The European Sleeper train
 

Buy tickets for the European Sleeper train

Booking opens 24 September!

Brussels, Breda, Cologne Munich, Innsbruck, Verona, Venice

On certain dates in February & March 2025. open-access train operator European Sleeper (www.europeansleeper.eu) will run a sleeper train linking Brussels, Breda, Venlo & Cologne with Munich, Innsbruck, Verona & Venice via the scenic Brenner Pass.  There's an easy connection from London to Brussels by Eurostar.  This is in addition to their regular all-year-round 3-times-a-week sleeper from Brussels & Amsterdam to Berlin, Dresden & Prague.

small bullet point  Train times

small bullet point  How much does it cost?

small bullet point  How to buy tickets

small bullet point  What's the sleeping-car like?

small bullet point  What are the 5-berth couchettes like?

small bullet point  What are the 6-berth couchettes like?

small bullet point  What are the seats cars like?

small bullet point  Route map

small bullet point  Tips: Luggage, bikes, pets, where to wait

small bullet point  Wake up to the scenic route & watch the videos

small bullet point  About European Sleeper

Indicative train times:  Runs on dates shown in Feb & March 2025

 Brussels ► Innsbruck, Venice 

 

 Venice, Innsbruck ► Brussels

 Runs from Brussels to

 Innsbruck & Venice on:

5, 14, 23, Feb &

4, 12 March

 Runs from Venice & Innsbruck on:

9, 18, 27 Feb &

8, 16 March

 Also runs to Innsbruck on:

21 & 28 Feb

 Also runs from Innsbruck on:

22 Feb, 1 March

 Connection by Eurostar:

 

 European Sleeper:

 

 London St Pancras depart:

13:01

 Venice Santa Lucia depart:

16:00

 Brussels Midi arrive:

16:05

 Venice Mestre depart:

16:15

 European Sleeper:

 

 Verona Porta Nuova depart:

17:30

 Brussels Midi depart:

19:00

 Bolzano depart:

19:00

 Breda depart:

20:30

 Innsbruck Hbf depart:

21:00

 Eindhoven depart:

21:30

 Munich Hbf depart:

23:30

 Venlo depart:

22:30

 Cologne Hbf arrive:

06:30

 Cologne Hbf depart:

23:30

 Venlo arrive

07:30

 Munich Hbf arrive:

06:30

 Eindhoven arrive:

08:30

 Innsbruck Hbf arrive:

09:00

 Breda arrive:

09:30

 Bolzano arrive:

11:00

 Brussels Midi arrive:

11:30

 Verona Porta Nuova arrive:

12:30

 Connection by Eurostar

 

 Venice Mestre arrive:

13:45

 Brussels Midi depart

14:52

 Venice Santa Lucia arrive:

14:00

 London St Pancras arrive:

15:57

You can in theory take the 15:04 Eurostar from London, but with no wiggle room if the sleeper is retimed earlier at short notice.  I recommend booking the 13:01.

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

What's the sleeping-car like?

The train has a sleeping-car, instantly recognisable by its American-style fluted stainless-steel body.  80 of these cars were built in 1954-56, originally with 20 small upper & lower single compartments, named the P type after their designer Albert Pillepich of the famous Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits.  A number of P types were completely rebuilt in the 1990s for the Austrian, Belgian & Dutch railways with a more conventional 10-compartment layout and were reclassified AB30 (AB = 1st & 2nd class, 30 = 30 berths).

The sleeping-car has 10 compartments, each can be sold as 1, 2 or 3 berth with upper, middle & lower berths folded out as required.  Luggage goes in the large recess over the door to the corridor or over the window.  The compartments have normal locks and a security deadbolt which can only be locked & unlocked from inside.  There's a washbasin, soap, towel, complimentary slippers and all necessary bedding including a very comfortable duvet.  A bottle of drinking water is provided for each passenger.  Morning tea or coffee and light breakfast are included in the fare.  There are two toilets at one end of the corridor.

The Man in Seat 61 says: "I have a soft spot for these venerable sleeping-cars.  They're old but comfortable, and with only 10 compartments not 12 in a 26-metre car they are relatively spacious by European sleeper standards.  It's true they can be temperamental, they like the German power supply better than Belgian or Dutch, you may find the water pressure and air-con better on the German side!  With friendly staff, comfortable beds and breakfast included it's a great way to travel."

Tip:  If you find the sleepers fully-booked (they sell out first), a private compartment in a 5-berth couchette car makes a decent alternative.

Sleeping-car

The stainless-steel sleeping-car on the European Sleeper.  Click the interior photos for larger images.

Sleeping-car set up as a single   Sleeper looking towards corridor

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper, set up as a single.

 

Same sleeper, looking towards the corridor.

Breakfast included in the fare   Sleeping-car corridor

In sleepers, breakfast is included in the fare.

 

The corridor, next morning.

What are the 5-berth couchettes like?

Comfort 5-berth couchettes are in newer air-conditioned cars originally built for German Railways in the 1990s.  Each of the 9 compartments has 5 berths, upper & lower on one side, upper, middle & lower on the other.  The extra cost over 6-berth couchettes is well worth it for more space in a more modern couchette car.

Each berth is provided with a clean sheet, blanket & pillow.  There is a toilet and 1 or 2 washrooms at each end of the corridor.  The compartment door has a normal lock and a security chain.  A bottle of drinking water is provided for each passenger and you can buy snacks & drinks from the train staff.  A light breakfast with tea or coffee can be added to your booking when you buy tickets or bought from staff on board.  Compartment windows open, one or two corridor side windows also open.  Couchette compartments are not segregated by gender as you do not normally get fully undressed, but women can book a berth in a ladies-only compartment.  See couchette car numbering plan.

If you want sole occupancy of a whole 5-berth compartment for 2-5 people, you will see a price for a private compartment when you book.  If you find the sleeping-car fully-booked, sole occupancy of a 5-berth couchette compartment is a decent alternative.

European Sleeper 5-berth couchette car at Prague

Above, the inaugural European Sleeper departure waits to leave Prague on Tuesday 26 March 2024.  Click the interior photos for larger images.

European Sleeper 5 berth couchette   European Sleeper 5 berth couchette

5-berth couchettes, daytime mode.

 

5-berth couchettes, night mode.

European Sleeper couchette, made up   European Sleeper couchette car washroom

You make up your bed with pillow, sheet & blanket.

 

Washrooms at each end of the corridor.

European Sleeper 5 berth couchette   European Sleeper 5 berth couchette

Corridor view.

 

Breakfast can be added to your booking or bought on board.

What are the 6-berth couchettes like?

Standard 6-berth couchettes are in older cars without air-con, originally built for Slovakian Railways in the 1980s.  Each car has 9 compartments, each compartment has 6 berths, upper, middle & lower on each side.  European Sleeper hope to have enough of the newer 5-berth cars to phase these out by 2025.

Each berth is provided with a clean sheet, blanket & pillow.  There are toilets & washrooms at the end of the corridor.  The compartment door has a normal lock and a security lock or chain.  Couchette compartments are not segregated by gender as you do not normally get fully undressed, but women can book a berth in a ladies-only compartment.  A bottle of drinking water is provided for each passenger and you can buy snacks & drinks from the train staff.  A light breakfast with tea or coffee can be added to your booking when you buy tickets or bought from staff on board.  The windows open.  See couchette car numbering plan.

If you want sole occupancy of a whole 6-berth compartment for 2-6 people, you'll see a price for a private compartment when you book.

Couchette car corridor   4 or 6 berth couchette compartment

6-berth standard couchette car.

 

6-berth standard couchette compartment.

Couchette car corridor   4 or 6 berth couchette compartment

Another 6-berth standard couchette compartment, this one slightly wider with two windows. Cars are of several types.

Route map

Berlin to Budapest sleeper train route map

 

Click for larger map

Highlighted = Brussels-Venice sleeper route.

Green = scenic sections of line.

European Rail Timetable and mapReproduced from the excellent European Rail Map with kind permission of the European Rail Timetable people.

I recommend buying a copy of the European Rail Map for your travels, www.europeanrailtimetable.eu with shipping worldwide.

Tips: Luggage, bikes, pets...

European Sleeper bike compartment   Sleeping-car

Bike compartment in a seats car.

 

Snacks & drinks are available from the attendant.

Sleeping-car   Sleeping-car set up for double or triple occupancy

European sleeper has launched its own beer!

 

Sleeper set up for double or triple occupancy.

About European Sleeper

European Sleeper isn't just an ordinary company, it's on a mission to bring sleeper trains back.  Founded by two entrepreneurs with a passion for sleepers, Elmer van Buuren and Chris Engelsman, it has required a huge effort battling railway bureaucracy to get this train up and running.  It's been particularly difficult to source serviceable rolling stock as there's so little available for hire, but they've done it and they now have a comfortable and operationally robust train even though it inevitably uses older rolling stock.  They are now working on expanding the offer and in the longer term funding and sourcing the modern rolling stock that this service deserves.  Let's give them our support!

European Sleeper launch

I was privileged to be at the launch reception on 26 May 2023 at the Pullman Hotel at Brussels Midi.  On stage are European Sleeper founders Elmer van Buuren (left) and Chris Engelsman (centre) with Dutch-American comedian Greg Shapiro hosting the event.  Photographed by the author.


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