Reasons to Include a Night Train on Your Next European Journey

Departing from Stuttgart, Germany, to Venice, Italy, the night train sets off at 8:30 p.m., arriving nearly 12 hours later. If you’re fortunate with your fellow travelers' snoring in the six-berth compartment, you might enjoy up to eight hours of sleep. As you sip your coffee and finish breakfast, the train glides off the Italian mainland, gliding over the waters of the Venetian lagoon, where distant islands emerge through the fog and small boats dance on gentle waves.

The breathtaking architecture of Venice rushes toward you as the train arrives at the island station. You’re in the city center, surrounded by canals and landmarks, with an entire day to explore. That’s the enchanting experience a night train offers.

Fortunately for adventurers, night trains in Europe are experiencing a revival. New routes are being established across the continent, connecting Brussels and Berlin, Munich and Genoa, Salzburg and Kraków, and Paris and Berlin. Both private and public rail services are reopening Europe in ways that haven’t been witnessed in years.

In December 2023, the Austrian train operator ÖBB launched its Nightjet service connecting Paris and Berlin, in collaboration with France’s SNCF and Germany’s Deutsche Bahn. The journey lasts 13 hours, with prices starting at €80 ($85) if booked in advance for a bed in a shared compartment.

Since 2014, night trains have ceased operations between the capitals of France and Germany. The revival of this connection holds both symbolic and economic importance: it revives an old route that was halted due to decreased demand and links two nations that represent a quarter of the European Union’s overall rail passenger traffic.

‘This is a critically important international route. It was ludicrous to eliminate it,’ stated Nicolas Forien from the French advocacy group 'Oui au train de nuit.' Established in 2016, this collective has spearheaded protests and campaigns urging the French government to prioritize night trains. 'We hope this marks the beginning of the restoration of other international lines, such as those to Spain, Italy, and Portugal,' he added. Historically, these international connections included a direct sleeper service between Paris and Madrid and between Paris and Barcelona, which were phased out in 2013 when a high-speed daytime service took their place, while the Paris-Venice night train operated by Thello ceased operations in 2021.

Unfortunately, Europe is still far from its peak of nighttime travel, as stated by ÖBB spokesperson Bernhard Rieder. 'Night trains remain a niche product,' he remarked. 'Only 40 percent of the night train routes that existed in the 1990s are still operational.' The rise of budget and quick flights is a significant factor; after all, a night train bed costs more than an easyJet ticket.

Juri Maier, chairman of Back-On-Track, a European network advocating for cross-border night trains, believes that a true resurgence is improbable. 'A significant improvement would be achieved with more appealing prices,' he stated. 'To accomplish this, we need to lower track-access fees.'

These fees are central to a diplomatic challenge involving cross-border routes. You might secure approval from France and Portugal for a new link between Paris and Lisbon, but cooperation from Madrid is essential since the train will traverse Spain. Some countries impose higher charges for using their railway tracks, which inflates ticket costs. Consequently, night trains in Europe frequently cost more than comparable flights, though night train enthusiasts argue that the experience is far more enriching.

In August 2023, Ria Exworthy and her partner chose to travel by night train for their honeymoon in Berlin, starting from the United Kingdom. 'We aimed to lessen our environmental footprint and opted for the night train to save on hotel expenses—time we would have otherwise spent paying for a night's stay. Discovering that we could spend a day in Brussels, a city neither of us had visited before, felt like a delightful bonus,' she shared. She appreciated the communal aspect as well: mingling and snacking with fellow travelers in their cabin. 'In contrast, flying feels more impersonal and somewhat sterile.'

The renewed fascination with night trains is partially fueled by travelers like Exworthy, who are conscious of their carbon emissions. 'A younger generation is eager to travel without relying on flights,' noted Forien, adding that 'the number of passengers on night trains has doubled from 2019 to 2022' on France's Intercités night services. There’s backing from the highest levels as well: The European Union has included rail transport in its environmental strategy aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. In 2021, the European Commission initiated an action plan to enhance passenger rail services throughout Europe, also supporting 10 pilot cross-border projects conducted by both national and private firms, including 'new services linking Hungary, Austria, and Romania' as well as a route connecting Catalonia to southern France.

Maier questioned, 'They must eliminate emissions in the transport sector, but how will they achieve that?' He added, 'People dislike spending an entire day on a train for a journey that could take just three hours by plane. Night trains offer the best solution.'

One of the perks of traveling by night train in Europe is the rich cultural variety the continent offers. 'Europe is the perfect size for night trains,' remarked Forien. 'The distance between neighboring capitals is just right.' You can depart from chilly Munich and find yourself sipping a spritz on the shores of Cinque Terre by lunchtime, trading bustling city life for stunning coastlines, German fare for Italian cuisine, and pretzels for pesto.

Sofia Karaskiewicz Salwa, a frequent traveler who grew up in Spain and now resides in Cardiff, UK, often takes the night train to see family in Poland and Germany. Although 'flying has played a significant role in [her] life,' she sought out more environmentally friendly options. 'Since I stopped flying, my journeys feel more captivating and rewarding,' she shared. 'Traveling by train allows you to explore the continent in a more leisurely and profound manner. Each trip now feels like a new adventure.'