Paris-Berlin Night Train: European Sleeper Launches in March 2026

A railway company born from crowdfunding

European Sleeper is not your average railway operator. Founded in 2021 by Elmer van Buuren and Chris Engelsman, two Dutch night train enthusiasts, this Belgian-Dutch cooperative pulled off an ambitious feat: building an international railway company entirely owned by its users and citizen investors.

The fundraising track record is remarkable. In May 2021, European Sleeper raised 500,000 € in just fifteen minutes from 350 early investors. Two additional rounds followed in 2022 (2 M€, 1,400 investors) and 2023 (3 M€). In December 2025, a new campaign was launched to support the Paris-Berlin service. In total: over 7 million euros raised from more than 6,000 co-owners.

Since its commercial launch in 2023 on the Brussels-Amsterdam-Berlin-Prague route, the cooperative has already carried more than 230,000 passengers across over 750 trains. The model works: anyone who believes in sustainable rail travel can become a co-owner starting at 280 €, and enjoy discounts of up to 25% on tickets.

A new route via Brussels

Unlike the former Nightjet, which took the route via Strasbourg and Frankfurt, the new European Sleeper service runs through Brussels-Midi. This strategic choice allows the company to combine this service with its existing Brussels-Berlin line, offering up to six weekly connections between Brussels and Berlin.

Detailed schedule

Intermediate stops

• Paris Gare du Nord — Departure/arrival, Eurostar connection to London
• Brussels-Midi — Intermediate stop, Thalys/Eurostar connections
• Hamburg Harburg — New stop from July 13, 2026
• Berlin Hauptbahnhof — Central station, heart of Berlin’s rail network

The Brussels routing also provides a convenient connection for travelers coming from the United Kingdom via Eurostar. The train may also serve cities in northern France such as Aulnoye or Douai, according to the latest reports.

Four categories for every budget

European Sleeper offers four comfort classes, from the adventurous backpacker to couples seeking a romantic rail experience. The carriages, built in the 1990s for German railways, offer what the company describes as « vintage chic » comfort.

Details by class

Classic: the best value for money. Each compartment has 5 couchettes in air-conditioned carriages. Clean sheets, blanket, and pillow provided. Toilets and washbasins at the end of the corridor. The door locks with both a key lock and a safety chain. Women-only compartments are available.

Comfort Plus: the premium option in historic stainless steel sleeping cars, built between 1954 and 1956 by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits. Proper beds with duvets, a private washbasin, and a guaranteed « Orient Express » atmosphere.

Supplements and services

• Bicycle: 19 € (26 spaces, more in peak season)
• Pets: free (private compartment required)
• Luggage: 1 carry-on + 2 checked bags included
• Breakfast: included in Comfort, optional for Classic and Budget

Everything you need to know to book at the best price

Tickets for the Paris-Berlin route have been on sale since December 16, 2025 on the official website europeansleeper.eu. Please note: tickets are not available on SNCF Connect. You can also book via B-Europe (SNCB International).

Fares with Interrail / Eurail pass

Interrail and Eurail passes are accepted on European Sleeper, subject to a mandatory reservation supplement:

If your night train arrives after midnight, only one travel day is needed on your pass (the departure day). The arrival day simply needs to fall within your pass validity period.

Cancellation policy

• Easy Night: no refund
• Good Night: 100% up to 30 days before, 50% up to 15 days before
• Flex Night: 100% up to 48 hours before departure

In case of a delay exceeding 120 minutes, you are entitled to compensation of 50% of the ticket price. For delays of 60 to 119 minutes, the compensation is 25%.

The end of the Nightjet: withdrawal of French subsidy

The Nightjet Paris-Vienna and Paris-Berlin services, operated by ÖBB in partnership with SNCF Voyageurs and Deutsche Bahn, ended on December 14, 2025. The cause: the French Ministry of Transport withdrew an annual subsidy of 8 to 10 million euros, amid budget austerity measures.

Launched in December 2021 for Vienna and December 2023 for Berlin, the service had an occupancy rate of 70% in 2024. SNCF estimated that even with higher load factors, operating costs remained too high without public subsidy. Among the challenges: the lack of European coordination on maintenance works and particularly high track access charges in Germany.

The decision sparked a massive public outcry, with nearly 100,000 signatures on the petition by the « Oui au train de nuit » (Yes to Night Trains) collective. It was in this context that European Sleeper, already operating on the Brussels-Berlin route, announced it would take over the service.

A « vintage chic » experience and digital detox

European Sleeper uses carriages leased in Germany, built in the 1990s. Co-founder Chris Engelsman says they offer comfort comparable to current Nightjet equipment. The Comfort Plus sleeping cars are even older and steeped in history: built between 1954 and 1956 by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits, they feature American-style stainless steel bodywork.

Notable point: there is no Wi-Fi on board. European Sleeper embraces this « digital detox » and encourages passengers to read, chat, or simply watch the landscape roll by in the night. There is no dining car at launch either, but a snack and beverage service is provided by stewards. Breakfast (hot drink, bread roll, juice, granola yogurt) is included in Comfort or available as an add-on.

Packing checklist for your journey

• Meals and snacks (no dining car at launch)
• Earplugs and sleep mask
• USB charger (outlets available on board)
• Book or downloaded podcast (no Wi-Fi)
• Light toiletry bag (no showers on board)
• Extra water bottle

Traveling with children

Children under 3 travel for free (without a reserved seat). Children aged 4 to 11 must be accompanied by an adult. A private Classic compartment can be an excellent option for families.

The night train: undisputed champion of low-carbon travel

The numbers speak for themselves. A flight between Paris and Berlin emits approximately 200 kg of CO₂ per passenger. The same journey by night train? Just about 2 kg. A ratio of 1 to 100 that makes the night train the most eco-friendly option by far.

Beyond the carbon footprint, the night train offers an often-overlooked economic advantage: you save one hotel night in each direction. When factoring this cost into the equation, the night train often becomes competitive even against low-cost flights.

The fiscal argument is equally striking: between Berlin and Paris, up to fourteen daily flights carry approximately 675,000 passengers per year. Back-on-Track estimates that the lost VAT revenue on this single air route alone (jet fuel being tax-exempt) amounts to roughly 12.8 million euros — more than double the subsidy that would have kept the Nightjet running.

A European network in full expansion

The Paris-Berlin line is just the beginning. European Sleeper has continental ambitions and has announced several expansions for 2026 and beyond:

Hamburg — from July 13, 2026

The Paris-Berlin train will make an additional stop at Hamburg Harburg, in the southern part of the port city. A strategic connection that opens the door to Scandinavia and improves links between Western Europe and northern Germany.

Brussels/Amsterdam – Milan — June 18, 2026

The most anticipated connection. Two departure points (Amsterdam or Brussels), with trains joining at Cologne to head south via the historic Simplon route through the Alps, stopping at Bern, Brig, and Domodossola before reaching Milan. Departures on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings.

Amsterdam – Barcelona — 2027-2028

Selected in January 2023 as a pilot project by the European Commission to improve cross-border rail links, this service to southern Europe is the cooperative’s next major milestone.

Much more than just a Paris-Berlin link

The European Sleeper night train is not merely a connection between two capitals. It is a gateway to an entire European network. Here are the best destinations accessible from this route:

Berlin — the terminus that never sleeps

Arriving at Berlin Hauptbahnhof in the early morning means finding yourself at the heart of a city in perpetual motion. The Brandenburg Gate is 10 minutes away. Budget 80-120 € per day. May-June or September are ideal, and head straight to Neukölln for brunch before your hotel check-in even opens.

Prague — onward connection via Berlin

The existing European Sleeper Brussels-Berlin-Prague line lets you continue on to the « City of a Hundred Spires. » The train follows the Elbe valley before Prague, offering one of Europe’s most beautiful rail panoramas at breakfast time.

Brussels — the gourmet stopover

Take advantage of the Brussels-Midi stop for a day-long layover. The Grand-Place is a 15-minute walk from the station. Waffles, chocolate, and craft beers await before you catch the next train.

Hamburg — gateway to the North (from July 2026)

With the new Hamburg Harburg stop, the train also becomes a Paris-Hamburg service. From there, you can continue to Copenhagen, Sweden, or the North Sea islands.

The Spreewald — Germany’s green Venice

Just one hour by regional train south of Berlin, this UNESCO biosphere reserve offers hundreds of canals to explore by traditional punt boat. The perfect nature excursion to extend your trip.

A continent connected by night

Europe has approximately 150 night train routes crisscrossing the continent. Here are the main alternatives and complements to the Paris-Berlin service:

ÖBB Nightjet — the European leader

Despite the cuts to Paris, ÖBB maintains a dense network: Vienna-Brussels (3x/week), Vienna-Amsterdam, Munich-Venice, and numerous connections to Italy. In 2026, brand-new state-of-the-art trains are being deployed on the Vienna-Rome/Milan routes.

Caledonian Sleeper — the premium experience

Europe’s most luxurious night train links London to the Scottish Highlands. Since January 2026, a new Birmingham-Aberdeen service has been added. A full cooked breakfast, a club lounge, and cabins with showers: the hotel experience on rails.

Stockholm – Berlin

Operated by SJ and then RDC Deutschland (from August 2026), this train links Sweden to Berlin three times a week via Hamburg. Combined with European Sleeper, it opens a Stockholm-Paris corridor in just two nights.

Adriatic Express — Warsaw-Rijeka

PKP Intercity connects Poland to the Croatian Adriatic coast. Resumption planned for late June 2026 for the summer season.