Dutch-Belgian operator European Sleeeper continues to expand its international night train network, announcing a new connection to Switzerland and northern Italy, with the first departures scheduled for June 18, 2026.
Following the launch of the Paris–Berlin connection in March 2026, the company is consolidating its strategy to build a north–south “backbone” in the European rail network by introducing a night train that will connect Amsterdam and Brussels to Bern, Brig, Stresa (Lake Maggiore), and Milan. The service will run three times a week.
A young company, but already influential in the European night train market
European Sleeper, founded in 2021 and wholly owned by a community of individual investors, has become one of the few independent international night train companies.
Since 2023, the operator has carried nearly 240,000 passengers on more than 750 trains connecting Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dresden, and Prague.
From March 2026, it will also take over the Paris–Berlin service following the withdrawal of ÖBB and SNCF. The new route to Switzerland and Milan is the next step in a clear expansion strategy.
A new European corridor: Amsterdam/Brussels – Switzerland – Milan
The new route creates a direct link between Northern Europe and the southern Alps, useful for both tourists and business travelers. The train will stop in Cologne, Bern, Brig, and Stresa before arriving in Milan. Fast rail connections from these cities allow easy access to London, Hamburg, Zurich, Geneva, Venice, Florence, or Rome.
The Swiss route will follow the historic Simplon route, offering spectacular Alpine views in the early hours of the morning — a key element in the commercial appeal of the service.
Three departures per week with “split & join” trains
To ensure convenient departure times from both Amsterdam and Brussels, the European Sleeper will operate two separate segments (“train parts”) that will join in Germany and continue as a single train to Switzerland and Italy. In the opposite direction, the train will split again to reach Amsterdam and Brussels.
Estimated schedule:
- Departures to Milan: Monday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings;
- Departures from Milan: Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday evenings.
Ticket sales are planned for January–February 2026.
The comfort class will be similar to that of the current European Sleeper trains — sleeper cars, sleeping compartments, and affordable options for budget travelers.
Route to Barcelona postponed to 2027–2028
The company confirms that with the introduction of the route to Milan, the previously announced project to Barcelona will not start in 2026. However, preparations are continuing, with an estimated launch date of 2027 or 2028.
European Sleeper, an expanding cooperative model
European Sleeper operates on a cooperative ownership model, with individuals or companies able to become shareholders in periodic funding campaigns. The new round launched today aims to raise EUR 1.3 million, followed by another EUR 1 million in early 2026.
The company positions itself as part of a broader European movement to revitalize night trains, seen as a sustainable alternative to short-haul aviation.
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