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European Sleeper
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Introducing the European Sleeper
On 25 May 2023, new open-access train operator European Sleeper (www.europeansleeper.eu) launched a sleeper train linking Brussels, Antwerp, Rotterdam & Amsterdam with Berlin. There's an easy connection from London to Brussels by Eurostar. It runs 3 times a week, ES plan to extend the train to Dresden & Prague from March 2024 and hope to increase it to daily in due course.
What is the sleeping-car like?
What are the
couchette cars like?
Travel tips: Luggage, bikes,
pets
Brussels Midi station
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Amsterdam Centraal station
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Berlin Hbf station
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Train times starting 25 May 2023
Always check times for your specific date of travel as they can vary due to trackwork.
How much does it cost?
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London to Brussels by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).
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Brussels, Antwerp, Rotterdam or Amsterdam to Berlin by sleeper:
From €49 in a seat, €79 with a couchette in 6-berth, €99 with a bed in 4-berth.
From €109 with a bed in 3-bed sleeper, €129 with a bed in 2-bed sleeper, €159 with a bed in single-bed sleeper.
All prices per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Children under 4 travel free, without their own berth. Children under 12 travel at a child rate.
There's currently no discount for Interrail or Eurail, but watch for updates.
How to buy tickets
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Book the sleeper at www.europeansleeper.eu. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead although this can vary.
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Book the Eurostar connection separately at www.eurostar.com.
What is the sleeping-car like?
The train has one sleeping-car, instantly recognisable as it's an AB30 ex-P, the only type of European sleeping-car ever built with an American-style fluted stainless-steel body. 80 of these cars were built in 1955-56, originally with 20 small upper & lower single compartments, named the P-type after its designer, Albert Pillpich of the famous Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits. A number of P-types including this one were completely rebuilt in the 1990s for the Austrian, Belgian and Dutch railways with a more conventional 10-compartment layout and were reclassified AB30 (AB indicating 1st & 2nd class, 30 indicating 30 berths).
The sleeping-car has 10 compartments, each of which can be sold as a 1, 2 or 3 bed room with upper, middle & lower berths folded out as required. Luggage goes in the big 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 a 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."
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The stainless-steel sleeping-car on a westbound European Sleeper, about to leave Berlin Hbf. Click the interior photos for larger images.
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1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper, set up as a single. |
Same sleeper, looking towards the corridor. |
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Breakfast, included in the fare... |
The corridor, next morning... |
What are the couchettes like?
The train usually runs with 5 couchette cars, each with a side corridor and 9 compartments. Each compartment can be sold as 4-berth or 6-berth. Each berth is provided with a clean sheet, blanket & pillow, the compartment door has a normal lock and a security lock or chain. There are toilets & washrooms at the end of the corridor. 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 4-berth compartment. A bottle of drinking water is provided for each passenger. Morning tea or coffee and a light breakfast are included in the fare. These couchette cars are Slovakian, they are not air-conditioned but have opening windows. See couchette car numbering plan.
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The inaugural European Sleeper train about to leave Brussels Midi on Friday 26 May 2023. Click the interior photos for larger images.
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Couchette car corridor. |
Couchette compartment, usable as 4 or 6 berth. |
Seats cars
There are several seats cars, but I don't recommend seats for an overnight journey unless unavoidable, always book a sleeper or couchette even if you're on a budget.
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Seats car. |
Seats compartment. |
Travel tips: Luggage, bikes, pets...
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Sleeper, couchette or just a seat?
For solo travellers on a budget, a couchette is fine, you get a flat bunk in a safely lockable compartment and can sleep just as well as in a sleeper - never travel in just a seat, always book a couchette or sleeper on a night train for both comfort and security. It's worth paying the extra for a couchette in a 4-berth compartment as you get a lot more space per person than in a 6-berth.
For families, a 4 or 6 berth couchette compartment is ideal, you're all together in one compartment and can have a blast - bring a bottle of wine for mum & dad. Paying more for two 2-berth compartments in the sleeping-car probably isn't worth it (unless you've older kids and mum & dad want a break). If there are 5 of you, you can buy 6 tickets for sole occupancy of a 6-berth couchette compartment, simply add a phantom child to the booking.
The sleeping-car has a quieter, more civilised atmosphere, and it's obviously the best option for solo travellers & couples not budget-limited. Some families and many solo travellers prefer it: A bed in a shared 3-bed single-gender sleeper doesn't cost that much more than a bunk in a 4-berth couchette compartment. In the sleeper, you get a proper fully-made-up bed with duvet.
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Berth numbering
It often confuses people when they get berths 21 & 25 and think they aren't together in the same 2-berth sleeper compartment. Of course they are! See the way sleepers are numbered. See the way couchettes are numbered.
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Luggage
You take your luggage with you into your sleeper compartment and simply stick it on the luggage racks above the window, over the door to the corridor, or on the floor. Nobody weighs it, measures it, or worries about how much you take. More information about luggage on European trains.
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Bikes
Bikes are carried on the European Sleeper for €19. They are carried in a large bike compartment in the seats car at one end of the train.
For bikes on Eurostar, see the bikes by train page. Also consider taking bikes on the bike-friendly Harwich-Hoek ferry and picking up the European Sleeper in Rotterdam.
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Pets
Pets are carried on the sleeper free of charge, as long as you (and anyone with you) occupy a whole sleeper or couchette compartment.
Pets are not carried on Eurostar, but can be carried on the London-Amsterdam train-ferry-train service to pick up the sleeper in Rotterdam.
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Wheelchairs
Unfortunately, European Sleeper have not been able to get hold of the very few available couchette cars with wheelchair-accessible compartments, but longer term they plan to add this facility.
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WiFi & power sockets
There's no WiFi, but mobile data reception works fine along most of the route. There are power sockets (European 2-pin type) in some of the couchette cars but not all, and not in the sleepers. I always travel with a powerbank.
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Food & drink on board
The European Sleeper couchette & sleeper attendants can sell snacks & drinks (tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, European Sleeper's excellent own brand of beer, nachos, noodles) from a limited menu. You should dine before you board. Feel free to bring a picnic with you!
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On arrival in Berlin
I recommend the excellent InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf just outside the station (or if you're flush, the equally excellent Steigenberger Hotel just across the square from the station's main exit). An early arrival in Berlin? No problem, drop off your bags at reception and ask to join the hotel's breakfast buffet!
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Bike compartment in a seats car. |
Snacks & drinks are available from the attendant. |
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European sleeper has launched its own beer! |
Sleeper set up for double or triple occupancy. |
Route map
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Click for larger map Highlighted = Brussels-Amsterdam-Berlin sleeper route. Green = scenic sections of line. Red = high-speed line.
Reproduced from the excellent European Rail Map with kind permission of the European Rail Timetable people. I recommend buying the European Rail Map for your travels and a copy of the European Rail Timetable, www.europeanrailtimetable.eu with shipping worldwide.
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!
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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.