European Sleeper, the innovative Dutch rail start-up, is set to expand its night train services with a new route connecting Brussels to Venice. The inaugural journey is scheduled for February 5, 2025, marking the first direct night train link between Belgium and Italy.
Currently, Brussels boasts direct night train connections to major European cities such as Berlin, Munich, Prague, and Vienna. With the new service, European Sleeper will broaden its network, adding stops in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and, for the first time, Italy. The company already operates a successful line from Brussels to Berlin and Prague.
Mariella Salerno, Marketing & Communications Manager at European Sleeper, expressed enthusiasm about the new route. “We have seen significant interest in this new route from both our existing customer base and potential travellers,” she told The Brussels Times. “The allure of connecting the North Sea to the Mediterranean, coupled with the convenience and sustainability of night travel, has generated a strong positive response.”
The new service will offer passengers the opportunity to experience a scenic journey through Europe, culminating in a visit to the historic city of Venice. The train will make several key stops: Antwerp, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Cologne, Munich, Innsbruck, Bolzano, Verona, and finally Venice. This extensive route is expected to attract travelers seeking both convenience and a unique travel experience.
The preliminary schedule indicates that the train will depart from Brussels at 17:00 and reach Venice at 14:00 the following day, with a total journey time of around 21 hours. The return service will depart Venice at 15:00 and arrive back in Brussels at 11:00 the next morning. Initially, the train will operate twice a week, with a likely increase in frequency depending on demand.
European Sleeper is currently finalizing the exact route details, including additional stops and the timetable. Booking for the new service is set to open in mid-September 2024, although ticket prices have yet to be announced. As with its existing services, passengers will have a range of seating options, from standard seats and shared couchettes to private sleepers.
The expansion of European Sleeper’s network is part of a broader trend towards enhancing overnight rail travel in Europe, driven by growing interest in sustainable transportation options. The new Brussels-Venice service promises to offer a unique combination of comfort, convenience, and breathtaking views, catering to both leisure travelers and those seeking efficient cross-continental connections.
European Sleeper’s move is anticipated to bolster the appeal of night trains as an eco-friendly alternative to flying, reinforcing the company’s commitment to providing high-quality, sustainable travel options across Europe.
