berth couchettes can get rather cramped and stuffy. A couchette will set you back between €8 and €40. Breakfast is included free of charge on some trains, the Nightjets for instance.

These are normal day train cars used at night. Saving money here will cost you. It will cost you sleep, and possibly your phone, your money or your bag if you nod off with your stuff within reach of strangers. It will definitely cost you the next day at your destination, as you’ll be a wreck. Avoid. Avoid by booking in advance when possible.

11 Europe Night Train Routes

Some of these trains have unique names, e.g. Caledonian Sleeper, Sud Express.  Some are part of a branded network like the  Nightjet and Thello trains. Yet others call themselves Euronights (EN) with an extra name, so EN 446/447 Jan Kiepura   (sadly discontinued) or EN 463/462 Kálmán Imre.  

The numbers are unique for each train. Uneven numbers are southbound services, even numbers are northbound.

Thus Nightjet 295 is the Nightjet service from Munich to Rome, and Nightjet 294 is the Nightjet from Rome to Munich.

1. Night Train from Munich, Germany/Salzburg, Austria to Rome/Florence/Milan, Italy

From Munich to Rome, via Salzburg, Bologna, and Florence. Some carriages split off at Villach and go to Milan. Leaves Munich at 8 PM and reaches Rome at 9 AM. On the return trip, it leaves Rome at 7 PM, reaching Munich at 8 AM the next morning.

Part of the Austrian Railways’ Nightjet network. It comes with seats, couchettes, and sleepers. The sleeper car has some compartments with en-suite bathrooms.  

Usually best booked on nightjet.com or oebb.at – the sites are the same.

Accepts Interrail and Eurail passes, but you need to buy a reservation for a berth. This is possible only at the ticket office or over the phone. Also, the cost of a berth is often higher than a swiftly snaffled advance online ticket.

Ticket prices are dynamic. You can book up to 180 days in advance. Seats start at €29, 6-berth couchettes at €49, 4-berth couchettes are €59. Three berth sleepers start at €69, doubles €89, while a single sleeper all to yourself starts at €129.  This pricing applies to all Nightjet services below.

2. Night Train from Munich, Germany to Venice, Italy

From Munich to Venice via Salzburg, Udine, and Treviso. Leaves Munich at 11 PM, arriving Venice 8 AM. On the return journey it leaves Venice at just before 9 PM, arriving Munich just after 6 AM.

Also a Nightjet train, so everything I said above about the Munich-Rome train applies to this train also.

The descent down the Pontebbana railway line from Tarvisio to Udine (5:30-6:30 AM) is one of the most exhilarating train journeys ever. In May and June, imagine whooshing through a valley of billions of poppies, mountains floating by bathed in the early morning sunlight and the Tagliamento river rushing underneath you.

3. Night Train from Vienna, Austria to Rome, Italy

Another Nightjet. Leaves Vienna at 7:20 PM. Joins the Munich-Rome train in the middle of the night. It also has some coaches to Milan that split off in Villach. Arrives at Vienna from Rome at 8:45 AM.

4. Night Train from Vienna, Austria to Venice, Italy

The last Nightjet on my list of favorites. Leaves Vienna at 9:30 PM and joins the Munich-Venice train during the night. Arrives at Vienna from Venice at 8 AM.

5. Night Train from Paris, France to Venice, Italy

From Paris Gâre de Lyon to Venice via Milan and Verona. Thello 221 leaves Paris at 7:10 PM, arriving Milan at 6 AM and Venice around 9:30 AM. Thello 220 departs Venice at 8:15 PM, Milan at 11:15 PM and reaches Paris the next morning at 9:55 AM

This service is run by the Italian Railways and uses old but refurbished Italian cars. Has couchettes and sleepers only, no seats. It also has a restaurant car, serving microwaved fare on plastic plates.  

Best booked on thello.com. or loco2.com. Eurail and Interrail are „accepted“ in as much as you get a 25% reduction on the standard fare, which is a joke, as the price is still higher than a normal ticket booked in advance.

The Thello gets mixed reviews. It is not a premium service. But what it does really well is get you from Paris to Venice and back at a good price and in more comfort than a plane.

Dynamic pricing applies and you can book up to four months in advance. A 6-berth couchette starts at €35. 4-berth couchette comes in at €55, a 3 berth sleeper is €75, a double will set you back €95 and a single €115.

6. Night Train from Nice, France to Moscow, Russia – EN 409408

Once weekly service from Nice to Moscow, via Genoa, Milan, Verona, Innsbruck, Vienna, Warsaw, and Minsk. Run by the Russian Railways.  

One of the most exciting European night trains. Before World War 1 it transported Russian nobility to the French Riviera. It was re-introduced about five years ago with brand new coaches.

Has four-berth sleepers or two-berth sleepers, plus super-deluxe VIP suites. It also has a Polish restaurant car as far as Brest (and trust me, Polish restaurant cars are the best. They still cook real food).  

Best booked through the Russian Railways at pass.rzd.ru (select the English option) as you have more control over your berth, you have access to the super-deluxe cars, and most importantly: you can book, say, from Nice to Vienna. If you just want to go from Nice all the way to Moscow, it is easiest booked from the French railways’ site, en.oui.sncf .  

Interrail and Eurail are not accepted.

This train doesn’t have dynamic pricing. Nice-Moscow is currently €335 in the second class four-berth sleeper, €505 in the first class two-berth sleeper or €1177 in the business class VIP sleeper – you buy a whole compartment which can fit two people. While this sounds expensive, bear in mind that it includes two nights of classy accommodation, a superb restaurant car and 1880 miles of distance, plus the scenery of riding along the Ligurian coast and through the Alps, sleeping Vienna, the mountains of Czechia and Poland, as well as the UNESCO, listed primeval Bia?owie?a forest.

7. Night Train from Lisbon, Portugal to the French Border city of Hendaye (Paris)

From Lisbon through Spain to the French border, where you can get onto a TGV to Paris.  

This train has 1 and 2 berth sleepers, some with en-suite bathroom, 4 berth tourist-class sleepers and open-plan seated cars. I would opt at least for the tourist-class sleeper, as it is only a little more expensive.

Best booked on loco2.com. Eurail and Interrail are accepted, but you have to buy an obligatory reservation.

The Sud Express is another historic name. In its heyday, it went from Lisbon all the way to Saint Petersburg.

Prices start at €28 for a seat from Lisbon to Hendaye, €38 for one berth in a four-berth couchette. Second-class ( P referente) doubles are €135, singles €185. First-class (G ran  Classe)  with en-suite bathroom are €150 for a double and €201 for a single. A return ticket is cheaper.

8. Night Train from Warsaw/Kraków/Bratislava to Budapest/Vienna/Prague EN 406/407

From Warsaw via Kraków and Bratislava to Budapest. Has cars that split off and go to Prague and to Vienna, so you can also book directly from Warsaw and Kraków to these cities and vice versa.  

Has sleeper cars, couchettes, and seated cars. I recommend going for the sleepers, as this is not an expensive train.

Booking is tricky. From Budapest to Poland, use Hungarian Rail’s website mavcsoport.hu/en .   From Prague to Poland, Czech Rail’s website www.cd.cz/eshop and select the English option. For Vienna to Poland, use nightjet.com .  

Out of Poland, Czech Rail also sells tickets on a Night Train to Prague from Warsaw/Kraków to Prague. This is great. Going to Vienna or Budapest, you can get tickets only at the Polish Rail ticket offices at the station. This is not so cool and something the Polish rail company PKP really should remedy.

Eurail and Interrail are accepted, but the train is so cheap that it is rarely worth sacrificing a travel day on it.

From Prague seats start at €19, couchettes at €29, sleepers are €33 for a triple, €40 for a double, €50 for a single.

9. Night Train from Budapest, Hungary to Bucharest, Romania – EN 472473

Budapest to Bucharest via Sibiu and Brasov in Transylvania.

Has seats, six- and four-berth couchettes, and first and second class sleepers. The first-class sleepers have an en-suite shower and toilet.  

To travel from Budapest to Bucharest you can book on Hungarian Rail’s website www.mavcsoport.hu/en . From Bucharest to Budapest you can only get tickets from real ticket offices at stations in Europe. Eurail/Interrail is accepted, but you need a reservation even for a seat.

Seats start at €29, couchettes at €39, sleepers are from €59 for a triple, €79 for a double. I can’t get the Hungarian online system to give me singles. For singles, one would have to book at a station on the ground. Online-issued tickets have to be picked up from a ticket machine in Hungary.

10. Night Train from London, England to Scotland (Edinburgh/Glasgow/Highlands)

A service from London to Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Highlands. Currently operates with single (first class) or double occupancy sleeping cars and extra comfortable seated cars. Also, a lounge car which is only for sleeping car passengers, serving Scottish food.

This service has exciting, brand new coaches coming into service this year, 2018, which will include en-suite bathrooms and double beds. Best booked under sleeper.scot.

The cheapest fares I could find were £50 seated, £90 in a shared sleeper and £140 in a first-class sleeper. It is bookable up to twelve months in advance. This train has dynamic pricing, so what you pay depends on demand.

11. Night Train from Vienna, Austria to Kiev, Ukraine

My favorite. Leaves Vienna about 4:30 PM passes through Budapest at 7 PM.

At the Hungarian-Ukrainian border, your carriage is jacked up with you inside it while cursing Hungarians change the wheels from normal European ones for broader, Russian-style wheels. It then clanks through the Carpathians during the night, arrives at Lviv the following morning and Kiev the following evening.

Has only 1, 2, or 3-berth sleepers. This “train” is actually one or two bright blue Ukrainian carriages that are attached to other trains heading east until they reach Kiev.

There are new coaches in the pipeline, but at the moment it is refurbished, Soviet-era stock running. Nice and warm, very comfortable.

Currently not bookable online. It has to be booked at a ticket office in Austria, Hungary or Ukraine. Doubles cost €70, singles €120. Eurail/Interrail not accepted.

Interrail/Eurail is accepted as far as the Hungarian border. Pass holders pay €47 for a T3 berth to Kiev, €57 for a berth in a double, and €100 for sole occupancy. For L’viv, expect to pay just over half of this.

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Editor: Bonus trains

12. Modern Orient Express Bucharest to Istanbul

This Modern Orient Express leaves Bucharest at 1 pm in the afternoon and arrives in Istanbul at 7 am. 

How Night Train Journeys Unfold

• At the station, you will look at your ticket and see the train number, your destination and also which berth in which carriage you have reserved. On night trains there is always a place especially for you.
• Get onto the train and find your berth. On some trains, you need to show your ticket to be let onto the train.
• Your attendant will visit you in your compartment and ask when to wake you up. If breakfast is included, they will ask if you want tea or coffee.
• The attendant may keep your ticket for the night. On certain cross-border routes, they will also offer to keep your passport, so that you are not woken by the border guards. You don’t have to allow this, it is a service, not an obligation.
• Now you are left to yourself. Enjoy the ride, get to know fellow travelers, have a drink, go to the restaurant car if there is one.
• When you go to bed, make sure you lock the door with all the available locks.
• Your attendant will wake you with enough time before you have to get off. I don’t recommend setting an alarm. If the train is late, the attendant will wake you later, whereas an alarm clock will have you up too early.
• At your destination, the train may only stop for a minute or two. Make sure you are ready to get out quickly.

Is it safe?

Yes, it is. Rail is the safest mode of transport by far.

There can be pickpockets and thieves on any train, so take the usual precautions.  If you leave your compartment, be sure to take crucial stuff with you. I tend to have everything I need to get back home on my person, even if I’m only going to the toilet.

Be sure to use all the locks on the door to your compartment. Usually, there are at least two, one that the conductor can open from the outside, one that only can be opened from the inside.

It would be good if your valuables were well stowed away. Under your pillow is a classic that still works well. For added difficulty, try under your pillow but inside your pillow-case.  

People who do get robbed always had their door unlocked, their valuables on the table in front of them or in their coats hanging by the door.

Night Train smarts

Here are a few inside tips that will help you on your journey.

Your attendant. You want them on your side. While it is always wise to be polite to people serving you,  if you are rude to a night train attendant, they have all night and the morning to get back at you.  

And the ways are endless.

Once at Cologne my colleague was insulted by some Rhinelanders because another train had been late. At 4 AM the police came looking for drugs (this was the train from Amsterdam) and asked – “Have you seen anything suspicious?”. He had. He sent the police to frisk the Rhinelanders.

I used to keep yesterday’s coffee in a thermos especially for rude passengers’ breakfasts.

On the other hand, passengers I liked got my best coffee and the nice orange juice.

Five tips to help you sleep on a night train

Here’s what to try if you can’t sleep:

• Some people use ear-plugs. Bring these with you just in case. Me, I can’t sleep with ear-plugs, but some people can’t sleep without them
• Go for a walk up and down the train. Perhaps there is a restaurant car or a minibar and you can get a drink.
• Go to the end of the train and look out of the back windows. Watch the rails behind you writhing in the night. Look at the stars twirling as the line picks its way through the landscape.
• Pour your heart out to the attendant. At night, the sleeping car attendant is like a barman. I’ve often had passengers tell me their stories at 3 AM.
• Find someone else who can’t sleep and have one of those deep conversations one only has with strangers on trains at night.

If you are in a seat or a couchette and realize you want to upgrade, go and speak to one of the attendants. If they have a free berth, they can upgrade you. Be prepared to ask more than one attendant, and also to ask several times, always politely.

If you don’t like the other people in your compartment, you can also ask to move, but it is unlikely you will get your way. When I ran sleeping cars and couchettes, I always tried to keep empty compartments empty for emergencies. Someone not wanting to share with someone else never cut it with me, unless it was a woman not wanting to be with strange men or a woman with a baby.  

If you feel you must have a compartment to yourself, read on.

There is a huge grey area between tipping and bribing. Americans tend to tip at the end of the journey, Italians do it at the beginning. Purely rationally, the Italian way is more sensible.

Nobody tips these days, so you don’t need to overdo it. €10 inside your passport or ticket should get you preferential treatment.

An Italian gentleman, seeing his wife and children off at Roma Termini, would give me €20 and tell me to look after them properly. And I made sure I did.

If your first attempt to move has failed, if you feel you HAVE to move, bribe your attendant. €10-€20 should do the trick.  

Currently, few night trains have WiFi. I can only think of some domestic Russian services and the Astra-Trans-Carpatic in Romania.  

Most night trains do have power outlets in their cars, so even in couchettes, you can expect to be able to charge your devices or connect a CPAP machine. If using a CPAP machine, do bear in mind that on some services, current can be interrupted during shunting or at borders. This is rarely more than half an hour.

Overnight trains are one of the most exciting ways to travel in Europe. They are also economical: they save you a travel day and a hotel stay. Covering distance in your sleep just makes sense, as your precious numbered days in Europe are not eaten up by travel and gruesome airport transfers.

To find out more about rail travel in Europe, come and visit my blog, railguideeurope.com, and sign up for my free newsletter and my free and ever-expanding e-guide library. It includes an extensive resource list, templates for buying tickets, and soon also public transport guides for major European cities.

Related Posts

by Edward Schofield

29 responses to “11 exciting european night trains and how to use them like a pro”.

Thanks for this great post, Edward! I would like to add some more exciting night trains:

1) Praha to Košice (Czechia/Slovakia) Wake up and enjoy your breakfast while the magnificant Tatra mountains fly – fantastic!

2) Belgrade to Bar (Serbia/Montenegro) The classic. Probably the most stunning scenery in Europe to explore from a train.

3) Stockholm to Narvik (Sweden/Norway) One of Europe’s longest night train journeys. Featuring the crossing of the arctic circle and magnificant Norwegian fjords at the very end

Hi Sebastian,

Thanks for reading.

I totally agree with you. Belgrade to Bar might be something to be savoured during the day.

There are other lines I wanted to include, but I couldn’t go on writing for ever – Paris-Berlin-Moscow had to be left out, and Milan to Siracusa, and Astra Transcarpatic.

Hi Edward, I’ve done the return trip Milan to Syracuse except got off at Taormina, also Budapest to Prague, Zurich to Zagreb and back (quite a few times) plus as a special treat the Orient Express Venice to London. I’d love to do the Moscow- Nice trip. A lot of fun!

Jillian Michelle

This is probably the most detailed train post I’ve ever read! I’ve always wanted to take a night train. Something about trains just feels so thrilling and adventurous to me.

Sometimes adventurous… sometimes a bad night sleep 🙂

Fabulous article, real dedication. My have overnight journeys have been Istanbul to Erzerum, Istanbul to Adana and Batumi to Yerevan. Love your choices!

Thank you. I’m so glad you like my work.

Stephen Crocker

I took the Cologne to Vienna sleeper a few years ago; it was diverted via Munich so I had an extra helping of Alpine scenery!

Hi Edward, My family and I will be travelling Europe for the very first time and have purchased the Global passes through eurail. I want to as much as possible do overnight train between countries. Could you advise the availability of overnight trains (for Sept – Oct 2019) for the following itinerary: Croatia (split/zagreb) to Hungary (budapest) to Czech Rep (Prague) to Poland (warsaw) to Germany (Berlin) to Netherlands (amsterdam) to France (paris, dijon) to Italy (milan, rome). Your help would be greatly appreciated. kind regards Eva

I need to do some research and will get back to you shortly. Thank you for reading and for commenting.

I’ve got the details together for you. Please shoot me an email to edward (at) railguideeurope (dot) com, then I can send them to you.

Thanks for the article Edward. My family (3 teens) and I will be flying into Barcelona for a week in April. We would love to see as much of Europe as possible but on a friendly budget. I was hoping to take overnight trains when possible but can’t find anything from Barcelona. Could you possibly help with this? Thanks so much for your time and help!

Hi Andy, thank you so much for reading. If all you have is a week, I wouldn’t try and see more than three places. Are you flying out of Barcelona as well? When I know this I can come up with something.

What are you interested in? History, art or partying? Or just drifting about, soaking up the atmosphere?

Thanks for your suggestions. Now I’m more convinced to try a train trip and enjoy an unforgettable vacation. Your articles are always useful.

hello Edward, a lot of success with the beautiful Blog. i love all things regarding trains and nighttrain is not exceptional. i have been ctossing europe back and forth with trains. only one ill write here because it was so special. night train from keleti Budapest and Venice. nothing to write about the train old , dated, withing a few hours in the middle of the night the border patrol 3 times wakes us up (you cross 3 borders countries) no sleep at all But, at night you see only ocasionly a street light from time to time, you hear the sound of the train,and when entering to venice in early dawn when than and only than i understood why painters went to venice to paint , the colors of the lagune of venice was superb, it combined ‘smoked and foggy’ a blend of lylach blue and purple.. ill never forget that unique train. great.

Hi Edward, I so appreciated your post. I never understood the bribe/tip thing for good service and I really appreciated it. (I thought there was very little tipping in Europe.) Could you advise please about the following: 3 American travelers with no prior experience east of Netherlands wish to see Prague and Budapest June 12-20. Departing from Maastricht on June 12. Thought we might enjoy Cologne, Germany for a day but we are totally open to suggestions. We have a window of these 8 days and need to fly to Copenhagen the evening of June 20 from Prague or Budapest. What are your thoughts about this? Thank you so very much.

Hi Edward, Thank you so much for putting this guide together – it is fabulous and easily the best resource I have come across. A friend and I will be travelling in Western Europe for 6 weeks in September & October 2019, broken by a choir tour of Italy for two weeks in the middle. You have given me lots of inspiration to try to plan the 2 weeks both before and after, around a lot of night train travel. Thanks so much!

Thank you very much for the information; this is an excellent resource! Is there a night train from Vienna to Zurich?

Chris Christensen

There seems to be a night train from 11:25 PM from Vienna Central Station

Hi Edward, Thank you so much for your post. This is exactly what I’m looking for! We are traveling from London to Scotland in early Oct. Can you help me with how to book one of these trains? This is a “bucket list” item and will be much appreciated as I want to surprise my companion with something special. Thanks, Holly

Hello Edward! Great article and a very reassuring read with helpful insights. I’m a sixty year old woman who, over the past ten years has done many long distance rail trips across Europe but never on night trains. Very soon, I’ll be travelling from London to Istanbul. I’ve booked for double sleeping carriages most of the way but can only book couchettes between Budapest and Istanbul. I would be happy to share with another woman but would not feel comfortable with a man.

I just took the the Bar – Belgrade train in the daytime. Great scenery… however be ready for 11 big hours. The alleged authorized ticket seller in Ulcinj assured me the 9am was NOT running the next day. It was 🙂 There is an overnight but then you miss the view.

Aethelstan riches

Good Evening Edward, I am planning to get the train from London to Vietnam starting in December, I still have not perfected my route yet but reading this blog has given me more ideas, id rather not just take the Paris – Moscow route if I can help it, but I need as many night trains as I can get as its my hotel for the night, any suggestions would be welcomed. kind regards AEthelstan

Hi Edward, we are going to take night train from Budapest to Prague. We plan to book sleeper (2 berths) as we are 2 girls traveling together. Just wanna ask is it safe to use common toilet in the night? Or we shall book the luxury sleeper that includes toilet?

Dr Douglas B Willingham

I would like a luxury, overnight train journey between Berlin, Prague and Venice, two compartments, three adults, en suite for late December-early January, 2021-22, with New Year’s Eve in Berlin at 5-star hotel. We’d like a few days in each city, 5-star hotels. What company can arrange all this? Thank you.

Kathy Kreusel

Hello, I have a question….Can the Eurail pass be used for night trains? If so, all of them?

Kathryn Kreusel

Hi Edward! We are heading to Europe on Oct 2. Here are our legs of the trip: Brussels to Munich Oct 2nd Munich to Venice Oct 4th Venice to Lucerne Oct 6 Lucerne to Paris Oct 8 Paris to Brussels Oct 10 Are there night trains for all of these? If so, can we use a Eurail pass for them? I am having the hardest time booking trains:(

Yes, but you may have to pay extra for a sleeping compartment

Maria rodman

Hi great blog. I’ve travelled on European trains especially especially back in the old cold war border days but I want to book a night train for first time Vienna to Venice but strangely I can’t find it on various booking sites?! Definitely want our own sleeping berth even if costs a lot more.

Can you help please?

Thank you Maria

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6 of the world’s best new sleeper trains for 2024

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Last year, sleeper trains were on the rise owing to concerns about climate change, and a post-pandemic desire to slow down and take in our surroundings as we move from place to place. Private companies like European Sleeper enticed romantics back onto the rails, and Austria ’s ÖBB launched a brand new fleet of high-tech trains, unveiling several new routes. And the luxury market has followed suit, with a new version of the Orient Express due towards the end of the year, and an old favourite in Southeast Asia up and running once again. Here are six of the newest sleeper trains to look out for this year.

European Sleeper: Brussels, Belgium to Prague, Czech Republic

Last May , the long-awaited Good Night Train made its inaugural journey from Brussels to Berlin via Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam , offering travellers a slightly cheaper, no-frills rival to the ÖBB Nightjet service that has just launched the same route (the Good Night Train runs on Mondays and Fridays, the Nightjet on Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday). Crowdfunded and launched by a Belgian-Dutch collective, European Sleeper is now extending the route to Prague from the end of March. Running on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the service will depart from Brussels Midi station at around 7.20pm and pull into Prague just before 11am – perfect timing for passengers to enjoy lunch and a stroll around the Czech capital before checking into a hotel. The company is looking into attaching a dining car to the train, but currently, there is only an attendant serving drinks, sandwiches, crisps and instant noodles – with a decent breakfast box of Ardennes pâté, crackers, yoghurt and juice for passengers in sleeper compartments – so you will need to dine beforehand or come equipped for the ride.

Seats start at €59 (about £50) one way, a couchette from €89, and a private compartment from €169. Visit europeansleeper.eu

Eastern and Oriental Express, a Belmond train: Singapore-Malaysia-Singapore

After a hiatus, Belmond is restarting the Eastern and Oriental Express in Southeast Asia. It first ran 30 years ago between Singapore and Bangkok . Now, passengers can embark upon the Wild Malaysia itinerary, a three-night round-trip from Singapore that travels north through Malaysia’s jungles, allowing passengers to disembark in the rainforests of Taman Negara National Park and wander the smoky backstreets and old quarters of Penang Island. With three classes of accommodation on board, passengers can sit at the windows of vintage cabins panelled with polished cherrywood and draped with blush pink silks as the train rumbles through rubber and palm plantations, giant leaves thwacking the sides. Dress early for dinner and take a cocktail to the tail end of the train where an open observation car lets passengers stand against warm wind, the smell of wet jungle rushing by, before sitting down for dinner in one of two dining cars for local Peranakan cuisine and a Singapore Sling or two.

The Eastern & Oriental Express Wild Malaysia route operates from 4 March – 28 October 2024, departing Singapore on Mondays. Wexas Travel offers a nine-day luxury rail holiday from £4,960 per person, including flights and hotels. Visit wexas.com

The Cadore Express: Rome to Cortina, Italy

One for ski and snowboard enthusiasts, the overnight Cadore Express debuted just before Christmas last year, taking passengers from Rome to the snowy Dolomites. It was already possible to do this journey during the day, but the sleeper service, which departs Roma Termini on Friday at 9.40pm, provides passengers with a direct line with no changes and the chance to hobnob in the dining car over plates of steaming Gorgonzola gnocchi followed by sticky beef cheek braised in red wine. With a capacity of 220 sleeper berths, the train has had an overhaul, with both single and double cabins for those wanting privacy – or a choice of the more convivial couchette compartments which sleep between four and six passengers. Smart, clean and cosy, with carpeted floors, bottled water and breakfast included, the Cadore Express is ideal for passengers looking for glorious mountain views over coffee and croissants, and arriving by 8am with a full day to spend on the slopes.

A one-way ticket in a couchette starts from €160 (about £138). Visit trenitalia.com

Nightjet: Hamburg, Germany to Vienna, Austria

Austria’s state operator, ÖBB, has been a powerhouse in driving the expansion of sleeper-train routes all over Europe , announcing a fleet of 33 new-generation trains last year. The first route to get one of the new trains was Hamburg to Vienna in December, featuring plush “comfort plus-compartments” – with en-suite showers and toilets, fixed beds, ambient lighting and a small bottle of sparkling wine – along with innovative “mini cabins” – designed much like Japanese capsule hotels. For passengers preferring privacy without the eye-watering price of a single compartment, the mini cabins contain just enough room for you to crawl in and lie down, with an adjoining locker for hand luggage and shoes. Air-conditioned, sound-proofed and with a key card to gain access, the cabins cost around half the price of a private comfort compartment. Departing around 8pm, the train sweeps out of the old city, with most passengers mingling over paper cups of wine in the corridors (owing to the lack of a dining car on board) before retiring by midnight as the train winds south towards Austria, arriving into the capital just after 9am.

A seat costs from €34.90 (about £30) one way, a couchette from €79.90 (about £69) and a private compartment from €134.90 (about £115) Visit nightjet.com

Orient Express La Dolce Vita

Slated for launch towards the end of 2024, the latest embodiment of the fabled luxury train comes from the Accor Group, paying homage to the glorious excess and glamour of the 1960s. Designed by Dimorestudio, a Milan -based architecture and design studio founded by duo Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran, the train comprises 12 deluxe cabins, 18 suites and one Honor suite, featuring bold, block colours, geometric designs and glossy wooden slats on the ceilings. Decked out with smoked mirror walls, sofas that open into double beds and bespoke uplighters, the accommodation is ideal for passengers wanting to unwind in solitude as the train whips along the Italian countryside. Six different itineraries – featuring one or two nights on board – begin in Roma Ostiense station and two in Palermo Centrale, giving travellers a choice of options off the train that includes truffle-tasting in Piedmont , a private tour of Venice’s Basilica di San Marco by night, and riding horses in Abruzzo.

Prices start at €2,500 (about £2,150) per person per night in a deluxe cabin, and €3,700 (£3,185) per person per night in a suite. orient-express.com

EuroNight: Warsaw, Poland to Munich, Germany

In partnership with a few other countries’ national railways, ÖBB runs another sleeper service, known as EuroNight, whose routes connect Germany, Hungary, Croatia , Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, with coaches and services run by each partner – so the quality of sleeper berths, design and amenities can vary from one service to the next. Setting off from the Polish capital at 7.20pm, the EuroNight service rolls west out of the city, giving passengers the chance to peek into the backs of apartment blocks where families have dinner, and children’s nightlights glow softly behind thin curtains. The train soon picks up pace, thumping towards the countryside, at which point Kindles come out, phones are plugged in, and socked feet clamber up to berths. In the morning, there’s a good two hours to sit at the window, coffee in hand, watching the Bavarian countryside fly by before the train arrives in Munich at 10am.

A couchette starts from €99.90 (about £85) one way. Visit nightjet.com

Monisha Rajesh is the author of Around the World in 80 Trains , published by Bloomsbury.

Matador Original Series

New european sleeper train route to venice lets you cross five countries overnight.

T rain travel has been growing in popularity for the past couple of years and there’s no sign showing that this trend is going to stop any time soon. According to Eurail , the big boss of train travel in Europe, “more than 1,237,000 Interrail and Eurail Passes were sold in 2023, a 25 percent growth from 2022.” To satisfy the ever-growing demand for rail travel, new train operators are popping up and offering new exciting routes, especially crowd-pleasing overnight routes . That’s the case of rail operator European Sleeper which launched in May 2023.

Photo: European Sleeper

European Sleeper initially offered one night route between Brussels and Berlin via Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. In March 2024, the route expanded to include Dresden and Prague. European Sleeper’s Good Night Train now runs three times per week between Brussels and Prague (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays), and three times per week between Prague and Brussels (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.) The exact schedule is available here .

Starting in February 2025, European Sleeper will once again increase its offerings by launching a new seasonal route between Brussels and Venice via the Italian Alps. The 15-hour-long rail service will launch on February 5, 2025 and operate twice weekly through March to accommodate travelers during the winter sports season and the Venice Carnival.

While a tentative schedule for this new route has been published, it remains subject to changes. Bookings, however, will open on September 1, 2024.

European Sleeper offers three types of accommodation on board its train: Sleepers with three beds in one compartment (the most comfortable and the most expensive); Couchettes with six or five berths in one compartment; and Seats which can accommodate six sitting passengers in one compartment (the least comfortable and the cheapest.)

European Sleeper recently announced that, starting in September, its train will be equipped with a dining car, allowing travelers to enjoy a meal or two during the long overnight journeys.

We finally did it! 🎉From September, European Sleeper will be one of the very few night trains in Europe equipped with a dining car! Thanks to our dedicated investors, our highly anticipated dining car is now a reality! #thegoodnighttrain #connectingeuropebynight pic.twitter.com/TNzn3kqIxB — European Sleeper (@EuropeanSlpr) May 16, 2024

While a very recent rail operator, European Sleeper’s routes are included in Eurail/interrail Passes which covers train travel in 33 countries in Europe. Eurail/interrail Passes include many night trains in Europe, including the Caledonian Sleeper that runs between London and several cities in Scotland, the Santa Claus Express night train, which runs from Helsinki to Rovaniemi in Finland, and many more.

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You'll soon be able to get from the UK to Venice with just two trains

A new route from European Sleeper just made getting to Venice via rail much, much easier

Haven’t you heard? Plane travel is out and train travel is in. We have to offset all the emissions from celebrities’ private jets somehow . And now we bring good news from the realm of train travel: soon you’ll be able to get all the way to Venice from London in record time, taking just two trains. 

A new European night train service , from an operator usefully called the European Sleeper, is launching in February 2025, connecting Brussels and Venice via Utrecht, Cologne, Munich, Innsbruck and Verona. For ski bums, the overnight train will also travel through the Austrian Alps before reaching Italy. 

To get to the floating city, all Brits will need to do is hop on the Eurostar from London  to Brussels, then change to the European Sleeper. Bob’s your uncle. 

The European Sleeper’s first journey is due to depart from Brussels, Belgium, on February 5 2025. It will run twice a week during February and March, coinciding with half-term in the UK, the winter sports season and the spectacular annual Venice carnival . 

‘Passengers will be able to board our train from  Belgium  and the  Netherlands , and relax in the comfort of the restaurant car, while the train transports them through  Germany  and  Austria , and across the Alps, ending in the historic cities of Verona and Venice the following day,’ said Chris Engelsmen, co-founder of European Sleeper. 

There’s no information on ticket prices just yet, but stay tuned as we’ll bring you all the latest info. Booking will open officially on September 1.

More train travel with Time Out

Eurostar has also announced  a train that will get you to the mountains during the ski season . Eurostar Snow launches in December 2024, travelling to the French Alps from London. Closer to home, this majestic Victorian UK train station is getting a £140 million revamp .  And here’s our take on the 11 greatest European train trips from the UK . 

First look: Liverpool’s futuristic new ‘glider’ buses . 

ETIAS explained:  start date, how and when to apply for €7 UK to Europe visa .

Stay in the loop: sign up to our  free Time Out UK newsletter  for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country. 

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European Sleeper Expands Overnight Train Routes in Europe

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What is european sleeper, new european sleeper route between brussels and venice, cost of tickets, final thoughts.

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In 2023, European Sleeper ran its first overnight train from Brussels to Berlin, and just months later it expanded that route with additional stops along the way and a line extension to Prague. It was part of a resurgence of train travel — especially sleeper trains — happening in Europe.

Now, the aptly named European Sleeper has announced a new route connecting Belgium and the Netherlands to Italy. Tickets are now on sale for this route, which will start in early 2025.

If you’re interested in train travel in Europe, here’s what you should know about this growing company and its expanded route network.

Calling itself “The Good Night Train,” European Sleeper operates night trains with seats, bunks, and beds on board. It advertises fares as low as 49€ (~$54) per person, and its first route launched in 2023, running between Brussels and Berlin with a stop in Amsterdam along the way. It ran 3 times per week before expanding in 2024, adding stops in Antwerp and Rotterdam and extending the line past Berlin to Prague, also tacking on 4 additional stops between Berlin and Prague.

Seats are assigned, and compartments can include 6 seats (cheapest option), 6 couchettes (sometimes referred to as “hard beds” in train travel), or 3 beds, including a sink in the compartment. This is the most expensive option and includes breakfast and bottled water with the fare.

Starting on February 5, 2025, a new route between Brussels and Venice will operate twice a week on what the company calls “a new seasonal night train.” It’s confirmed for February and March, though continued operations past March aren’t guaranteed.

Interestingly, the train will depart Brussels and head north, away from its final destination, to connect through 3 stops in the Netherlands before turning south for 2 stops in Germany, a stop in Austria, and then 3 stops in Italy.

“We are pleased to introduce this new night train connection from the North Sea to the Mediterranean. Passengers will be able to board our train from Belgium and the Netherlands, and relax in the comfort of the restaurant car, while the train transports them through Germany and Austria, and across the Alps, ending in the historic cities of Verona and Venice the following day. This marks a new important milestone for European Sleeper and the convenience of night travel across Europe more sustainably.” Chris Engelsman, co-founder of European Sleeper

Moreover, the company says it’s working in conjunction with the European Commission to launch a daily overnight train service between Amsterdam and Barcelona.

European Sleeper has a route between Brussels and Prague and will soon offer a route between Brussels and Venice, though that route may just be temporary. Additionally, the company is planning to offer a service between Amsterdam and Barcelona. These are all overnight train services.

Costs vary by the type of accommodation you choose and the distance you travel , as well as variability in dates to account for peak and off-peak travel periods. Seats from Brussels to Prague start from 49€ (~$54) per person during peak winter holidays, while couchettes are available from 79€ (~$87), and sleepers are available from 159€ (~$176).

It’s also possible to travel on European Sleeper with Interrail and Eurail Global Passes. However, you’ll need to make a reservation to secure a spot. Reservations start at 11€ (~$12) for a seat, 42€ (~$46) for a couchette, or 89€ (~$98) for a sleeper. However, reservation prices can vary by distance and compartment type. Exact reservation fees are available in the chart at the bottom of this page .

To purchase tickets, head to EuropeanSleeper.eu and click on Book tickets in the top right corner. From there, you’ll choose your desired starting and ending points, number of passengers, and intended travel dates. If trains aren’t available on your chosen dates, you’ll see 2 days earlier and 2 days later to help you adjust your plans.

Overnight train travel is enjoying a resurgence in Europe, and European Sleeper is expanding. You can’t book domestic train travel within any country where it operates, but you can book relatively inexpensive train tickets to board in 1 country and wake up in another.

Starting in February, you’ll be able to take overnight trains between Venice and Brussels. Whether those will last and when we might see the Barcelona train will depend on European Sleeper’s continued success.

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Interrail/Eurail reservation for European Sleeper

Book tickets, welcome aboard.

Interrail and Eurail Global Passes are valid on the European Sleeper night trains. You do need to purchase a reservation to secure your accommodation on the train. Reservations cost €11 - €21 for a seat, €42 - €74 for a couchette or €89 - €179 for a sleeper bed. Exact reservation prices are depending on travel distance and you'll find it in the table below. Book your reservation in our booking system by selecting 'Reservation Only' under passengers. Your can get your Global Pass at the Interrail website . 

Reservation costs

Book your reservation online. Reservation rates are the same for adults and children. 

Belgium <–> Czech Republic

Belgium <–> Berlin / Dresden / Bad Schandau

Netherlands <–> Czech Republic / Dresden / Bad Schandau

Czech Republic <–> Berlin (seats only)

Netherlands <–> Belgium (shared seats only)

Netherlands <–> Berlin 

Czech Republic <–> Dresden / Bad Schandau (seats only)

Berlin <–> Dresden / Bad Schandau (seats only)

For Bad Bentheim the same prices as the Netherlands are applicable

The reservations are subject to the Good Night terms and conditions of European Sleeper: 100% refundable until 30 days before departure or 50% refundable until 15 days before departure. When travelling in private compartments, all passengers need to own an individual pass.

You need to show your Pass (printed or digital) and valid reservations on the day of your travel to the European Sleeper staff on board. Passes must be valid on the arrival date of your journey.

Comfort star_rate star_rate star_rate

The most comfortable travel option with a maximum of 3 beds

Comfort star_rate star_rate

Seats during the day, comfortable couchettes at night

Comfort star_rate

Our most budget-friendly travel option, with 6 seats in a compartment

Our destinations

pin_drop Amsterdam Centraal

pin_drop Berlin Hauptbahnhof

pin_drop Prague hl.n.

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All you need to know about Vande Bharat sleeper train as Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveils prototype

Railway minister ashwini vaishnaw unveiled the prototype of the vande bharat sleeper coach at beml's bengaluru facility..

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday unveiled the prototype of the first Vande Bharat sleeper coach at Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML)’s Bangalore Complex.

“After Vande Bharat chair cars, we were working on Vande Bharat sleeper cars. Its manufacturing has now been completed. This train will go out for the trial and testing from the BEML facility today,” Vaishnaw said.

“This is a historic moment for the country. The much-awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper train set is now set to run on Indian Railways tracks, providing our people with a world-class travel experience and best-in-class amenities. The dedication and expertise of BEML’s leadership and engineers have made this remarkable achievement possible,” he said.

Speaking about the ticket pricing, Vaishnaw said it will be on par with Rajdhani fares. The first Vande Bharat sleeper train is expected to be operational by the end of the year.

Vande Bharat sleeper train is meant for long-distance overnight journeys, covering 800 to 1,200 km. The train will have 16 coaches – 11 AC three-tier, four AC two-tier, and one AC first-class – with 823 berths in total.

According to the railways, the Vande Bharat sleeper train offers a passenger experience on par with European standards. The maximum operational speed will be 160 km/hr. It will have a hot water shower for 1st AC car, a public announcement and visual information system, ergonomically designed odour-free toilets, automatic exterior passenger doors, special berths and toilets for differently-abled people, and integrated reading lights with USB charging provision, among other provisions.

To maximise passenger safety, the train set features authentic stainless-steel construction and is equipped with advanced crash-proof elements, such as specially designed crash buffers and couplers. All materials and components used in the train set adhere to the highest fire safety standards, meeting the stringent EN45545 HL3 grade requirements, as per the railways.

Vaishnaw on Sunday also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a hangar facility spanning 9.2 acres near BEML’s Bengaluru facility. It is dedicated to the export of standard and broad-gauge rolling stock, further expanding the BEML’s global reach.

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Vande Bharat sleeper: Ticket prices on par with Rajdhani, separate berths for train attendants

Railway minister ashwini vaishnaw and union minister of state for railways v somanna unveiled the prototype of india's first vande bharat sleeper coach train at beml's facility in bengaluru.

Vande Bharat sleeper

Overnight train travel in India is set to become a more comfortable experience for long-distance passengers.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Railways V Somanna unveiled the prototype of India's first Vande Bharat sleeper coach on September 1 at BEML's facility in Bengaluru.

Vaishnaw said that the ticket pricing for the Vande Bharat sleeper will be on par with Rajdhani fares. "Vande Bharat sleeper is for all middle-class families. The fare structure will be benchmarked to Rajdhani and will be reasonable, keeping middle-class families in mind," he said. Rajdhani Express is a premium, fully air-conditioned train service connecting New Delhi with state capitals across India.

Also, read:  India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train likely to be operational by year-end

He said that passenger operations for the Vande Bharat sleeper train will commence within three months after trial runs. "Vande Bharat sleeper train would change the way the people travel and align with the aspirations of Indians.  It is ideal for overnight journeys covering 800-1,200 km distance,” said Vaishnaw.

Related stories

Vaishnaw said that there will be separate berths for train attendants on the train. “There will be a separate berth for train attendants so they can get some rest. The loco pilot's cabin will also be air-conditioned and equipped with separate toilet for them.”

Also, read:  Vande Bharat sleeper trains: How different they are from existing ones in Indian Railways. All features explained

He said that the Vande Bharat sleeper train will feature virus control mechanisms, reduced jerks, noise, and vibrations. "Continuous improvements are being made based on passenger and staff feedback for all our new configurations: Vande Sleeper, Vande Chair Car, Vande Metro, and Amrit Bharat trains," he said.

In May 2023, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai placed an order with BEML Limited for the design and manufacture of 10 rakes of 16-car Vande Bharat sleeper train sets, which will have a maximum operational speed of 160 kmph (180 kmph during testing). The 16-coach Vande Bharat sleeper train will have 823 berths, including 11 3AC coaches (611 berths), 4 2AC coaches (188 berths), and 1 1AC coach (24 berths).

BEML will soon dispatch the first train to the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. ICF will handle the rake formation, final testing, and commissioning, which will take around 15-20 days. After this, the train will undergo mainline tests, including oscillation trials, which will last one or two months under the supervision of the Lucknow-based Railway Design and Standards Organization (RDSO). The trial runs are likely to be conducted in the North Western Railway zone for high-speed testing.

Also, read:  India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train to roll out in six months: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Aircraft-like features

Vande Bharat sleeper train features advanced amenities and facilities similar to those in aircraft. Each sleeper berth will be equipped with reading lights, charging sockets, a mobile/magazine holder, and a snack table. Vande Bharat sleeper trains will also feature amenities such as a hot water shower for 1st AC passengers. It also includes a dog box in the Driving Trailer Coach (DTC), which can accommodate dogs belonging to either passengers or the Railway Protection Force (RPF). There are LED lights below the ladders for passengers heading to the washroom at night when the lights are off. In the pantry car, there are ovens, bottle coolers, compartments for desserts, and boilers as well as compact dustbins.

"The trainset features austenitic stainless- steel construction and is equipped with advanced crashworthy elements, such as specially designed crash buffers and couplers, to maximize passenger safety. All materials and components used in the trainset adhere to the highest fire safety standards, meeting the stringent EN45545 HL3 grade requirements" said a statement from BEML.

"Crafted with world-class facilities and superior interiors, the Vande Bharat Sleeper trainset marks a significant leap forward in India’s rail capabilities, offering a passenger experience on par with European standards. Vande Bharat Sleeper trainset is expected to revolutionize long-distance rail travel in India, setting new benchmarks for comfort, safety, and efficiency" said Shantanu Roy, CMD of BEML.

Also, read:  PM Modi flags off 3 new Vande Bharat Express trains. Check all routes & timings

"The train is equipped with a range of world-class features, including an integrated reading light with USB charging provision, public announcement and visual information systems, inside display panels and security cameras, modular pantries, and special berths and toilets for differently-abled passengers, and Kavach facility for rail safety. Additionally, the 1st AC car offers showers with hot water, enhancing passenger comfort", it said.

"Engineered with meticulous attention to detail, the trainset prioritises both aesthetic appeal and functionality across all elements, from the front nose cone to interior panels, seats, sleeper berths, and more. BEML has led the aggregation of critical systems including electrical, propulsion, bogies, exterior plug doors, brake systems, and HVAC, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance throughout the trainset. The entire manufacturing and assembly process has been consolidated at BEML" said Roy.

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