European Sleeper, the community-owned Dutch night train operator, will run a Paris–Brussels-Berlin night train connection by the end of March 2026, stepping in to fill the gap left by the cancellation of ÖBB’s Nightjet service.

Following the French government’s decision to withdraw subsidies, ÖBB and SNCF will discontinue all Nightjet routes to and from Paris in France as of 15 December 2025. 

In response, European Sleeper will launch its new Paris–Berlin route on 26 March 2026, operating three times per week. Departures from Paris-North are scheduled for Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings, arriving in Berlin Main Station and Berlin East Station in Germany the following morning, while the return journeys from Berlin will depart on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights.

Brussels

Unlike the Nightjet, which travelled via Strasbourg and Frankfurt, the new European Sleeper route will run via Brussels. The company is coordinating the final timetable with infrastructure managers in France, Belgium, and Germany, with confirmation expected in the coming weeks. 

This route will also create a six-times-weekly Brussels–Berlin connection, as it links up with European Sleeper’s existing service between Brussels, Berlin, and Prague in Czechia, making the new line both more economically sustainable and strategically aligned with the operator’s growing network. 

For travellers from the United Kingdom, this means easier access to Berlin via Eurostar connections in Brussels and improved overall journey times.

Since launching in 2023, European Sleeper has built a strong reputation as one of Europe’s few independent international train operators. Its ‘Good Night Train‘ currently connects Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dresden, and Prague three times per week, having already carried over 230,000 passengers on more than 750 night trains. 

Tickets from 16 December 2025

The new Paris-Brussels-Berlin connection marks another major step in its expansion. Ticket sales will open on 16 December 2025, with couchette compartments reportedly starting at €59 or €69. The train will feature the standard range of night train travel classes, priced similarly to the current Nightjet service, ensuring accessibility for budget-conscious travellers as well as those seeking greater comfort.

European Sleeper co-founder Chris Engelsman has said the new route will offer higher capacity and improved continuity compared with the Nightjet service. “We will also be able to extend the ridership as we offer higher capacity than the Nightjet. ÖBB operates 12 coaches from Paris but splits to Vienna and then Berlin. On the other hand, we have 12 to 14 coaches that will run entirely to Berlin, with a capacity of 600–700 passengers,” he told The Guardian. 

No dining car for now

The train will use German-rented carriages built in the 1990s, comparable in comfort to Nightjet’s, and will not include the older 1950s-era stock used on the Prague route. 

Independent railway commentator Jon Worth says on BlueSky: “Carriages for the Paris-Berlin will be from the 1990s. How?” But Worth is optimistic. He sees this project happen, albeit perhaps delayed.

Although a dining car will not be available at launch due to cost considerations, Engelsman has indicated that one could be introduced at a later stage.

“We are proud to start operations on this vital European night train route, proving that an entrepreneurial approach can strengthen international train travel while helping Europe move towards more sustainable mobility,” Engelsman added. 

“We’re ready to work with ÖBB and SNCF Voyageurs to ensure a smooth transition from their current Nightjet trains to the new Paris–Berlin European Sleeper service.”

Cooperative ownership

As part of its cooperative ownership model, European Sleeper is inviting individuals and organisations to invest in its vision of sustainable, community-driven rail travel. 

Shares start from €280, offering supporters the chance to become part of Europe’s growing night train movement. The company has launched a new funding round aimed at raising €1.3 million, with a follow-up round of €1 million planned for early December. 

These funds will help cover preparation costs for the Paris–Berlin launch, rolling stock acquisition, and any potential start-up phase operational losses.

Beyond 2026

Looking beyond 2026, European Sleeper is preparing new international routes to further expand its network. Two projects are currently under development: a night train from Amsterdam and Brussels to Switzerland or Milan in Italy, and another to Barcelona in Spain. One of these is expected to be confirmed within weeks, reinforcing the company’s ambition to reconnect Europe’s major cities through sustainable, high-quality night train travel.

Founded by night train enthusiasts Elmer van Buuren and Chris Engelsman, European Sleeper has become a key player in the revival of Europe’s night train movement. Its mission is to connect countries, regions, cities, and people through comfortable, environmentally friendly, and community-backed overnight rail services — and the return of the Paris–Berlin route marks another significant milestone in that journey.

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