Table of Contents

• All routes
• Comfort and amenities on board
• All about booking – go directly to our guide

Routes

As of early 2026, European Sleeper operates one established route and has two further routes starting later in 2026. All services run two to three times per week in each direction.

Brussels – Amsterdam – Berlin – Dresden – Prague (ES 452/453)

This is European Sleeper's founding route and the only one currently in operation. Train ES 453 runs from Brussels via Amsterdam, Berlin, and Dresden to Prague; the return service is ES 452. The journey takes over 16 hours. The train runs two to three times per week in each direction.

Since ÖBB discontinued its Nightjet NJ 424/425 between Brussels and Berlin at the end of March 2025, European Sleeper is now the only night train option between those two cities.

• Brussels to Prague
  ES 453
• Amsterdam to Prague
  ES 453
• Brussels to Berlin
  ES 453
• Amsterdam to Berlin
  ES 453
• Prague to Brussels
  ES 452
• Prague to Amsterdam
  ES 452
• Berlin to Brussels
  ES 452
• Berlin to Amsterdam
  ES 452

Paris – Brussels – Hamburg - Berlin (ES 474/475)

After ÖBB discontinued the Paris–Berlin Nightjet, European Sleeper stepped in to fill the gap. The service is scheduled to start on 26 March 2026. Brussels is served as an intermediate stop. From 12/13 July 2026, Hamburg will be added as an additional stop.

Departures from Paris are scheduled for Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings, arriving in Berlin the following morning. Return services from Berlin run on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights. Combined with the existing Brussels–Prague service (ES 452/453) on the remaining days, it will be possible to travel overnight between Brussels and Berlin six nights a week in total.

Tickets have been on sale since 16 December 2025.

• Paris to Berlin
  ES 475
• Brussels to Berlin
  ES 475
• Paris to Hamburg
  ES 475 (from 12 July 2026)
• Brussels to Hamburg
  ES 475 (from 12 July 2026)
• Berlin to Paris
  ES 474
• Berlin to Brussels
  ES 474
• Hamburg to Paris
  ES 474 (from 13 July 2026)
• Hamburg to Brussels
  ES 474 (from 13 July 2026)

Brussels – Cologne – Zurich – Milan (from September 2026)

European Sleeper announced a second new route linking Brussels and Amsterdam with Switzerland and Milan. The first departure is planned for 9 September 2026. The route runs via Cologne, then south through Zurich, Göschenen (Gotthard line), and Lugano, before crossing into Italy at Chiasso and terminating in Milan.

Departures from Brussels are planned for Monday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings. Return services from Milan run on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday nights.

Ticket sales are expected to open on 17 March 2026.

See all details in our overview here.

Onboard comfort

European Sleeper trains offer three travel categories: sleeper cabins, couchettes, and seats. The following applies to the existing Brussels–Prague route and is expected to carry over to the new routes.

Sleeper cabin (Comfort Plus)

Sleeper cabins are marketed under the name Comfort Plus and come in single, double, and triple configurations. Each compartment is lockable and has a washbasin. Shared toilets are in the corridor; there is no private shower or WC.

Included: made-up bed with blanket, pillow, towel, travel kit, mineral water, welcome drink, breakfast. Wake-up service on request.

• Single – private 1-person compartment
• Double – 2-person compartment; bookable shared or private
• Triple – 3-person compartment; bookable shared, private, or as a women-only compartment

Couchette

European Sleeper offers two couchette types.

Classic couchette

The standard couchette is the Classic category, with 5-berth compartments. The cabin is air-conditioned. Shared toilets and washing facilities are in the carriage corridor.

Included: blanket and sheets, mineral water. Breakfast optional. Wake-up service on request.

Compartments are shared by default but can be booked privately or as a women-only compartment (labelled "Ladies" on nightride.com).

Comfort Standard couchette

The Comfort Standard couchettes accommodate up to three people and are equipped with a proper mattress on the bunk. Available in single, double, and triple configurations. Private and shared bookings possible.

Included: blanket and sheets, mineral water. Breakfast optional. Wake-up service on request.

• Single – private 1-person couchette with mattress
• Double – 2-person couchette with mattress; shared or private
• Triple – 3-person couchette with mattress; shared or private

Seats

The most economical option is a seat in the Budget category (2nd class). Seats are in 4- or 6-person compartments. The reservation is included in the price. Breakfast can be added as an optional extra. Snacks and refreshments can be purchased from the train crew.

Catering

There is (currently) no restaurant car. Snacks and drinks can be purchased from the train crew. Breakfast is included in the sleeper cabin fare and available as an optional add-on for couchette and seat passengers.

Tickets & prices

Tickets can be booked on the European Sleeper website or our price comparison engine:

Compare all offers and prices here

European Sleeper also regularly publishes last-minute deals that are not listed in the main search results – these are worth checking separately on their website.

Price ranges

The following price ranges apply to the Brussels–Prague route and are indicative for the Paris–Berlin route (European Sleeper has stated that Paris–Berlin pricing will be comparable to the former Nightjet fares):

• Seats: €40–€60
• Couchettes: €80–€160
• Sleeper cabins: from €150

For the upcoming Brussels–Milan route, indicative prices are:

• Seats: from €30
• Couchettes: approx. €50–€100
• Sleeper cabins: from €130

Price categories

European Sleeper uses three price categories:

Easy Night (Reduced)

Good Night (Semi-flexible)

Flex Night (Flexible)

How to book

Booking a ticket at European Sleeper requires several steps, but bear with us – it will work. Once you have found the best offer on nightride.com and have been redirected, you (unintuitively) need to “change the search criteria”, i.e. click on that purple button. Then you need to confirm the details that were forwarded from your nightride.com search.

On the next screen, you again need to make sure the correct date is selected. Then scroll all the way down and press “Select travel class”. On the next screen, you first have to decide between seats (Budget), 5-person couchettes (Classic), or 3-person couchette/sleepers (Comfort ). See our overview above.

Once you have selected the category, the view scrolls to a detailed overview with different options. Select the option you would like and then scroll to the very bottom, where you click on “Check journey”

In the last screen, you can select your price category and book extras, such as a breakfast (if not already included in your compartment). Scroll again all the way to the bottom and select “Passenger details”. On the next screen, enter them, scroll all the way down and click on “Check tickets”.

Take a last look at your order (and check whether all the travellers are in the same compartment or next to each other, seen from the carriage layout), then you can pay with your favourite payment method. You will receive your tickets per e-mail.

Interrail / Eurail

European Sleeper accepts Interrail and Eurail passes. A separate reservation is required on top of the pass. Book via europeansleeper.eu/interrail by selecting “Reservation Only” as your passenger type. Your pass must be valid for both the departure and arrival dates.

Reservation fees by cabin type:

Fees vary by travel distance. Private compartments require each passenger to hold an individual pass.

Italy is a hidden gem for night train travel. Almost unnoticed, a dense network of connections has survived here, still playing a central role in transport between the north and south. The night trains are operated by the state railway company Trenitalia under the name Intercity Notte. More than a dozen lines connect almost all regions of the country.

In this guide, we'll introduce you to the Italian night train network: What routes are there? What's the comfort like on board? And where can you find the cheapest tickets? We'll answer these questions and many more about the Intercity Notte right here.

Please note: This article only covers Trenitalia's domestic Italian night trains. There are also international night trains to Italy, like the ÖBB Nightjet, which can take you directly from Germany and Austria to Rome or Venice. You can find out more about that here.

Table of Contents

• All routes
• Comfort and amenities on board
• All about booking - jump to the guide

Routes

Italy's night train network is one of the densest in Europe. In total, the Intercity Notte operate on 15 routes, primarily from the north to the holiday regions in the south of the country. On some routes, several night trains even run per night. Through different routes and intermediate stops, they serve not only the major cities but also numerous smaller towns.

The main night train hubs in northern Italy are Milan and Turin. Several services to the south start from here, including to Lecce, Salerno, Reggio Calabria, and to Syracuse and Palermo in Sicily. Other night trains run from Rome: besides southern destinations, you can also reach Bolzano in South Tyrol and Trieste on the Slovenian border. Apart from two weekend services from Rome, all Intercity Notte trains run daily.

Below you will find an overview of all Italian night train connections, sorted by the regions and destinations you can reach with them.

Night trains to Sicily

Destinations: Taormina, Syracuse, Palermo

Sicily is the southernmost and most spectacular destination for Italian night trains. A total of six services run directly from northern Italy and Rome to the largest island in the Mediterranean. The roughly 20-hour journey from Milan to Sicily is one of the great classics of European night train travel.

In the morning, the journey takes you along the beautiful coasts of Campania and Calabria, and then comes the big highlight: in Villa San Giovanni, at the tip of the Italian boot, the entire train is loaded onto a ferry and transported to Sicily. The crossing takes a good 20 minutes. During this time, you can get off the train, get some fresh sea air – and grab your first arancini at the café. It's an experience you'll only find one other place in Europe!

In Messina, the train is then split into two parts. One section continues via Taormina to ancient Syracuse (Siracusa in Italian), with views of the smoking Mount Etna included. The other follows the north coast to Palermo, the lively capital of Sicily.

Milan – Sicily

• Milan to Syracuse
  Intercity Notte 1963
• Syracuse to Milan
  Intercity Notte 1962
• Milan to Palermo
  Intercity Notte 1963
• Palermo to Milan
  Intercity Notte 1964

Rome – Sicily

• Rome to Syracuse
  Intercity Notte 1955, Intercity Notte 1959
• Syracuse to Rome
  Intercity Notte 1956, Intercity Notte 1960
• Rome to Palermo
  Intercity Notte 1955, Intercity Notte 1959
• Palermo to Rome
  Intercity Notte 1954, Intercity Notte 1958

Night trains to Puglia

Destinations: Bari, Brindisi, Taranto, Lecce

Puglia, the region at the heel of the Italian boot, has a lot to offer. Sun and sea are guaranteed, and countless ruins tell tales of past civilisations. The long sandy and rocky beaches, the sea caves, and the delicious food have also been attracting holidaymakers to the Adriatic for generations. From Bari and Brindisi, ferries also run to Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, and Greece.

The night trains to Puglia terminate in the beautiful baroque city of Lecce on the Salento peninsula. Two trains depart from Milan every evening, one of which travels via the industrial and port city of Taranto on the gulf of the same name. Another night train to Lecce starts from Turin. All three are perfect for a journey from German-speaking countries, with convenient transfer times in Milan or Bologna from the EuroCity trains from Munich, Innsbruck, and Zurich.

There is also a night train from Rome to Lecce, but only on weekends. From a tourist's perspective, this is of limited use – the journey from Rome to Lecce takes only five and a half hours during the day and is really too beautiful to sleep through.

Milan – Lecce

• Milan to Lecce
  Intercity Notte 755, Intercity Notte 765
• Lecce to Milan
  Intercity Notte 752, Intercity Notte 758

Turin – Lecce

• Turin to Lecce
  Intercity Notte 757
• Lecce to Turin
  Intercity Notte 754

Rome – Lecce

• Rome to Lecce
  Intercity Notte 789 (Fridays)
• Lecce to Rome
  Intercity Notte 788 (Sundays)

Night trains to Campania

Destinations: Naples, Salerno

The Amalfi Coast with its fishing villages by the deep blue sea. The islands of Ischia and Capri. The sunken city of Pompeii. And of course, the famous Neapolitan pizza. Hardly any other region in Italy combines as many highlights as Campania, around the Gulf of Naples. So it's no wonder that several night trains stop here too.

Two Intercity Notte trains run daily from Turin to Campania. Both terminate in Salerno and also stop in Naples in the morning. In the north, their routes differ: while one of the two trains travels via Genoa along the Ligurian coast, the other runs via Milan. There, you can find connections to trains from German-speaking countries.

Turin – Salerno

• Turin to Salerno
  Intercity Notte 795, Intercity Notte 797, Intercity Notte 799, Intercity Notte 899
• Salerno to Turin
  Intercity Notte 794, Intercity Notte 796, Intercity Notte 798, Intercity Notte 1558

Milan – Salerno

• Milan to Salerno
  Intercity Notte 797, Intercity Notte 1963
• Salerno to Milan
  Intercity Notte 798, Intercity Notte 1558, Intercity Notte 1962

Night trains to Calabria

Destinations: Villa San Giovanni, Reggio Calabria

In the far southwest, at the tip of the Italian boot, lies Calabria. Ancient forests criss-cross the region, providing pleasant shade in the hot summer. Calabria also has a lot to offer culinarily – besides the bergamot, the region's "green gold", the fiery peperoncini are a must-try in Calabrian cuisine.

In addition to the night trains to Sicily, which stop in Villa San Giovanni, there is a dedicated long-distance night train from Turin to the Calabrian port city of Reggio Calabria. The train departs in the early afternoon and stops at numerous cities in northern Italy along the way.Turin – Reggio Calabria

• Turin to Reggio Calabria
  Intercity Notte 795
• Reggio Calabria to Turin
  Intercity Notte 794

Night trains to Veneto & South Tyrol

Destinations: Venice, Trieste, Bolzano, Innichen

While most Italian night trains head to the holiday regions in the south, there are also services from Rome to northeastern Italy and the Alps. A daily Intercity Notte runs via the lagoon city of Venice to Trieste in the border region with Slovenia. From the stop in Gorizia, just before Trieste, it's only a short walk across the border to Nova Gorica in Slovenia.

Additionally, a night train runs from Rome to Bolzano (Bolzano in Italian) in South Tyrol on weekends. The city is considered the gateway to the Dolomites and is an ideal starting point for mountain adventures of all kinds. During the winter season, the service is sometimes extended to Innichen (San Candido) in the Three Peaks ski area.

Rome – Venice – Trieste

• Trieste to Rome
  Intercity Notte 770
• Rome to Trieste
  Intercity Notte 774

Rome – Bolzano

• Rome to Bolzano
  Intercity Notte 764 (Fridays, Saturdays)
• Bolzano to Rome
  Intercity Notte 763 (Saturdays, Sundays)

Onboard Comfort

All Intercity Notte services include sleeping cars and couchette cars. With the exception of the services to Sicily, seating cars are also on board. Seat reservations are mandatory in all travel classes. The carriages have been renovated in recent years and are generally clean. The punctuality of night trains in Italy is high, although minor delays can always occur.

Thanks to extensive renovation work on the Italian rail network, the night trains now run relatively quietly, and the old rumbling of the wheels has significantly decreased. All cars are air-conditioned and have fold-out seats in the corridors.

The train staff often only speak Italian. However, communication usually works out with hand gestures and the help of fellow travelers.

Sleeping car

The standard sleeping cars in Italy are called 'Relax'. All compartments have three beds and can be booked for single, double, or triple occupancy. Solo travelers automatically receive a single compartment; sharing a compartment with strangers is no longer possible. For families and groups, adjoining compartments can be connected by a door.

The beds are comfortable and can be converted into seats during the day. In single or double occupancy, the middle seat can also be folded out to form a table. A ladder for climbing into the upper beds is stowed under the lower bed.

The compartment has a washbasin with a mirror, a small shelf, and coat hangers. Each bed has a two-pin socket and a reading light. The lighting and temperature can be controlled by a switch. Luggage space isn't huge, but it's enough for a backpack or suitcase. Washrooms and toilets are at the end of the car; there are no showers in the standard sleeping car.

When you enter the compartment, you'll find the beds freshly made and sealed in plastic. Each passenger receives a small bag with toiletries and slippers, as well as water and a little something to nibble on.

A word on security: The compartments can be locked from the inside. This is highly recommended, as thefts are still occasionally reported.

‘Superior’ sleeping car

On some services, sleeping cars with enhanced comfort are also available. These are called 'Superior'. The compartments have a private bathroom with a shower and WC, as well as a table. They can be booked for single or double occupancy. Unfortunately, there have been several reports in the past that the shower didn't work.

The 'Superior' sleeping cars are currently only used on the connections from Rome to Trieste, Bolzano, and Lecce.

Couchette car

In the couchette cars, called 'Comfort', there are only 4-berth compartments. Unlike in the sleeping car, you will usually share the compartment with strangers. As a family, it's possible to reserve a private compartment. Women can also book a berth in a women-only compartment. It can sometimes be a bit restless in the couchette car, as people get on and off during the night.

The simple couchettes are less comfortable, but at 190 cm, they are about 10 cm longer than the beds in the sleeping car. During the day, the couchettes can be converted into seats with fold-out tables. Here too, you'll find the ladder for the upper berths stowed under the lower couchette. Each couchette has a reading light, and there are usually two sockets per compartment. Washrooms and toilets are at the end of the corridor. The compartments can be locked from the inside.

Before departure, the train crew distributes thin fabric sleeping bags, small pillows, and woolen blankets for the night. Additionally, each traveler receives a gift kit with toiletries, a bottle of water, a small snack, and a fruit juice packet.

Seating car

The seating cars are labelled 'Easy'. Most services have open-plan carriages. Here, most seats are arranged in groups of four, and the lights may stay on all night. Sometimes there are also carriages with compartments of six seats each. Here, you can adjust the light, speakers, and heating yourself, and there's a curtain to the corridor. All seating cars have sockets and a small table; toilets are always at the end of the car.

There is more space for luggage in the seating car than in the couchette and sleeping cars; a disassembled bicycle can also be transported in a suitable bag.

Catering

The night trains in Italy do not have a restaurant car. In the sleeping car, a small breakfast is served to your compartment in the morning. It usually consists of an espresso, a simple pastry, and fruit juice. Daily newspapers are also available in the corridor. Your order for hot drinks in the morning is usually taken in the evening, at which point your ticket is also checked. Coffee and fruit juice are also available in the couchette car.

You can also buy various other snacks, drinks, and even small hot meals in the evening from the train crew. A menu is available here. On the night train journey to Sicily, there is also the option to use the catering services on board the ferry.

Other amenities

• Accessibility
  The carriages currently used on the Intercity Notte are not accessible and do not have wheelchair compartments. At larger stations, assistance for passengers with reduced mobility is available through the ‘Sala Blu’ service. This must be requested at least 24 hours in advance, and unfortunately, it is not currently possible to book a wheelchair space on Intercity Notte trains.
• Bicycle transport
  Taking assembled bicycles on the Intercity Notte is not possible. Folding bikes and disassembled bicycles can be carried free of charge, provided they do not exceed the dimensions of a standard piece of luggage.
• Pets
  Dogs, cats, and other pets can be carried free of charge, provided they are in a carrier (max. 70 x 30 x 50 cm). For larger dogs, an additional ticket costing €5 is required. Dogs must be on a lead and wear a muzzle. They are only allowed in couchette and sleeping cars if you book a private compartment. You can also order pet food items from the train crew.

Tickets & Prices

Night train travel in Italy is very affordable compared to the rest of Europe. Even for the epic journey from Milan to Sicily, you can often snag a compartment in a sleeping car for under €100. The easiest way to get a ticket is on the Trenitalia website. There you'll find the cheapest tickets and all the special offers. The connection search and booking process are also available in English. Of course, we recommend you compare prices via nightride.com:

Compare all offers and prices here

A ticket for a sleeping or couchette car always includes a personal reservation. You will need a valid identification document for the journey. The ID number is noted when the ticket is purchased, and the corresponding ID must be presented along with the ticket during the evening check.

How to book?

The booking process on the Trenitalia website can seem a bit overwhelming, especially due to the frequent use of Italian or English terms (see next section). But it works and is 100% secure. Important: The Night Ride logo is proudly displayed at the top of the page. However, the sale is handled entirely and exclusively by Trenitalia. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Select route

If you are redirected from nightride.com, the departure and destination stations, as well as the date and departure time, are already pre-selected. You can then set the number of passengers (and their ages) and activate the 'WITHOUT CHANGES' switch under 'other search options'.

In the next window, you will almost certainly see just the one night train connection on the correct date. There might be other direct connections that run during the day (Frecciarossa, etc.). You can recognise the night trains by the blue Intercity Notte logo.

Then click on the connection.

2. Select comfort class

In the following window ('Travel solution'), you first need to select the carriage type at the top (it's a bit inconspicuous) using the tabs, e.g., 'Comfort' for couchette cars or 'Relax' for sleeping cars. Below that, you can then select the cabin category (e.g., 'Cuccetta 4 posti - promiscuo' for a mixed-gender 4-berth couchette). See our translation guide in the next section for more details.

3. Choose ticket type

Right below that, you choose the ticket type, e.g., 'BASE' for the flexible option. For each category, you can also select your preferred bed position, if desired. By the way, at the bottom there is a button 'SHOW OTHER OFFERS' – this just leads to a different view where you can combine comfort and ticket types as you wish. You will not find any additional offers there!

4. Book

After clicking 'Continue' or 'Purchase', you'll get to the final step, the actual booking. You can log in or complete the booking as a guest. Either way, you'll need to provide your details and your ID number. You can then pay with all major credit cards / PayPal. You will then receive the ticket electronically via email and for your Google or Apple Wallet.

Note: On desktop devices, the view looks slightly different (it has a matrix of options). However, the functionality is the same.

Quick translation guide

During booking, even on the English or German version of the Trenitalia website, the different compartment types and cabin categories are named in Italian. Here are the most important night train vocabulary words and their meanings:

Ticket types

Trenitalia generally offers three types of tickets, which differ in terms of flexibility, availability, and price:

• Base
  The standard offer with the greatest flexibility. Tickets at the Base fare can be rebooked free of charge or refunded for a fee. Comparable to Deutsche Bahn's Flexpreis or ÖBB's Standard-Ticket.
• Economy
  A limited offer at a reduced price. The price varies depending on occupancy and booking time. The ticket is non-refundable but can be rebooked before departure. Available up to three days before departure.
• Super Economy
  The cheapest offer, the super saver fare. Tickets cannot be changed or refunded. Available up to six days before departure.

Discounts

People under 30 ('Young') or over 60 ('Senior') travel at reduced prices, provided they participate in Trenitalia's loyalty program.

With the 'Family Night' offer, families of 3 to 5 people, including at least one adult and one child under 15, receive a 50% discount on the Base fare. Single compartments and Superior cabins are excluded. Further discounts are available for small groups ('Insieme') and couples ('Me&You').

Fares

The fare depends on the route, the desired service level (seats, couchette, or sleeping car), and the ticket type. The Economy and Super Economy offers are subject to quotas, meaning there is only a limited number available per train. The earlier you book, the greater your chance of getting a ticket at a reduced price.

Due to dynamic pricing, it is impossible to make meaningful predictions about the ticket price here. You can always find current prices in our journey planner here on nightride.com.

Interrail

A journey on the Intercity Notte is also possible with Interrail. This applies to the Interrail Global Pass as well as the One Country Pass for Italy. However, you must make an additional reservation. The prices depend on the comfort category and are currently:

• Seating car:
  Seat: €3
• Couchette car:
  Berth in a 4-berth compartment: €41
• Sleeping car:
  Triple compartment: €48
  Double compartment: €58
  Single compartment: €122

Reservations can be made through the Interrail reservation service, at ticket counters, and via third-party providers like Rail Europe.

Conclusion

A summer retreat in Puglia, a weekend in Naples, or the grand journey all the way to Sicily – the night train makes travelling to Italy's most beautiful holiday regions a pleasure. The route network is dense, the prices are moderate, and the sleeping cars are comfortable. Whether you're travelling alone, with family, or as a group, a trip on the Intercity Notte can be incorporated into almost any Italian holiday.

And when you wake up to the sight of the sunrise over the sea, with an espresso served to your compartment and endless olive groves passing by your window – then la dolce vita begins long before you arrive.

Buon viaggio!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I book the night train?

The Intercity Notte trains are often released for booking relatively late, especially after the timetable changes in June and December. If a connection doesn't appear yet, it usually doesn't mean it has been cancelled. Mostly, all you can do is be patient and check back regularly.

Do the Intercity Notte trains run all year round?

Yes, the night trains in Italy operate year-round. Seasonal cancellations are rare and usually due to construction work.

How secure are the compartments?

The compartments in the couchette and sleeping cars can be locked from the inside, but not independently from the outside. It is advisable to take valuables with you when moving about the train. However, experience shows that theft is extremely rare.

Can I take my bicycle on the Intercity Notte?

Only with restrictions. Bicycles must be packed in a transport bag and must not exceed certain maximum dimensions. Often, they can only be taken in the seating car. Transporting bicycles is usually easier on daytime trains.

How much luggage fits in a sleeper cabin?

Space is limited. It can get cramped quickly with large suitcases or panniers, especially at full occupancy. If you are travelling with a lot of luggage, you should try to book a private or larger compartment.

Do children travel for free on the Intercity Notte?

Children under four generally travel for free in Italy, as long as they do not require their own bed or seat. For older children, there are often family discounts or cheap saver fares.

Can families or groups be accommodated together?

Yes. When booking in a couchette or sleeping car, Trenitalia usually places travellers from the same party in one compartment automatically. Some compartments in the sleeping car can be connected by an adjoining door, but these cannot always be explicitly selected online.

How does booking with Interrail work?

Reservations for Italian night trains cannot be made directly online via Trenitalia. Booking is possible through the Interrail reservation service, at a ticket counter, or via third-party providers. However, it is often cheaper to travel with a regular saver fare ticket and save a travel day on your Interrail Pass.

Are there car trains in Italy?

No. The classic Italian car trains were discontinued a few years ago. It has not been possible to transport cars and motorcycles since then.

Can my dog travel on the Intercity Notte?

Yes. The requirement is usually a private compartment, and generally one dog is allowed per person. Small dogs travel for free in carriers, while larger dogs require a ticket and a lead. The muzzle requirement is not consistently enforced, but you should always carry a muzzle with you.

About the authors: Sebastian Wilken is a passionate (night) train traveller and writes about train travel in Europe in his Zugpost. He monitors the night train market for Night Ride and provides you with the best tips and tricks for the most beautiful routes – including stunning photos that he takes himself.

Noam Schaulin has already travelled all over Europe by night train. As a member of the central board of Pro Bahn Schweiz, he advocates for public transport customers.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write to us at info@nightride.com.

Be considerate of your fellow travellers. Avoid loud conversations, loud music or other noises, especially at night. Switch off the lights if someone asks you to.

Treat the train crew decently.

Use headphones when listening to music or watching films. Make phone calls outside the compartment and switch your smartphone to silent mode.

Smoking is prohibited. During layovers, use the designated smoking areas at stations—but don't go too far away from the train.

Keep your compartment and the communal areas clean. Dispose of your rubbish in the rubbish bins provided. Leave the toilet and washbasin as you would like to find them.

Safety regulations: Follow the train crew's instructions and the notices in the compartments. Make sure that emergency exits and escape routes remain clear. Lock the compartment door.

The return of night trains in France

Just a few years ago, the night train had almost disappeared in France. Many routes were discontinued, the remaining connections were operated with outdated trains, and the timetables were unattractive. The turning point came in 2021, when the state specifically invested in expanding night train services again – with the aim of expanding the rail network beyond the TGV main lines and thus also strengthening less well-connected regions.

Currently, the French state railway SNCF operates several lines of the so-called Intercités de Nuit, which connect Paris overnight with the southern and southwestern regions of France. They all depart from the centrally located Paris Austerlitz station. With the night trains, you can reach Provence, L'Occitanie, or destinations in the Rhône-Alpes region while you sleep. By the way, further new connections are being planned.

Current connections (as of 2026)

The Intercités de Nuit of the SNCF operate on the following lines:

• Paris Austerlitz – Briançon (and back): Ideal for trips to the Alps.
• Paris Austerlitz – Rodez (and back) / Albi (and back): Two destinations that can be reached by night train from the south.
• Paris Austerlitz – Latour-de-Carol (and back) / Cerbère (and back): Connection to the eastern Pyrenees, including a connection to Catalan local trains and thus to Barcelona. The train also runs via Toulouse (and back)
• Paris Austerlitz – Lourdes (and back) / Tarbes (and back): Practical for pilgrimages or holidays in the western Pyrenees.
• Paris Austerlitz – Nice (and back): Off to the south and the sun.
• Paris Austerlitz – Aurillac (and back): Perfect for a hiking holiday in the Auvergne.

To be honest, we are still a bit confused by the French timetable design (and haven't found a definitive overview anywhere). Depending on the season, the trains sometimes run on all weekdays, then not, then only on weekends, and so on. Thanks to the useful calendar overview on nightride.com, you can immediately see when a train is running (and when it's cheapest – more on that below).

Search connection

The Austerlitz station is centrally located and easy to reach directly from the other Paris train stations by Métro. From Gare de Lyon, the destination station for TGV connections from Switzerland, it's even within walking distance (about a 10-minute walk).

Comfort and amenities

The night trains of the state railway SNCF offer different comfort levels:

• Seating car: inexpensive, but rather uncomfortable in the long run.
• Couchette cars (Couchettes): with 4- or 6-berth compartments – functional, but cramped.

For several years now, sleeping cars have no longer been offered in France; instead, the SNCF sells couchettes in a first and second class. In first class, a maximum of four beds are occupied, while in second class, it's up to six beds. The first-class compartments are also slightly larger and the beds are wider than in second class. The first-class compartments can be booked privately as a whole (1-4 people, Interrail excluded). Additionally, free Wi-Fi is offered on the trains. The concept is appealing mainly due to its simplicity.

There are no showers on board; the toilets are located at the ends of each car. Additionally, there are washbasins for brushing teeth in small, lockable niches.

Overall, the comfort is significantly simpler than on the ÖBB Nightjets, for example, and there is no catering service on board. The renovated cars are clean, functional, and there is enough storage space in the compartments, along with night lights and sufficient power outlets. Additionally, a small bag with the most necessary items (sleep mask, earplugs, and refreshing wipes) is ready on each bed.

Just a stone's throw from the UK

Paris can be reached quickly, directly, and comfortably from the United Kingdom by Eurostar – and connections to the night trains are often guaranteed without long waiting times.

At the final destinations, there are also attractive options for onward travel to destinations in southern France. Those who want to travel further to Spain by train can also cross France perfectly overnight with the Intercités de Nuit. The route from Paris via Toulouse to Latour-de-Carol is particularly scenic. From there, there is a connection on a very beautiful scenic route to Barcelona - without having to change trains.

Booking tips

You can find your connections directly here on Night Ride. For booking, you will then be redirected via us to www.sncf-connect.com. This is the site of the French state railway SNCF, where you can buy tickets and reservations.

The prices on the Intercités de Nuit are highly dynamic. Sometimes there are berths available for under 50 euros – that's really cheap. With the right filters on nightride.com (e.g., only with bed, or private), you'll quickly find a good offer:

Search connection

If you are traveling with an Interrail or Eurail Pass, you can also make your purchases for tickets and reservations directly at www.interrail.eu. It's best to buy your Interrail or Eurail Pass directly here at Night Ride:

Travel through Europe with the Interrail Pass

We wish you a lot of fun on your next night train journey in France – bon voyage et dormez bien!

It might sound like a dream, but the night train makes it a reality.

Great Britain is not only the birthplace of the railway, but also a classic stronghold of night train travelling. In its heyday, England, Wales, and Scotland were criss-crossed by a dense network of night trains. Today, two independent night train services remain: the Caledonian Sleeper to Scotland and the Night Riviera Sleeper to England's southwest coast.

Both are among the best night trains out there: extremely comfortable carriages, impressive routes, and hospitality that is second to none. Very British, indeed.

In this guide, we'll take a closer look at Great Britain's night trains. What routes are there? What's the comfort like on board? And, of course, we'll also let you in on how to get the cheapest tickets. Because that's the only small catch: the pleasure doesn't come cheap. But it's worth it, we promise.

Table of Contents

• Caledonian Sleeper: Off to the Highlands
• Night Riviera Sleeper: Along the Cornish Coast

Caledonian Sleeper: Night train to Scotland

Enchanted castles, lonely moors, and mystical islands – Scotland is a dream destination for any train journey. And with the Caledonian Sleeper, the journey there becomes a real treat. From London, the comfortable sleeping cars travel on a total of five lines – to exciting cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, to the gently rolling green cliffs of Aberdeen, or right into the wild nature of the Highlands.

After being run by various private companies for a long time, the Scottish government took over operations in the summer of 2023. With modern carriages, beautiful routes, and first-class service, a trip on the Caledonian Sleeper is one of Europe's great night train adventures.

Routes

The Caledonian Sleeper service consists of two independent night trains, which in turn are made up of several portions: the Lowland Sleeper with portions to Glasgow and Edinburgh, and the Highland Sleeper with portions to Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort William. The train portions are split during the night and continue independently to their respective final destinations in the morning.

Both trains depart from London Euston station. It's just a few minutes' walk from St Pancras station, where the Eurostar trains from Brussels, Paris, and Amsterdam arrive.

The Caledonian Sleeper trains run daily except on Saturdays. Depending on the route, the journey time is between 8 and 13 hours.

Lowland Sleeper: Edinburgh & Glasgow

The Lowland Sleeper serves the relatively short routes from London to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both cities are in the southern part of Scotland and are very well connected to London by day, with a journey time of just under four hours. Nevertheless, the night train is also very popular, especially with business travellers and weekend commuters.

The Lowland Sleeper's route runs via Watford Junction and Carlisle, before the train is split into two portions for Edinburgh and Glasgow at the Scottish station of Carstairs.

• London – Edinburgh and back
  Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and, with its picturesque Old Town and Edinburgh Castle, is a must-see for lovers of history and architecture. The Caledonian Sleeper stops at Edinburgh Waverley station, right in the city centre.
• London – Glasgow and back
  On the way to Glasgow, the Caledonian Sleeper also stops at Motherwell station before pulling into Glasgow Central station. Glasgow isn't as pretty as Edinburgh; it's edgier, louder, and sometimes a bit gritty. But it wins you over with its creative cultural scene and big heart.

Highland Sleeper: Aberdeen, Inverness & Fort William

From a tourist's perspective, the Highland Sleeper is much more interesting, with its three portions to Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort William. The journey is significantly longer, so you can have a proper lie-in and start your day relaxed. What's more, the railway lines it travels on in the morning are among the most beautiful in Scotland.

By the way: since the beginning of 2026, the Highland Sleeper has been running via Birmingham, connecting England's West Midlands region with Scotland overnight.

• London – Aberdeen and back
  Aberdeen is on Scotland's east coast. On the journey, the Caledonian Sleeper crosses the Forth Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the equally impressive Tay Bridge near Dundee. The route repeatedly runs beautifully alongside the open sea.
• London – Inverness and back
  The route to Inverness passes through the central Highlands, where the landscape is particularly rugged and snow-covered in winter. Near Dalwhinnie, the train climbs to the highest point on the British railway network. Inverness is considered the capital of the Highlands and is the perfect base for a trip to Loch Ness.
• London – Fort William and back
  The route to Fort William is a true classic. The train portion, also known as the Deerstalker, winds its way through the magical scenery of the western Highlands, made world-famous by the West Highland Way long-distance trail. Fort William itself lies at the foot of Ben Nevis and is a true outdoor paradise.

On-board comfort

Besides the fantastic destinations, the Caledonian Sleeper impresses above all with its facilities and service. The rolling stock was completely renewed in 2019 and offers maximum comfort in a compact space. The motto 'hotel on rails' is no exaggeration here.

All train portions have sleeping cars, seating cars, and, with the 'Club Car', a full-service dining car. Couchette cars are not common in Great Britain – this is because carriages are generally a bit smaller than on the European mainland.

Sleeping car

The sleeping cars have three different types of compartment, known as Classic, Club, and Double. All compartments can be used by one or two people. You always book the entire compartment, so you don't share it with strangers.

• Classic Room
  The most affordable type of compartment has two bunk beds. There is a small washbasin by the window, plus modern tech like electronic key cards, Wi-Fi, and USB sockets. The compartments are small, but the ambience, with its tweed accents and elegant colours, is impressive. Two adjacent compartments can be connected by an interconnecting door to form a small suite, perfect for families.

• Club Room
  The compartment is identical to the Classic Room, but it also has a small bathroom with a toilet and shower. Other benefits include breakfast, which is included in the price, as well as access to the station lounges and priority access to the dining car.
• Caledonian Double
  The luxury class on the Caledonian Sleeper. This much larger compartment features a proper double bed, 140 cm wide. A rarity on European rails – which, of course, comes at a price. It also comes with its own bathroom and all the other benefits of the Club Room.

Seating car

For a less comfortable but particularly budget-friendly journey, you can travel in the seating car. These are open-plan carriages. The seatbacks can be reclined by 10 degrees, and each traveller receives a kit with overnight essentials, including a sleep mask. For hand luggage, there is a lockable compartment above each seat.

Club Car

The heart of the Caledonian Sleeper is the Club Car, a full-service dining car with a bar area. Here, you can choose from an extensive, refined menu – including Scottish classics like haggis. But don't worry, there are also lighter and vegetarian dishes available. And of course, you can just stick to a nightcap.

A visit to the Club Car is reserved for sleeping car guests. Travellers in Club or Double compartments are given priority when it's busy. Those travelling in the seating car do not have access, but can have food and drinks served to their seat.

Tip: Don't just rush to a table; wait briefly to be seated by the service staff. The Club Car is cashless; payments can only be made with credit and debit cards.

Other facilities

• Accessibility
  Each train portion has one accessible Classic Room and one accessible Caledonian Double. The compartments are accessible from a widened entrance door and are located right next to an accessible toilet.
• Bicycle transport
  Bicycles can be taken on board free of charge with a reservation. However, some stations are excluded from bicycle transport.
• Pets
  Up to two pets can be brought into a sleeping car compartment for a fee of £30.

Breakfast

Depending on your preference, breakfast is served to your compartment in the morning or in the Club Car. The choice includes a hot Scottish breakfast (also available as a vegan option) and a continental breakfast, along with coffee and tea. If you're travelling in a Classic Room, you pay extra for breakfast; it's included in the price when travelling in a Club Room or Caledonian Double.

Tickets & Prices

A trip on the Caledonian Sleeper is not a cheap pleasure. The base price is quite high, but on the plus side, prices vary only slightly, so they are hardly dependent on when you book or how full the train is.

Compare prices for the Caledonian Sleeper here!

Below are the typical prices for a compartment for single occupancy. For double occupancy, the price increases by £80–£100.

Edinburgh & Glasgow

• Classic Room: £210–£270
• Club Room: £270–£360
• Caledonian Double: £410
• Seat: from £54

Aberdeen, Inverness & Fort William

• Classic Room: £265
• Club Room: £350
• Caledonian Double: £475
• Seat: from £59

As of January 2026. £1 is approximately €1.15.

Tip: The Caledonian Double category usually sells out very quickly, often months in advance. In the other categories, however, tickets are generally still available at short notice.

Interrail

Travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper is a bit cheaper with an Interrail pass. As a pass holder, you need a paid reservation for the sleeping car. This is available online; to get it, select the 'Room Supplement only' option when booking. The reservation price is the same regardless of destination or travel period:

• Classic Room:
  £165 for 1 person
  £215 for 2 people
• Club Room (1st Class):
  £215 for 1 person
  £275 for 2 people

A 1st Class Interrail pass is required for a Club Room. The Caledonian Double compartment type is not available to Interrail travellers.

Travel in the seating car is possible with Interrail at no extra charge. However, you still need to reserve a seat, which can be done for free on the Caledonian Sleeper website.

Exchange & Refund

If you cancel your ticket up to 7 days before departure, you will receive a 100% refund of the fare. For later cancellations (up to noon on the day of departure), you'll get 50% back.

Night Riviera Sleeper: The night train to Cornwall

A real insider tip is the second night train in the United Kingdom: the Night Riviera Sleeper from London to Penzance. It departs from Paddington station and travels along England's southwest coast, serving many exciting destinations in the regions of Devon and Cornwall.

The Night Riviera is operated by Great Western Railway (GWR) and is in no way inferior to its big brother from Scotland when it comes to comfort. The recently renovated sleeping cars, with their extremely comfortable beds, are even a touch classier than on the Caledonian Sleeper. And in terms of price, the night train to Cornwall also comes out on top.

Route

The Night Riviera travels on the approximately 500-kilometre railway line from London Paddington via Plymouth to Cornwall. The final destination is Penzance, located on the southwestern tip of England (here you can find all connections in the opposite direction). GWR also offers a regular daytime train service on this route with modern multiple-unit trains. For those who prefer to cover the distance in a relaxed sleeping car, the night train is a comfortable alternative.

Between Plymouth and Penzance, the Night Riviera crosses the wild and romantic heart of Cornwall, stopping in Liskeard, Bodmin, St Austell, and Truro, among other places. Beautiful coastal towns like Looe, Newquay, and St Ives can also be reached via branch lines.

Tip: From Penzance, you can continue by bus to Land's End, the westernmost point of mainland Great Britain, and by ferry to the picturesque archipelago of the Scilly Isles.

The Night Riviera runs daily except on Saturdays. With a pure journey time of 7 to 8 hours (depending on the direction), it's relatively short for a night train. But: you can board at London Paddington more than an hour before departure, and in the opposite direction, the train remains at the platform for almost two hours after arrival. This way, you can significantly extend your time on board and get a good night's sleep.

On-board comfort

The Night Riviera consists of sleeping cars, seating cars, and a bar car. The carriages were completely renovated in 2018 and combine maximum comfort with modern facilities.

Sleeping car

With elegant carpets and hotel-standard beds, the sleeping cars of the Night Riviera are a real gem. The compartments each have two bunk beds and can be booked for single or double occupancy. There is a fold-out washbasin by the window. The bed linen is of particularly high quality. At the head of the bed, there are USB sockets and a reading lamp. The compartment door can be locked from the outside with an electronic key card.

The service is also excellent: every traveller gets a towel, toiletries, and a bottle of mineral water. In the morning, a small breakfast is served to your bed – a choice of porridge or a sausage roll, plus tea or coffee. Breakfast is included in the price.

Tip: Sleeping car guests have access to the GWR Lounge at London Paddington, Penzance, and Truro stations. Here, you'll find not only free snacks and drinks, but also shower facilities.

Seating car

For those travelling on a tight budget, the Night Riviera also has seating cars. These are simple open-plan carriages. No supplement is required for travelling in a seat.

Lounge Car

The Lounge Car is not a full-service dining car, but rather a cosy living room with a bar. You can round off the evening with a drink in the stylish seating areas and lounge sofas. Small snacks are also available.

Tip: Water, tea, and coffee are free for sleeping car guests.

Other facilities

• Accessibility
  Each train has one accessible compartment, located right next to an accessible toilet. In addition, there is a wheelchair space in the seating car.
• Bicycle transport
  Bicycles can be taken on the Night Riviera free of charge, but a reservation is required.
• Pets
  Up to two pets can be brought into a sleeping car compartment for a fee of £30.

Tickets & Prices

The fare is made up of the ticket, which covers the journey, plus a supplement for the sleeping car. The Night Riviera is fully integrated into the sometimes rather complex British fare system. In practical terms, it's a regular train that offers overnight accommodation in a sleeping car as an additional service.

The cheapest way to travel in a sleeping car is with a Super Off-Peak fare; the journey from London to Penzance costs £86.70 per person. On top of that comes the supplement, which depends on the travel date, the time of booking, and how busy the train is. For single occupancy, this starts at £49, and for double occupancy, it starts at £59 per compartment.

This results in a starting price of £135.70 for solo travellers. For two people sharing a compartment, prices start at £116.20 per person.

No supplement is needed in the seating car; a simple ticket for the respective route is sufficient. The cheapest option is the train-specific Advanced fare, starting from £69 for the journey from London to Penzance.

Tickets are available online at gwr.com, by phone, or at the station ticket counter. Please note: paying online with non-British credit cards can sometimes be problematic.

Interrail

The Night Riviera is well-suited for an Interrail trip. For a night in the sleeping car, you only need to pay the supplement. The only catch: the supplement alone cannot be purchased online, only in person. A good place to do this is at the GWR ticket counter at Paddington station. However, there is a risk that the sleeping car will already be fully booked on the day of travel. If possible, you should take care of this a few days before departure.

Tip: There are reports from Interrail travellers who were able to purchase the supplement by phone. It helps to ask for a supplement for an existing ticket (e.g., an Off-Peak) and not to mention Interrail.

Exchange and refund

The travel date can be changed up to one day before departure. If the ticket is more expensive on the new travel date than on the original one, the difference must be paid.

Tickets can be refunded 100% up to 14 days before departure; between 14 and 7 days before departure, you get 75% of the ticket price back. After that, cancellation is no longer possible.

Conclusion

On Great Britain's night trains, a true culture of travel is still alive and well. Comfort and service are of the very highest standard, with an added touch of elegance. And regardless of whether your destination is Scotland or Cornwall, the routes travelled by the Caledonian Sleeper and the Night Riviera are among the most beautiful on the entire British railway network.

Admittedly, the journey isn't cheap. But it's a unique pleasure that every night train fan should experience at least once. Plus, the price can be brought down to a more manageable level with an Interrail pass, which is a good deal in Great Britain anyway.

About the author: Sebastian Wilken is a passionate (night) train traveller and writes about train journeys in Europe in his Zugpost. For nightride.com, he keeps an eye on the night train market and provides you with the best tips and tricks for the most beautiful routes – including stunning photos, all of which he takes himself.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write to us at info@nightride.com.

Less than ten minutes later I’m sitting in the couchette compartment, chatting in Swedish. The four of us have squeezed onto one of the lower bunks. Not exactly comfortable, but casually Scandinavian. My fellow travelers talk about their trips across Europe. For them, the night train back to Sweden is the final leg; for me, the journey continues by ferry to Finland.

A nice train

The name Snälltåget is a pun. It sounds like Schnellzug (express train), but snäll actually means nice or friendly. Snälltåget is one of two night trains between Berlin and Stockholm; the other is SJ’s Euronight. Both run via Hamburg and Copenhagen to Malmö, and from there on to the Swedish capital.

Find your connection from Berlin to Stockholm now – from March 2026 onwards

The differences lie in comfort. While SJ also offers comfortable sleeping cars, Snälltåget focuses on a simpler product with seats and couchettes. In the couchette car, six people share a compartment. If you prefer privacy, you can book a private compartment – but it’s significantly more expensive.

The train attendant is relaxed as well. He calls us by our first names, checks us off his list, and briefly explains what to expect. Around 3 a.m. we’ll reach the Danish border, where the locomotive will be changed. If there are passport checks, he’ll wake us in time. In the morning there’s a longer stop in Malmö, during which we can stretch our legs.

It takes a while until all the beds are made. Our compartment is already full from Berlin; it’s simply far too tight. Eventually we find a system: while two wrestle with sheets and covers, the others step out into the corridor.

Carefully modernized

The couchette cars come from former Deutsche Bahn stock, but have recently been refreshed. New additions include extra mattresses placed on top of the bunks, high-quality bedding, and USB sockets by the window.

The sanitary facilities are convincing too: at both ends of the car there’s a toilet and a small washroom – clean, modernized, and decorated with nature motifs. Each car also has a small onboard sales compartment, the Lönnkrog. In practice, though, only one is staffed; our train departs Berlin with a single attendant.

By now it’s after ten; we’re rolling through the North German night. Some are already asleep, others still reading or on their phones. It’s quite warm in the compartment. The temperature controls seem ineffective, and the window is locked.

Because Snälltåget uses a slow path, we don’t reach Hamburg until just before midnight. I barely notice. I wake briefly in Padborg, but border control seems to be skipped today.

When booking, I was assigned an upper berth. It feels a bit more private, offers more luggage space – and far fewer feet in your face. The downside is that the sleeping surface is shorter; at 1.83 meters tall, I can only sleep slightly curled up.

Good morning Sweden

At 6:30 my alarm goes off; I don’t want to miss the crossing of the Öresund Bridge. A small ritual – this is where Scandinavia begins for me. What I hadn’t considered: in mid-October it’s still pitch dark. Even so, the minutes-long ride over the sea is impressive. I sneak out of the compartment. Since our car is the last one, I can look out from the rear gangway onto the open track. Lights keep flashing – signals and ships around us.

In Malmö we have a 90-minute stop, during which the train is split in two. One part stays in Malmö; the other, with our couchette car, is attached to a Snälltåget daytime train that continues to Stockholm.

I get off and watch our cars being shunted from one track to another. It’s a beautiful autumn morning; soon the first rays of sunlight fall into the station hall. While most are still dozing in their bunks and miss all this, I grab my first coffee from the station kiosk.

Breakfast at a table

Back on the train, a special highlight awaits: the rustic dining car Krogen, which is also attached in Malmö. I reserved breakfast when booking and was assigned a slot shortly after departure. Snälltåget tries to manage demand with a reservation system using one-hour time windows.

I get a coffee at the counter; shortly after, breakfast arrives: a bread roll with cheese, apple juice, a cinnamon bun. Not lavish, but functional – and above all at a proper table. Eating here is far better than half-lying in the compartment. It’s a pity dining cars have become so rare on night trains.

As we roll through morning Skåne, the Krogen fills up quickly. I make room and return to the couchette car. By now my compartment mates are awake too. Since a compartment at the end of the car has become free, I grab my things and move there. That way I can sit comfortably for the rest of the journey – and even open a corridor window now and then to feel the wind on my face.

Small farmsteads pass by, lakes, autumn colors. It’s really beautiful, though it does drag a bit. With each stop we also pick up a few minutes of delay. It’s already shortly after 2 p.m. when we finally roll into Stockholm Central Station.

Standing on the platform, I need a moment to get my bearings. Seventeen and a half hours on rails is no small thing. Soon curiosity wins out, and I head off for a walk through the old town to Södermalm, before boarding the ferry to Turku in the evening.

Snälltåget: my verdict

A journey on Snälltåget’s night train is more like a school trip than a rolling hotel. That’s not a drawback – as long as you embrace it, and the price is right. For the couchette berth I paid the equivalent of €54 as a supplement to an Interrail pass, which I find just about fair. Regular tickets start at around €90.

I really liked the interior and equipment of the couchette cars. You can tell an effort was made to get the best out of older vehicles. And with the dining car Krogen, the Swedish section even brings a real sense of travel atmosphere.

What I find less understandable is why Snälltåget insists on six-berth compartments and doesn’t at least offer a four-berth option. A bit more differentiation could make the product more attractive. The timetable isn’t ideal either: the late arrival in Stockholm costs you half a day at the destination – and with it, some of the advantage of a night train.

About the author: Sebastian Wilken is a passionate (night) train traveller who writes about European rail journeys in his newsletter Zugpost. For Night Ride, he follows developments in the night train market and shares the best tips and stories – complete with his own stunning photos.

Have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write to us at info@nightride.com.

On 3 March 2026 the company released updated plans for the new route. Notable changes: The train will currently not stop in Bern and Brig but rather in Zurich and continue southwards via the Gotthard line instead of the Simplon line. The respective sections have been updated.

Who will operate the new night train?

The service will be run by European Sleeper, the cooperative night-train operator already connecting Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dresden and Prague.

When will the train start running?

The first departure is planned for 9 September 2026.

What is the planned schedule?

Departures from Brussels are planned for Monday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings, arriving in Switzerland and Milan the next morning.
The return service from Milan will run on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday nights.

What route will the train take?

The train will run via Cologne, then continue through Zürich, Göschenen (in the heart of the Swiss Alps), and Lugano, stopping at Chiasso on the Swiss-Italian border before reaching Milan.

What comfort categories will be available?

European Sleeper will offer its usual categories: seats, couchettes, and sleeper compartments. More detailed configurations are expected closer to launch.

What will it cost?

Prices will be similar to existing European Sleeper services. As an indication:
- Seats from €30
- Couchettes around €50-€100
- Sleepers from €130

When will tickets be available – and where?

Ticket sales are expected to open on 17 March 2026.
You’ll be able to book via nightride.com.

For night train enthusiasts, there has been plenty to celebrate in recent years: new routes have been added, and modern trains have taken to the rails. Now, however, the mood has darkened. After years of boom, services are once again being cut. The most prominent example: the Nightjets to Paris, which are no longer economically viable following the premature end of French government subsidies. Sweden, too, is withdrawing from its financial support. In the meantime we also learned that the new Swiss train to Copenhagen and Malmö will not run – the Swiss parliament cut the subsidies last minute.

Is this the end of the great night train dream – or merely a growing pain? There is still hope: private operator European Sleeper wants to open a couple of new lines. Poland and the Czech Republic are also continuing to expand their night train network, and established services such as the Caledonian Sleeper in Scotland remain as popular as ever.

In this article, we take a closer look at these and many other changes and updates in the 2026 timetable.

Note: Details may still change before the timetable switch on 14 December 2025, and further updates may be announced. We’ll keep this article regularly updated for you.

Sad farewell: Nightjets to Paris axed – rescue possible

It’s perhaps the biggest setback for night trains in years: in late September, reports emerged that the ÖBB would discontinue its Nightjet services from Berlin and Vienna to Paris after only two and four years respectively. Shortly afterwards came official confirmation.

The background: the French government, which had subsidised the trains, is pulling out of the scheme ahead of schedule. Officially, this was justified by the fact that ÖBB and SNCF operated the Nightjets only three times a week rather than daily. In reality, France’s acute budget crisis is likely the real reason.

The announcement prompted a wave of protest – among others, from the European network Back-on-Track and the French campaign Oui au train de nuit. But in vain: the popular night trains will cease in December 2025, ending the last international night train links in France. Only the domestic Intercités de Nuit services to southern destinations will remain.

Since this post was created in early November, the story has taken a rather unexpected turn: the private night‑train startup European Sleeper plans to serve the route via Brussels starting in March 2026. To fund this, it is currently raising money through a “share‑funding” campaign. All the details are in our overview. Booking is planned to open on 16th of December already.

Nightjets to La Spezia discontinued

There’s another cut in ÖBB’s Nightjet network: from the 2026 timetable, the services from Munich and Vienna to La Spezia will no longer run. Until now, these trains travelled via Milan and Genoa to the Ligurian port city, serving the famous Cinque Terre villages along the way.

The last journeys to La Spezia took place in September. Since then, services have been suspended due to engineering works – and will now be permanently discontinued at the timetable change, as confirmed on the ÖBB website.

Sweden: Euronight to Stockholm saved

Two night trains currently connect Berlin and Stockholm via Hamburg: the private Snälltåget and the state-owned SJ Euronight. The latter launched in September 2022 with support from the Swedish government. When these subsidies expire in summer 2026, SJ announced that it would withdraw from operating the Berlin service.

For a few days it looked as if the convenient connection – unlike Snälltåget, the Euronight includes sleeper compartments – would end after only three years. But then private operator RDC Deutschland, which provides coaches and staff on behalf of SJ, announced it would continue the service independently from August 2026.

There is, however, a downside: since the route is only profitable at times of high demand, RDC Deutschland will reduce the number of operating days. Exact dates have not yet been confirmed, but roughly half of the previous services may be cut.

Another bad mini-news from Sweden reaches us shortly before the timetable change: Line 91/92 will no longer travel to Luleå but already stop its journey in Umeå from April 2026.

Snälltåget expands to Norway

Snälltåget remains pleased with its Germany connection: in the 2026 timetable, its Berlin–Hamburg–Stockholm night train will again run on over 200 days per year, with some services starting as far south as Dresden.

The company also plans to expand within Scandinavia, launching its first night trains to Norway in 2026. Timetable data show two seasonal routes from Malmö to Oslo and Trondheim, with a possible long-distance service from Malmö via Stockholm to Narvik under discussion – crossing Sweden from south to north.

Poland / Czech Republic: New routes and more comfort

Poland has long been a paradise for night train fans – and the offer will grow further in the 2026 timetable. The “Baltic Express” between Gdynia and Prague, introduced last year, will have a permanent sleeper car from December 2025 (previously seasonal only). The route will also change, now running via Bydgoszcz, Toruń and Iława.

In addition, PKP Intercity has announced new night services between Germany and Poland: one from Berlin to Przemyśl (on the Ukrainian border) and another from Berlin to Chełm via Łódź and Warsaw. There’s a catch, though: both trains will initially offer only seated coaches, with couchettes and sleepers not yet planned.

Another announcement from PKP reached us only after this post was written: the brand‑new Euronight "Carpatia" will connect four countries – from the far east of Poland (Przemyśl) through the Czech Republic and Austria to Germany, stopping in Vienna and Salzburg before reaching Munich. The night train will feature seating cars, couchettes and sleeper cars, and service is set to begin already on 14 December.

On 30 November, the Czech railway CD also introduced a new Euronight with seats and couchette cars. This service also runs from 14 December, traveling from Prague to Przemyśl, providing another straightforward travel option from Central Europe into Ukraine.

Night train to the Baltics

Rail travel to and within the Baltic States has improved considerably in recent years. With the new timetable comes another upgrade that will particularly benefit night train passengers: the Warsaw–Vilnius journey will be cut by around an hour, and a second daily service will be introduced.

This creates, for the first time, a sensible connection in Warsaw between the Euronight “Chopin” (406/407) from Munich and Vienna and onward travel to Vilnius. The night train is scheduled to arrive in Warsaw at 08:15, with the departure to Vilnius at 09:04 – a comfortable transfer time of about an hour. Should there be delays, a midday service to Vilnius provides a backup.

In the reverse direction, the midday train from Vilnius arrives in Warsaw at 18:55, connecting neatly with the Euronight to Vienna and Munich, which departs at 19:41.

Caledonian Sleeper via Birmingham

From early 2026, the Caledonian Sleeper, which links London with Scotland, will see a change to its route: some trains will run via Birmingham, connecting another major English city to the night train network.

The Highland Sleeper portions to Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William will gain an additional stop at Birmingham International. The reason is growing demand from the region and a desire to boost tourism in the Highlands and the West Midlands. Departure times and overall journey duration will remain unchanged. The Lowland Sleeper to Glasgow and Edinburgh will continue on its traditional route.

Find your night train connection now!

The Caledonian Sleeper is one of only two night trains in the United Kingdom. Since being brought back into public ownership by the Scottish Government in 2023, passenger numbers have risen steadily.

New night train from the Benelux to Milan – with a stop in Bern

Last but not least: European Sleeper will not only save the night train from Paris to Berlin, but also stake new claims on the north‑south axis. The cooperative company plans to run a train from Amsterdam and Brussels via Cologne, Bern, Brig (right in the Swiss Alps!) and Lake Maggiore to Milan starting in June 2026. The train is intended to operate three times a week. All known details are available here.

We placed this news deliberately at the end because it still seems quite under‑developed to us. Too many points remain unclear: How will the line closures at Domodossola be handled? Which rolling stock will be used? Nevertheless, we also hope that Bern will get its first night‑train stop in over ten years.

About the author: Sebastian Wilken is a passionate (night) train traveller who writes about European rail journeys in his newsletter Zugpost. For Night Ride, he follows developments in the night train market and shares the best tips and stories – complete with his own stunning photos.

Have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write to us at info@nightride.com.

The cities of Stockholm or Gothenburg offer an urban alternative; they are sophisticated and offer numerous cultural opportunities. And even there, nature is not far away, be it the coastal region around Gothenburg or the archipelago off Stockholm.

Night trains as an important means of transport

The vast distances in this country are challenging. Anyone traveling in Sweden will soon realize that cities and regions are far apart and a journey can quickly take several hours or days. However, the country has a relatively dense railway network and the regions are well-connected by train.

Night trains have a special significance in Sweden: While in the rest of Europe night train connections had to be awakened from their slumber, Sweden (like Norway and Finland) has always relied on night trains. They connect the south with the north overnight, covering thousands of kilometers. Especially in winter, night trains are vital lifelines for the people, connecting the ski regions around Åre, Kiruna, or Narvik (Norway) with the south.

Connections to Sweden

Snälltåget and the Swedish state railway SJ each offer a daily night train connection from Germany via Denmark to Sweden. Both trains travel via Hamburg and Copenhagen to Stockholm and, from Malmö, serve numerous starting points in southern Sweden such as Nässjö, Linköping, or Norrköping.

Swedish State Railways SJ (daily)

• SJ EuroNight train EN 345/346
  (Berlin dep: 5:31 PM*, Stockholm arr: 10:01 AM next day)
  Categories: seats, couchettes, sleeping cars (also with private shower / WC)

Overview of connections from Berlin to Stockholm

Website of the Swedish State Railways (English): https://www.sj.se/en

Snälltåget (Monday to Friday, and Sunday, seasonally from Dresden or Innsbruck)

• Snälltåget train 300/301
  (Berlin dep: 8:10 PM*, Stockholm arr: 1:15 PM next day)
  Categories: seats, couchettes (6-berth compartment), private 6-berth couchette compartment
• Seasonal Snälltåget train 304/305 from Innsbruck to Malmö
• Categories: seats, couchettes (6-berth compartment), private 6-berth couchette compartment

Overview of connections from Innsbruck to Malmö

Website of Snälltåget (English): https://www.snalltaget.se/en

How to get to Sweden?

The travel times with the night trains of SJ and Snälltåget are practically identical, taking about 16 hours. The SJ EuroNight departs from Berlin earlier and therefore reaches Stockholm by 10:00 AM. This train is particularly suitable for journeys from Hamburg to Stockholm, as it reaches the destination earlier. Destinations in southern Sweden, however, are reached very early in the morning.

The Snälltåget night train is ideal for journeys from (Dresden-) Berlin via Hamburg to Copenhagen and destinations in southern Sweden. The train has a longer stop in Malmö, thus reaching Stockholm in the early afternoon – for faster travel to Stockholm, there is the option to change to a day train in Malmö. By changing in Malmö, you can get to Stockholm more quickly. The destinations of Copenhagen (6:33 AM), Malmö (7:00 AM), or Nässjö (10:25 AM) are reached a bit later, which may be more convenient.

*Departure times are based on the 2025 schedule, with varying departure times from Berlin on Sundays.

Night trains within Sweden

Swedish State Railways SJ

The Swedish state railway SJ offers several night trains within Sweden daily. A night train runs daily from Malmö to Stockholm. From Stockholm, night trains run northwards to Umeå, Luleå, and Narvik (Norway) every day. These are the Norrland night trains, which cover long distances and also serve remote areas.

*2025 schedule

Snälltåget

Snälltåget offers a seasonal night train to the Fjäll (mountains). The train runs from Malmö to Stockholm and continues via Östersund, Åre, Duved to Storlien, which is on the border with Norway. From Storlien, day trains run to Trondheim (Norway). A perfect train for winter and summer adventures in the mountains of picturesque Jämtland.

*2025 schedule

Tips and further information

What is the dining service like?

On night trains within Sweden, dining cars are standard and usually offer a wide selection of hot and cold meals and drinks. In the dining cars of the Swedish state railway SJ, you will also find microwaves where you can heat up your own food.

We recommend a cinnamon bun ("Kanelbulle") with a coffee. For those who prefer something heartier, you should try the meatballs with mashed potatoes. For the very brave, there's a reindeer ragout, also served with mashed potatoes. Of course, vegetarian and vegan alternatives are available.

On the connections from Germany to Sweden and back, the selection is somewhat more limited.

Can you travel with Interrail?

In Sweden, Interrail is also valid on night trains. The discounts vary and are not particularly high, especially with the Swedish state railway SJ.

Travel through Europe with the Interrail Pass

What do the compartments offer?

On night train connections within Sweden, the state railway SJ offers seating cars (regular train cars), couchette cars, and sleeping cars (with a private washbasin) as standard. You can also book separate compartments with a private WC and shower. In Sweden, these are called "Deluxe compartments". However, they are not available on all trains. In the sleeping and couchette cars, SJ also provides towels. The showers are very spacious and, in our experience, very clean.

Snälltåget, on the other hand, does not offer sleeping cars on its trains. They have cars with 6-berth compartments, which can either be shared or booked privately. Toilets and washing facilities are located in the corridor.

For a particularly enjoyable night train experience, we recommend booking a higher category (sleeping car) or a private compartment.

How far in advance should you book?

The night trains to and from Sweden, as well as the night trains between Stockholm and Luleå, get booked up quickly, especially during the high season in summer and winter. It is advisable to book early (two to three months in advance). Additionally, schedules are sometimes only available three to four months in advance. The ideal booking window is therefore tight. We advise checking the connections regularly and booking quickly as soon as they become available.

The favorite night train

Many night train fans agree, including the authors of this text: The most beautiful night train connection in Europe is the Norrland night train – the night train that runs from Stockholm to Narvik (Norway). It serves the coastal region on the Bothnian Sea and continues through the wild landscapes of Swedish Lapland and across the Arctic Circle. There, it travels on the route of the Iron Ore Line (Malmbanan), which leads from Luleå via Kiruna to Narvik.

The train stops in the crazy mining town of Kiruna, at Abisko Turiststation, the starting point for Abisko National Park. It travels along the wild Lake Torneträsk, a 60-kilometer-long mountain lake, to Riksgränsen (Sweden) and reaches Narvik (Norway) after winding its way down along the Rombaken Fjord.

This night train is an experience in both summer and winter, and it travels directly from Stockholm into the vastness of the north. Polar night, northern lights, midnight sun, hiking, or skiing – this train offers everything for nature enthusiasts. The author has written a personal travel report here.

Even more inspiration

Are you looking for more inspiration as well as tips & tricks for your trip to the far north? Here on this site, the authors report on their adventures on rails in Scandinavia. You will also find plenty of other information about climatic conditions and particularly beautiful railway lines.

Twiliner is the first bus company in Europe where you can travel and sleep lying down. In Asia and Latin America, lying flat on night buses has long been part of everyday travel and has proven itself. (Editor’s note: In New Zealand, between Auckland and Wellington, there used to be a similar bus – at least 15 years ago, it was cheap and a great experience.)

Different concepts are used worldwide, from cabins and reclining seats to even hammock-style setups. Twiliner has chosen to develop its own sleeping seat inspired by an airline business class seat. At the push of a button, your seat transforms into a fully flat bed.

What routes are available and where can I book?

Currently, Twiliner operates one route from Switzerland to Spain and another to the Netherlands.

After comparing prices on nightride.com, you’re taken directly to Twiliner’s booking page.

The available routes are:

• Zurich to Barcelona and back
• Berne to Barcelona and back

The bus numbered 003ZB or 004BZ, respectively, also stops in Girona along the way.

• Zurich to Amsterdam and back
• Basel to Amsterdam and back

The bus numbered 001ZA or 002AZ, respectively, also stops in Brussels, Rotterdam and Luxembourg along the way.

What about safety?

As mentioned, lying down on buses is already widespread and well-proven in other parts of the world. Twiliner has developed its own safety system to ensure your protection.

When seated, you fasten a seat belt just like in a regular coach or car. When lying down, you sleep in a sleeping bag that is securely fixed to the sleeping seat.

The drivers are highly experienced and specially trained for overnight journeys. On every trip, two drivers are on board, taking turns to guarantee safety and rest.

What about comfort & amenities?

All sleeping seats come with bed linen, a pillow, and a blanket. You can eat or work at a small table. Each seat provides personal storage space, a reading light, and a USB-C port to charge your devices. Free WiFi is available throughout the journey.

On the lower deck, you’ll find a toilet, a changing room, and a snack bar.

Water and coffee are free of charge. Other drinks and snacks are available for purchase.

Your ticket includes one large suitcase up to 23 kg and one piece of hand luggage up to 7 kg. Additional luggage can be taken on board for an extra fee.

When does it start?

Towards the end of 2025, Twiliner will launch its first two routes:

• Zurich – Basel – Luxembourg – Brussels – Rotterdam – Amsterdam
• Zurich – Bern – Girona – Barcelona

New routes are already being planned for 2026. We’re excited and can’t wait to see what’s next!

For more information, visit the Twiliner website.

You can book the night trains directly in the ÖBB ticket shop:

All Nightjet routes 2025

Sorted by train number.

Vienna to Villach (NJ 233)
Wiener Neustadt to Verona (NJ 233)
Verona to Wiener Neustadt (NJ 235)
Venice to Munich (NJ 236)
Venice to Stuttgart (NJ 236)
Munich to Venice (NJ 237)
Stuttgart to Venice (NJ 237)
Bologna to Rosenheim (NJ 294)
Rome to Munich (NJ 294)
Munich to Rome (NJ 295)
Rosenheim to Bologna (NJ 295)
Zurich to Amsterdam (NJ 402)
Vienna to Rome (NJ 40233)
Wiener Neustadt to Bologna (NJ 40233)
Verona to Salzburg (NJ 40235)
Venice to Vienna (NJ 40236)
Bologna to Wiener Neustadt (NJ 40294)
Rome to Vienna (NJ 40294)
Salzburg to Verona (NJ 40295)
Amsterdam to Zurich (NJ 403)
Innsbruck to Hamburg (NJ 40420)
Amsterdam to Vienna (NJ 40421)
Berlin to Paris (NJ 40424)
Brussels to Vienna (NJ 40425)
Mainz to Linz (NJ 40425)
Vienna to Venice (NJ 40466)
Vienna to Brussels (NJ 40468)
Paris to Berlin (NJ 40469)
Strasbourg to Halle (NJ 40469)
Vienna to Amsterdam (NJ 40490)
Hamburg to Innsbruck (NJ 40491)
Berlin to Basel (NJ 408)
Berlin to Zurich (NJ 408)
Basel to Berlin (NJ 409)
Zurich to Berlin (NJ 409)
Innsbruck to Amsterdam (NJ 420)
Amsterdam to Innsbruck (NJ 421)
Berlin to Frankfurt am Main (NJ 424)
Brussels to Mannheim (NJ 425)
Vienna to Bregenz (NJ 446)
Vienna to Feldkirch (NJ 446)
Bregenz to Vienna (NJ 447)
Feldkirch to Vienna (NJ 447)
Brno to Dresden (NJ 456)
Graz to Berlin (NJ 456)
Graz to Pardubice (NJ 456)
Berlin to Graz (NJ 457)
Prague to Wiener Neustadt (NJ 457)
Graz to Zurich (NJ 464)
Buchs to Graz (NJ 465)
Zurich to Graz (NJ 465)
Vienna to Zurich (NJ 466)
Zurich to Vienna (NJ 467)
Vienna to Paris (NJ 468)
Paris to Vienna (NJ 469)
Strasbourg to Vienna (NJ 469)
Zurich to Hamburg (NJ 470)
Hamburg to Zurich (NJ 471)
Vienna to Hamburg (NJ 490)
Hamburg to Vienna (NJ 491)

All Euronight routes 2025

Sorted by train number.

Split to Vienna (EN 1152)
Vienna to Split (EN 1153)
Rosenheim to Zagreb (EN 40237)
Stuttgart to Zagreb (EN 40237)
Zagreb to Zurich (EN 40414)
Berlin to Budapest (EN 40457)
Prague to Budapest (EN 40457)
Dresden to Offenburg (EN 40458)
Prague to Zurich (EN 40458)
Basel to Leipzig (EN 40459)
Frankfurt am Main to Prague (EN 40459)
Zurich to Leipzig (EN 40459)
Zurich to Prague (EN 40459)
Budapest to Sargans (EN 40462)
Budapest to Zurich (EN 40462)
Buchs to Zagreb (EN 40465)
Zurich to Zagreb (EN 40465)
Sargans to Budapest (EN 40467)
Sargans to Győr (EN 40467)
Zurich to Budapest (EN 40467)
Zurich to Vienna (EN 40467)
Brno to Dresden (EN 40476)
Budapest to Berlin (EN 40476)
Budapest to Prague (EN 40476)
Munich to Warsaw (EN 406)
Salzburg to Krakow (EN 406)
Krakow to Salzburg (EN 407)
Warsaw to Munich (EN 407)
Zagreb to Rosenheim (EN 414)
Zagreb to Stuttgart (EN 414)
Munich to Budapest (EN 50237)
Rosenheim to Budapest (EN 50237)
Rosenheim to Győr (EN 50237)
Stuttgart to Budapest (EN 50237)
Stuttgart to Győr (EN 50237)
Budapest to Munich (EN 50462)
Budapest to Stuttgart (EN 50462)
Győr to Rosenheim (EN 50462)
Győr to Stuttgart (EN 50462)
Linz to Stuttgart (EN 50462)

The ÖBB offers

Like other providers, the ÖBB has a broad selection of classes, from seats to couchettes to comfortable sleeping cars. Usually there is also the option to book compartments privately.

We have listed here the different comfort categories that exist on Nightjet and Euronight services.

Especially innovative are the private mini cabins of the new Nightjet wagons. You can see which routes they run on here.

While our own parents advised us against it (too stressful, too hot, too dangerous, etc.), all of our friends with children encouraged us to do it. They said now was the best time for it, and that later it would only get more complicated (until it became easier again at some point).

At first, it made sense to us: the little one doesn't need much more than love, food (which we always have with us for free) and a dry nappy from time to time. Travelling on night trains seemed particularly suitable – after all, that's when he mainly sleeps, and the gentle rocking of the train does its part.

The journey via Germany (ICE with a change in Frankfurt) and Switzerland (direct train from Olten to Milan) went relatively well. Of course, several hours on a crowded train mean a lot of new impressions for a baby. Our son therefore found it noticeably difficult to fall asleep. That's why we put him in our baby sling, especially towards the end of the journey, and walked with him through the train – it works better than any sleeping pill (not that we would need such a thing...). Also cool: most modern express trains have a toilet compartment with a changing table. But we're not really talking about normal trains here, but rather...

Night trains! For our first night train adventure with our son, we chose the connection from Milan to Bari. It was important to us that we could book a private compartment so that we wouldn't disturb other passengers if he started crying. Children usually travel free on night trains if they don't need their own bed. As our son currently still sleeps in our bed, this is not necessary. We also have a kind of mini pop-up tent with a mattress with us. There would be just enough space for it next to the bed in the compartment. Tip: Incidentally, a mattress like this can also be placed on the tables in express trains – ergonomic, if junior needs to lie down for a while.

We booked the express train from Olten to Milan and the night train to Bari in the nightride.com shop. Total cost for both connections: just under 410 euros. We travelled in a private 2-person sleeper cabin (at Trenitalia, this is somewhat awkwardly called ‘Vagone Letto Relax Doppia - Cabina Intera’, see our translation guide). These compartments are located in the carriages marked ‘Deluxe’ on the outside. The couchette cars, on the other hand, are listed under “Comfort”, and the seating cars under ‘Base’.

Book your trip to Puglia now

At 9:30 p.m., the night train welcomes us at Milano Centrale. A friendly steward helps us settle into our compartment. Ticket inspection, no lengthy explanations, just the one important question: Caffè o tè? For breakfast. A certain anticipation spreads.

The first thing that catches our eye are the four generous bottles of water, two with gas and two without. There is also a goodie bag with items such as sleep masks and even toothbrushes.

This is our first time travelling on a night train in Italy, and we are pleasantly surprised by the sleeping compartments, which are certainly getting on in years but are well maintained and inviting.

We are also delighted with the spacious beds, which are already made up. There is plenty of room for Junior to sleep next to one of his parents. It is important to mention at this point that you should already be familiar with sleeping with your child in the same bed and know the necessary safety precautions (including no blankets near the head, breastfeeding as the main source of nutrition, no alcohol or drug consumption). If the baby is lying on the wall side, there is no danger of them falling out.

For our son, the night on the train feels just like any other. At least, he doesn't seem unusually restless or anything like that. We also sleep pretty well. At around 6:30 a.m., our natural alarm clock goes off and we open our eyes. It's already light outside; the sun has just risen. Every now and then, the blue Adriatic Sea flashes by on the left side of the train (unfortunately not on our side).

A little later, the steward serves the long-awaited breakfast, or rather the long-awaited espresso. The former consists of pre-packaged snacks including jam, the latter is probably unique in Europe. This is because it is (still) made using a real portafilter machine and tastes authentically Italian. Okay, Timo is a coffee snob and he'll stop now.

At 7:40 a.m., we arrive at Bari Centrale right on time. We treat ourselves to a cappuccino at the station café (after all, it's not yet 11 a.m.) and go in search of our hire car, which will take us through the Apulian countryside – unfortunately poorly served by public transport.

Our conclusion about our first night on the train with our child: a great experience that we can recommend to everyone. Especially on Italian night trains (and that's not just because of the espresso...)

Note: Unfortunately, nightride.com does not yet offer Finnish night trains – but we are working on it! Until then, you can book your Interrail pass via nightride.com:

Travel through Europe with an Interrail pass

Start in Helsinki

Before taking the night train to northern Finland, we had a few days to explore the city of Helsinki. At first, Helsinki seemed a little rough and unpolished to us. But when we looked back at Helsinki from the island of Suomenlinna in the evening, the city on the wild archipelago coast showed itself from a completely different side.

Helsinki feels authentic, confident, and open. And never intrusive. It is the people who make the city so special. We got to know Finns who are reserved, but at the same time very warm, friendly, and helpful. And we became acquainted with the dry, sometimes slightly dark Finnish humor, which is really good for you. The extremely clean city has its rough edges, but also a kind of individuality and self-confidence that we began to like. That's why it's not easy to say goodbye.

The adventure begins

With these intense impressions, we stand on the platform of Helsingin Päärautatieasema, Helsinki's main train station, and board our night train heading north. It is shortly before 8 p.m. and we quickly find our compartment with its own toilet and shower. The door to the compartment is open, and the key card is in the lock. We haven't encountered any accompanying staff yet. Since everything is very self-explanatory, we haven't missed them so far.

We don't skimp on night train travel so that we can really enjoy the journey. The trip costs just €123.80 for two people. This is in a sleeper car with its own toilet and shower. An amazingly low price. The Interrail discount is so small that it's not even worth using an Interrail day.

We wondered beforehand why such low prices for a thousand kilometers in a spacious two-person compartment were even possible. The answer to this question lies in the obviousness, or rather the necessity, of this train. Night trains are a matter of course here in Finland, because they fulfill an important task in this huge country, reliably connecting people in the southern regions with those in the north. Regardless of weather and season. Night trains are therefore subsidized by the Finnish government. If you would like to learn more about this, we recommend our report on our visit to the VR state railway maintenance facility in Helsinki. The link can be found at the end of this blog post.

The night train service is popular: the train is well occupied and leaves Helsinki right on time at 8:29 p.m. The Finnish railways really do seem to be reliable.

We booked the trip via the VR (Valtionrautatiet – Finnish State Railways) app, which was very quick and easy. In addition to older single-story sleeping cars with shared compartments, there are luxurious two-person compartments in large double-decker sleeping cars. And they are really impressive: due to the wider and higher carriages (in Finland, the railways run on a wider gauge than in the rest of Europe), there is plenty of space even in double-decker carriages. The additional space is used innovatively here in Finland. For example, there are lockers, telephone booths, and staffed luggage drop-off points on the train.

The beds are very comfortable and long enough even for taller people like us. Towels hang in the shower, and shower gel and soap are provided. The WiFi also works perfectly (where there is network coverage). Everything is extremely clean and works flawlessly—as is the case with almost everything here in Finland. And the cars from the 1990s still look modern.

The best car on the train

And there's something else on the bed: a brochure with the dining car menu, explicitly titled: The best car on the train. The brochure promises a wide range of snacks, drinks, and hot meals. Since we had already heard and read about the Finnish dining cars, we immediately make our way there. And here we are fascinated once again. The spacious and cozy car really invites you to enjoy dinner.

We order a salad as a starter, followed by meatballs with mashed potatoes. The food is served directly at our table. It is presented on porcelain plates with real cutlery. The whole experience feels solid and is a far cry from plastic cutlery and paper plates. And the food tastes really good.

Shortly after we have been served our meal, with the train still rattling through the suburbs of Helsinki, we come to an abrupt halt. Somewhat perplexed, we look out of the window and expect an announcement that there is a problem with the locomotive, a signal, or a switch. However, no announcement is made.

Instead, the restaurant employee, who could be described as a chef, peeks out of his galley and calls out to the dining room that the car carriages are now being coupled up. It will continue immediately afterwards. Another special feature of these night trains is the car transport service offered by VR. The car is driven to a suburb of Helsinki, where the road vehicles are then driven onto special car transport wagons (also two-story, partially covered).

The drivers then board the night train, while their cars are transported on the car carriage at the rear. And this is where these carriages are coupled with the cars. We think this is an ingenious service. Especially in winter, we imagine the road conditions to be quite arctic, dark, and nasty. Instead of having to drive hundreds of kilometers on the road, there is this alternative offered by Finnish Railways. It is obviously very popular, as the train and restaurant fill up considerably after this stop. After dinner, we make room for other passengers and disappear into our berth.

Skandinavisk frukost

The next morning, we wake up after a deep sleep. The carriages roll along very smoothly and you can hardly feel that the train is moving. As always on night trains, the first glance out of the window in the morning is a very special moment: where is the train now? Are we running on time or were there delays during the night? So much can happen over a good 1,000 kilometers of track. But our train is running on time. We are just leaving Kemi, where the locomotive was changed. Instead of an electric locomotive, two diesel locomotives are now pulling us further north. The route from Kemi to Kolari is not electrified. Another special feature is that such a long and heavy night train is pulled by two diesel locomotives.

We look forward to breakfast and reach the restaurant car just as the train crosses the Arctic Circle. The landscape has changed in the meantime, becoming barren and gray, with remnants of snow lying in the forests. And it looks cold outside. Breakfast would also have been served in the compartment, but we prefer the best car on the train. Just like in a hotel, this is no problem. We give the staff our compartment number and they note in the system that we had breakfast in the restaurant car.

However, breakfast is as barren as the landscape outside. There is warm porridge with a few blueberries on top, accompanied by coffee. This porridge is not exactly a culinary gem, but the Skandinavisk frukost efficiently satisfies our hunger.

After breakfast, there is just enough time to brush our teeth and pack our bags – the train will soon arrive in Kolari. Shortly afterwards, we pull into the station, ten minutes early. We step out of the train into the freezing cold morning and head straight for the warm waiting room at the station. There isn't much to see of Kolari itself; the station seems to be in the middle of the forest and it smells of freshly cut wood. Next to the track with the platform is a timber loading facility where tree trunks are loaded onto freight trains from a miserably long pile of wood.

A truly exceptional night train

We agree: this is a truly exceptional night train. Neither of us has ever seen anything like it. Everything works, it is punctual, clean, modern, and reliable. You can count on this train, and everything runs smoothly and confidently. You can really sense that this train is not just an additional service, but an important and integral part of Finland's transport infrastructure.

After unloading the road vehicles from the car transporters, the drivers get back into their vehicles and drive away. And calm returns to this lonely station, so far north in beautiful Europe.

If you would like to learn more about the entire journey, we recommend Jonathan and François' travel blog and website, which offer many tips and tricks for traveling by train in Scandinavia: Schwedenreis.li (in German).

Jonathan and François visited the VR FleetCare plant in Helsinki, the maintenance division of Finnish State Railways. At the plant, Jonathan and François learned a lot about night trains in Finland. You can find this report here: Report on the visit to VR FleetCare (in German).

Would you also like to travel through Europe with Interrail? Then book your ticket right here via Night Ride:

Travel through Europe with an Interrail pass

Yay, the night train to Sweden is coming (after all)! After years of political back and forth (details see this blog post in German), the Swiss government has spoken out in favour of supporting the new line from Switzerland through Germany and Denmark to Sweden. On 10 July 2025, the Swiss Federal Office of Transport (FOT) announced the details of the support (press release in German). We have summarised the answers to the most important questions below. Not everything is known yet; where we do not (yet) know something, we will indicate this. We plan to update the overview on a regular basis.

When does the Basel-Malmö service start?

The night train nicknamed "Aurora" will begin service on April 15, 2026, running year-round three times per week in each direction. This marks the first direct connection between Switzerland and Scandinavia in decades.

Where does the night train stop?

Stops include Freiburg (Breisgau), Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Frankfurt Süd, Hamburg, Padborg, Kolding, Odense, Hoeje Taastrup, and Copenhagen Airport. The train will not stop at Copenhagen Central Station, but the city can be reached by S-Bahn in about 15 minutes from the mentioned stations.

What does the regular timetable look like exactly?

• Basel SBB — Departure 17:35 (EN 472 to Malmö Central)
• Basel Bad Bf — Departure 17:49
• Freiburg (Breisgau) Hbf — Arrival 18:22, Departure 18:24, boarding only
• Karlsruhe Hbf — Arrival 19:35, Departure 19:38, boarding only
• Mannheim Hbf — Arrival 20:13, Departure 20:18, boarding only
• Frankfurt (Main) Süd — Arrival 21:05, Departure 21:09, boarding only
• Hamburg Hbf — Arrival 02:36, Departure 02:55
• Padborg st — Arrival 05:15, Departure 05:47
• Kolding st — Arrival 06:33, Departure 06:35, alighting only
• Odense st — Arrival 07:20, Departure 07:22, alighting only
• Høje Taastrup st — Arrival 08:38, Departure 08:40, alighting only
• Copenhagen Airport st — Arrival 09:02, Departure 09:04, alighting only
• Malmö Central — Arrival 09:35

And back:

• Malmö Central — Departure 18:57 (EN 473 to Basel SBB)
• Copenhagen Airport st — Arrival 19:32, Departure 19:34, boarding only
• Høje Taastrup st — Arrival 19:52, Departure 19:59, boarding only
• Odense st — Arrival 21:12, Departure 21:14, boarding only
• Kolding st — Arrival 21:58, Departure 22:00, boarding only
• Padborg st — Arrival 22:50, Departure 23:05
• Hamburg Hbf — Arrival 01:02, Departure 01:17
• Frankfurt (Main) Süd — Arrival 06:32, Departure 06:34, alighting only
• Mannheim Hbf — Arrival 07:52, Departure 07:58, alighting only
• Karlsruhe Hbf — Arrival 08:38, Departure 08:46, alighting only
• Freiburg (Breisgau) Hbf — Arrival 10:37, Departure 10:39, alighting only
• Basel Bad Bf — Arrival 11:16
• Basel SBB — Arrival 11:30

Is catering available?

Yes. A bistro car will operate between Basel and Padborg.

Can bicycles be taken onboard?

Currently not. Due to operational reasons, bicycle transport is not planned – more on that in this interview (German).

What facilities are available on board?

The train offers sleeping, couchette, and seated cars with around 350 places in total. There’s also a barrier-free compartment and a bistro. The sleeper cars feature classic compartments with up to three beds and a washbasin, while the couchette cars offer 4- and 6-berth compartments. Toilets and showers will be available in the waggons.

It’s now confirmed: the sleeper car will also include a wood-paneled suite with two double beds. You read that right – it even has a private shower and toilet. Note: there are at most two of these suites on the entire train, and early data show they’re very popular.

Background: The train is operated as a cooperation between SBB and RDC Deutschland (with ÖBB not involved this time). RDC already provides the rolling stock for the Zurich–Amsterdam and Basel–Amsterdam night trains – some of this equipment will now be used on the new Scandinavian route.

How frequently will the train run?

Three times per week: from Basel on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 17:35, arriving in Malmö the next morning at 09:35. In the opposite direction, it departs Malmö on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays at 18:57, arriving in Basel the next day at 11:30.

Can I bring my pet?

In principle, yes – the same rules as for ÖBB apply. See here.

In principle, if your pet is above a certain size, you will need to book a compartment for yourself. In both the sleeper and the couchette car, one compartment is designated for passengers traveling with pets.

When and where can tickets be purchased?

Ticket sales open on November 4, 2025 – about half a year before the first journey. Tickets will be available via SBB Mobile, sbb.ch, or at SBB travel centers (and of course also via nightride.com).

Find your desired night train connection now!

How much will the tickets cost?

It’s now clear how much the trip to or from Malmö will cost. Seats in the seated car start at about €50, couchette places from around €100. The cheapest sleeper compartments with a washbasin range (with the lowest ticket flexibility) between €150 and €350. Interestingly, the suite can sometimes even be cheaper.

How long will the night train to Malmö operate?

Heretical question, yes. But it's a valid one, because the service is financially supported by the Swiss government under the CO₂ Act, with funding planned at least until 2030. So, the train should run for at least five years – provided Parliament approves the budget. Otherwise, the project could still be at risk.

I lie awake, listening to the clatter of the wheels.

Tamtam – Tamtam – Tamtam

My train rushes south through a mild Italian September night.

Tamtam – Tamtam – Tamtam

It’s the year 2009, and I am 11 years old. Despite the soothing rhythm of the wheels, I can’t fall asleep because I’m too excited. Finally back on the night train! Finally heading south to southern Italy again!

Discover all night trains in Italy

A first hint of adventure and wanderlust had already stirred when our blue-and-white Cisalpino tilting train pulled into Basel. On board, I heard Italian for the very first time, and before long my mother ordered her first real Italian espresso.

I was fascinated as I marveled at the countless bridges and tunnels in the mountain landscape while the train climbed the Gotthard north ramp. I watched how the houses changed as we passed through Ticino, and when we finally arrived at Milano Centrale, I felt as if I had entered another world.

The huge station hall, the crowds of people, the foreign language, and all the kitschy souvenirs captivated me completely. But after a good slice of pizza on the platform, the true highlight of my holiday journey arrived: the Treno Notte.

By night train to the south

Even though I lie awake with excitement, the Italian night train feels familiar. For as long as I can remember, my family has taken the night train to southern Italy once a year. Year after year, we would board the Treno Notte in Milano Centrale and travel to Lecce, in the heel of Italy, the Salento. For me, taking the night train has always meant holidays in Italy, and holidays in Italy have always meant the night train.

That’s why I’m already looking forward to the plastic-wrapped cornetto and the UHT milk the conductor will bring us the next morning. But for now, I listen to the clatter of the wheels.
Tamtam – Tamtam – Tamtam
Soon the night train will reach Rimini. But I won’t notice anymore. Full of anticipation for the morning and the vacation in the south, I finally fall asleep.

Five years later, and 500 rail kilometers further south, I wake up in the sleeping car just before six in the morning. Again, I’m excited, because this is my first night train trip without my parents. The journey feels like adventure and independence, like a step into adulthood. I am old enough to travel on my own, and I even get to share this experience with someone new. In the bunk above me, my best friend is still sleeping—he has never been to the sea and has never spent the night on a train. Together we are traveling back to the Salento, where my family has already been on vacation for a few days.

I push the blind up a little and blink sleepily out the window. Outside, the sea glides past, shimmering in the red sunrise. Long after this trip, it remained one of my happiest and most vivid memories.

The InterCity Notte of Trenitalia

Today, another 11 years later, I no longer wake up every time out of excitement when I take the night train. Now I sleep well in sleeping and couchette cars—earplugs and an eye mask ensure the necessary rest.

Especially on the Italian InterCity Notte, I feel at home by now. I still travel every year by night train from Milan to Lecce—now up to six times a year, since part of my family has settled in the Salento. In recent years, I’ve also explored many other corners of the country on the Treno Notte. From Trieste on the Slovenian border, Bolzano in South Tyrol, and Turin at the foot of the Alps, to Rome in the heart of the boot and Siracusa in Sicily—I’ve crossed Italy in every direction, discovering the country by night train.

Because largely unnoticed by many, Italy has a dense network of night train routes. On 15 lines, Trenitalia’s InterCity Notte trains connect the north and south of the country. The night trains to Sicily even travel by ferry!

The trains are affordable, reliable, and practical. All InterCity Notte services include sleeping and couchette cars, and apart from the trains to Sicily, they also have seated coaches. The rolling stock isn’t the newest, but thanks to regular refurbishments, it’s in better condition than many other night trains in Europe.

Even though the night train in Italy is now more routine than adventure for me, a trace of that childhood excitement is still there every time I board the sleeping car to Lecce in Milan.

Only the tamtam of the wheels is gone. Thanks to extensive upgrades of the Italian rail network, today’s night trains run relatively quietly, and that rhythmic tamtam has become rare.

Discover all night trains in Italy

About the author

Noam Schaulin has traveled all over Europe by night train. As a member of the national board of Pro Bahn Schweiz, he advocates for public transport passengers.

According to legend, Ljubljana was founded by the Greek hero Jason, who slew a dragon that lived near the city during his escape with the Argonauts. The dragon has been a symbol of Ljubljana for centuries, representing strength, courage, and protection. The city’s coat of arms, displayed on a late Gothic shield, features a green dragon clutching the upper battlements of a silver tower with its claws. The Dragon Bridge (Zmajski most) is one of Ljubljana’s most iconic landmarks. Those who gaze into the dragon’s eyes at the head of the bridge often feel a sense of awe—especially at night, under a starry sky and moonlight.

Find a night train to Ljubljana

The bridge was designed in 1900 by architect Jurij Zaninović. Today, the dragons are an integral part of the city's folklore, appearing all over Ljubljana – on manhole covers, as mascots, and during the annual Dragon Carnival.

For my birthday in February, I wished for a trip to this very Dragon Bridge and Ljubljana Castle – and I wanted to get there by night train from Zurich. The EuroNight 40465, also known as “Alpine Pearls”, is a night train offering a comfortable connection between Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia. It departs from Zurich and travels all the way to Zagreb.

Currently, due to construction work on the Tauern Tunnel in Austria, the night train from Zurich unfortunately does not run directly to Ljubljana. As an alternative, you can take the night train to Sevnica and continue from there by regional train to Ljubljana.

This diversion is expected to remain in place until July 13, 2025. According to the SBB website: “Due to construction work, direct night train service to Ljubljana will resume on July 14, 2025.”

Find a night train to Ljubljana

Train ride with a view – heading into the Ljubljana valley

Our overnight journey from Zurich at 8:40 p.m. to Sevnica, arriving at 10:28 a.m., went smoothly and on time aboard the EuroNight in cooperation with Croatian Railways HŽPP (HŽ PUTNIČKI PRIJEVOZ). Our double cabin in the sleeping car was very comfortable, styled in “retro chic,” complete with beds and a washbasin. We booked our night train trip for two, including breakfast, for February 2025 in December 2024. The total cost was CHF 235, including a 25% discount for GA travelcard holders.

Tickets for the regional train from Sevnica to Ljubljana can be booked via the SBB or ÖBB apps, or directly through Slovenian Railways. The station in Sevnica is small and manageable, with just two tracks. Announcements are made in Slovenian, but with only two platforms, it’s easy to find our way – we simply follow the locals to the right train heading for Ljubljana.

We enjoy the stunning scenery along the way, as the route follows the Sava River, which originates near the Slovenian town of Radovljica. The Sava connects the capitals of Slovenia (Ljubljana), Croatia (Zagreb), and Serbia (Belgrade), before flowing into the Danube after 940 kilometers.

The train ride from Sevnica to the Ljubljana valley takes about 1.5 hours and passes through a scenically diverse upland region – the eastern part of the Slovenian Prealps. The route follows the Sava River valley, winding its way through the "Sava Hills." This area is characterized by forested hills and narrow valleys that hug the river’s course, giving the journey a natural, winding charm.

Right on time for lunch, we arrive at Ljubljana’s main station—the central railway hub of Slovenia. From here, key international train routes connect directly to Belgrade, Budapest, Graz, Munich, Prague, Trieste, Vienna, Zagreb, and Zurich.

The station, originally built in 1849 and renovated in 1980, has clearly seen better days and is in need of modernization. As a result, parts of the existing station are currently being renovated, and a completely new station hall is under construction, scheduled for completion in 2026.

At the platform, we come across a memorial plaque dedicated to James Joyce, along with the anecdote that the Irish writer mistakenly believed he had already arrived in Trieste on October 19, 1904, while actually still in Ljubljana. He ended up spending the night at Ljubljana station and continued his journey to Trieste the following morning.

The LUV Festival

Arriving in the city center of Ljubljana, we are welcomed by the LUV Festival – a vibrant cultural celebration held every year in February and March, dedicated to the memory of Slovenia’s greatest poet, France Prešeren. The festival is all about love: love for art and culture, for the city, for nature, and for life itself.

For several weeks, Ljubljana transforms into a stage for creative installations, music, dance, literature, and culinary experiences. Many of the events are free of charge – visitors can stroll through the city while exploring museums, open-air artworks, photo spots, and interactive installations.

There are also free concerts, readings, and hands-on workshops. We visit several museums and, at last, the long-awaited Ljubljana Castle, which can be reached either by a 20-minute uphill walk (about 150 meters of elevation) or comfortably and barrier-free via the funicular from the Old Town.

A landmark rich in history, views, and culinary delights

Ljubljana Castle rises majestically above the Slovenian capital, with a history spanning over 900 years. Originally built in the 11th century as a medieval fortress, it served over the centuries as the seat of regional rulers, a defensive stronghold against the Ottomans, and later as a prison.

Today, the castle is a vibrant cultural center and a popular destination offering a wide range of experiences: a viewing tower with panoramic views over Ljubljana, museums dedicated to Slovenian history and puppetry, interactive tours such as the “Time Machine,” and cultural events including concerts, theater performances, and open-air cinema. The castle also has much to offer in terms of cuisine, with restaurants, a wine bar, and a café set in a historic atmosphere.

The viewing tower of Ljubljana Castle is a striking landmark of the Slovenian capital, offering a spectacular 360-degree view over the city and the surrounding landscape. The ascent is via a narrow spiral staircase that leads to the highest point in the city. From the top, a breathtaking panorama unfolds—stretching all the way to the Alps.

To round off the day in style, we visit Restaurant Strelec, located in the medieval Archer’s Tower of the castle—a fine dining restaurant with historical flair. It uniquely blends Slovenian culinary traditions with modern influences from the Alpine, Adriatic, and Pannonian regions.

The interior of the tower was decorated by painter Marija Pregelj, whose distinctive sgraffito murals now define the space. The artwork winds like a ribbon along the interior wall, illustrating framed scenes from Slovenian folk culture.

The kitchen is led by renowned chef Igor Jagodic, celebrated for his inventive and artful cuisine. He has received multiple awards, including a Michelin star and four Gault&Millau toques.

Insights into the history of Slovenian railways

For our second day, we planned a very special excursion to the Slovenian Railway Museum (Železniški muzej), located just outside the city center in the Šiška district. The museum is housed in impressively preserved former industrial halls and a locomotive roundhouse.

At the heart of the collection are the vehicles—especially the steam locomotives. The museum showcases 60 steam engines and around 50 additional rail vehicles. The oldest locomotive dates back to 1861 (Southern Railway No. 718, Class 29), while the smallest is the narrow-gauge locomotive K3, built in 1892 for the Pöltschach–Gonobitz line.

The exhibition is complemented by historical maps illustrating the development of Slovenia’s railway network, as well as uniforms and numerous everyday items from railway operations.

The history of Slovenian Railways (Slovenske železnice) is closely linked to the development of the railway network in Central Europe. Its origins date back to the 19th century, when the Habsburg Monarchy built the Southern Railway, creating an important connection from Vienna through Ljubljana to Trieste.

In the decades that followed, the network was expanded with routes to Croatia, Italy, and Hungary—including the Karawanken and Bohinj Railway lines, featuring the impressive Bohinj Tunnel, which has connected Slovenia to Italy since 1906.

During the summer months, steam-powered heritage trains regularly run along the especially scenic section between Jesenice and Nova Gorica. These trains consist of a historic set of carefully restored locomotives and carriages of Italian, Austrian, and former Yugoslav origin, all part of the collection of the Slovenian Railway Museum in Ljubljana.

With Slovenia’s independence in 1991, Slovenske železnice was established as a state-owned railway company. Since then, it has undergone continuous modernization—through electrification, international cooperation, and the development of key freight corridors.

After a long and inspiring visit to the Railway Museum, we prepare for our return journey, filled with wonderful impressions of Ljubljana. We make a stopover in Sevnica, where we treat ourselves to a good Slovenian beer at the station bistro before boarding the night train back to Zurich at 7:47 p.m.

Wrapping up my experience

The EuroNight to Slovenia is the perfect night train for adventurers — and for those who aspire to become one. The rolling stock of Croatian Railways HŽPP is clean and well-maintained, and the train staff are attentive and warm. The sleeper car, with its charming “retro chic” style, offers a cozy atmosphere — as long as you’re not expecting a luxury suite.

In the morning, you're gently awakened with coffee, fresh rolls, and jam — a simple but satisfying start to the day. The stopover in Sevnica may pose a small challenge for some, but those who take their time will be rewarded with scenic views aboard the regional train.

Starting July 14, 2025, the EuroNight will once again run directly to Ljubljana — a night train journey well worth taking for anyone who appreciates the art of slow travel.

Find a night train to Ljubljana

About the author

Sibylle Trenck-Germann works professionally in communications and user satisfaction at the IT department of SBB (Swiss Federal Railways). She also volunteers as a board member of the association Back-on-Track Switzerland, together with Carlo Severini. Back-on-Track is a European network advocating for more, better, and affordable night trains — by far the most climate-friendly way to comfortably cover long distances across Europe.

Košice is especially convenient to reach by night train. On my previous trips, I always traveled with the Czech or Slovak railways, which offer various connections from Prague and Bratislava. This time, I wanted to try another option: Regiojet. With its yellow trains and buses, the private company connects Prague with many European destinations. The concept: solid comfort at a low price.

Starting point in Prague

My journey begins in Berlin. And in style: traveling on the Eurocity through the picturesque Elbe Valley, I enjoy a meal in the dining car before arriving in Prague in the evening. I securely store my luggage and take a short walk through the city. Those who prefer to stay nearby can relax in Regiojet’s small lounge.

Back at the main station, a crowd has already gathered in front of the departure board. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the platform is only announced shortly before departure. Our night train to Košice finally pulls in on one of the slightly gloomy outer platforms next to the main hall.

In addition to seating cars of various comfort levels – from simple row seats to business compartments – Regiojet also offers “sleeping cars.” A closer look reveals classic couchette cars from the former Deutsche Bahn fleet. I booked a single compartment, which can cost as little as €60 if booked in advance. A few days before departure, I paid €120 – still a very good deal compared to other night trains in Europe.

Solid comfort

The cars may be a bit dated, but Regiojet makes an effort to get the most out of them: the bunks are freshly made upon boarding, and the train staff is friendly and dedicated.

As a solo traveler, the compartment feels almost luxuriously spacious. On one side, all three bunks are folded down and made up with sheets, a blanket, and a pillow. I can choose my favorite spot. Tip: the top bunk is slightly shorter. If you're taller than 1.80 m, it's better to sleep on the lower or middle one.

On the opposite side, the two upper bunks are folded up, creating a cozy bench seat below. Luggage fits easily above the door or under the bunks. Two power outlets by the window are supposed to provide electricity, but in my compartment they didn’t work. The Wi-Fi, however, worked flawlessly.

Through the night

Shortly after departure, the conductor brings a bottle of water and an orange juice. For a few extra euros, you can also order food or a nightcap. Tickets are not checked – as long as the compartment is occupied as booked, it's assumed everything is in order.

Since the journey lasts about eight hours, I soon prepare for bed. At the end of the car, there's a toilet and a separate washroom, both spotlessly clean and lovingly decorated with flowers and incense sticks. In the compartment, I pull the curtain across the door and secure it with the chain. Unfortunately, it can't be locked from the outside – solo travelers should take valuables with them when going to the toilet.

Between midnight and 5:30 AM, it's quiet time. Anyone with requests should speak up in advance. For a night train, Regiojet stops fairly frequently, so I wake up a few times. Overall, the ride is a bit bumpier than on newer trains. Still, I sleep surprisingly well.

Arrival in Košice

In the early morning, I wake up somewhere in Eastern Slovakia. The High Tatras passed us during the night, and it was too early for a view of the peaks. Shortly after, the conductor brings a cup of instant coffee and a croissant – not an extensive breakfast, but a nice gesture nonetheless.

In the final kilometers, we follow the Hornád River as the sun slowly breaks through the morning mist. Right on time, just after six, we reach Košice. It's a shame – I wouldn’t have minded if the journey had lasted a little longer.

As the station slowly comes to life, I walk toward the old town. Just a few steps, and I'm already in the middle of the expansive pedestrian zone. In front of me are the cathedral, the national theater – and a full day ahead. Thanks to the night train!

Regiojet: my conclusion

The Regiojet to Košice is not a night train for late risers. Those who enjoy the comfort of a "real" sleeper car might be disappointed. However, it excels with cleanliness, friendly service, and affordable prices. Overall, it's a solid option for those who want to travel comfortably and relaxed without much luxury.

Check night train connections from Prague to Košice here

About the Author: Sebastian Wilken is a passionate (night) train traveler and writes about train journeys in Europe on his blog, Zugpost. In this guest post, he shares his personal perspective.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write to us at info@nightride.com.

The higher the comfort category and the smaller the compartments are, the fewer people and, therefore, the less noise and light you are exposed to. In other words, sleeper coaches are quieter than couchette coaches, and couchette coaches are more peaceful than seating coaches. In couchette coaches, the middle and upper beds tend to be less disturbed.

In sleeper and couchette coaches, you can switch off the light in the compartment, and there are curtains. In the seating coach, the light stays on all the time, sometimes it is dimmed down.

All night train routes

To the Czech Republic

• Ukraine 🇺🇦: Chop to Prague (RJ 1020)
• Slovakia 🇸🇰: Košice to Prague (RJ 1020)
• Poland 🇵🇱: Przemyśl to Prague (RJ 1022)

From the Czech Republic

• 🇺🇦 Prague to Chop (RJ 1021)
• 🇸🇰 Prague to Košice (RJ 1021)
• 🇵🇱 Prague to Przemyśl (RJ 1023)

All night bus routes

To the Czech Republic

• Belgium 🇧🇪: Brussels to Prague
• France 🇫🇷: Paris to Prague
• Germany 🇩🇪: Berlin to Prague, Munich to Prague (3 different bus lines), Frankfurt am Main to Prague
• Hungary 🇭🇺: Budapest to Prague
• Italy 🇮🇹: Rome to Prague
• Netherlands 🇳🇱: Amsterdam to Prague
• Poland 🇵🇱: Warsaw to Prague
• Switzerland 🇨🇭: Zurich to Prague (3 different bus lines)
• United Kingdom 🇬🇧: London to Prague

From the Czech Republic

• Belgium 🇧🇪: Prague to Brussels

• France 🇫🇷: Prague to Paris

• Germany 🇩🇪: Prague to Munich (3 different bus lines)

• Hungary 🇭🇺: Prague to Budapest

• Italy 🇮🇹: Prague to Rome

• Netherlands 🇳🇱: Prague to Amsterdam

• Poland 🇵🇱: Prague to Warsaw

• Switzerland 🇨🇭: Prague to Zurich (3 different bus lines)

• United Kingdom 🇬🇧: Prague to London

Night trains: Couchette and seats

Regiojet night trains operate with couchette cars (Regiojet calls them sleeping cars) and seats. Couchette cabins accommodate up to 4 people and can be booked as mixed or women-only. You can also book a private cabin for yourself. For the seats, you can choose between different comfort and service levels.

Find more information about Regiojet's different cabin categories and service levels here.

Night buses: Seats

You can choose seats with different comfort and service levels depending on the route. Find more information about Regiojet's different seat categories and service levels here.

Tips & things good to know

All of Regiojet's tickets are really flexible: You can cancel any ticket for free or a small fee until shortly before departure. After that, you must pay the full price.

Regiojet has exclusive waiting lounges in Prague, Brno, and Vienna. You can access them one hour before your train or bus departs. The one in Prague even offers free ice cream! 

So, naturally, I thought let me take a quick train to Zurich after my conference in Vienna. Just in time to celebrate Timo's birthday. Of course, when doing the research, it turned out to be quite the travel. There are a couple of direct day trains, but I wanted to travel as efficiently as possible. And so I went to my favorite platform nightride.com and discovered there are indeed night trains between the two cities. There are actually two options here: The NJ 466 and the EN 40462. The latter comes from Budapest and makes a stop in Vienna. This time, I decided for the NJ 466, since it departs a bit earlier, however, offers on the Euronight might sometimes be cheaper  – good to check both!

Check night train availabilities from Zurich to Vienna here

I booked a single compartment this time as I could find one for only 180 euro, probably because I booked quite some time in advance. That would be nice after the intense conference days; some me-time!

When I boarded the train, I was happy to find yet another type of night train to discover. This time a double decker! My place was located on the upper compartment and the bed was already made. It was a bit smaller than the last compartment that I shared in a 3-person cabin, but also in this compartment there would still fit two people.

I got a nice goodiebag again with all sleeping supplies you could wish for. I filled out the breakfast form and, as I was too tired to stay up for too much longer, I went for an early night sleep.

In the morning I was woken by a nice and healthy breakfast. Pro tip: if you’re like me and you like dark bread, bring some dark bread from the station (usually all German speaking countries have good bread). And instead of the little white "Semmel" you can order an extra yogurt or so.

And before I knew it I was in the city center of Zurich again.

If there is no wake-up service or you are travelling in a seating coach, you must ensure you wake up on time.

To make it easier for you to compare different offers, nightride.com uses uniform price categories for all operators:

• Reduced: non-refundable/non-changeable
• Semi-flexible: partially refundable/changeable, with a time limit and possible fees
• Flexible: fully refundable/changeable free of charge

The following overview shows which nightride.com price categories correspond to the respective operator price categories and the conditions of each operator's price categories.

Important: When booking a ticket, double-check the terms and conditions in the ticket shop!

List of operators

• Trenitalia
• ÖBB
• DB
• Regiojet
• European Sleeper
• SNCF
• Caledonian Sleeper

Trenitalia

With Trenitalia, you can choose from three price categories:

Super Economy (nightride.com: Reduced)

Economy (nightride.com: Semi-flexible)

Base (nightride.com: Flexible)

You can find more information about Trenitalia's price categories on the Trenitalia website.

ÖBB

With ÖBB/Nightjet, you can choose from three price categories:

Sparschiene / Non-Flex (nightride.com: Reduced)

Sparschiene Komfort / Semi-Flex (nightride.com: Semi-flexible)

Standard-Ticket / Flex(nightride.com: Flexible)

You can find more information about ÖBB/Nightjet's price categories on their website.

DB

With Deutsche Bahn, you can choose from three price categories:

Super saver (nightride.com: Reduced)

Saver (nightride.com: Semi-flexible)

Flexible (nightride.com: Flexible)

You can find more information about Deutsche Bahn's price categories on the Deutsche Bahn website.

Regiojet

Night trains

Regiojet's night trains have only one price category. On nightride.com, we show it as the price category Flexible: You can cancel any ticket for free or a small fee until shortly before departure. After that, you must pay the full price.

You must cancel the ticket and book a new one for name and date changes.

Night buses

Regiojet's night buses have only one price category. On nightride.com, we show it as the price category Flexible: You can cancel any ticket for free or a small fee until shortly before departure. After that, you must pay the full price.

You must cancel the ticket and book a new one for name and date changes.

European Sleeper

Easy Night (nightride.com: Reduced)

Good Night (nightride.com: Semi-flexible)

Flex Night (nightride.com: Flexible)

SNCF

With SNCF, you can choose between two price categories:

Standard 1ʳᵉ classe / 2ᵉ classe (nightride.com: Semi-Flexible)

Flex 1ʳᵉ classe / 2ᵉ classe (nightride.com: Flexible)

You can find more details about SNCF fare categories on the SNCF website when selecting your ticket (click on “Fare details, exchange and refund conditions”), in your customer account or here.

Caledonian Sleeper

Caledonian Sleeper has only one price category. On nightride.com, we show it as Semi-Flexible:

You can find more information on the Caledonian Sleeper website, including how to cancel your ticket.

nightride.com uses uniform cabin categories across all operators to make comparing different offers easier.

The following overview shows which nightride.com cabin categories correspond to the respective cabin operator categories and the service levels' details of each operator's cabin categories.

List of operators

• Trenitalia
• ÖBB
• DB
• Regiojet
• European Sleeper
• SNCF

Trenitalia

All Intercity Notte night trains have sleeper cabins (Vagone Letto Relax / Superior) and couchettes (Cucetta Comfort). Seats are also available on most routes (Posto a sedere - EASY).

Night trains: Sleeper cabin

Service level: Made-up beds, washbasin, optional toilet/shower, towel, travel kit, water bottles, newspaper, breakfast. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase.

The cabins are for your private use.

Night trains: Couchette

Service level: bed linen, mini travel kit, water bottle, light breakfast. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase.

You share the cabin with other travellers if you are travelling alone (or if, for example, you book a 4-seater couchette cabin as a couple). However, you can also book a 4-seater couchette cabin for private use.

The cabins can also be booked exclusively for women, as the genders are usually mixed in occupancy. At nightride.com, the latter are labelled ‘ladies’.

Night trains: Seats

Service level: Comfortable seat, including seat reservation, foldable tray table at the seat. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase.

You can find more information about Trenitalia's cabin categories on the Trenitalia website.

ÖBB

The ÖBB maintains a vast fleet of night trains with its Nightjet connections (NJ). The night trains run with sleeping cars, couchette cars and seating cars.

There are "old" Nightjets and "Nightjets of the new generation", which differ in their services. The Nightjet of the new generation is also advertised with the slogan ‘comfort’.

The Nightjet of the new generation also offers Mini Cabins. In terms of comfort, a Mini Cabin is similar to a couchette. However, you can separate the Mini Cabin from your fellow travellers and have more privacy. It is similar to a seat in a Japanese capsule hotel.

Here you find a blog post about where the Nightjet of the new generation is running.

The cabins of the partner railways with which ÖBB operates the so-called Euronight trains (EN) may differ slightly in their designations and equipment.

Night train: Sleeper cabin

Service level: made-up beds, washbasin, optional toilet/shower, optional table, towel, travel kit, water bottle, à la carte breakfast, wake-up service, power sockets. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase.

You share the cabin with other passengers if you are travelling alone (or if, for example, you book a ‘triple’ as a couple). If your group size matches the number of places in the booked cabin, you will usually have it to yourselves. This is also stated on nightride.com.

The sleeping car cabins are usually allocated separately by gender.

You can find out all about the different sleeper car categories at nightjet.com.

Night trains: Couchette and Mini Cabin

Service level: blankets and sheets, washroom and toilet facilities in the carriage, towel, travel kit, water bottle, breakfast (two rolls, jam, butter, coffee or tea), wake-up service, power sockets. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase.

The cabins can also be booked as private or exclusively for women, as the genders are generally mixed in occupancy. At nightride.com, the latter are labelled ‘ladies’.

Couchette cabins are categorised into 4-seater, 5-seater, 6-seater, and modernised 4-seater cabins. The latter are labelled ‘comfort’ at nightjet.com.

You can find out all about the different couchette car categories at nightjet.com.

Night trains: Seats

Service level: including seat reservation, washroom and toilet facilities in the carriage. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase.

You can find out all about the different seat categories at nightjet.com.

DB

Deutsche Bahn's night trains have seating carriages.

Night trains: Seats

2nd class service level: Seat width between 86 and 97 cm, minimum legroom 80 cm, table depending on the seat, power outlets, onboard restaurant depending on the train connection.

1st class service level: Seat width between 93 and 102 cm, minimum legroom 88 cm, Wi-Fi (depending on the train connection), reading light, onboard restaurant depending on the train connection, access to the DB lounge at some train stations when you have a Flexprice ticket

Find more information about Deutsche Bahn service levels on the Deutsche Bahn website.

Regiojet

Regiojet operates night trains and night buses. The night trains have couchette and seating cars. The night buses have different seat categories.

Night trains: Couchette

Service levels: bedding, Wi-Fi, breakfast, coffee, bottled water, daily newspapers, an entertainment portal, and a wake-up service. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase.

If you are travelling alone (or if, for example, you book a 3-berth cabin as a couple), you share the cabin with other travellers. If your group size matches the number of places in the booked cabin, you will usually have it for yourselves / private. This is also stated on nightride.com. However, you can also book a compartment for your private use.

The cabins can also be booked exclusively for women, as the genders are usually mixed in occupancy. At nightride.com, the latter are labelled ‘ladies’.

Passengers with reduced mobility receive assistance. To request this service, select the disability fare when booking.

Find more information about Regiojet night train services on the Regiojet website.

Night trains: Seats

Service in all categories: including seat reservation, bottled water, newspapers, WiFi. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase.

Depending on the route, you can choose from the following seat categories on Regiojet night trains:

• Low Cost: Non-reclining seats.
• Standard: Reclining seats, 6-person compartments, power outlets, coffee, beverages, free parking at station.
• Relax: Reclining seats, max. 6-person compartments, tables, power outlets, coffee, beverages, free parking at station.
• Business: Reclining seats, max. 4-person compartments, private table, power outlets, coffee, beverages, free parking at station.

Find more information about Regiojet night train services on the Regiojet website.

Night buses: Seats

Depending on the route, you can choose from the following seat categories on Regiojet night buses. All the seats come with a seat reservation:

• Standard: Adjustable seats, tables, WC, Wi-Fi, (USB) power outlets, free hot drinks. Snacks and refreshments available for purchase
• Relax: Extra comfortable seats, more legroom, tables, individual entertainment screens, WC, Wi-Fi, (USB) power outlets, free hot drinks, newspapers on some routes. Snacks and refreshments available for purchase.

Find more information about Regiojet night bus services on the Regiojet website.

European Sleeper

European Sleeper operates night trains with sleeping cars, couchettes and seats. 

Night trains: Sleeper cabin

Service level: made-up bed with blanket, washbasin in the cabin, shared toilets in the carriage, wake-up service on request, towel, travel kit, breakfast, mineral water & welcome drink. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase.

If you are travelling alone (or if, for example, you book a ‘triple’ as a couple), you share the cabin with other travellers. If your group size matches the number of places in the booked cabin, you will usually have it for yourselves / private. This is also stated on nightride.com.

The 3-bed compartment can also be booked exclusively for women (‘Women Only’ on the European Sleeper website), as the genders are usually mixed in occupancy. At nightride.com, these options are labelled ‘Ladies’.

Night trains: Couchette

Service level: Couchette with blanket and sheets, shaered toilets and washing facilities in the carriage, wake-up service on request, mineral water, breakfast can be booked as an option. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase.

You share the cabin with other travellers. However, you can also book a compartment for your own private use.

The 5-berth cabin has air conditioning, the 6-berth cabin does not.

The 5-seater cabins can also be booked exclusively for women, as the genders are usually mixed in occupancy. At nightride.com, these cabins are labelled ‘ladies’.

There are also couchette compartments under the name Comfort Standard that can accommodate up to three people. These are additionally equipped with a proper mattress placed on the bunk.

Night trains: Seats

Service level: including seat reservation, shared toilets in the carriage, breakfast can be booked as an option. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase.

Find more details about the service levels on European Sleeper's Website.

SNCF

The night trains operated by the French railway company SNCF are called Intercités de Nuit. They run with couchettes and seated cars.

Night Train: Couchette

Service level: Berth with pillow and thin sleeping bag (replaces sheet and blanket), toilets and washbasins in the coach, 1 bottle of mineral water, sleep mask and earplugs, free WiFi, power outlets, shower facilities at the arrival station (depending on the location).

Compartments are shared with other passengers. However, you can also book a private compartment just for yourself or your group. To do this, select the "Espace Privatif" fare when booking.

There are also women-only compartments available, as compartments are usually mixed-gender. On nightride.com, these are marked with the label "Ladies".

Night Train: Seats

Service level: Includes reservation, adjustable headrests, toilets in the coach.

You can find more information about the service levels in SNCF sleeper trains on the SNCF website.

Wait, are these really night trains?

There’s some debate about this. As true night train fans, we would say: Sort of, with a tendency toward "no." There are no sleeper or couchette cars, you travel sitting down. The lights usually stay on, and the ride isn’t particularly cozy – the author knows what they're talking about. Nevertheless, you can travel long distances overnight on these lines at a relatively low price. That’s why we’ve decided to include DB’s offerings on nightride.com.

What should I keep in mind?

These trains usually stop at many stations where people get on and off. So, it’s always bustling, and privacy is a no-go. To get some rest, we recommend the following:

• A sleep mask and earplugs (or even better: noise-cancelling headphones) are a must.
• Travel in groups; it's safer and more comfortable. You can’t lock your belongings, and thefts (especially during night stops) are possible.
• Treat yourself to first class. The price difference is usually small, but the seats are a bit more comfortable, with more legroom and space.
• Book at least a month in advance. That way, you’ll often find Super-Saver prices, which are much cheaper than flexible tickets.
• Many trains have separate compartments (with doors) – make sure you can reserve a seat there. It’s cozier and likely safer.

What routes are available?

A PDF from Deutsche Bahn provides more information on this. You can find it here. Below, we’ve summarized the most important routes for you:

From Berlin:

• IC 495 to Vienna (via Nuremberg)
• ICE 699 to Munich
• ICE 271 to Zurich (via Fulda)
• IC 60408 to Zurich (via Offenburg)
• ICE 101 to Basel

From Hamburg:

• IC 60471 to Basel and Zurich (via Karlsruhe)
• ICE 619/699 to Munich (via Heidelberg)
• ICE 1081 to Munich (via Nuremberg)
• IC 1194 to Copenhagen
• ICE 619/699/921 to Frankfurt am Main

From Munich:

• IC 60406 to Warsaw (via Vienna)
• ICE 618 to Hamburg (via Ulm)
• IC 461 to Vienna (via Salzburg) – doesn't run anymore from June 2025
• ICE 1080 to Hamburg (via Hanover)
• ICE 698 to Berlin (via Ulm)

From Vienna:

• IC 60406 to Warsaw
• IC 60407 to Munich
• IC 460 to Stuttgart (via Munich) – doesn't run anymore from June 2025
• IC 494 to Berlin

From Zurich:

• IC 60402 to Amsterdam (via Cologne)
• IC 60470 to Hamburg (via Heidelberg)
• IC 60409 to Berlin (via Leipzig)
• EC 459 to Prague (via Riesa)
• ICE 4 to Berlin

Since we are currently expanding the connections on nightride.com, this list will grow in the future. Last update: May 1, 2025

How to travel to Basel by night train

Here you will find out from which cities you can travel directly to Basel by night train. Click on the links to check the best connections and availability for your travel date.

You can choose between the comfortable NightJet/ÖBB night trains and the more affordable night ICs of Deutsche Bahn: In the NightJet/ÖBB night trains, you travel comfortably in a couchette or sleeper car.

The night ICs of Deutsche Bahn are cheaper but only offer seating. Tip: With an Interrail pass, you pay nothing for the night ICs except for possible reservation fees.

Direct connections from Germany

• Night train from Berlin to Basel
• Night train from Bonn to Basel
• Night train from Bremen to Basel
• Night train from Dresden to Basel
• Night train from Fulda to Basel
• Night train from Hamburg to Basel
• Night train from Hanover to Basel
• Night train from Leipzig to Basel
• Night train from Riesa to Basel

Direct connections from the Netherlands

• Night train from Amsterdam to Basel
• Night train from Utrecht to Basel

How to travel to Basel by night bus

FlixBus offers numerous night bus connections to Basel. Until we integrate it into our platform, you can find current connections and tickets directly at https://www.flixbus.ch/.

Insider-Tipps Basel 

Accommodation

Accommodation in Basel is likely to be scarce and expensive during the ESC. Alternative options within 20 minutes by train include Liestal and Olten. A cheaper option may also be renting a place in France or Germany (Basel is located at the border of both).

Food

• Author’s favorite restaurant: Poké bowls at L’Atelier, about 500 meters from Basel SBB station.
• If it’s warm enough for ice cream: Gelateria di Berna 
• Regional specialties & surprise menu: Viertel-Kreis
• Excellent pizza: Vito

Excursions

• Take a trip to Gempen, Basel’s local mountain, or the nearby Jura.
• Recover from the party at Sole Uno.
• Take the train and explore a nearby Swiss city. Within an hour, you can reach Delémont, Zurich, Solothurn, and Lucerne.
• The Basel Zoo ("Zooli") is just 5 minutes from the main train station.

Key Facts about ESC in Basel

• Nemo won ESC 2024 in Malmö with the song The Code. That’s why the ESC 2025 is being held in Basel.
• Final: May 17, 2025, at St. Jakobshalle.
• Participants: 27 nations will compete in ESC 2025.
• Swiss ESC history: This is the third time Switzerland is hosting the ESC (previously in 1956 & 1989).
• Public vote: In June 2024, 66% of Basel’s population voted in favor of hosting the ESC.

For more information, including tickets, visit the official ESC website.

You can now select the Interrail Pass as a discount card. This gives you a significant reduction on ÖBB night trains. We can't calculate discounts yet for Deutsche Bahn's night IC trains. However, with Interrail, you can usually travel on them for free—aside from a possible reservation fee.

A picture is worth a thousand words: Each connection now includes icons showing which comfort classes (seat, couchette, or sleeper) are still available. This makes finding the right offer even easier.

Try the new features!

Do you have feedback or suggestions? Let us know!

Step 1: Take the Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Amsterdam Centraal

On weekdays and Sundays, there are three connections per day (on Saturdays two). We recommend taking the earliest connection, so you still get to enjoy Amsterdam and "relax" a bit (might come in handy for a good sleep for the following night train).

Fares start at around 50 GBP for a second class ticket.

Oh, and leave your gear at home. Renting is more sustainable anyway. Of course, if you insist on bringing it, that will probably be more hassle-free than on a plane.

Step 2, option 1: Take the Nightjet to Zurich

There's one line heading to Switzerland, namely the NJ 403 which also halts in Basel. Prices usually start at 100 EUR per person (couchette), for a bed in the sleeper carriage you'll pay around 150 to 180 EUR. The train leaves usually at around 20:00 and arrives in Zurich at around 8:00 in the morning, so you can quickly take a local connection to a resort (see step 3) and maybe even ski on the same day!!!

Find your Nightjet to Zurich here!

Step 2, option 2: Take the Nightjet to Innsbruck

The NJ 421 goes via Munich all the way to Innsbruck in the heart of Tyrol. The prices are a bit cheaper, with couchettes starting from around 80 EUR. The journey is a bit longer though: You'll depart in Amsterdam around 19:00 and arrive around 9:00 in the morning – right in time for your first dose of Kaiserschmarrn. Enjoy!

Find your Nightjet to Innsbruck here!

Step 2, option 3: Take the European Sleeper from Brussels to Innsbruck

This is a bit of a secret hack. European Sleeper starts a seasonal train from the 5th of February which will go all the way to Venice and runs twice a week. It stops in Innsbruck on the way. But it doesn't stop in Amsterdam unfortunately, so you have to hop off from the Eurostar in Bruxelles-Midi. From there, the European Sleeper departs somewhen between 18:00 and 19:00 in the evening.

Check out European Sleeper for trains to Innsbruck!

Step 3: Enjoy the slopes

Here are some personal recommendations:

• From Zurich: Andermatt (rather big) or Flumserberge (rather small and cozy), both are reachable with public transport or busses within one to two hours. The Zurich-based newspaper Tages-Anzeiger has published some recommendations for easily accessible ski resorts (not beyond paywall, but in German)
• From Innsbruck: Axamer Lizum (small), Nordkette (apparently the steepest slope of Europe), Stubaier Gletscher (huge resort a bit farther away, within one hour with public transport)

Have fun, don't break a leg (else you will have a bit of an unsustainable repatriation flight back home and we don't want that, right?)

Stockholm Centralstation

It's 9.55 pm. A December evening after Christmas. The night has been dark since 3.00 pm. Our night train should be leaving right now. The SJ (Swedish State Railway Operator) app informs us via push message that our night train to Luleå will be delayed by 30 minutes due to a vehicle malfunction.

Nobody on the platform seems to care. Passengers wait calmly here for the train with their luggage, some with skis.

We are told that the northbound trains often have long delays on departure, but there are just as many reserves in the timetable. The half-hour would easily be made up, which is precisely what happens.

The night trains to the far north

The night train with train number 92 is one of two night trains travelling to the far north this evening. The earlier one travels to Kiruna (Sweden) and on to Narvik (Norway) and has already left Stockholm at 6.09 pm.

Our train, the latter one, runs to Luleå. The route is identical as far as Boden, then the paths separate.

The distances travelled by these night trains are impressive. Travelling from Stockholm to Narvik means covering around 1400 km on rails and the journey takes an impressive 18 hours and 36 minutes. If you were travelling from Stockholm to the south, it would be as far as Frankfurt am Main in Germany.

In winter, these trains are essential due to the long periods of darkness and the harsh weather conditions. Understandably, hardly anyone would consider travelling this route by car at this time of year. It is dark and frosty, and it is always snowing. The railway is, therefore, an important lifeline and stops 19 times before reaching Boden station. People are always getting on and off the train en route.

Older, but well-maintained rolling stock

Older rolling stock from the 1980s is used for these night trains. However, the older vehicles are exceptionally well maintained and have been renovated several times. They are clean and spacious and run quietly.

Something else is striking: The Scandinavian ‘profile’ of the vehicles is generous. The coaches are wider and higher than in the rest of Europe, in Sweden and Norway despite having the same track gauge. This benefits taller people in particular, as the beds are longer.

The so-called ‘Norrland night trains’ have been operated by the state railway SJ again since the timetable change in December 2024, after some contractual wrangling.

Back to the platform in Stockholm

We board the night train, which leaves Stockholm 30 minutes late and heads north. We quickly realise that everything here is carried out with great routine. The passengers don't seem stressed. They stow their skis and luggage in the spacious and unlocked (!) lockers in the corridor and then go to sleep.

If you don't have your own shower in your compartment, you can use the comparatively comfortable showers at the ends of the carriage. There is plenty of space to change and clean towels are stacked up ready for use. Even shower gel is provided.

In the cabins, there is a washbasin with running water and even more towels. If you want to travel cheaply, you can do without a compartment and sit in the coach.

The trains also have a bistro with a great selection of drinks, snacks and hot meals. The prices are extremely moderate, and various preferences and intolerances are catered to. We are in Sweden, after all.

And with this surprisingly quiet start, we climb tiredly into our beds and quickly fall asleep after the ticket check.

The next morning

The following day we wake up with another person in the compartment, a friendly older gentleman from northern Sweden who is travelling back to Luleå and has boarded somewhere along the way. As he looks out of the aisle window, he raves about these trains and explains that they have been around since his childhood and are therefore simply part of the north.

That fits in with our first impression. We are impressed by the naturalness with which people here travel by train. You can literally feel that Sweden (like Norway and Finland) cannot do without night trains. Therefore, they are heavily subsidised by the state and do not have to be re-implemented at great expense, as is the case in the rest of Europe.

After breakfast in the dining car, we reach Boden on time, where we change to the ‘Intercity’ to Kiruna. Intercity - a proud category for a train that travels through the wilds of Lapland consists of one locomotive with three carriages and stops everywhere anyway, we think with a wink.

The reason why we are not on the direct night train to Kiruna is that the direct train was quickly fully booked. So the demand is there and we are happy about it.

Breathtaking landscapes

The drive to Kiruna is stunning, in the twilight we drive through the sparse forests of Lapland, see several moose and reindeer and the colourful phenomenon of the so-called ‘Pärlemor sky’ (mother-of-pearl sky) pass by.

We excitedly try to capture the colourful sky with our smartphone cameras, open windows and climb around on the seats. Somehow, it doesn't work.

A fellow traveller from Sweden then calmly and matter-of-factly explains to us that you can only capture these colours with your heart, but certainly never with a camera. Of course he is right, so we follow his advice, sit down and enjoy the magical atmosphere.

While it is getting really dark, our Intercity reaches Kiruna on time, our last stop for the day. It's freezing cold outside, and snow has started to fall. For us, the journey was incredible and special, for others it was taken for granted.

Tips

Would you also like to travel on this naturally crazy Norrland night train? Then search for a suitable connection from Switzerland to Hamburg here on Nightride.com.

Book your night train to Hamburg and head on to Sweden from there

Unfortunately, we have not yet implemented the SJ night trains - but we are working on it! For night trains from Hamburg to Stockholm, it's best to check the websites of the Swedish state railway SJ www.sj.se or Snälltåget www.snalltaget.se. The Norrland night trains can be booked directly with SJ www.sj.se.

Do you need more tips for crazy train journeys in Sweden, Norway or Finland? Then check out www.schwedenreis.li (only in German)!

On which routes you can enjoy the new Nightjet.

As of November 2025, the new Nightjets operate on the following routes:

• Hamburg to Vienna (NJ 491, since December 2023)
• Vienna to Hamburg (NJ 490, since December 2023)
• Hamburg to Innsbruck (NJ 40491, since December 2023)
• Innsbruck to Hamburg (NJ 40420, since December 2023)
• Bregenz to Vienna (NJ 447, since March 2024)
• Vienna to Bregenz (NJ 446, since March 2024)
• Vienna to Rome (NJ 40233, since September 2024)
• Rome to Vienna (NJ 40294, since September 2024)
• Munich to Rome (NJ 295, since December 2024)
• Rome to Munich (NJ 294, since December 2024)
• Amsterdam to Innsbruck/Munich (NJ 421, since May 2025)
• Innsbruck/Munich to Amsterdam (NJ 420, since May 2025)
• Amsterdam to Vienna (NJ 40421, since May 2025)
• Vienna to Amsterdam (NJ 40490, since May 2025).
• From the beginning of December 2025: Zurich / Basel to Hamburg (NJ 470)
• From the beginning of December 2025: Hamburg to Zurich / Basel (NJ 471)

Currently uncertain, but planned:

• Zurich to Amsterdam (NJ 402) – this connection will get new carriages with ensuite douches and toilettes, however, not the new Nightjet yet
• Amsterdam to Zurich (NJ 403) – this connection will get new carriages with ensuite douches and toilettes, however, not the new Nightjet yet

Overall, ÖBB will receive 24 new Nightjet trains by mid‑2026 (the original order covered 33 trainsets, part of which will now be used in daytime service as Railjet). These trains will operate in Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands.

What happens to the old wagons?

The deployment of the new Nightjets also positively impacts countries and routes where the new trains are not in service: ÖBB is modernizing some of the older, released rolling stock (keyword: Nightjet Upgrade) and deploying it on other routes.

Thanks to the modernized Nightjets, you can already travel more comfortably between Zurich and Hamburg / Hamburg and Zurich. Additionally, since 2023, there has been a night train once again connecting Paris and Berlin / Berlin and Paris. Unfortunately, these were now cancelled due to a lack of governmental subsidies.

The key facts about the new Nightjets at a glance

The Nightjets of the new generation stand out for their high level of comfort and privacy. A highlight is the mini cabins for solo travellers. Here, you can find detailed information about the comfort categories and images.

It is best to take a travel adapter and a long charging cable with you.

We recommend that you fully charge your devices before travelling. It is also worth activating flight mode, which will save you energy. To be on the safe side, you can take a power bank with you.

If you want to charge several devices simultaneously, bringing a multiple socket or a USB hub can be helpful.

Want to know where the power sockets are on a particular night train?

The vagonWEB website has detailed information and pictures: Enter the train number in the appropriate search box and select the train in question.

For example, the train number is NJ 402, which you can find in the search results on nightride.com or on your ticket.

Please note: The actual carriages used may differ from those listed on the website.

• The higher the comfort category, the better. In other words, there is a greater chance of a good night's sleep in a 2-bed sleeper compartment than in a 6-berth couchette coach and in a couchette coach than in a seating coach.
• In the couchette coach, you are less disturbed in the upper and middle berths.
• Take earplugs and sleeping goggles with you.
• Try to maintain your usual sleeping routine and conditions as far as possible.
• Ask your fellow travellers to be quiet.
• Take your personal pillow or an extra blanket if you get cold quickly. You can find a packing list for the night train here.
• Take sleeping clothes with you, such as a separate T-shirt.
• Go to the toilet before going to bed. This will (maybe) save you from going to the toilet at night.

Personal identification and travel documents

Carry a valid identity card or passport. Please note: Some countries, such as the UK, require a passport, especially if you travel from a Schengen country to a non-Schengen country. Also, check whether you need a visa for your destination country. This depends on your nationality and the destination country.

Keep your travel documents and tickets handy and safe at all times. Passport checks usually take place on board the night train, either during the journey or at a station near the border. In some cases, there may also be customs checks.

Informiere dich im Voraus

Especially if you travel to unfamiliar countries, you should find out in advance about the current entry regulations and any special requirements when crossing the border. The websites of the respective railway companies or official government websites are helpful here.

Don't give away your ticket

The author once had the unpleasant experience of the train attendant demanding the then-physical Interrail ticket and passport overnight and keeping them with him. The next morning, the Interrail ticket could no longer be found. Personally, the author would never hand over his ticket for a longer time. 

Find the best night train offers

You must bring your own pillow and blanket for the seating coach. At least a neck/travelling pillow is highly recommended.

Read also our blog post Packing List for your Night Train Journey.

Book a couchette with bed sheets (comfty) or a seating coach without (cheaper).

Our bikes - the challenge at booking our trip

Taking our bikes with us on the night train requires some research. According to the ÖBB/NightJet website, bikes can only be taken on board in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. So I write an e-mail to ÖBB/NightJet. According to their reply, only small folding bicycles are allowed on other routes; normal bicycles are not even allowed in bicycle bags.

However, my colleague Nik gives me a tip: stow the bikes in bike bags and book a separate compartment. (By the way, he has written a detailed blog post on this topic - click here for the post).

We decide to take the risk and search nightride.com for a suitable connection with a 2-bed compartment in the sleeping car. Thanks to nightride.com, we know that the tickets on sbb.ch are the cheapest at CHF 160 per person, so we book them there. Our compartment even has washing facilities.

Find the best night train offers from or to Zagreb.

The booking goes smoothly, but there is a small hitch afterwards: Although we buy the tickets on the SBB website, we have to download them later via the ÖBB/NightJet platform. This leads to some confusion and inconvenience on our side.

The departure - what does the train crew say about our bikes?

The night train departs Zagreb at 18:00. We stand on the platform just under an hour beforehand and pack our bikes into the bike bags.

I ask a train crew member about the bikes. Her answer is what I had hoped for: as long as the bikes don't block the aisles on the train, we can take them with us!

And it gets even better: we have a 3-bed compartment to ourselves. So we can stow our bikes on the free bed.

The journey

Our night train departs on time from Zagreb. The compartment is comfortable and the washing facilities prove to be really convenient. We chat lively with the travellers from the compartment next to us, who are from Australia.

The night passes uneventfully. Even I, over 1.90 metres tall, sleep very well in the comfortable bed.

In the morning, we wake up with a small breakfast: coffee, bread rolls, a chocolate croissant (for non-Swiss travellers) and orange juice - simple, but just right to start the day. The train is on time and takes us to Zurich on schedule at 09:20.

Conclusion: A recommendable journey with a bit of preparation stress

Looking back, the night train journey from Zagreb to Zurich was a really good experience. The small amount of stress in the run-up to the journey to clarify whether the bikes could be taken on board was worth it. The comfortable compartment, the punctual journey and the possibility of transporting bicycles make the night train an excellent option for travelling from and to Zagreb.

If you cannot access your digital ticket or have lost a paper ticket and do not have a digital copy/confirmation: Contact the customer service of the provider where you bought your ticket. It's best to call them. If you are already on the platform or on the train, do not wait for the ticket inspection but actively approach the train crew.

You must prove that you bought the ticket. You can do this with a booking number, a confirmation email, or, in some cases, an identity card.

If you cannot provide proof of your booking, you may have to buy a new ticket. Keep all receipts, as you may be able to request a refund later. Please also contact the ticket vendor's customer service.

Find the best night train offers

Customer services of some ticket vendors

(as of November 2024)

• DB / Germany: https://int.bahn.de/en/help
• ÖBB Nightjet / Austria: https://www.oebb.at/en/reiseplanung-services/kundenservice
• SBB / Switzerland: https://www.sbb.ch/en/help-and-contact.html
• Trenitalia / Italy: https://www.trenitalia.com/it/informazioni_servizi/contatti.html
• SNCF / France: https://www.sncf.com/fr/service-client/contact
• SJ / Sweden: https://www.sj.se/sv/kundservice.html
• VY / Norway: https://www.vy.no/kundeservice
• Snälltåget / Sweden: https://www.snalltaget.se/kontakt

Depending on the price category, you can change or cancel your journey up to a specific deadline and possibly for a fee. See our blog post Can I change or cancel my ticket?

And even at an older age, only Timo has managed to (somewhat) detach himself from our hometown and now lives in Haarlem, a city near Amsterdam.

To stock up on Timo's emergency supply of raclette, Niklaus, a former school friend of ours, and I visit him in the Netherlands. As it's already too cold to go cycling—our usual activity when we see each other—Niklaus and I take the night train from Basel to Amsterdam.

It's also a trip down memory lane: Timo, Niklaus and I travelled through Europe on Interrail almost 20 years ago after graduating from school. Amsterdam was our last stop before travelling back to Switzerland.

Buying the tickets and journey to Basel

Fortunately, there is a direct night train from Basel to Amsterdam, operated by ÖBB/NightJet. Departure from Basel is always at 23:13, arrival in Amsterdam at roughly 09:30 - about that more later.

As we decide to make the journey at quite short notice, the beds in the sleeping car would have been relatively expensive. We therefore book two seats in the 6-berth couchette compartment. We pay a total of CHF 140 for this.

Compare the best night train offers to Amsterdam

If we had taken an overnight train during the week, it would have been cheaper. However, Niklaus is a doctor and not very flexible because of his hospital shift schedule.

Meeting in Basel and departure

As Niklaus lives in Biel and I live in Solothurn, we travel to Basel separately. We meet at 9 p.m. and have a Pokébowl together at L’Atelier, my favourite restaurant in Basel, around 500 metres from the train station. Luckily for me, one of the staff recognises me from my time in Basel and I get an extra portion:)

With a full stomach, we head back to the station at 10.45pm and look for our train on the departure board. Night trains seem to like me: Everything runs smoothly, we settle into our compartment for the night and depart on time.

Falling asleep can wait

Maybe it's the ice cream, but we're both still too awake to sleep. We reminisce about our Interrail journey 20 years ago. It took us from France (our French was still good right after graduating from school) to the Spanish border (just so we were there), via Belgium (beer...) to Amsterdam (my memories of there are slightly blurred🙃).

In Freiburg, the rest of our fellow travellers board the train. Time to brush our teeth and get ready for bed.

The night

The night is unspectacular, I sleep well. As the night train arrives in Amsterdam just before 10am, we can sleep in. Breakfast is served at 8.30am.

I have a brief moment of shock when the fellow traveller in the berth above me tries to get out. The berth bends a lot in one corner as the fellow traveller hasn't unfolded it correctly. Note: In the older NightJet couchettes, please make sure that the latches at the head AND foot ends are folded out!

Arrival

All our fellow travellers get off the train in Utrecht: According to the timetable, it's quicker to get to Amsterdam if you change to the express train in Utrecht.

So Niklaus and I enjoy the peace and quiet over the last few kilometres. For the other travellers, it wasn't worth switching to the express train: the night train arrives in Amsterdam 40 minutes early. NightJet has probably built in a buffer to compensate for any delays.

We are briefly confused when changing to the regional train from Amsterdam to Haarlem: instead of buying a ticket, we have to ‘check in’ with a credit card at a barrier.

For this to work, we have to check out with the international ticket and then check in again with the credit card. Thanks to the competent support of a railway employee, we manage this.

We meet Timo in Haarlem and enjoy three days of excellent hospitality and delicious food. My tips: Near Haarlem, Berg Vis for delicious fish dishes and in Amsterdam, Wanica Exotic for Surinamese food.

On the platform, you will find electric displays or posters showing the coaches' positions and coach numbers.

The coaches are labelled with the coach number and seat number, usually outside the doors.

Inside the carriage, the seat numbers are written outside the compartments.

If you still need help finding your place, ask the train crew.

Buche einen Nachtzug

Do you want to know where your carriage and seat are in advance?

The vagonWEB website has detailed information and pictures: Enter the train number in the appropriate search box and select the train in question.

For example, the train number is NJ 402, which you can find in the search results on nightride.com or on your ticket.

Please note: The actual carriages used may differ from those listed on the website.

So I start exploring my options, of course through nightride.com. I quickly find a well priced option at a convenient time and easily book a 3 person sleeper.

Book your night train to Vienna now!

A couple of days later my train boards at 19:00. I arrive 10 to 7 at the station where my train is ready for departure. What I love about night trains: you just get your suitcase and get on board of your train. No complicated check-in procedure, long lines or stressful situations at the airport.

Once in the train I have the compartment to myself until Düsseldorf. I have not had a similar compartment yet, so I start exploring, and quickly I find that there is a private toilet and even a shower!

Especially the private toilet is great to have close by in the night. There is also a little goodie bag with sleeping mask, earplugs, some sweets, hotel slippers and the breakfast menu that I fill in for the next morning. There is ample choice for organic yogurts, honey and jams. I’m already looking forward.

The beds are not yet made, so that gives me also space to continue working a bit. There’s no WiFi on this train, so I have to connect with my mobile network.

In Düsseldorf there is a lovely German lady boarding the train with whom I get the opportunity to practice my German. We talk for a while about our plans in Vienna and before we know it the train conductor comes to make our beds.

Next morning around 08:00 we’re woken with fresh breakfast, shortly arriving in the heart of the city. I’ve had a good nights sleep, being rocked to sleep by the train and fully refreshed for my conference.

You will receive a place reservation with your ticket. Only in the seating coach may you not automatically receive a reservation.

The higher the comfort category (sleeper coach > couchette coach > seating coach), the more is included:

• Sleeper coach: sheets, blankets and pillows are included. You also get something to drink. Breakfast is more extensive than in the couchette coach and usually includes a hot drink. Towels and toiletries, such as earplugs, are provided.
• Couchette coach: sheets, blankets and pillows are included. You will also usually be given water (approx. 500 ml) to drink and a small breakfast.
• In the seating coach, you get - if anything - something to drink and a blanket for free.

Depending on the provider, WLAN is also included.

With most service providers, you can book luggage shipping online. We recommend that you book your luggage delivery well in advance.

If you travel on a domestic overnight train, you can often book luggage shipping directly with the railway operator. If your journey takes you across a national border, the options for luggage shipping with the railway operators are limited or unavailable. In these cases, it is best to use a service provider specialising in luggage shipping.

Some luggage shipping services

(as of November 2024)

• ÖBB Nightjet / Austria: https://www.oebb.at/en/reiseplanung-services/vor-ihrer-reise/haus-haus-gepaeck
• Germany - international: https://www.kofferversandservice.de/
• Germany - domestic: https://www.myhermes.de/preise/gepaeck-und-koffer/
• DB / Germany - domestic: https://www.bahn.de/angebot/zusatzticket/gepaeckservice
• Switzerland: https://www.post.ch/en/pages/sending-luggage-internationally
• Trenitalia / Italy: https://www.trenitalia.com/en/services/luggage_transportservices.html
• SNCF / France: https://www.sncf-voyageurs.com/en/travel-with-us/prepare-your-trip/mes-bagages-service/

You can use the layovers to get off the train and smoke. However, depending on the country, smoking is only permitted in certain areas of railway stations or is prohibited altogether. Also, note that the intermediate stops are not always as long as indicated in the timetable. Stay close to the train door and pay attention to the train crew. More information about layovers here.

Book a night train

But be careful. Sometimes, the train stops for less time than indicated. This is particularly the case when the train is delayed. Stay close to the train door, don't linger too long, and pay attention to the train crew. Take your valuables with you, especially your smartphone, ticket, and ID. 

Find your night train connection

So be well prepared: Before travelling, check the weather forecast to find out what temperatures you can expect outside on your journey. Dress applying the layering principle, which allows you to adapt to the temperatures. 

If you tend to be cold, take a warm jacket and an additional light blanket to be safe. Warm socks also help when sleeping. Choose one of the upper beds in the sleeper and couchette carriages - warm air rises. 

If you tend to be warm, take an extra T-shirt to sleep in and change into. Choose one of the lower beds in the sleeper and couchette carriages. 

In sleeper and couchette coaches, you can often regulate the temperature in your compartment. However, you and your fellow travellers must agree on a temperature. 

Mainly on older night trains, you can open the window. In modern night trains, it is usually closed so that the air conditioning works better.  

Please note: If you subsequently book a ticket, you must select the option ‘Ladies’ compartment' in the booking process with the vendor.

An alternative is to book a private compartment. This way, you and any fellow travellers will be travelling alone.

See also our blog post Safety on night trains.

Make a group booking

Some providers offer group discounts above a certain number of travelers (e.g. ÖBB above four travelers). nightride.com does not always show these discounts yet. You will see the group discounts - if available - at the latest when booking on the vendor's website.

Depending on the provider, you can also book a private compartment for you and your fellow travelers.

For groups, you should book early - especially if you want to travel in the same compartment.

Most vendors limit online bookings to 6 travelers, as does nightride.com. Six travelers correspond to an entire couchette compartment. If you want to book for more people, make several separate bookings. Alternatively, certain providers offer particular booking forms for larger groups (e.g. ÖBB/nightjet.com here) or you can call their hotline.

Search connection

Conditions of some railway operators

(as of August 2024)

• ÖBB Nightjet / Austria:
  • One small pet per person travelling in a transport container (max. 70 x 30 x 50) is allowed to travel free of charge
  • Larger dogs require a separate ticket and you must book a private compartment. You can purchase tickets for larger dogs on the train, at the ticket counter, or via the hotline. 
  • A lead and muzzle are mandatory.
  • Assistance animals travel free of charge and do not require a muzzle.
  • More information: https://www.nightjet.com/en/angebote/mit-haustieren-verreisen
• SBB / Switzerland: Together with RDC Deutschland, the EN 472/473 Aurora is operated. The exact same rules as for ÖBB apply here.
• Trenitalia / Italy: almost identical to ÖBB Nightjet > see above. Detailed information: https://www.trenitalia.com/en/services/travelling_with_yourpets.html
• SNCF / France: https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/help/bringing-your-pet-train-you
• SJ / Sweden: https://www.sj.se/en/about-the-journey/travelling-with-pets
• VY / Norway: https://www.vy.se/en/customer-service/frequently-asked-questions/frequently-asked-questions-about-trains/on-board
• Snälltåget / Sweden: https://www.snalltaget.se/en/faq
• MAV / Hungary, PKP / Poland, ČD / Czech Republic: No animals in sleeping and couchette carriages

Book tickets early. Choose seats in the sleeper or couchette coach—hands off the seating coach! Ideally, you should book a private compartment for your family. That way, you'll be undisturbed.

Book a private compartment

You can also save money by booking early.

Use night trains that arrive early and have a longer journey time. This way, the children can still let off steam in the evening and get enough sleep. Try to stick to the usual sleeping pattern.

Let the children sleep in the lower or middle beds, safety first.

Packing list for when travelling with children

• Take your favourite cuddly toys or whatever else the children are used to sleeping with.
• Entertainment such as books or card games helps to make the journey more entertaining. Or look out of the window! For more entertainment ideas see our blog post.
• (Warm) sleeping clothes
• Finches or thick socks to walk around in
• (Sugar-free) snacks.

Most sleeper coaches have a small washbasin with soap directly in the compartments. Sometimes, you can also book your own toilet and/or shower. Otherwise, there are shared toilets on the coaches. There is also sometimes a shared shower in the coach, or you can shower at the destination station. On nightride.com, we show in the search results which facilities a sleeping coach compartment has.

Search connection

In couchette coaches and seating coaches, there are usually sinks and toilets in the shared area, which you share with other travellers. You can now also find accessible toilets on many night trains.

It is more likely that toilet problems will occur towards the end of the journey, so go to the toilet sooner rather than later. :)

We also recommend that you carry spare toilet paper or tissues with you. A disinfectant and a small towel never hurt, either. See also our packing list for your night train journey.

Do you want to know what washing facilities are available on a particular night train?

The vagonWEB website has detailed information and pictures: Enter the train number in the appropriate search box and select the train in question.

For example, the train number is NJ 402, which you can find in the search results on nightride.com or on your ticket.

Please note: The actual carriages used may differ from those listed on the website.

To be safe, prepare yourself so you don't have to go online while travelling. Save your ticket on your smartphone at home and print it out if you want to be on the safe side. Download entertainment media such as films and music before you travel.

Want to know if your coach has WiFi?

The vagonWEB website has detailed information and pictures: Enter the train number in the appropriate search box and select the train in question.

For example, the train number is NJ 402, which you can find in the search results on nightride.com or on your ticket.

Please note: The actual carriages used may differ from those listed on the website.

The websites and apps of the railway operators are the first port of call for delays, traffic reports and cancellations. Below, you will find a list of links. Check the website and app regularly for at least 24 hours before departure.

Tip: If you start your journey in a different country than you arrive in, install the apps of both railway operators and check both websites. For example, the ÖBB/Nightjet app sometimes displays information that the SBB app does not and vice versa.

In theory, many ticket vendors automatically inform you of delays and changes via email or text. However, in practice, this does not work very well.

At the station and on the train

If you are already at the station, the electronic information boards are a reliable source of information. You should also listen to announcements via loudspeaker.

On the platform or the train, the train crew will keep you updated. Remain friendly, even if delays are annoying: the train crew often don't know much more than you do and can't do anything about delays. It's even more stressful for them than for you!

Provider-specific information (as of September 2024):

• DB / Germany:
  • https://www.bahn.de/service/fahrplaene/aktuell
  • App: DB Navigator
• ÖBB Nightjet / Austria:
  • https://www.nightjet.com/de/buchung/meine-reise
  • App: ÖBB Scotty
• SBB / Switzerland:
  • Search for your train on sbb.ch
  • App: SBB Mobile
• SNCF / France:
  • https://www.sncf-connect.com/app/fr-ch/trafficInfo
  • App: SNCF Connect
• Trenitalia / Italy:
  • http://www.viaggiatreno.it/infomobilita/index.jsp
  • App: Trenitalia
• SJ / Sweden:
  • https://www.sj.se/en/traffic-information
  • App: SJ
• VY / Norway:
  • https://www.vy.no/en/traffic-and-routes/traffic-info-for-train-and-bus
  • App: VY
• Snälltåget / Sweden: https://www.snalltaget.se/en/traffic-information

Depending on the route and in limited numbers, there are accessible toilets and compartments. On nightride.com, you find the barrier-free compartments in the search results labelled ‘Priority space for people with disabilities’.

Find night train connections with accessible compartments

Railway operators also often offer services to assist people with reduced mobility. This is particularly necessary when boarding and alighting, as older night trains in particular do not have low-floor access.

Depending on the provider, accompanying persons receive a discount, and you can bring your assistance animal.

Please note: With almost all providers, you must book your journey via the hotline or on a separate form and request any assistance services. You also need to notify them as far in advance as possible.

Further information on accessibility for some railway operators

(as of August 2024)

• DB / Germany: Mobility Service Centre https://int.bahn.de/en/booking-information/accessible-travel
• ÖBB Nightjet / Austria: https://www.nightjet.com/en/komfortkategorien/spezialabteile/barrierefreies-abteil
• SBB / Switzerland: https://www.sbb.ch/en/travel-information/individual-needs/travelling-reduced-mobility.html
• Trenitalia / Italy:
  • https://www.rfi.it/en/for-persons-with-disability.html
  • https://www.rfi.it/en/for-persons-with-disability/sala-blu.html
• SNCF / France: https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/accessibility/preparation-trip-services
• SJ / Sweden: https://www.sj.se/en/about-the-journey/travelling-with-a-disability
• VY / Norway: FAQ >Special requirements
• Snälltåget / Sweden: Accessible travel is only possible to a minimal extent, as the trains are not equipped for this. https://www.snalltaget.se/en/faq

Want to know what accessibility is like on a particular night train?

The vagonWEB website has detailed information and pictures: Enter the train number in the appropriate search box and select the train in question.

For example, the train number is NJ 402, which you can find in the search results on nightride.com or on your ticket.

Please note: The actual carriages used may differ from those listed on the website.

This blog post is part of our «FAQ Night Train» series. Here, you'll find all the valuable tips and tricks we've collected on many night train journeys.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write us an e-mail at info@nightride.com.

Many night trains have restaurant or bistro coaches where you can buy a meal, snacks, and drinks. However, these are not always open, and the food is more expensive than in the supermarket. Find out in advance on the railway operator's website or app.

A basic catering service is often included in sleeper and couchette carriages. This usually includes breakfast and drinks such as water, coffee or tea (often approx. 0.5 litres). Sometimes, you also get small snacks. If you are travelling in a seating coach, no food and drink is usually included.

The water from the tap is not for drinking!

There is no facility for cooling or heating food, so take food that lasts well and is easy to prepare. If you want to avoid eating the standard bread or oatmeal, you can find a collection of snack ideas for travelling here.

If you have special dietary requirements, bringing your own food is best.

Tip: The author of this article often brings cookies to share with his fellow travellers. This makes travelling much more sociable!

Find the best night train offers

This blog post is part of our «FAQ Night Train» series. Here, you'll find all the valuable tips and tricks we've collected on many night train journeys.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write us an e-mail at info@nightride.com.

Since I am on a longer holiday and therefore flexible, I am looking for the cheapest ticket in a 4-berth compartment in a couchette coach on nightride.com. With two weeks' advance booking, I manage to snag a ticket for CHF 140 during the high season. The 6-berth compartment is even half the price at CHF 70 – but as I get older, I increasingly value a good night's sleep.

Find the best night train offers to Hamburg

Departure from Basel SBB: Sleeper coach gets downgraded... 

…but luckily not mine 🙃. Since I'm familiar with the blog post and various media reports by Timo, my colleague at nightride.com, about issues with night trains, I am curious to see how my journey will go. The Basel-Hamburg route is generally less problematic than others. Cancellations are rare. If there is a problem, it is usually a downgrade from a sleeper coach to a couchette coach.

This also happens to my train: one of the two sleeper coaches is downgraded to a couchette coach. Fortunately, it doesn't affect me, as I've already booked a spot in a couchette coach. The affected passengers seem annoyed but not too upset: The replacement is a modern Liegewagen comfort, where ÖBB has converted old seating coaches into modern, high-comfort couchette coaches. It will be interesting to see if and how much compensation the passengers receive.

See our blog post on reclaiming money in the event of a downgrade.

We depart at 22:23 with a 10-minute delay. According to an inquiry, the brake check takes longer, and it's in the passengers' interest to do this thoroughly.

First impression on the night train

I'm lucky: I'm also travelling in one of the modernized Liegewagen comfort. The amenities and comfort are excellent – no comparison to the old 'bunk beds' in earlier couchette coaches. The bunks are more comfortable, and I find them wider. The compartment's design is bright and modern. The toilet is barrier-free (more about accessibility in night trains here) and spacious. As a welcome gift, a bottle of water awaits me.

I'm sharing my compartment with three other travellers. We're a quiet and night-train-experienced group, with communication limited to the essentials. We stow our luggage, and each of us settles in. I don't need to eat anything since I treated myself to a slice of pizza on the platform (Vito Pizza in the railway station passage, highly recommended).

Shortly after Basel SBB, we stop at the Badischer Bahnhof at the border with Germany. After leaving Switzerland, it's time to show our tickets. There are no border controls, although two police officers walk through the train.

Lights out 

We all seem to be exhausted. I quickly ask if it's okay and then turn off the main light in the compartment. Everyone is engrossed in their smartphones. I start organizing the photos I took of the night train.

But soon, I notice that I am getting tired. While I'm not usually the best at falling asleep, I quickly fall asleep in moving vehicles.

I brush my teeth, put on earplugs and a sleep mask – and I'm out. I wake up once during the night because, being not very smart, I drank the complimentary water bottle before falling asleep. Besides that, the night – or the journey – is quiet.

The only thing that bothers me is the temperature being too warm for me and the blanket being too hot. But that's just me; I almost always find it too warm when sleeping.

Breakfast and arrival in Hamburg 

At some point in the morning, the train attendant wakes me up. I didn't even notice that two of my fellow travellers had disembarked. I am given a simple breakfast with two rolls and jam.

I supplement it with some bread and salami I brought with me. My remaining fellow traveller also slept well, and we start to talk. He's also heading to Scandinavia but will continue his journey immediately.

Right on time, just before 8 AM, our train rolls into Hamburg Hauptbahnhof. I wish my compartment mate an excellent onward journey, and I disembark. Hamburg immediately makes a good impression: The temperature is about 10 degrees cooler than in Basel 🙂. I set off to meet my friend.

Conclusion of my night journey

The trip went smoothly, and I slept well. The new Nightjet coaches are a noticeable upgrade from my previous experiences on this route. The price of CHF 140 is fair, especially considering I booked on short notice.

My only minor complaints are the overly warm blanket and the delayed departure – but we arrived on time.

The most obvious is to relax and sleep. Use the time to rest and be fresh and rested for your arrival at your destination. 

Download your favourite music, podcasts or audio books to your smartphone or tablet. See also our blog post on internet/WiFi on board.

You can also enjoy the view while it's still daylight.

Conversations: Travelling by train is an excellent opportunity to get to know new people. Good icebreakers are questions about your destination and place of origin or past night train experiences.

If you are travelling last minute, plan your stay at your destination😉

Find last-minute night trains

Card games or small board games are great ways to pass the time if you travel in a group. The author's current favourite is the card game Monopoly Deal (not to be confused with the original Monopoly).

Films and series: Many overnight trains offer WiFi, but to ensure you have access to entertainment at all times, download films and series to your device in advance.

The author often uses the time to tidy up his smartphone.

Keep your valuables, such as your passport, tickets, money, and electronic devices, as close to you as possible. A small bum bag works well. The author stows his valuables bag by his feet while sleeping, keeping them as far away from the door as possible.

Close the door to your compartment, especially when you are asleep, or no one is in it. Many compartments have additional safety chains, and the new Nightjet coaches are even secured with electronic door locks.

Get to know your fellow travellers and watch who is in the compartment.

If you are suspicious or feel uncomfortable, alert the train crew immediately.

Make sure that your luggage—if possible in your compartment—is well stowed and not left unattended. Cable locks provide additional security. 

Find the best night train for you

This blog post is part of our «FAQ Night Train» series. Here, you'll find all the valuable tips and tricks we've collected on many night train journeys.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write us an e-mail at info@nightride.com.

In contrast to aeroplanes, there are no limits on luggage on almost all night trains apart from this rule, also on the Nightjet. Nevertheless, we recommend travelling light: Luggage storage space on night trains is limited, especially in couchettes and seating coaches.

Find the best night train offer

For the safety of the passengers, please keep the passageways, doors and escape routes free at all times. Luggage must be stored in a way that ensures that other passengers are not inconvenienced or impeded.

Although we have never personally experienced it, the train crew may decide that not all luggage can be transported. Pack less accordingly and avoid unpleasant situations from the outset. When booking, also check whether there are any additional restrictions for taking luggage on your night train.

Divide your luggage into several pieces

Experience has shown that it's worth splitting up your luggage:

• A larger bag or suitcase with things you won't need during the journey. This way, you can store this luggage outside your compartment if needed.
• A piece of hand luggage in which you pack your travelling items for the journey. A small rucksack works well here, as your hands are free when carrying it.
• It's best to stow your valuables in a small bag you always keep on your person — for example, a bum bag. See also our blog post on safety on night trains.

See our packing list for your night train journey.

Beware of flying suitcases

Make sure your luggage is well stowed away. You and your fellow travelers don't want to be woken up by suitcases flying around. Straps and nets are often available for this purpose. Physics also helps: place heavy luggage items against the wall opposite the direction of travel so that they are pressed into the wall during braking manoeuvres.

Label your luggage. Your luggage may get lost or damaged en route. If this happens, report it to the train crew. Liability for lost or damaged luggage varies depending on the railway operator. Find out about the conditions in advance. If necessary, make sure that your private insurance covers your luggage.

A relaxed method of transporting your luggage is to ship it separately.

Oversized luggage

Oversized luggage such as sports equipment (e.g. skis or snowboards) or musical instruments often have to be packed in special trasport bags and fit into the normal storage space. The author of this blog has also had to look for a place for his skis for some time... Bicycles are a special case, see our blog post here.

Find the best night train for you

Travel documents

• Tickets: preferably digital on your smartphone and a printout to be on the safe side
• Identity card or passport
• Visas and other documents if required for your destination

Comfort and sleep

• Sleeping mask and earplugs
• Your pillow if required - ahoy side sleepers
• If you tend to be cold: a jumper or an additional light blanket, warm socks
• Comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended. The layering principle with several layers of clothing is also worth having an extra T-shirt for sleeping.
• Shoes or slippers to slip into if you need to go to the toilet at night
• Seating coach: neck pillow and blanket if necessary

Hygiene and health

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Emergency toilet paper/tissues, wet wipes and hand sanitiser
• Your personal medication

Food and drink

See our blog post food and drinks on night trains.

Entertainment

See also our blog post about Entertainment on board.

• Books, e-readers or magazines
• Smartphone or tablet: download films and music in advance. The internet connection is not always stable
• Headphones
• If you are travelling with others: board games

Other

• Charging cable and power bank
• Depending on the destination country: International travel adapter for power sockets
• Credit or debit card, cash in the local currency if necessary
• You can also secure your luggage with a small combination lock (blog Security on the night train).

You must have a discount card from the country/railway operator where your journey begins or ends. For example, you will receive a discount for the Zurich - Vienna route if you have a Swiss or Austrian Federal Railways discount card.

You can find the discounted prices on nightride.com by selecting the relevant discount card under ‘Travelers’ (see screenshot below). Please note: If you decide on an offer and then book the ticket with the relevant third-party provider, you must reenter the discount cards.

Find the best night train for you

Children, students, and senior citizens also get discounts—see our blog post here.

Discount cards and train passes from some railway operators

(as of August 2024)

• ÖBB Nightjet/Austria: ÖBB Vorteilscard, ÖBB Businesskonto, Klimaticket Ö
• Deutsche Bahn/Germany: BahnCard
• SBB/Switzerland: Half-Fare Card, General Abonnement
• SNCF/France: Carte Avantage, Carte Liberté
• Trenitalia/Italy: Carta Verde, Carta Argento
• ZSSK/Slovakia: Railplus
• Czech Republic: In Karta/Railplus IN.

This blog post is part of our «FAQ Night Train» series. Here, you'll find all the valuable tips and tricks we've collected on many night train journeys.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write us an e-mail at info@nightride.com.

Many providers offer free travel for children up to approximately five years of age if they share a place with an adult.

Many vendors offer discounted tickets to young people up to approximately fourteen years of age. Some providers also discount tickets up to around 25 years of age, but a youth discount card from the respective railway operator/country is required.

Students up to 25 years of age receive a discount at some vendors, such as SJ (Sweden), VY (Norway), or ZssK (Czech Republic), on presentation of a valid ID.

Families can book discounted tickets with some vendors, such as ÖBB, with a corresponding discount card.

Senior citizens also receive discounts from many vendors. Depending on the provider, you must only state your age when booking (take your ID when travelling) or have a corresponding discount card.

You can find the discounted prices on nightride.com by selecting the age under ‘Travelers’. Please note: If you choose an offer and book the ticket with the corresponding third-party provider, you must again specify your age/discount category.

Find the best night train for you

Most ticket vendors also accept discount cards - see our blog post here.

This blog post is part of our «FAQ Night Train» series. Here, you'll find all the valuable tips and tricks we've collected on many night train journeys.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write us an e-mail at info@nightride.com.

Lower berth:

Advantages:

• You don't have to climb into your bed
• Space for luggage under the bed
• There is less movement on bends as it's closer to the floor.

Disadvantages:

• Through traffic of passengers from the middle and upper beds
• There is less privacy as the bed is visible to fellow travelers

Middle berth

Compromise between lower and upper bed. Storage space for luggage is often the most limited. Good view from the window.

Upper berth

Advantages:

• Privacy: only the person in the other upper bed can see your bed
• Often has storage space for luggage above the door
• You can retire even if the other passengers are still sitting downstairs

Disadvantages:

• The climb to get into your bed
• The higher, the warmer it is - this is particularly relevant on older trains and in summer

Book your night train

Want to know what the compartments look like on a particular night train?

The vagonWEB website has detailed information and pictures: Enter the train number in the appropriate search box and select the train in question.

For example, the train number is NJ 402, which you can find in the search results on nightride.com or on your ticket.

Please note: The actual carriages used may differ from those listed on the website.

This blog post is part of our «FAQ Night Train» series. Here, you'll find all the valuable tips and tricks we've collected on many night train journeys.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write us an e-mail at info@nightride.com.

On nightride.com, we summarise the price categories of the different providers into reduced, semi-flexible and flexible:

Reduced: mostly non-refundable/postponable

Semi-flexible: limited refundable/postponable up to a specific date, for a fee

Flexible: can be cancelled free of charge or for a small fee until shortly before departure.

When booking a ticket, check the relevant conditions with the vendor.

Find the best night train for you

This blog post is part of our «FAQ Night Train» series. Here, you'll find all the valuable tips and tricks we've collected on many night train journeys.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write us an e-mail at info@nightride.com.

As the spaces are (very) limited, a separate ticket and a reservation are required. So book early. With most ticket vendors, you can book a space for your bike online.

Book your night train

On some night trains, you need a bike bag. Note: During the day, depending on the train operator, you can transport your bike in a bike bag free of charge and without a reservation. You should not try this on night trains unless the train operator explicitly allows it. In the worst case, you may have to leave your bike at the station.

Your bike is usually stowed in a separate luggage compartment or carriage. Take at least one good bike lock with you, or even better two. Make sure you chain it so that nobody can simply carry it away.

If there is no (more) space for bikes or your bike is very expensive, you can also book a private compartment. This allows you to take your bike into your compartment (in a bike bag). This solution has worked several times for the author of this article, but there is no guarantee.

Depending on the train operator, folding bikes up to a specific size (and in a bike bag) can be taken along free of charge and without a reservation. Tandems cannot be taken on almost all night trains.

Find out more about how much luggage you can take with you.

Policies of some railway operators regarding bicycle transport

(as of November 2024)

• ÖBB Nightjet: According to the ÖBB-website, bicycle transport is only possible in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, see https://www.nightjet.com/EN/angebote/fahrradmitnahme. In the author's and his friends' experience, it is possible to transport bicycles in other countries in a private compartment and packed in bicycle bags.
• DB / Germany: See ÖBB Nightjet
• SBB / Switzerland: See ÖBB Nightjet
• Trenitalia / Italy: Possible on domestic routes, select when booking. International
• SNCF / France: Select when booking.
• SJ / Sweden: Possible in a bike bag and with the front wheel removed - however, the train crew may refuse to take the bike on board. https://www.sj.se/en/about-sj/terms-and-conditions/luggage-rules#Special_luggage
• VY / Norway: you need a bike bag and you must book a private compartment. https://www.vy.se/en/customer-service/frequently-asked-questions/frequently-asked-questions-about-trains/on-board
• Snälltåget / Sweden: Possible depending on the route: https://www.snalltaget.se/en/faq.

Want to know what the bike spaces look like on a particular night train?

The vagonWEB website has detailed information and pictures: Enter the train number in the appropriate search box and select the train in question.

For example, the train number is NJ 402, which you can find in the search results on nightride.com or on your ticket.

Please note: The actual carriages used may differ from those listed on the website.

This blog post is part of our «FAQ Night Train» series. Here, you'll find all the valuable tips and tricks we've collected on many night train journeys.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write us an e-mail at info@nightride.com.

However, finding the right connection and the best deal can be challenging. Dynamic pricing, limited capacities, and no way to compare prices from different vendors are just some of the challenges you face today.

This is now a thing of the past: nightride.com is Europe's first independent search platform for night trains and night buses. The goal is to make your night journey as easy as possible.

Find your night journey

With just a few clicks, you and your fellow travellers can find the perfect connection. Simply pick the best offer from various ticket vendors, always with the latest prices and available capacities.

The handy calendar view shows you at a glance on which days tickets are still available and how much they cost. You save not only time and nerves but also money!

Various filter options help you choose the comfort level for your journey. If you want to travel undisturbed, you can search for a private compartment. Or you can select the classic couchette compartment and chat with fellow travellers.

The goal of nightride.com is to cover night journeys throughout Europe. With the website's launch at the end of July 2024, you will find around 50 night train routes between over 50 cities.

Are you planning your next holiday or work trip? Book your night bus or night train via nightride.com now!

The situation is different for seats in seating coaches: Depending on the rail operator, you may have to buy your ticket and reservation separately. Check this during the booking process - otherwise, you may be left without a seat.

If you have an Interrail Pass, almost all night trains require separate reservations and often an additional ticket. The Interrail website has more information.

Find the best night train for you

This blog post is part of our «FAQ Night Train» series. Here, you'll find all the valuable tips and tricks we've collected on many night train journeys.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write us an e-mail at info@nightride.com.

On nightride.com, you can use the 'Compartment type' filter to filter the offers according to your desired comfort level.

Find the best night train for you

Sleeper coach

The most comfortable but often also the most expensive way to travel is in a sleeper coach. These compartments are for 1 to 3 people and have beds. They usually include private washing facilities and, optionally, a private toilet or even a shower.

Couchette coach

The couchette coach compartments have 4 to 6 berths. During the day, you sit on the lowest berth as in a regular train. For the night, you fold down the remaining berths. You share the toilet and washing facilities with the other passengers in the coach.

Seating coach

The cheapest option is a seat in a seating coach. As the name suggests, you will travel in a seat - so comfort is limited. Depending on the train, you can fold your seat back more or less. You sit in compartments for up to 6 people or in an open-plan carriage. If the seats are not all occupied, you can make yourself more comfortable on several. If a good night's sleep is vital to you, you are better off in a sleeper or couchette carriage.

Further comfort options

Many providers also offer the option of booking a private compartment, ladies' only compartments (see our blog post here), and barrier-free compartments (see our blog post here).

Some providers offer additional categories. With ÖBB, for example, you can also travel in mini cabins.

Want to know what your compartment looks like on a particular train?

The vagonWEB website has detailed information and pictures: Enter the train number in the appropriate search box and select the train in question.

For example, the train number is NJ 402, which you can find in the search results on nightride.com or on your ticket.

Please note: The actual carriages used may differ from those listed on the website.

This blog post is part of our «FAQ Night Train» series. Here, you'll find all the valuable tips and tricks we've collected on many night train journeys.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write us an e-mail at info@nightride.com.

This is how nightride.com works:

1 Find your connection: Enter your departure place, destination, and date to see all available connections and tickets.

2 Compare the offers: We list the best offers from various vendors. This allows you to compare prices, departure times and comfort options.

3 Book with the vendor: As soon as you find the best offer, we will redirect you to the relevant vendor's website, where you can book your ticket.

Book your night bus or night train!

This blog post is part of our «FAQ Night Train» series. Here, you'll find all the valuable tips and tricks we've collected on many night train journeys.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write us an e-mail at info@nightride.com.

We recommend checking the cancellation and exchange policy on the vendor's website before purchasing a ticket. Below is a list of the conditions of various vendors.

Often, a surcharge applies and you can only make a change/cancellation (free of charge) up to a deadline. There may also be restrictions, such as changing only the date and time but not the connection.

On nightride.com, we group the price categories of the different providers into reduced, semi-flexible and flexible:

• Reduced: mostly non-refundable/postponable
• Semi-flexible: limited refundable/postponable up to a specific date, usually a surcharge applies
• Flexible: can be cancelled or changed free of charge or for a small fee until shortly before departure.

Find the best night train for you.

The cancellation and exchange policy of some vendors (as of August 2022):

• Deutsche Bahn / Germany: https://int.bahn.de/en/booking-information/exchanges-refunds
• ÖBB Nightjet / Austria: https://www.nightjet.com/en/buchung/tarifinformationen/allgemein
• SBB / Switzerland
  • Attention: rebooking is not possible, cancellation in most cases only via hotline or at the counter (as of August 2024)
  • https://www.sbb.ch/en/help-and-contact/refunds-compensation/refunds-compensation/refund-international-tickets.html
• Trenitalia / Italy
  • Tip: Even non-cancellable (Super)Economy tickets are refunded up to 90 % if you add the corresponding "Opzione tiRimborso" for EUR 1 / EUR 2 €.
  • https://italiatren.com/en/faq/ticket-changes-cancellations-and-refunds
• SNCF / France: https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/help/exchange-or-cancel-train-ticket
• SJ / Sweden
  • https://www.sj.se/en/customer-service/frequently-asked-questions/5226/how-do-i-rebook-my-ticket
  • https://www.sj.se/en/customer-service/frequently-asked-questions/5218/how-do-i-cancel-my-ticket/
• VY / Norway: https://www.vy.no/en/customer-service/cancellation-and-changes
• Snälltåget / Sweden: https://www.snalltaget.se/en/faq

This blog post is part of our «FAQ Night Train» series. Here, you'll find all the valuable tips and tricks we've collected on many night train journeys.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write us an e-mail at info@nightride.com.

«Due to a change in vehicle deployment, a couchette coach must be used for this train instead of the sleeper coach 161. Passengers with a reservation are kindly asked to contact the train team or the SBB Contact Centre.»

Regular night train users have probably encountered this or a similar message at least once and have learned to fear it. The booked sleeper coach is cancelled «due to a change in vehicle deployment (sic)» and, in the best-case scenario, replaced by a couchette coach. The latter is known in the jargon as a «downgrade.»

I have personally experienced this several times on the Zurich <> Amsterdam route. The air conditioning breaks down, the heating doesn't work or something else is broken - the coaches on this route at getting older and older and defects are commonplace.

For the first time, I have analysed how Swiss night train connections struggle with cancellations and downgrades. The night trains to and from Switzerland are all provided by the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and operated in cooperation with SBB.

SBB communicates any problems via its app and website. I have collected all these reports since the beginning of the year and can now analyse them from January to May (five months). You can find the methodological details at the end of this blog post.

«Problem train» to Amsterdam: lone frontrunner

The data clearly shows that the connections from Zurich to Amsterdam via Basel (NJ 402) and even more so the return journey (NJ 403) are by far the most affected. The NJ 403 experienced problems on almost 100 days in the period under review - that's around two-thirds of all journeys! On the NJ 402, the problems occurred a bit less frequently.

The Nightjets 467 and 465 to Vienna and Graz and the NJ 470 and 471 to Hamburg and back form the midfield of the «breakdown trains». On this connection, it is mainly downgrades that occur; complete cancellations are far less frequent. This suggests that the rolling stock on the route to the capital of the Netherlands, which will not open until 2022, is a particular problem area, as the operators have already admitted several times.

SBB has repeatedly stated that they are «unsatisfied» with the situation. The analysis by night-ride.ch shows that the situation has persisted for over two years. The Swiss television programme «Kassensturz» used my findings for today's edition. The programme confronted SBB with the findings.

Not all passengers are affected to the same degree

When asked about the many cancellations, particularly on the connection to Amsterdam, SBB once again emphasises that it is not unsatisfied with the situation and is looking for solutions.

At the same time, the SBB puts the figures into perspective by saying that not every cancellation has the same impact on passengers. For example, of the 70 sleeping car cancellations of the NJ 403, only 21 occurred at short notice. The remaining 49 were «planned’ for capacity reasons and, in some cases, were announced days or weeks in advance. The affected travellers had been rebooked into other sleeper or couchette coaches.

Several media reports about the problembs have been published over the last two years. Last summer, experts published a detailed analysis of the cancellations in the Austrian newspaper Standard. This may have improved since the new Nightjet trains were introduced.

By the way, I have outlined in this blog post how you can react in the event of a cancellation or downgrade and how you can get your money back.

Is the end in sight?

But at least there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon, at least according to the number of incident reports, which has gradually decreased since February:

In May, the share of sleeper cancellations compared to the total number of problems was significantly smaller. There were nine more reports; only a small proportion occurred on the Zurich <> Amsterdam connection. Travelling on this line in mid-May, I was surprised to find not modern, but at least different coaches (still equipped with information stickers from the Swedish railway SJ - a loan in times of crisis?)

It should not go unmentioned that there are also night trains on which there are apparently never any problems: for example, I have not found a single incident report for the EN 40414 from Ljubljana or Zagreb to Zurich, which is operated jointly with the Croatian railway.

Find a night train to Ljubljana, Zagreb and Zurich

The methodology used

This is how I proceeded: At least once a day, I automatically checked all the routes mentioned above for incident reports and downloaded them if available. I then classified the reports according to the type of compartment affected, the replacement compartment (in the event of a downgrade) and the solution described. Finally, I kept all the messages with a cancellation or downgrade without a solution.

What do I mean by solution? According to SBB, there is a specific type of message with a cancellation but travellers are not affected. These sound like this: ‘Due to a change in vehicle deployment, the sleeper coach number 161 is missing from this train. A rebooking has been made for the seats booked in this coach. The train team will inform you of your new coach and seat number.»

In contrast to the situation described in the message at the beginning, where travellers are left to their fate, a «rebooking» has been made here. According to SBB, an equivalent replacement is offered if the sleeper coach is cancelled. I have therefore removed these cases from the analysis.

In the event of a downgrade (e.g. «[...] a seating carriage must be used for this train instead of the sleeper coach number 308. A rebooking has been made for the places booked in this coach.»), the rebooking does not really help either, in which case the name «downgrade» says it all, as SBB has also confirmed. I am therefore including these cases.

In some cases, passengers also have to change to another train heading for the same destination («Due to a change in vehicle deployment, the sleeper coach number 374 is missing from this train. Sleeper coach 374 is travelling on Nightjet 459, departing at 19:59 from Zurich main station via Leipzig to Prague. Passengers with destination Prague and reservations for sleeper coach 374 are travelling on Nightjet 459 due to unscheduled maintenance work.»). I have not taken these cases into account either.

If there were several problems of the same kind per day and route (for example, NJ 402 between Zurich and Amsterdam runs two train sections, each with several sleeper and couchette coaches, which theoretically means that two sleeper coaches could also be cancelled), I only counted them once.

Finally, it is also possible that a problem is not communicated in advance and the surprise awaits you on the platform (I have experienced this myself!). Those incidents are naturally missing from the data.

Nevertheless, I believe that this analysis provides a realistic and fair picture of the current «problem areas» of the Swiss night train service. If you want to take a closer look at the incident reports and my classification, you can download the data here and analyse it yourself.

The new generation Nightjet has recently started operating between Hamburg, Vienna and Innsbruck. More details here. As of now, the new Nightjets also run between Bregenz and Vienna. This opens up an opportunity for Swiss travellers to travel in greater comfort (and hopefully reliability) to the cultural city by the Danube. In Zurich, you can take the Eurocity to Munich at 19:33, which stops in Bregenz at 21:00, after a travel time of just under one and a half hours. Plenty of time to catch the night train at 21:40.

And it is surprisingly cheap. In the next few months, seats in the much-hyped Mini Cabins are available for as little as 40 euros. Perhaps this is an entry-level offer that will soon vanish again. Seats are of course even cheaper - but then the Railjet, which runs several times a day from Zurich to Vienna, is the better option.

Compartments with a toilet or a shower are currently also available at exceptionally low prices. Single compartments are available for less than 200 Swiss francs, double compartments even for less than 100 Swiss francs per person.

Have a great journey!

Update October 2024: I made a new observation regarding advance notifications. See section The day of the journey.

Update July 2024: An SBB employee gave me a few insights into bookings and refunds at the counter. I have added the relevant passages and marked them in italics.

On my favourite night train connection Basel <> Amsterdam (operated by SBB in cooperation with ÖBB) it happens occasionally: The sleeper coach is cancelled and replaced by a couchette coach. Or even worse, the couchette coach is also unavailable, and you must spend the night seated and not lying down. The problem is apparently omnipresent (which my personal experience confirms - and since June also an exclusive data analysis) that SBB has been distributing flyers about the downgrades since the 2023 timetable change.

The instructions on the flyer are not very helpful, especially if you bought the ticket at a vendor other than SBB. Below are my tips for a stress-free night journey and a speedy refund when booking with SBB or ÖBB.

When making a booking

Book your tickets online and get a digital ticket. If you book with SBB via your Swisspass account, the ticket will be added directly to your SBB app.

For bookings with ÖBB, use the ÖBB app. Because of the conversion rate and the more accessible refund in case of problems (see below), you are currently better off with ÖBB anyway.

In my opinion, booking at the counter complicates everything (unless you have special requests such as taking bicycles etc., then you probably can't avoid it - this is no longer the case, special requests can obviously not be handled better at the counter than directly online at ÖBB). In short: Ideally, you book directly at the ÖBB online ticket shop or nightjet.com.

If you still like night trains: Find the perfect connection

The day of the journey

Check your apps early on for notifications about cancellations. Unfortunately, in my experience notifications via email or text message don't really work or don't work consistently (instead, you receive countless text messages about track changes weeks in advance - if you'll pardon the pun, it's downright kafkaesque). It is, therefore, worth installing both the ÖBB and the SBB app and keeping an eye on them. Sometimes one app has information that the other does not. The data exchange between railway operators remains a sad affair even in 2024.

In October 2024, I made a new observation regarding this. I had booked a sleeper car double. Two days in advance, I received a message via email:

Due to a technical problem, a couchette car has had to be used for this train instead of the sleeping car numbered 182. Affected passengers with a reservation are kindly asked to contact the train attendant [...]

Apparently, the advance notification finally works now (at least if you book directly with ÖBB). That’s something, at least. But two questions remain:

• Why can't a 'technical problem' be resolved within 48 hours? Maybe a different wording would be more honest. Suggestion: 'Due to a shortage of operational cars.'
• What if the issue is indeed technical and occurs on short notice? Will the notification work in that case as well?

And that's why I'll keep the recommendations above for now.

Before departure

You are standing before the train and suddenly realise: something is wrong, my coach is missing. Don't panic: First, try to contact the train staff, who are usually in charge of the situation and have unfortunately become rather jaded (who can blame them?), and find a solution. Sometimes there are still free beds in other sleepers or some berths in couchette coaches.

If the downgrade situation doesn't work for you, you can cancel the trip and later get a 100% refund for the outward and return journey. In such a case, I would also try to get back any expenses for the outward and return journey to the departure station, e.g. Bern > Basel or Bern > Zurich (no guarantee of success).

On the train

You have decided to bite the bullet and spend the night on a hard berth instead of a comfortable bed, or, in the worst case, you spend the night in a seat. In this case - at least with a digital ticket - you don't have to ask the staff to confirm the problems. They are so omnipresent on specific routes that you won't need much convincing later on.

After the journey

In the event of a downgrade, you are entitled to a refund. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find out online how high these refunds are. In my case, this is how it has been handled so far:

• Downgrade from sleeper to couchette: 50 per cent refund
• Downgrade from sleeper to seating carriage: 100 per cent refund

With the timetable change in December 2023, ÖBB has published a calculation table that is anything but customer-friendly in connection with the higher dynamic prices.

According to this table, a downgrade from a Standard Single sleeper carriage (listed at night-ride.ch under 1-seater compartment Economy sleeper carriage) to a couchette carriage Private compartment would only result in a refund of 30 euros. That's a pretty small refund if you pay around 500 euros for such a compartment.

At the same time, it is not at all clear to me how this calculation table applies to international routes, as it is listed here under National fare regulations and there is no equivalent for international journeys. 🤷

This is how you get your money back

• If you have booked the ticket via SBB (digitally or at the counter): You cannot avoid going to the ticket counter. They will first clarify whether there really was an incident - in such cases, a confirmation from the staff can speed up the process. Advantage: The money is transferred directly to your bank account or card. Disadvantage: In my experience, the procedure takes at least half an hour (including queuing). Update July: This information is apparently no longer correct. You must call the hotline because the application will be forwarded to ÖBB anyway. This is an even stronger argument favouring booking exclusively with ÖBB (see next point).
• If you have booked the ticket via ÖBB (digitally): You fill in this form, stating your ticket number. A screenshot of the ticket helps (although this is of course totally redundant, as you have already entered the ticket number...). Then you either select that you did not travel at all («I did not use my ticket.») or that your comfort class was unavailable («My booked travel class was not available when I travelled.»). In the latter case, you must select the compartment type from which you were downgraded. If you want to give the night train another chance, you can also have the refund paid out as vouchers, which will provide you with an extra 10%. Advantage: You don't have to go to a ticket counter. Disadvantage: You can't be sure how long the processing will take (I've experienced anything from a few hours to several weeks), nor are you assigned a case number to refer to later.

Tip: If you still haven't received the money after a week or two, simply fill out the form again in precisely the same way. It's tedious, but it usually helps.

My opinion

I don't find it customer-friendly that you have to take care of your own refund claim after a downgrade and that this process is then so laborious. Why don't the operators make an effort to refund the money proactively? Why can't they provide timely and reliable information about downgrades or failures? And why is there no easy-to-find, comprehensible and transparent information on how to get a refund? All of these issues make travelling by night train extraordinarily frustrating and can put off people - especially those who are using night trains for the first time.

If you are affected, don't hang your head, be persistent with the vendors, and perhaps give night trains a second chance. If everything works out, travelling by night train is actually great!

If you have any advice on simplifying the refund process, please send me an e-mail.

This blog post is part of our «FAQ Night Train» series. Here, you'll find all the valuable tips and tricks we've collected on many night train journeys.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write us an e-mail at info@nightride.com.

It's been over two weeks since ÖBB completely reorganised its pricing system for night trains. They now rely on ‘dynamic pricing’, which means that prices are determined by demand and vary over time.

However, it is still not really clear how the system works. There is no transparency. The only thing that has been communicated to the Austrian newspaper Standard and other media is that prices ‘shot up’ briefly due to the large number of requests. The system is now being calibrated and ‘significantly more affordable’ offers can be expected ‘in the next few days’. Two weeks after this announcement, night-ride.ch did a check and realised that this is only partially true.

While prices across all travel categories have eased somewhat, they remain high, especially in sleeper coaches. The markups range from around 15 (2-seater Economy) to 115 per cent (1-seater Deluxe). Only the 3-seater Economy is slightly cheaper at minus 6 per cent (as this is only a sample, I would not describe this as a ‘real change’).

The following chart provides a comprehensive overview. On the one hand, the price range is becoming much broader. The ranges before the price regime change are due to the different routes (for example, there are two routes for the ‘Mini Cabin’ compartment, namely between Hamburg and Vienna and Hamburg and Innsbruck, hence the previous range between 158 and 161 euros).

While prices for sleeper coaches have increased in recent weeks, there has been a reduction in prices for couchettes and seating coaches (including mini cabins), which has become even more significant since the change. For example, 6-seater couchette compartments have become around 30 per cent cheaper on average.

In this evaluation, I have again only looked at the semi-flexible prices of the ‘Sparschiene Komfort’, which already existed before (labelled as ‘normal price’ on night-ride.ch).

But how ‘dynamic’ are the prices actually? In other words, how often do they change? I looked at a few connections for the NJ 490 for the ‘Mini Cabin’ compartment type. For the date, I have chosen the 10th of February 2024:

Here you can see the price change with the timetable change on 10 December. On 12 December and 13 December, there was a price increase for the flexible and semi-flexible ticket categories (flex price and normal price), which was reversed shortly afterwards. The normal price and Sparpreis fell until 17 December, then rose again and has remained at this level ever since.

Things look a little different for the departure on 10 January 2024:

In this case, prices have fallen continuously since the introduction of the new price regime.

These are just two examples and do not show any pattern. Except perhaps for the observation that prices have changed three to five times per day since the introduction of dynamic pricing. Further analyses will give more insight, but more data must be collected first.

On Sunday evening, I was among the first to report on the apparently sharp price rise for Nightjet trains. One day later it became a fact: it wasn't an oversight, ÖBB introduced a new pricing regime with the timetable change. One that really packs a punch. ÖBB itself has not yet published a press release. Instead, they provide an insight in a reply to my tweet:

We have adapted the pricing system for night trains, which means there is a wider range of prices. This allows us to respond better to demand. On low-booked days, there is a higher contingent at lower price levels. Tickets on well-booked days will be more expensive. (Translated from German.)

It continues in a somewhat disguised way:

Thanks to the new price range, customers will be able to get absolute remaining seats on the most popular train connections throughout the year. The new pricing regime thus offers more flexible ticket options, which also make it possible to book at shorter notice. (Translated from German.)

Well, at least I can't make complete sense of it. But it does sound a lot like dynamic pricing - prices are set dynamically according to demand.

When confronted with the suspected price rises, ÖBB told the Tages-Anzeiger that they were not increasing prices, but rather introducing a broader «price range».

Let's take a look.

On the other hand, the discounts are less significant. The seats in particular will be cheaper in future (not taking into account the costs for the chiropractor afterwards!) We also see reductions in the somewhat outdated 6-seater compartment, the reduction being around 15 per cent. Contrary to yesterday's initial assumption, the prices for the mini-cabins will remain roughly the same.

What does that mean for the actual prices? Broken down to the NJ 490 line, which is served by the new Nightjet, it looks like this.

At this point, it becomes clear that the broader price range was a bit of a euphemism, at least as far as the sleeper coaches are concerned. Prices can go up to 775 euros. Unfortunately, the graphic does not show the previous price, so here is a quick reminder:

• 1-seater compartment sleeper coach Comfort: 245 euros (well below the new range)
• 2-seater compartment sleeper coach Comfort: 149 euros (ditto)
• 4-seater compartment couchette Comfort: 143 euros (roughly in the middle of the new price range)
• Mini-Cabin: 158 euros (in this case, the old price was higher than the new price range)
• The seats were all priced at 112 euros, just under the new maximum of 115 euros.

Here's another example: the Nightjet 408 from Berlin to Zurich. Except for the 1-seater compartments and the Deluxe 2-seater, all the old prices are within the new price range.

My first analysis shows: As a rule, the new price regime increases the ticket prices for sleeper coaches. Perhaps this is now the first step and the new prices are moving more in the direction of the old ones. Or maybe a paradigm shift is imminent: Sleeper coaches will become the absolute luxury option, while the classic couchette and seating carriage are likely to be in greater demand again.

The latter are already much less popular today, and sleeper coaches are usually sold out earlier. Apparently, ÖBB wants to counteract this - through the price. It remains to be seen whether the customers will play along.

One thing is clear: this will make a faster and better price overview even more important in future. And that's what nightride.com is for. 👌

PS: Yes, there is also a new pricing model: the standard tickets, which can be cancelled up to the last day. For the sake of comparability, I haven't analysed these here - a first glance shows that they are sometimes more expensive, sometimes cheaper, but often in the same higher price range.

Update 12.12.23: No mistake, (almost) all tickets got more expensive. Here is an initial, more detailed analysis.

Whoops. I was pretty surprised when I checked the Nightjet page this afternoon. My website had come to a complete standstill in the morning, apparently there had been problems. At first, I thought it must be due to a new price category ÖBB had already offered on certain lines in recent weeks. But more on that later.

What surprised me more was the sharp rise in prices. Some comfort categories are now more than twice as expensive as before. For example, a single sleeper compartment from Basel to Amsterdam suddenly costs 600 euros partly (without a discount card). Before today, it was available for 283 euros, even for connections after the timetable change.

Partly because the prices apparently no longer remain constant. Previously, there were saver prices (‘Sparschiene’) and normal prices (‘Standard-Tickets’). The standard prices were always the same for the respective route and compartment type, i.e. you could assume it didn't matter which day you travelled. The only difference was the saver prices, available in limited numbers.

Now it seems that the prices for the same route and the same compartment type sometimes vary. I found the above price of 600 euros for 16 January. On 9 February, the same compartment is available under the same conditions for 475 euros—that's around 20 per cent cheaper!

And it's not just the luxury categories that are affected by the increase. For example, I couldn't find the much-hyped mini-cabin on the route from Innsbruck to Hamburg for less than 190 euros (also without a discount card). Before the price increase, they were still available for 150 euros - an increase of around 27 per cent, which is steep even in times of rampant inflation.

It gets even more complicated

I am even more confused by the new price categories:

• Sparschiene: No cancellation possible - referred to here as Sparpreis
• Sparschiene Komfort Semi-Flex: Cancellation possible up to 15 days before departure, after which you only get a 50% refund - referred to here as normal price (semi-flex). Previously, only this price category existed in addition to the «normal» economy rail (which is why I still call it «normal price»).
• Standardticket Flex: The new category where you can cancel free of charge up to the last day. I call it - creative as I am - «Flex price».

So far, so good. Apart from the somewhat confusing name, you can give ÖBB credit for allowing more flexibility.

But the whole thing is highly confusing.

Why: sometimes the new flexible fare is cheaper than the semi-flexible one. In the example below, this appears to be the case if you specify a discount card, such as a Half-Fare travel card. Conversely, this means that the semi-flexible fare no longer adapts to the discount card, just like the saver fare (which was already the case before). But then I wonder what the point of this price category is - most people have some kind of discount, be it just the Half-Fare travel card or the Bahncard 25. I can also imagine that it will disappear entirely in the medium term.

Things are currently even more confusing for Swiss customers who prefer buying tickets on sbb.ch. It looks like only the new flexible fares can be booked here. For the same connection and a 2-seater compartment, you can only buy a ticket for CHF 250 from SBB (as SBB still uses the unfavourable 1:1 euro exchange rate). I haven't seen the semi-flexible ones here yet. And to make the whole thing even more confusing, they call the actually fully flexible category ‘partially flexible’.

Can that actually be true?

What I am describing here are isolated observations over the course of today. I will be collecting prices over the next few days and will hopefully be able to give an update soon. All information is not guaranteed, as usual. But...

... let's be honest: I can't quite believe that night trains have become so much more expensive overnight (no pun intended). A quick search didn't turn up any announcements, media releases, or anything like that. Only the new night train was widely publicised again today, and there was not a word about price increases. Most recently, ÖBB boasted that there would be no price increases for daytime connections with the timetable change (in contrast to Switzerland, where the tickets will be slightly more expensive).

I also don't understand that the same press release states that night train tickets can be booked from 11 October onwards. This was possible - but still at the old price. The new price rise only comes with the actual change. Could this really be an oversight? The complete absence of communication is a bit strange. What happens to the tickets already purchased (at a higher price)?

There are questions upon questions that will hopefully be answered soon. Price rises or not, night-ride.ch will continue to help you keep track of the price jungle.

PS: Yes, SBB has an updated booking system. And no, no prices are currently being fed into night-ride.ch. However, I am working on integrating the new portal. Sorry for the delay.

PPS: Because I had to update night-ride.ch to the new category, the new prices are only trickling in. Take the opportunity to see how much cheaper it was just a moment ago...

In case you haven't heard, the days of outdated coaches with constantly failing air conditioning, toilets or heating seem to be over.

Well, at least on two connections: As of the 2023/2024 timetable change, namely on 10 December, the new-generation Nightjets will be running between Hamburg <> Vienna and Hamburg <> Innsbruck. You can look up the prices for these connections on nightride.com.

A highlight are the so-called mini cabins, which are somewhat reminiscent of Japanese capsule hotels and are designed to offer more privacy. Good news: there are still many money-saving offers for the next few weeks, with mini cabins often available from just € 75 or € 77.

Maybe an inexpensive and climate-friendly way to escape to the mountains over Christmas/New Year? The normal prices (without a discount card) are around twice as high at around € 150.

If you are travelling as a couple, you can get a double room with a shower and private toilet («Schlafwagen Comfort Plus») for € 215 or € 218 per person without a discount. However, there are already fewer discounts on offer here. Somewhat cheaper are the variants without a shower (who needs that anyway?): Double compartments are available from € 194 and € 197 for Hamburg <> Vienna and Hamburg <> Innsbruck respectively.

If you want to know more about the new Nightjets and all the different comfort categories, you can find a detailed Q&A at zugpost.org.

Have fun giving the new Nightjets a try!

This was probably mainly due to the cushion, which is big and cosy. Dear ÖBB, please learn something from this for your Nightjets!

The compartment looks surprisingly spacious: the large mirrors on one wall contribute to this, and there is also a small fold-out washbasin.

This makes travelling on the Euronight 40467 from Zurich to Budapest a pleasant experience. The train goes over (or rather through) the Arlberg to Innsbruck, Salzburg and then Vienna - before continuing its ride to Hungary.

Find the best night train to Budapest

The compartment is also well equipped in other areas: plenty of power sockets and, as already mentioned, cosy and spacious beds.

The breakfast is also pretty good, and (sorry, dear ÖBB) the mini baguettes are somehow crispier than the usual Semmeln on the Nightjet. All in all, it's worth recommending - and Budapest is worth a visit anyway.

Have you had an exciting journey on a night train or bus and want to share your experience with other night travel enthusiasts? Then write to us at info@nightride.com—we look forward to hearing your story!