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Couchettes
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Introducing the European Sleeper...
Starting 25 May 2023, new open-access train operator European Sleeper (www.europeansleeper.eu) will launch a new sleeper train linking Brussels, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam with Berlin (and hopefully from December 2023, Dresden & Prague). It'll have an easy connection from London by Eurostar, too. Initially it will run 3 times a week, but ES will increase this to daily as soon as they can. Who are European Sleeper?
What's the
couchette car like?
Travel tips: Luggage, bikes,
pets
Brussels Midi station
information
Amsterdam Centraal station
information
Berlin Hbf station
information
Train times starting 25 May 2023...
How much does it cost?
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Brussels 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, from €129 with a bed in 2-bed sleeper, from €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 free, without their own berth. Children under 12 travel for a reduced rate.
There's no discount for Interrail or Eurail, European Sleeper is not initially a participant in those schemes.
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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).
How to buy tickets
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Book the sleeper at www.europeansleeper.eu.
Booking opens on 20 February for the first departure on 25 May 2023. The normal booking horizon is not yet known.
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Book the Eurostar connection separately at www.eurostar.com.
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It's possible that tickets for the sleeper and for Eurostar will be bookable together in one place - or even as one transaction - at www.thetrainline.com, but we will know more after 20 February when booking opens.
What's the sleeping-car like?
The train has a sleeping-car, but the exact type is not yet known. It is likely to have 10 or so compartments, each compartment 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. The compartments will have normal locks plus a security deadbolt which can only be locked & unlocked from inside. There's crisp clean bedding, a washbasin, soap, towel. Morning tea or coffee and a light breakfast are included in the fare.
What's the couchette car like?
Each couchette car has a side corridor and 9 compartments, each of which can be used as 4-berth or 6-berth. Clean sheets and a pillow are provided, the doors have a normal lock and security lock or chain. Toilets and 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 women-only 4-berth compartment. Morning tea or coffee and a light breakfast are included in the fare. See generic couchette car numbering plan.
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.
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 the ideal choice, you're all together in one compartment and can have a blast - bring a bottle of wine for mum & dad. Paying more for two separate 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.
But the sleeping-car does have a quieter, more civilised atmosphere, and it's obviously the best option for solo travellers & couples not budget-restricted. 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 (in couchettes you get a blanket, sheet & pillow and arrange them yourself).
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Berth numbering...
This often confuses people! They get berths 21 & 25 and think that they aren't 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 sleeper for €24.
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Pets...
Pets are carried on the sleeper, as long as you have sole occupancy of a sleeper or couchette compartment. Cost to be confirmed.
Pets are not carried on Eurostar, but can be carried on the London-Amsterdam train-ferry-train service to pick up the sleeper in Amsterdam.
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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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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 treat yourself to the hotel's breakfast buffet!
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.