The new £18 sleeper train that links 3 of Europe’s most popular destinations

For some, sleeper trains are the only way to travel.

You just close your eyes, fall asleep, and wake up in a brand new country.

And there’s good news for those wanting to explore more of Europe in this way, as a new rail route connecting some of Europe’s most popular destinations has just been unveiled.

European Sleeper, one of the most accessible sleeper train companies, has launched a new journey connecting Paris, Brussels, and Berlin.

Starting in the French capital, this new route will make it far easier for Brits to get in on the action. Just hop on a two-hour-long Eurostar train to Paris and pretty soon you’ll have the rest of Europe right at your finger tips.

And the best part? Tickets start from as little as £18.

Up until recently, European Sleeper, operated just one night service — between Brussels and Prague, making stops in Amsterdam and Berlin.

However, growing demand has prompted the company to expand its network.

The Paris–Berlin service will operate three times per week, bringing
the total to six departures per week in each direction between Brussels and Berlin.

Chris Engelsman, co-founder of European Sleeper, shared his thoughts on the ongoing revival of the night train in Europe: ‘Building a network doesn’t happen overnight.

‘But step by step, we are proving that night train connections between major cities can work, for travellers and as a sustainable business’.

What types of seats are available?

There are four classes of ticket up for grabs on the European Sleeper trains and like most trainlines, they operate on a dynamic pricing system. So, depending on the route you’re taking and when you’re planning to go, prices may vary.

Let’s say you want to travel from Paris to Berlin in May. Budget is the most affordable option (shock), and it’s not going to be quite as glam as the famous Caledonian Sleeper.

Seats are available in six-person compartments or there are also seats with tables in the train’s open plan spaces.

In this same class, a single trip from Paris to Berlin should cost approximately €69.99 (£60.97). That being said, if you’re happy just going as far as Brussels, the cost will dip quite significantly.

While the website indicates that all fares in this class start ‘from €29.99’, Metro did find a single ticket from Paris to Brussels leaving in May that costs just €19.99 (£17.42). Being non-flexible and non-refundable, this is the most affordable ticket available.

Next is Classic, a four, five or six-person compartment in a classic carriage that features seats during the day and then couchettes at night.

These are available to book for private groups, with both mixed gender and Women-Only options available.

Described as ‘ideal for small groups, families and solo traveller’, one-way tickets this carriage from Paris to Berlin cost €119.99 (£103), but once again, if you’re travelling in a less busy season you may be able to find cheaper options.

And if you want to secure a better night sleep, travel in Comfort Standard.

A single ticket from Paris to Berlin in this class in May will set you back €129.99 (£112). These three-person compartments come with a compact bed, comfortable mattress, and breakfast and drinks options.

Finally, for those who need a croissant in the morning to start their day, there’s Comfort Plus.

A spacious three-bedroom compartment, these are the only rooms that come with a private wash basin. Plus, a welcome drink and breakfast included in the fare.

The most expensive ticket by far, a Comfort Plus journey following the same route is priced at €179.99 (£155).

Brits wanting to practice their Italian might also be interested to know that the operator has announced it will also be launching a a third route from Brussels to Milan via Cologne and Zurich, commencing in September this year.

Time to dust off the Duolingo app.

‘Ambitious’ new sleeper train to connect 100 European cities

Nox, a Berlin-based startup, are creating an alternative European travel option — a sleeper train that’s expected to cost the same price as a plane ticket, with 100% personal rooms.

The company, who aim to ‘build a new generation of night trains’, want to connect popular cities like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Milan, Paris, Warsaw, Frankfurt, and Brussels.

Should the plans go ahead, passengers can choose between single and double private cabins, starting at £67 (€79) and £127 (€149), respectively.

Nox wants to launch the first route by 2027. However, the overall goal is to connect over 100 European cities by 2035.

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