There is new information on the future Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) Nightjet service between Vienna in Austria and Brussels in Belgium.

The train will operate twice a week, reports Rail Journal. It is bound to leave Vienna on Sunday and Wednesday evenings, arriving in Brussels the next morning, leaving Vienna on Sunday and Wednesday evenings, arriving in Brussels at 10.30 AM. On Mondays and Thursdays, the return journey starts from Brussels at 18.30 (6.30 PM).

Extension

The new Nightjet route is said to be an extension of the existing Vienna / Innsbruck – Düsseldorf Nightjet. We did the Düsseldorf – Vienna Nightjet in 2017.

It will be rerouted to Brussels via Aachen. In the first year the coaches from Innsbruck will run without passengers between Düsseldorf and Brussels due to staff issues.

Timing

Vienna – Brussels is due to start in January 2020. A ‘rail year’ starts in December, usually the second Sunday.

In December 2020, ÖBB will introduce a daily Vienna – Amsterdam service, with a portion going to Brussels.

Trial year

2020 is a trial year. But in De Standaard ÖBB spokesperson Bernhard Rieder is adamant the service will be a commercial success.

The Austrian Federal Railways believe firmly in their night trains. Together with the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB-CFF-FFS) and the Czech Railways (CD) is looking into reinforcing its offering in Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Czechia (the Czech Republic).

Tariffs and exact timetables are yet to be announced.