Tickets for an upcoming overnight train service linking major European cities are set to be released soon. European Sleeper, a train operator based in the Netherlands and Belgium, currently offers night train routes connecting cities like Berlin, Prague, and Amsterdam. The company is gearing up to introduce its third route, a 17.5-hour journey from Brussels, Belgium, to Milan, Italy.
Initially, the night train to Milan will run from Belgium, with plans to extend the route to the Netherlands by 2027. Once fully operational, the train will make stops in Cologne, Germany, Zurich, Switzerland, and Como, Italy.
The launch of the train service to Milan, originally scheduled for June, has been postponed to September 9. European Sleeper cited track maintenance in Germany in the summer of 2026 and the certification process in Switzerland as reasons for the delay.
The European Sleeper will depart from Brussels on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings, arriving in Zurich and Milan the following morning. The return journey from Milan will run on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday nights, passing through Zurich and the Gotthard Pass due to ongoing track works through 2027.
The company expressed optimism about the revised route through the Gotthard Pass, highlighting new opportunities for travelers to access ski resorts in Göschenen, as well as scenic locations in Lugano and Como.
Tickets for the new route will go on sale on March 17, 2026, offering budget, classic, comfort standard, and comfort plus options. Prices start at €29.99 (£25) for a budget seat, while a classic compartment with a couchette bed can be booked for €49.99 (£43) including ticket, reservation, luggage, and bed linen. Upgrade options to comfort standard (€99.99/£85) and comfort plus (€129.99/£111) with breakfast are also available.
Despite the delayed launch, European Sleeper emphasized the significance of the new connection as a major milestone for the company. In addition to the Brussels-Milan route, European Sleeper already operates services between Brussels and Prague, with a new Paris-Berlin connection set to launch soon. Prices for shared compartments start at €69.99 (£60) for a one-way ticket.
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