New Sleeper Train Service Coming to Europe
A dream ticket for European travel is on the cards this year when a new sleeper train will link cities across Europe, including Prague, Berlin, and Amsterdam. The service will launch just in time for summer travel, with tickets going on sale this April.
New sleeper trains are gaining popularity in Europe, with exciting routes being developed to facilitate the growing trend of slow travel. The first major service this year is a joint project between European Sleeper, a Netherlands-based operator, and Czech operator Regio Jet, offering perks like free internet access, breakfast, and complimentary coffee.
Travel Details of the New Sleeper Service
The train will depart from Brussels at 7 PM local time, with stops in cities including Antwerp, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Dresden, arriving in Prague in time for breakfast at 10 AM. The service is also available in the opposite direction, and travelers have an option to connect to London by switching to a Eurostar service along the route. Tickets will be made available in April for summer travel, planning to run trains every other day.
In addition, RegioJet is set to launch a new night train service on the Prague route through eastern Europe, reaching Przemyśl, Poland, and then onward to Lviv, Ukraine, later this year.
Expanding the European Sleeper Train Network
The RegioJet sleeper train represents the most significant planned expansion of the European night train network in years. State railways in Germany, Austria, France, and Switzerland have announced a collaboration with a $605 million (€697 million) investment fund aimed at reviving nighttime services. Just five years ago, Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s state railway, declared all sleeper cars unprofitable due to low passenger numbers. However, the landscape has shifted as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic have reshaped travel preferences, encouraging train journeys as a viable alternative to flying.
Moreover, France’s state-owned SNCF rail company initiated plans in 2017 to revitalize its sleeper trains, launching a night service from Paris to Côte d’Azur in 2020, with tickets starting at €29 for the 12-hour journey. Future plans aim to introduce a total of 10 sleeper services over the next decade.
Furthermore, there are new developments across Europe. In December 2021, a night service commenced between Vienna and Paris, stopping in Munich, as well as between Zurich and Amsterdam. Nevertheless, the service faced challenges during its inaugural trip due to Austria’s nationwide lockdown, but is expected to gain momentum this year, with travel options extending between Zurich and Amsterdam and along the picturesque Mozart route through Salzburg.
The revival of sleeper trains will also reach Italy, with a night service planned to connect Zurich and Rome in December 2022. Additionally, a new Orient Express service in Italy is set to launch in 2023, providing a more luxurious overnight travel experience. Next year will also see a service operating between Vienna and Paris, traversing Berlin and Brussels, while night trains are expected to commence running between Zurich and Barcelona by December 2024.
Separately, in 2020, Sweden revealed intentions to introduce a new international night train service to Germany and Belgium by 2022, connecting Swedish cities to Hamburg and Brussels for quicker access to central Europe and the UK.
Additionally, French rail startup Midnight Trains caters to an increasing number of travelers opting for slow, sustainable rail travel. The company plans to link Paris with destinations including Copenhagen, Rome, and Porto by 2024. This service promises a luxurious experience with features like a restaurant, bar, and private hotel-style rooms.
In the meantime, a new low-cost night train connecting Prague with the Croatian coast began operation in summer 2020, experiencing such high demand that the service expanded to run nightly. In its first few weeks, over 30,000 tickets were sold, with some trains completely booked due to prices starting as low as €22 ($19.11) one way.
This content provides a comprehensive overview of the latest trends and developments in sleeper train services across Europe, underscoring the shift towards sustainable travel alternatives.
