Renfe will collaborate on the operation of the new Milan–Brussels night train through Arenaways, the Italian company in which it holds a 33% stake. Arenaways will provide traction for the Italian section of the European Sleeper service, which is set to launch in September.
Arenaways, the brand of the Italian company Longitude Holding, in which Renfe Proyectos Internacionales holds a 33% stake, will participate in the operation of the new international night train between Milan and Brussels.
The Italian company will be responsible for traction on the new European Sleeper service on the Italian section. The route marks a new stage in the development of international night trains in Europe and strengthens Renfe’s presence in the Italian market through Arenaways.
The new connection will be inaugurated on September 9. The train will depart from Milan Porta Garibaldi on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with stops in Como and several locations in Switzerland. The following morning, the train will arrive in Cologne, Aachen, and Liège, before reaching its final destination in Brussels.
In the opposite direction, departures from Brussels will take place on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, arriving at Milan Porta Garibaldi the following day. The total journey time will be approximately 17 hours.
Expansion to the Netherlands and Antwerp starting in December
Starting with the mid-December schedule change, the service will be extended to three additional cities: Eindhoven and Breda in the Netherlands, and Antwerp in Belgium.
Chris Engelsman, co-founder and CEO of European Sleeper, stated that the new night train creates an important link between northern and southern Europe.
“This new night train establishes an important connection between north and south, linking Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Belgium through an offering that makes international train travel more accessible and attractive to a growing number of passengers,” he said.
He added that European Sleeper is proud to launch the service together with Arenaways and that such collaborations are essential for the future of European rail transport.
“Connecting Europe by train requires close cooperation, both across borders and among rail companies,” said Chris Engelsman.
Arenaways: the first of many trains
Matteo Arena, CEO of Arenaways, stated that European Sleeper and Arenaways have several things in common, including the fact that both were founded in 2021 and are members of the Board of Directors of ALLRAIL, the European organization of independent passenger rail operators.
“We are very pleased to offer our experience and resources for the arrival in Italy of a new international connection, especially on a prestigious route such as the one linking Milan to Brussels,” he said.
Matteo Arena added that the company believes in collaboration between rail operators and hopes this will be “the first of many trains” in a Europe increasingly well-connected through more innovative and higher-quality transport services.
Renfe Expands Its Presence in Italy
For Renfe, the partnership with Arenaways is part of its internationalization strategy.
In November 2024, the Spanish operator entered into a strategic alliance to enter the Italian market by acquiring a 33% stake in Longitude Holding.
The first project of this alliance was the reopening and operation of a regional passenger service in Piedmont, starting in January.
Longitude Holding is a private Italian company founded in Turin in 2021 by a group of investors with over 30 years of experience in the rail sector. The company holds the necessary authorizations to operate regional and long-distance routes in Italy and operates under the Arenaways brand.
Arenaways aims to expand into new routes, both as a public service and through commercial services. The company has already obtained authorization from the Italian transport regulatory authority to launch open access long-distance connections on the northwest–northeast and north–central–south routes.
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