European Sleeper Guide
European Sleeper is a relatively new night train start-up that operates several useful routes across Western and Central Europe.
Having launched its first night train route in 2023, this Belgian-Dutch company is currently operating two routes, with more planned for the near future.
In this guide, you can find everything you need to know about European Sleeper, including the travel classes on board its trains, the routes they serve, and other useful details.
Book your European Sleeper night train now!
Tickets for European Sleeper are best booked directly on the official European Sleeper website.
This includes full-fare tickets, as well as special passholder reservations if you are travelling around Europe with an Interrail or Eurail pass.
European Sleeper routes
At the time of writing, European Sleeper is operating two different night train routes:
- Brussels – Rotterdam – Amsterdam – Berlin – Dresden – Prague
- Paris – Brussels – Berlin
These European Sleeper night trains use the main stations in each city: in Paris, trains depart from Paris Gare du Nord; in Brussels, they use Brussels South (Bruxelles-Midi); in Amsterdam, the train uses Amsterdam Centraal; in Berlin, they use Berlin Hbf; while in Prague, they use Praha hlavní nádraží (Praha hl.n.).
It is extremely easy to connect to these European Sleeper night trains if you travel with Eurostar from London to either Paris or Brussels. European Sleeper is therefore not only a great option for people living in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and the Czech Republic, but also for British rail travellers.
It is a same-station connection at either Brussels South or Paris Gare du Nord. Just make sure to allow a couple of hours’ buffer time for your connection in case your inbound train is delayed.
Brussels – Amsterdam – Prague night train
According to the current timetables, the Brussels-Amsterdam-Prague night train runs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the eastbound direction, and every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday in the opposite direction. The train departs Brussels South at 19:22, calls at Antwerp Centraal at 20:02, Rotterdam Centraal at 21:21 and Amsterdam Centraal at 22:34, before arriving the following morning at Berlin Hbf at 06:07, Dresden Hbf at 08:29, and finally in Prague at 10:51.
In the opposite direction, the train leaves Prague’s main railway station at 18:05, calling at Dresden Hbf at 20:31 and Berlin Hbf at 23:00, before arriving the following morning at Amsterdam Centraal at 06:26, Rotterdam Centraal at 07:29, Antwerp Centraal at 08:43, and Brussels South at 09:27.
Paris – Brussels – Berlin night train
According to the current timetables, the Paris-Brussels-Berlin night train runs every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday in the eastbound direction from Paris to Berlin, and every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the opposite direction. The train departs Paris Gare du Nord at 17:45, calls at Brussels South at 21:45, and arrives the following morning at Berlin Hbf at 09:59.
In the opposite direction, the night train leaves Berlin Hbf at 18:31, arriving the following morning in Brussels at 07:06, and finally at Paris Gare du Nord at 10:00.
Future services?
European Sleeper is currently planning new night train routes linking Belgium with Spain (Barcelona) and Italy (Milan). When – and if – these routes come to fruition is still uncertain, but it is certainly possible that we could see some exciting new night train connections soon!
Travel classes on European Sleeper
European Sleeper night trains offer the following travel classes
- Classic
- Comfort Standard
- Comfort Plus
Classic
European Sleeper uses Classic to refer to a 5-berth couchette compartment, which can be booked either on a shared basis or for private use, whether you are travelling alone, with a partner or friend, or as a small group.
Comfort Standard
Next in comfort on European Sleeper night trains is Comfort Standard, which also gets you a 5-berth couchette compartment. However, each berth is fitted with a comfortable mattress, fresh sheets, pillow and duvet – essentially the same as in a sleeper. Although the same 5-berth couchette compartments are used as in Classic, Comfort Standard limits the maximum occupancy to three people, providing significantly more personal space. This option can be booked either on a shared basis or for private use for up to three people.
Comfort Plus
The highest travel class on European Sleeper night trains is Comfort Plus, and refers to a 3-berth sleeper compartment. This can be booked as a single, double or triple. If two of you are travelling together, you book a double, and if three, a triple. If you are travelling alone and want private use of a sleeper compartment, you select a single – booking a double or triple as a solo passenger may mean sharing the compartment with others. Each Comfort Plus compartment features comfortable bedding and a washstand.
For all of the above options, it is possible to select a women-only compartment if you wish to share, but want to be assured there will only be other female travellers in the same compartment.
Shared toilets can be found at the end of each couchette and sleeper coach.
Onboard facilities
European Sleeper night trains sometimes run with a dining car attached – although check in advance with the operator whether it is currently operating. In any case, it is a good idea to bring some of your own snacks or drinks onboard, which you are free to do. Snacks and drinks can also be purchased from the night train attendants during the journey.
In Comfort Plus, breakfast, mineral water and a welcome drink are included, while in other travel classes only mineral water is provided. However, it is possible to add breakfast to your booking in Classic or Comfort Standard if you wish.