Two major developments in European rail underline how international long-distance services are expanding both through new open-access routes and major infrastructure upgrades. Private operator Leo Express from Czechia is preparing its first move into the German passenger market with a trans-European service from Frankfurt to the Polish–Ukrainian border, while Austria’s ÖBB has launched a dramatically…
Tag: Dresden
European Sleeper to operate Paris – Brussels – Berlin night train route from March 2026
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.
European Sleeper acquires GreenCityTrip, expanding into rail-based package holidays
European Sleeper has acquired GreenCityTrip, a sustainable travel brand previously operated by Flywise Travel, as part of its strategy to expand into night train package holidays and appeal to a wider market of rail travellers.
2026 | Deutsche Bahn plans 4 ICE’s per day between Cologne and Antwerp and 16 per day between Frankfurt and Brussels
Deutsche Bahn has confirmed in a press release the new Cologne in Germany to Antwerp in Belgium connection. The German train operator presented its plans for 2026.
Leo Express wants night train service from Slovakia to Ostend, Belgium
Leo Express, a Czech railway operator, intends to introduce a night train service between Ostend in Belgium and Bratislava in Slovakia via Germany and Czechia from mid-December 2026; Thibault Lapers reports on his Mobilithib Substack. Leo Express notified the Czech Office for the Protection of Economic Competition (Úřad pro ochranu hospodářské soutěže) of its intentions.
SNCF Réseau confirms feasibility European Sleeper night train linking the Netherlands, Belgium, France to Barcelona in Spain
According to European Sleeper, which shared the news with Treinreiziger.nl, French railway infrastructure manager SNCF Réseau conducted a feasibility study stating an acceptable timetable is possible in France for the European Sleeper night train to Barcelona in Catalonia.
European Sleeper aspires to run night train to the Alps and Venice during 2025 ski season
Belgo–Dutch night train operator European Sleeper is considering sleeper trains from Brussels in Belgium to Innsbruck in Austria and Venice in Italy for the 2025 ski season. Travel Weekly divulged this news in June.
European Sleeper adds dining car to Brussels – Amsterdam – Berlin – Prague night train
In an email to its followers and customers European Sleeper announced it will add a dining car to its Brussels – Antwerp – Amsterdam – Berlin – Prague night train from 1 September to 1 November 2024. Dining cars on night trains are rare in Europe as journeys are relatively short.
European Sleeper finally connects Belgium and the Netherlands to Berlin, Dresden and Prague
It had been the ambition of European Sleeper all along: a night train connecting Brussels in Belgium to Berlin and Dresden in Germany and Prague in Czechia. Via Amsterdam in the Netherlands. From Monday 25 March 2024, the European Sleeper will finally go all the way.
Antwerp number 1 of 40 most exciting cities to visit in 2024
For the British newspaper of record The Sunday Times, Antwerp in Belgium is the number one exciting city to visit in 2024.
