Ski holiday by night train: all routes to the Alps
Night trains take you to the Alps while you sleep – and there are a lot of options for the upcoming 2026/27 winter season. You board in the evening and arrive in the morning, in time for the first lifts. This guide is sorted by where you start: pick your country and city, and see which ski areas you reach directly, on which train, and how to get from the station to the slopes.
Winter-only trains, such as the Travelski Night Express, the Intercités de nuit to Briançon, and the Snälltåget to Innsbruck, run only on selected dates. Check the connection search for your date.
Jump to: Netherlands, Northern Germany, Western Germany, Central Germany, Belgium, France, Denmark and southern Sweden.
Overview
| Where you start | Ski areas | Trains |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | Innsbruck (AT), Tarentaise (FR), Andermatt (CH) | Nightjet 421, Travelski Night Express, European Sleeper 401 |
| Northern Germany | Innsbruck | Nightjet 40491, Snälltåget 305 |
| Western Germany | Innsbruck, Andermatt | Nightjet 421, European Sleeper 401 |
| Central Germany | Ostrava (CZ) | Leo Express 235 |
| Belgium | Tarentaise, Andermatt | Travelski Night Express, European Sleeper 401 |
| France | Tarentaise, Briançon (FR) | Travelski Night Express, Intercités de nuit 5789 |
| Denmark, southern Sweden | Innsbruck | Snälltåget 305 |
Ski by night train from the Netherlands
Night trains to the Alps leave from Amsterdam, Utrecht, Arnhem, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, and Breda. Three ski regions are reachable directly: Innsbruck (AT), Tarentaise (FR), and Andermatt (CH).
Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Arnhem to Innsbruck
Nightjet 421 from ÖBB runs daily from Amsterdam Centraal via Utrecht and Arnhem to Innsbruck. On its way, it passes the Ruhr area and München. It departs in the evening and arrives in Innsbruck in the morning. Nightjet 421 is a Nightjet of the new generation, with a dedicated area for skis and snowboards.
Where you arrive: Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof. Ski buses leave from outside the station for Nordkette, Patscherkofel, Axamer Lizum, Muttereralm, and other ski areas around the city (roughly 20–50 minutes). Kühtai and the Stubai valley, with Schlick 2000 and the Stubai Glacier, have their own bus lines.
Sleeping car, couchette, or Mini Cabin? Find out which cabin suits your group and what is included in the ticket in the FAQ on Nightjet by ÖBB
Amsterdam and Rotterdam to Tarentaise
The Travelski Night Express runs on Friday evenings from 18 December 2026 to 26 March 2027. The Benelux train leaves Amsterdam in the afternoon and calls at Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Brussels. It arrives on Saturday morning in Tarentaise and returns on Saturday evening. The train has sleeping cars, couchette cars, and seating cars.
Where you arrive: the train calls at three stations, each serving different resorts.
- Bourg-Saint-Maurice (last stop): a footbridge from the platforms leads to the funicular, about 5 minutes on foot. It takes you to Arc 1600 in 7 minutes. Buses run on to Tignes and Val d'Isère. The Vanoise Express links Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry with La Plagne.
- Aime-la-Plagne: shuttle buses to La Plagne leave from the bus station next to the railway station.
- Moûtiers: buses to Les 3 Vallées. Saint-Martin-de-Belleville takes about 30 minutes, Les Menuires about 45 minutes, and Val Thorens about 1 hour. Buses also serve Méribel and Courchevel.
On nightride.com, you see the price of the train ticket only. Travelski also sells the train as part of package deals with accommodation, ski pass, and more. Depending on your plans, a package can be cheaper than booking each part yourself, so compare both.
Sleeper, couchette, or seat? See how the categories differ, and what bedding and breakfast look like, in the FAQ on Travelski Night Express
Breda and Eindhoven to Andermatt (Göschenen)
European Sleeper 401 runs from Brussels via Köln and the Gotthard line to Milan, with stops in Aarau, Göschenen, and Lugano. From 13 December 2026, it also calls at Antwerp, Breda, and Eindhoven. It departs in the evening and reaches Göschenen in the morning. Departures from Brussels are on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Where you arrive: Göschenen, on the Gotthard line. The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, a rack railway, runs hourly from Göschenen to Andermatt in about 10 minutes. Andermatt is the base of SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun. The same railway continues via Nätschen and Oberalp to Sedrun.
What does a Comfort Plus cabin include, and how do the couchettes differ? Find out in the FAQ on European Sleeper
Other options from the Netherlands
Basel and Zürich: Nightjet 403 runs from Amsterdam, Utrecht, Arnhem, and Eindhoven to Basel and Zürich. It departs in the evening and arrives in the morning.
Where you arrive in Basel and Zürich: a lot of ski resorts are within easy reach of both cities by regional train or bus.
Sleeping car, couchette, or Mini Cabin? Find out which cabin suits your group and what is included in the ticket in the FAQ on Nightjet by ÖBB
München: Nightjet 421 stops in München on its way to Innsbruck.
Where you arrive in München: from München Hauptbahnhof, regional trains of the Bayerische Oberlandbahn run to Bayrischzell (Sudelfeld), Schliersee (Spitzingsee), and Lenggries (Brauneck, with a ski bus). Direct trains go to Garmisch-Partenkirchen for Garmisch Classic and the Zugspitze. Expect about 80–95 minutes to each area.
More on night train travel: skis and luggage, cabin categories, booking tickets.
Ski by night train from northern Germany
From Hamburg, Bremen, Hannover, Göttingen, and Kassel, night trains run to Innsbruck (AT), Basel (CH), Zürich (CH), and München (DE).
Hamburg, Hannover, and Kassel to Innsbruck
Nightjet 40491 from ÖBB runs daily from Hamburg via Hannover, Göttingen, and Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe to Innsbruck. It passes through München. It departs in the evening and arrives in Innsbruck in the morning. It is a Nightjet of the new generation, with a dedicated area for skis and snowboards.
Where you arrive: Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof. Ski buses leave from outside the station for Nordkette, Patscherkofel, Axamer Lizum, Muttereralm, and other ski areas around the city (roughly 20–50 minutes). Kühtai and the Stubai valley, with Schlick 2000 and the Stubai Glacier, have their own bus lines.
Sleeping car, couchette, or Mini Cabin? Find out which cabin suits your group and what is included in the ticket in the FAQ on Nightjet by ÖBB
Other options from northern Germany
Basel and Zürich: Nightjet 471, also a Nightjet of the new generation, runs from Hamburg and Bremen to Basel and Zürich. It departs in the evening and arrives in the morning.
Where you arrive in Basel and Zürich: a lot of ski resorts are within easy reach of both cities by regional train or bus.
Sleeping car, couchette, or Mini Cabin? Find out which cabin suits your group and what is included in the ticket in the FAQ on Nightjet by ÖBB
München: Nightjet 40491 stops in München on its way to Innsbruck.
Where you arrive in München: from München Hauptbahnhof, regional trains of the Bayerische Oberlandbahn run to Bayrischzell (Sudelfeld), Schliersee (Spitzingsee), and Lenggries (Brauneck, with a ski bus). Direct trains go to Garmisch-Partenkirchen for Garmisch Classic and the Zugspitze. Expect about 80–95 minutes to each area.
Innsbruck with Snälltåget: on selected dates between 18 December 2026 and 12 March 2027, Snälltåget 305 from Malmö also stops in Hamburg on its way to Innsbruck. It has seats and couchettes, but no sleeping cars.
There are no sleeping cars, but six-berth couchettes with bed linen. See what to expect on board in the FAQ on Snälltåget
More on night train travel: skis and luggage, cabin categories, booking tickets.
Ski by night train from western Germany
From Köln, Düsseldorf, Duisburg, Essen, Dortmund, and Aachen, night trains run to Innsbruck (AT), Andermatt (CH), Basel (CH), and Zürich (CH).
Essen and Dortmund to Innsbruck
Nightjet 421 from ÖBB runs daily from Amsterdam via Oberhausen, Essen, and Dortmund to Innsbruck. It departs in the evening and arrives in Innsbruck in the morning. It is a Nightjet of the new generation, with a dedicated area for skis and snowboards.
Where you arrive: Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof. Ski buses leave from outside the station for Nordkette, Patscherkofel, Axamer Lizum, Muttereralm, and other ski areas around the city (roughly 20–50 minutes). Kühtai and the Stubai valley, with Schlick 2000 and the Stubai Glacier, have their own bus lines.
Sleeping car, couchette, or Mini Cabin? Find out which cabin suits your group and what is included in the ticket in the FAQ on Nightjet by ÖBB
Köln and Aachen to Andermatt (Göschenen)
European Sleeper 401 runs from Brussels via Aachen and Köln and the Gotthard line to Milan, with stops in Aarau, Göschenen, and Lugano. It departs in the late evening and reaches Göschenen in the morning. Departures from Brussels are on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Where you arrive: Göschenen, on the Gotthard line. The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, a rack railway, runs hourly from Göschenen to Andermatt in about 10 minutes. Andermatt is the base of SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun. The same railway continues via Nätschen and Oberalp to Sedrun.
What does a Comfort Plus cabin include, and how do the couchettes differ? Find out in the FAQ on European Sleeper
Other options from western Germany
Basel and Zürich: Nightjet 403 runs from Duisburg, Düsseldorf, and Köln to Basel and Zürich. It departs in the evening and arrives in the morning.
Where you arrive in Basel and Zürich: a lot of ski resorts are within easy reach of both cities by regional train or bus.
Sleeping car, couchette, or Mini Cabin? Find out which cabin suits your group and what is included in the ticket in the FAQ on Nightjet by ÖBB
More on night train travel: skis and luggage, cabin categories, booking tickets.
Ski by night train from central Germany
From Frankfurt, Erfurt, Leipzig, and Dresden, a Leo Express night train runs to Ostrava (CZ).
Frankfurt, Erfurt, Leipzig, and Dresden to Ostrava
Leo Express 235 is a night train from Frankfurt via Erfurt, Leipzig, Dresden, and Prague to Ostrava and on to Kraków. It runs several times a week and has couchette cars and seating cars. It arrives in Ostrava in the morning.
Where you arrive: Ostrava. The Beskydy mountains with the ski areas of Ostravice and Bílá are the closest option. Take a regional train to Frýdlant nad Ostravicí, then a local bus up the valley. Plan for roughly 1 to 1.5 hours and check the connection on IDOS.
Four-berth couchette, seat, or women-only compartment? See what each category offers in the FAQ on Leo Express
More on night train travel: skis and luggage, cabin categories, booking tickets.
Ski by night train from Belgium
From Brussels and Antwerp, night trains run to Tarentaise (FR) and Andermatt (CH).
Brussels and Antwerp to Tarentaise
The Travelski Night Express runs on Friday evenings from 18 December 2026 to 26 March 2027. The Benelux train leaves Amsterdam in the afternoon and calls at Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Brussels in the evening. It arrives on Saturday morning in Tarentaise and returns on Saturday evening. The train has sleeping cars, couchette cars, and seating cars.
Where you arrive: the train calls at three stations, each serving different resorts.
- Bourg-Saint-Maurice (last stop): a footbridge from the platforms leads to the funicular, about 5 minutes on foot. It takes you to Arc 1600 in 7 minutes. Buses run on to Tignes and Val d'Isère. The Vanoise Express links Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry with La Plagne.
- Aime-la-Plagne: shuttle buses to La Plagne leave from the bus station next to the railway station.
- Moûtiers: buses to Les 3 Vallées. Saint-Martin-de-Belleville takes about 30 minutes, Les Menuires about 45 minutes, and Val Thorens about 1 hour. Buses also serve Méribel and Courchevel.
On nightride.com, you see the price of the train ticket only. Travelski also sells the train as part of package deals with accommodation, ski pass, and more. Depending on your plans, a package can be cheaper than booking each part yourself, so compare both.
Sleeper, couchette, or seat? See how the categories differ, and what bedding and breakfast look like, in the FAQ on Travelski Night Express
Brussels and Antwerp to Andermatt (Göschenen)
European Sleeper 401 leaves Brussels in the evening and runs via Köln and the Gotthard line to Milan, with stops in Aarau, Göschenen, and Lugano. From 13 December 2026, it also calls at Antwerp. It reaches Göschenen in the morning. Departures from Brussels are on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Where you arrive: Göschenen, on the Gotthard line. The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, a rack railway, runs hourly from Göschenen to Andermatt in about 10 minutes. Andermatt is the base of SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun. The same railway continues via Nätschen and Oberalp to Sedrun.
What does a Comfort Plus cabin include, and how do the couchettes differ? Find out in the FAQ on European Sleeper
More on night train travel: skis and luggage, cabin categories, booking tickets.
Ski by night train from France
From Paris Austerlitz, night trains run to Tarentaise (FR) and Briançon (FR).
Paris to Tarentaise
The Travelski Night Express has its own train from Paris Gare d'Austerlitz. It runs on Friday evenings from 18 December 2026 to 26 March 2027, arrives on Saturday morning in Tarentaise, and returns on Saturday evening. It has sleeping cars, couchette cars, and seating cars.
Where you arrive: the train calls at three stations, each serving different resorts.
- Bourg-Saint-Maurice (last stop): a footbridge from the platforms leads to the funicular, about 5 minutes on foot. It takes you to Arc 1600 in 7 minutes. Buses run on to Tignes and Val d'Isère. The Vanoise Express links Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry with La Plagne.
- Aime-la-Plagne: shuttle buses to La Plagne leave from the bus station next to the railway station.
- Moûtiers: buses to Les 3 Vallées. Saint-Martin-de-Belleville takes about 30 minutes, Les Menuires about 45 minutes, and Val Thorens about 1 hour. Buses also serve Méribel and Courchevel.
On nightride.com, you see the price of the train ticket only. Travelski also sells the train as part of package deals with accommodation, ski pass, and more. Depending on your plans, a package can be cheaper than booking each part yourself, so compare both.
Sleeper, couchette, or seat? See how the categories differ, and what bedding and breakfast look like, in the FAQ on Travelski Night Express
Paris to Briançon (Serre Chevalier)
The Intercités de nuit 5789 from SNCF leaves Paris Austerlitz in the evening and arrives in Briançon in the morning. It runs on selected dates between 13 December 2026 and 6 January 2027. Connections are currently loaded until 6 January 2027. The train has couchette cars and seating cars, but no sleeping cars.
Where you arrive: Briançon station. From there, ski bus line 6 runs through the Serre Chevalier valley: about 15–20 minutes to Chantemerle, 30–40 minutes to Villeneuve, and about 50 minutes to Le Monêtier-les-Bains. Line 5 goes to Montgenèvre. Line 6 does not serve the old town (Cité Vauban).
Shared or private couchette, or a seat? Here is what to expect on board and how to book a compartment for yourself, in the FAQ on Intercités de nuit by SNCF
More on night train travel: skis and luggage, cabin categories, booking tickets.
Ski by night train from Denmark and southern Sweden
From Malmö and Denmark, a direct night train runs to Innsbruck (AT) in winter.
Malmö, Odense, and Kolding to Innsbruck
Snälltåget 305 runs on selected dates between 18 December 2026 and 12 March 2027. It leaves Malmö in the afternoon, runs via Copenhagen, Odense, Kolding, Hamburg, and München, and arrives in Innsbruck around midday. The train has couchette cars and seating cars, but no sleeping cars.
Where you arrive: Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof. Ski buses leave from outside the station for Nordkette, Patscherkofel, Axamer Lizum, Muttereralm, and other ski areas around the city (roughly 20–50 minutes). Kühtai and the Stubai valley, with Schlick 2000 and the Stubai Glacier, have their own bus lines.
There are no sleeping cars, but six-berth couchettes with bed linen. See what to expect on board in the FAQ on Snälltåget
Other options from Denmark and southern Sweden
In Hamburg, you reach the Nightjet services described in Ski by night train from northern Germany.
More on night train travel: skis and luggage, cabin categories, booking tickets.
Practical tips and FAQ
Can I take skis and snowboards on a night train?
Yes, on all trains in this guide. Rules and space differ by operator, so check the details for your train. Always pack skis and snowboards in transport bags that fit into the normal luggage space.
- Nightjet by ÖBB: The Nightjet of the new generation has dedicated areas for skis, snowboards, and larger luggage in its multifunctional car. On other Nightjets, skis go into the normal storage space.
- Travelski Night Express: Skis and snowboards can be taken on board. Space in the compartments is limited, so pack compactly and ask Travelski about limits for your booking, especially if you book a package.
- European Sleeper: A pair of skis or a snowboard is included, on top of one suitcase or a backpack and a small daypack. You carry and store it yourself, and it must not block aisles or exits. The train crew can refuse oversized luggage.
- Intercités de nuit by SNCF: SNCF allows skis and snowboards on Intercités in a labelled bag of up to 90 × 130 × 50 cm. Couchette compartments are compact, so check SNCF's luggage rules for skis before you travel.
- Snälltåget: Skis must be in a case. In a seat or a shared couchette, you check them in at the train before departure and collect them after arrival, so you cannot reach them during the journey. Ski check-in costs extra. Add it when you book, or later via My Journey.
- Leo Express: Skis and snowboards can be taken on Leo Express trains. They count as oversized luggage, you need to reserve a place for them, and capacity per connection is limited.
More in our luggage FAQ.
Which Nightjets are of the new generation?
As of April 2026, Nightjet 421, Nightjet 40491, and Nightjet 471 run with new-generation trains. Nightjet 403 does not yet. See the guide to the new Nightjet for the current list of routes.
Nightjet by ÖBB
Nightjet trains have sleeping cars, couchette cars, and seating cars. Nightjets of the new generation add Mini Cabins, compact sleeping pods in the couchette car that you can close off for more privacy. Sleeping cars include made-up beds, a towel, a travel kit, water, breakfast, and a wake-up service. Couchette cars include bed linen and breakfast. More in the cabin FAQ, the guide to the new Nightjet, and the ÖBB night train network.
Travelski Night Express
The Travelski Night Express is a winter ski train sold by Travelski and run by Pegasus. It has sleeping cars (Première, a private 3-person compartment), couchette cars (Standard and Standard Plus), and seating cars. Breakfast can be added. Travelski also sells the train inside ski packages. More in the cabin FAQ.
European Sleeper
European Sleeper has sleeping cars (Comfort Plus for one, two, or three people), couchette cars (Classic with five berths, Comfort Standard with up to three), and seating cars. Sleeping cars include a made-up bed, breakfast, and a welcome drink. More in the complete guide to European Sleeper and the cabin FAQ.
Intercités de nuit by SNCF
The Intercités de nuit run with couchette cars (four or six berths) and seating cars. There are no sleeping cars. Couchettes come with a pillow and a thin sleeping bag. With the Espace Privatif fare, you book a compartment for your own use. More in our guide to the Intercités de nuit and the cabin FAQ.
Snälltåget
Snälltåget has couchette cars with six berths and seating cars, but no sleeping cars. Couchettes include a pillow, sheet, and duvet, and you make your own bed. Breakfast can be added. More in the cabin FAQ, in our post on night trains to Sweden, and in the Snälltåget travel report.
Leo Express
The Leo Express night train from Frankfurt to Przemyśl has couchette cars with four berths and seating cars. Couchettes include breakfast and a travel kit. There is also a women-only compartment. More in the cabin FAQ.