European Sleeper introduces a new night train to the Austrian Alps and Venice in 2025

European Sleeper schedules night trains from Brussels in Belgium to Venice in Italy in the coming ski season, in February and March 2025. This train will connect Belgium to Utrecht in the Netherlands, Cologne and Munich in Germany, Innsbruck in Austria and Verona and Venice in Italy. 

“The new European Sleeper night train will connect a range of winter sports and city trip destinations in one spectacular route from the North Sea to the Mediterranean“, ES says in a press release. 

Route map. Image by European Sleeper.

February 2025

The inaugural journey will depart from Brussels on 5 February 2025, with the service operating approximately twice weekly during February and March. This schedule accommodates school holidays, and the peak winter sports season, and provides a sustainable, enjoyable travel option to Venice’s famous carnival.

In response to the high demand for winter sports travel, city trip options, and the lack of suitable train connections, European Sleeper is now introducing a new seasonal night train to the Austrian Alps and Venice. This overnight journey connects Belgium and Italy passing through the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria, making cross-continental night journeys more accessible and enjoyable for travelers.

“We are pleased to introduce this new night train connection from the North Sea to the Mediterranean”, Chris Engelsman, co-founder of European Sleeper, says.

“Passengers will be able to board our train from Belgium and the Netherlands, and relax in the comfort of the restaurant car, while the train transports them through Germany and Austria, and across the Alps, ending in the historic cities of Verona and Venice the following day. This marks a new important milestone for European Sleeper and the convenience of night travel across Europe more sustainably.”

The new night train service will also be available for booking through partner Green City Trip, which underscores their shared ambition to innovate European train travel and make it more accessible to a wider audience.

A provisional timetable has been drafted as European Sleeper works closely with the relevant authorities to finalize the departure and arrival times.

Ticket prices for the new winter route will be revealed shortly. Passengers ready to experience this journey can mark their calendars, as booking will officially open on 1 September.

Timetable

Outbound, the European Sleeper is set to depart Brussels at 5 PM, calling at Antwerp at 6 PM, Rotterdam at 8 PM, Utrecht at 9 PM, Cologne at 11 PM, Munich at 7 AM, Innsbruck at 10 PM, Bolzano at noon, Verano at 1 PM and Venice at 2 PM.

The inbound journey is set to depart Venice at 3 PM, to arrive in Brussels at 11 AM the next morning.

Timetable. Image by European Sleeper.

European Sleeper?

European Sleeper is one of the few privately owned international train operators in Europe, connecting four countries and four capitals with a single night train. 

Since May 2023, European Sleeper has been operating its inaugural night train service, running thrice weekly from Brussels and Amsterdam to Berlin and Prague in Czechia

The introduction of the new night train service to Venice enables European Sleeper to expand its network of comfortable and efficient overnight journeys, making it easier for passengers to choose greener travel options without compromising on comfort or convenience.

Concurrently, European Sleeper is preparing an ambitious new connection, supported by the European Commission: a daily night train between Amsterdam and Barcelona in Spain.

“European Sleeper is proud to contribute to a more sustainable future for travel, supporting the shift towards environmentally responsible transportation across the continent.”

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