Europe’s 8 Best New Sleeper Train Routes for 2025 and 2026

A red train curves among the Alps on n a sunny winter day — Overnight train options deliver passengers directly to the Alps.

Sleeper trains in Europe are back on track after two close financial calls earlier this year. The Paris to Berlin/Vienna night train, run in partnership with the national railways of France, Austria, and Germany, was meant to be discontinued on December 14 due to a lack of funding, disappointing rail riders. But in mid-November, Belgian-Dutch cooperative European Sleeper committed to take over this popular route, which will run thrice weekly starting March 26, 2026. The night train between Stockholm and Berlin would have faced the same fate as the Paris to Berlin/Vienna train in 2026, but the private German group RDC Deutschland stepped in to keep it going.

Part of the issue is that running an international night train is not without its difficulties. “Night trains can only be operated with the participation of international partners,” Austria’s ÖBB, the largest provider of night trains in Europe, said in a statement shared with the press. Despite the challenges, some European governments and private companies are still willing to bet on sleeper trains.

From a traveler’s perspective, night trains are both practical and fun: By traveling while sleeping, you save time that might otherwise be spent snaking through airport security. As you bunk down on the train, the scenery rolling by outside your window, you’ll sleep with the knowledge that when you wake up, you’ll be in a new country, with the whole day before you. Plus, trains are the greenest choice; a sustainability study by Eurostar (not a night train but by far the best way to travel between Paris and London) found that carbon emissions for trips between the two capitals were a whopping 97 percent lower by train than by plane.

Whether you’re after a last-minute European getaway by rail or looking ahead, here are a few of the newest overnight train routes, plus new itineraries launching in 2026.

Adriatic Express from Warsaw to Croatia’s Adriatic Coast

Last spring and summer saw the introduction of two new night trains from Polish operator PKP Intercity, including the Adriatic Express, which ran from late June through August 2025 between Warsaw and Rijeka, at the northern end of Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

Baltic Express from Prague to Poland’s Baltic Coast

The other overnight route from Poland’s PKP Intercity is the Baltic Express, which ran from April through August between Prague, Czechia, and Gdynia on Poland’s Baltic Coast; it was so popular that service was then extended through September. Several Polish news sites have reported that both the Baltic Express and the Adriatic Express will return in 2026, with one site saying the Baltic Express night train will be permanent starting in December 2025.

A guest suite with wood-paneled walls, a green couch, a pink ottoman, a marble table, and a bed seen through an open doorway — A guest suite on the Britannic Explorer

Britannic Explorer from London to Cornwall and Wales

Belmond has long operated luxury sleeper trains that are not only the journey but also the reason for the entire vacation. In July 2025, the luxury hospitality company launched the Britannic Explorer, the first luxury sleeper train in England and Wales, with three-night itineraries in and out of London.

Espresso Monaco from Rome to Munich for Oktoberfest and Christmas Markets

Italy’s FS Treni Turistici Italiani operates limited-run night trains—known as the Espresso routes—such as the Espresso Riviera, which launched in 2024 and runs along the glittering Mediterranean coast between Rome and Marseille throughout July and August. Two new Espresso trains rolled out of Rome this year: Over four weekends in September and early October, the Espresso Monaco brought revelers to Munich for Oktoberfest, and now the same train kicked off the festive season on December 5, with two weekend trips to Munich for its Christmas markets. The connection between Munich and Rome is likely to become permanent, as Railway Pro reports that Trenitalia, Germany’s national railway Deutsche Bahn, and ÖBB have signed an agreement for a high-speed route to kick off in 2026.

Four people dressed in traditional Oktoberfest clothes stand outside an FS Treni Turistici Italiani car — Take the Espresso Monaco train from Italy’s capital to Munich for holiday festivities such as Oktoberfest and Christmas markets.

EuroNight from Poland to Munich

PKP Intercity is on a roll, with a new night train service starting on December 14, 2025, that will connect cities in Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, and Germany. Trains depart from Przemyśl in southeastern Poland at 5:51 p.m. and cross into Bohumin, Czechia, where several carriages then split off for Bratislava and ultimately Budapest, arriving in Hungary’s elegant capital at 8:29 a.m. The other section of the train travels on to Vienna, Linz, and Salzburg before arriving at its final stop, Munich, at 10:24 a.m. Those who prefer to hop on the train in Krakow, Poland, will board at 8:57 p.m. The deluxe sleeper cabins on both routes have an en suite shower and include a light breakfast.

Interior of a sleeper car on the European Sleeper train with an upper and lower bunk bed with light-pink bedding, a single seat opposite the beds, and forest scenery visible through the window — Travel from Brussels to Venice in comfort on the European Sleeper train.

European Sleeper from Amsterdam and Brussels to Milan (and possibly Barcelona)

In addition to taking over the Paris-Berlin line starting in late March next year, European Sleeper currently operates a Brussels to Prague night train, with stops in popular capitals like Amsterdam and Berlin. “We started European Sleeper because we’re passionate about night trains and the way they connect people, cities, and cultures across Europe,” said cofounder Chris Engelsman. “Our mission is to make sustainable night-train travel a natural and inspiring choice for more travelers across the continent.” The start-up has big expansion plans: Last winter, it ran a seasonal Brussels to Venice route, which it hopes to bring back, and starting June 18, 2026, European Sleeper will be running a night train from Amsterdam and Brussels to Milan, with a stop in Bern, Switzerland. Engelman says “[our] passion continues to drive us as we expand our network, with [a] new possible route... to Barcelona in 2027.”

A Finnish double-decker VR night train seen with Northern Lights behind it — Chase the Northern Lights on Finland’s forthcoming overnight trains from the capital to the remote Lapland region.

Helsinki to Finnish Lapland

VR Group, Finland’s state railway, plans to bolster its night train service, which currently includes the Santa Claus Express from Helsinki to Lapland. In 2023, VR ordered nine new double-decker sleeper cars with comfortable, modern interiors meant to feel “like a hotel room.” These are expected to be up and running in 2026.

Renderings of the interior of a new VR Group sleeper train in Finland with a larger lower bunk and smaller upper bunk bed with folded towels and slippers atop each one, plus a view through a narrow window of the northern lights — When completed, Finland’s new sleeper trains will feature modern, comfortable sleeping accommodations.

Travelski Night Express from Paris to the Alps

New this winter is the Travelski Night Express in France, a night train between Paris and Bourg-Saint-Maurice in the Savoie region, known for its ski areas. From December 19, 2025, through March 20, 2026, trains will leave Paris Friday evening, arriving in Bourg-Saint-Maurice Saturday mornings, and then depart for Paris the following Saturday evening, arriving Sunday morning. This night train to the slopes is an all-inclusive package, including transport, transfers, accommodation, and ski pass, with the option to rent gear (starting at 1,256 euros, or approximately $1,461 per person, based on current conversion rates).

This story was originally published in October 2025, and was updated on December 11, 2025, to include current information.

Sophie Friedman

Sophie Friedman is a freelance journalist and editor based in Marseille, France. Prior to contributing to Afar, she oversaw Michelin Guide’s site and print guidebooks. She has worked on a dozen guidebooks for Fodor’s, covering destinations such as Egypt, Myanmar, and China. Her writing and photos have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Travel + Leisure, The Infatuation, Roadbook, and more. Her favorite ways to move around are by train and bike, and her backpack always has nuts, clementines, and something to read.