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Night Trains Are Back: A Practical Guide

Writer: Claudia
Claudia
11 minutes ago
4 min read

Fall asleep in Brussels, wake up by a lake in Italy. That is the magic of a night train, and it is back on the map of Europe.

I have always loved this way to travel. You save a hotel night, you skip the airport queues, and you arrive in the city centre with the whole day ahead of you. Here is my practical guide to getting it right.

Why night trains are making a comeback

New routes keep popping up across Europe. In September 2026, the Dutch-Belgian company European Sleeper started a train from Brussels to Milan, three nights a week, with stops in Switzerland and on Lake Como (VRT News). Austria's ÖBB still runs its Nightjet trains to Rome from Vienna, Salzburg, Villach and Munich (Nightjet).

Travellers want this too. In a 2025 survey of 11,000 people for Hitachi Rail, almost half said they plan to take the train more and fly less in the next five years (Euronews).

And then there is the planet. The European Environment Agency compared 20 city pairs and found that the environmental cost of rail travel is far lower than flying (EEA).

The honest part: routes come and go

I won't pretend it's all smooth. Night trains depend on public money and on old carriages. In December 2025, the Nightjet trains from Paris to Vienna and Berlin stopped after French funding was cut. Some routes to Italy are also paused in 2026 because of track works (Euronews).

My tip: always check the operator's website for your exact dates before you build a trip around a train. A route that ran last summer may not run this winter, and a new one may have just started.

Seat, couchette or sleeper?

This is the big choice. It shapes your night, and your budget.

  • Seat: the cheapest option. Fine for a short night or if you can sleep anywhere, but comfort is limited.

  • Couchette: a shared room with four to six bunks. On Nightjet you get sheets, a pillow and a blanket, a door you can lock from inside, and a simple breakfast. Ladies-only rooms are also available (Nightjet).

  • Mini cabin: a small private pod for one, found on the newer Nightjet trains. A nice middle ground if you travel alone.

  • Sleeper: a private room for one to three people with its own washbasin and breakfast included. Some rooms even have a shower and toilet (Nightjet).

Travelling as a couple or a family? Booking a whole couchette room can feel almost like having your own space.

Booking tips from someone who plans trips for a living

In my years in hotels and event planning, I learned one simple rule: the best rooms go first. Night trains work the same way.

  • Book early. Private rooms sell out fast, above all on Fridays and in summer.

  • Book direct. Use the operator's own website or a trusted rail booking site, so changes and refunds are easier.

  • Watch the times. Trains often leave late in the evening and arrive early in the morning. Ask your hotel if you can drop your bags before check-in.

  • Compare the full cost. A sleeper can cost more than a cheap flight, but it also gives you a bed for the night and saves you the trip to and from the airport.

What to pack in your night bag

Your big suitcase goes on the rack or under the bunk. Keep a small bag close to you with:

  • earplugs and an eye mask

  • a refillable water bottle

  • a light sweater, since carriages can feel warm or cool

  • slippers for the corridor

  • a small power bank, just in case

  • a toothbrush and some wipes

  • a snack, if you get hungry before breakfast

My mini night-train checklist

  1. Check that the route runs on your dates.

  2. Choose your comfort level: seat, couchette, mini cabin or sleeper.

  3. Book early, directly with the operator.

  4. Plan your arrival morning: bags, breakfast, first stop.

  5. Pack a small night bag.

  6. Relax, and look out of the window at sunrise.

Slow down and enjoy the ride

For me, a night train is not just a way to get somewhere. It is part of the holiday: the lights of small stations in the dark, the gentle rocking, the first coffee as the mountains appear outside. You arrive rested, without the stress of flying, and with a lighter footprint.

Have you ever taken a night train in Europe? Which route would you love to try? Tell me in the comments!

Sources and further reading

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