19. The Revival of Night Trains in Europe: New Routes

For decades, the romantic idea of sleeping on a train and waking up in a new country seemed like a fading memory in Europe. Budget airlines and high-speed day trains pushed overnight rail travel to the brink of extinction. However, a massive shift is underway. Driven by climate concerns and a desire for more relaxed travel, sleeper trains are back in a major way. The Austrian Federal Railways (Ă–BB) and its Nightjet service are leading this charge, but they are not alone. New routes are connecting major capitals like Berlin, Paris, and Vienna, making the journey just as important as the destination.

The Nightjet Expansion: Reconnecting Capitals

The biggest player in this revival is Ă–BB Nightjet. While other national railways sold off their sleeper cars years ago, Austria invested heavily in them. That bet is paying off.

The most significant recent addition is the reinstatement of the Berlin to Paris night train. This route returned in late 2023 after being canceled nine years prior. The service runs three times a week and connects the German and French capitals directly. You depart Berlin Hauptbahnhof in the evening and arrive at Paris Gare de l’Est the next morning, ready for croissants and coffee.

Other key Nightjet connections that have recently launched or expanded include:

  • Berlin to Brussels: This route links the German capital with the heart of the European Union. It runs in tandem with the Paris train for part of the journey before splitting.
  • Hamburg to Vienna and Innsbruck: This offers a direct link from northern Germany to the Austrian Alps, perfect for both business travelers and skiers.
  • Munich to La Spezia: A fantastic route for leisure travelers, taking you from Bavaria straight to the Italian coast near the Cinque Terre.

The "New Generation" Trains

The revival is not just about old rolling stock on new tracks. ÖBB has introduced the “New Generation” Nightjet trains, which began service on the Hamburg-Vienna and Hamburg-Innsbruck lines. These trains address the biggest complaints travelers used to have about privacy and comfort.

The standout feature of these new trains is the Mini Cabin. These are individual sleeping pods designed for solo travelers. In the past, if you traveled alone, you had to pay for an entire private compartment or risk sharing a couchette with strangers. The Mini Cabin offers a private, lockable pod with:

  • A storage area for shoes and hand luggage.
  • A folding breakfast table with an integrated mirror.
  • Reading lamps and charging spots (USB and standard outlets).
  • A dedicated locker for larger luggage adjacent to the pod.

For those traveling in pairs, the new sleeping cars offer en-suite toilets and showers in every standard and deluxe compartment, eliminating the awkward walk down the corridor in the middle of the night.

European Sleeper: The "Good Night Train"

While Ă–BB dominates the market, private companies are also entering the fray. A Dutch-Belgian cooperative called European Sleeper launched its inaugural route in 2023.

Known as “The Good Night Train,” it initially connected Brussels and Amsterdam to Berlin. Recently, this route was extended all the way to Prague. This is a vital connection that links the North Sea coast directly to Central Europe.

The schedule is designed for maximum utility:

  1. Depart Brussels in the early evening.
  2. Pick up passengers in Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam.
  3. Cross Germany overnight.
  4. Arrive in Berlin for breakfast.
  5. Reach Dresden mid-morning and Prague by roughly 11:00 AM.

This route provides a nostalgic but efficient alternative to flying, allowing travelers to visit four major capital cities on a single rail line.

Understanding the Classes of Service

If you are booking one of these new routes, it is vital to understand what you are paying for. European night trains generally offer three distinct classes of service. Knowing the difference will save you from a sleepless night.

Seated Carriage

This is the budget option. Tickets can start as low as €29.90. You get a regular seat in a six-seat compartment or an open saloon car.

  • Pros: Extremely cheap.
  • Cons: Very difficult to sleep. You do not have a flat surface. Lights may stay on or be bothersome.

Couchette

This is the standard “backpacker” or family option. A compartment contains four to six bunk beds. You are provided with a sheet, blanket, and pillow, but you usually have to make the bed yourself.

  • Pros: You can lie flat and sleep. It is affordable (often around €59 to €89).
  • Cons: You share the space with strangers unless you book the whole compartment. Bathrooms are shared at the end of the hall.

Sleeper Cabin

This is the hotel-on-wheels experience. These compartments usually hold one to three beds. The beds are already made for you with hotel-quality linens.

  • Pros: Maximum privacy and comfort. Most new Nightjet sleeper cabins include a private sink, and many have a private shower and toilet. You also usually get an Ă  la carte breakfast included.
  • Cons: Price. These tickets can range from €120 to over €300 depending on demand and distance.

Why the Sudden Revival?

Two main factors are driving this boom: sustainability and city-center convenience.

The Climate Factor: Travelers are increasingly aware of their carbon footprint. A flight from Paris to Berlin generates significantly more CO2 per passenger than the electric-powered Nightjet. Governments are supporting this shift; France, for example, has banned short-haul domestic flights where a train alternative of 2.5 hours or less exists.

The “Time-Travel” Factor: Taking a night train saves you a hotel bill and a travel day. If you fly, you spend four hours dealing with airport transfers, security lines, and boarding. With a night train, you board at 8:00 PM, sleep, and arrive at 8:00 AM. You effectively teleport to your destination without losing daylight hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are night trains cheaper than flying? Not always. Budget airlines can still offer lower base fares. However, when you calculate the cost of a checked bag, transport to and from distant airports, and the cost of one night’s hotel accommodation (which the train replaces), the night train often offers better overall value.

How far in advance should I book? You should book as early as possible. Dynamic pricing applies, meaning tickets get more expensive as the train fills up. Nightjet tickets usually go on sale 180 days in advance. The private sleeper cabins sell out the fastest.

Is there Wi-Fi on board? Yes, the new generation Nightjet trains and most modernized routes offer free Wi-Fi using an onboard portal. This portal also provides entertainment, digital newspapers, and the ability to order food to your seat or cabin.

Are these trains safe? Yes. Conductors check tickets upon boarding and monitor the cars throughout the night. Compartments can be locked from the inside. The new Mini Cabins and sleeper compartments use NFC card locks (similar to hotels) for added security when you leave your pod to use the restroom.