Best Night Trains in Europe: 5 Incredible Sleeper Routes
There’s something magical about falling asleep in one country and waking up in another. In this guide, I share five of the best night trains in Europe that I’ve experienced — from London to Cornwall to the Swiss Alps and Italy’s Cinque Terre. Whether you’re looking to save time, reduce your carbon footprint, or simply enjoy the romance of overnight rail travel, these European sleeper trains offer an unforgettable way to explore the continent.
Night trains in Europe are one of the smartest ways to travel across the continent.
By combining overnight transport with accommodation, European sleeper trains help you save both time and money while reducing your carbon footprint compared to flying.
With growing demand for sustainable travel and slow tourism, overnight trains are experiencing a major comeback.
From luxury private cabins to budget-friendly couchettes, there’s now a wide range of options to suit every type of traveller.
Night Trains In Europe
Sleeper trains are experiencing a real resurgence in Europe due to increasing environmental awareness and the desire for more sustainable travel options.
With the convenience of overnight travel, the romance of train journeys, and the rise of slow travel, more and more people are choosing sleeper trains over flights.
Rail companies, particularly in countries like Austria, are responding by upgrading services and introducing new routes.
When planning a trip on a sleeper train, it’s essential to book early to secure the best cabins and prices. Some routes are very popular and can sell out quickly.
Be aware of the different types of accommodation available, from basic seats to luxury private cabins, and choose one that suits your comfort and budget.
Guide to Sleeper Train Accommodation
What you choose depends on how much comfort and privacy you need, and of course your budget.
The cheapest options are always standard seats or couchettes, which are shared sleeping compartments. For more comfort and privacy, choose sleeper cabins, usually available in single, double, or triple occupancy. These cabins typically feature beds, a washbasin, and sometimes a bathroom.
When travelling on a night train, place your bags in designated storage areas or secure them in your cabin’s luggage space. So you know what to expect, most cabins have things like reading lights, charging ports, and bedding.
You’ll also probably have blinds or curtains for privacy and light control. Windows may or may not open, depending on the train, but you can usually adjust the ventilation.
Many sleeper services – particularly Nightjet – provide freebies such as toiletries, bottled water, disposable slippers and a complimentary breakfast.
Our Favourite Night Trains in Europe
1. Fall asleep in London, wake up in Cornwall
The sleeper train from London to Cornwall, known as the Night Riviera Sleeper, offers a unique and comfortable travel experience. Departing from London Paddington, it journeys overnight to various destinations in Cornwall, including Penzance.
It’s one of only two sleeper trains in the UK – which both make it on this list – and the train provides a choice of accommodation, from seated coaches to private cabins, ensuring a good night’s sleep. There’s also the novelty factor of a dining car on-board, serving drinks and snacks throughout the night.
The Night Riviera is operated by GWR and leaves Paddington at 23:45 Monday to Friday and on Sunday’s. There is no Saturday service. Booking at GWR’s website opens roughly three months before travel, and the train completes its journey in Penzance at 07:50.
2. From Berlin to the Swiss Alps
From North East Germany to the Swiss Mountains overnight, it’s not just during the ski season that this route is popular. In fact, we used this service during our Interrail trip of 2024.
Nightjet are the most recognisable night train operators across Europe, and this service leaves Berlin at 21:05, travels through the night via Frankfurt and Freiburg before pulling into Basel (07:45) and Zurich (09:05).
Choose from a couchette or sleeper cabin aboard this Nightjet service. Prices start from around €50 and can be booked up to six months in advance. The train runs daily between the two countries but books up quickly, particularly during holiday times.
3. Hit The Highlands From London
The Caledonian Sleeper is like a time machine on wheels, linking London to Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort William six nights a week.
Say goodnight to black cabs and bright city lights, and good morning to incredible scenery, red deer and peat bogs.
A standout feature of the Fort William route is the journey across Rannoch Moor, a vast wilderness with only the train track crossing its middle, partially built on rafts of logs floating on the bog.
The Caledonia Sleeper operates throughout the year, Monday to Saturday, between London Euston and Scotland. Book online at sleeper.scot and choose from single and double en-suite’s, accessible rooms or a seat-only option. Prices generally start from around £200.
4. Arrive Overnight To Italy’s Cinque Terre
Picking up passengers in Munich and Salzburg, this popular Nightjet is then only one sleep away from waking up in Italy’s beautiful Cinque Terre.
We did this trip in 2023, and you can read a more detailed account of our journey from Salzburg to the Cinque Terre.
Get ready to explore five world-famous towns clinging to the side of the cliffs, eat plenty of pizza and pasta, and sample the local gelato.
The Munich to La Spezia night train runs every day, leaving Germany at 20:09, calling in Salzburg at 22:04, before arriving into Italy the following morning at 11:13. Book online at Nightjet.com, with a choice of seat-only reservations, couchettes or sleeper cabins (some of them en-suite).
5. From Brussels To Prague
The newest and one of the most exciting additions to explore Europe by train is from Dutch-Belgian startup European Sleeper.
Originally taking passengers through the night between Brussels and Berlin, the service was extended by 175 miles in March 2024 to go all the way through to Prague.
Other popular stops along the route include Antwerp, Amsterdam and Dresden,
Passengers on the European Sleeper can choose from seats starting at €49, standard compartments with six couchettes from €79, comfort compartments with five couchettes from €99, and sleeper compartments accommodating one to three people from €109. All options can be booked as private compartments.
Our Top Tips For Night Trains in Europe
Travelling by sleeper train can be hugely exciting and still has a sense of nostalgia associated with it.
But it’s also important to make the trip as enjoyable and comfortable as possible and that’s where a bit of planning comes in.
Essentials include ear plugs, a battery pack, snacks and drinks and a photocopy of your passport (this can save you getting woken up in the night!).
Also bear in mind that every sleeper train is different. Some of them allow you to board an hour or two before departure, others just minutes.
It’s also worth checking out if you have access to a passenger lounge at your departure or arrival station.
Some of them even have shower facilities so you freshen up.
FAQs Night Trains In Europe
Does Europe have overnight trains?
Yes, Europe has a comprehensive network of overnight trains, such as the Austrian ÖBB Nightjet, the French Intercités de Nuit, and the Spanish Trenhotel, connecting major cities across the continent.
Are overnight trains in Europe worth it?
Overnight trains in Europe are often worth it for saving time and accommodation costs, with popular routes like the ÖBB Nightjet from Vienna to Zurich and the Trenhotel from Madrid to Lisbon offering comfortable and convenient travel options.
What is the most luxurious sleeper train in Europe?
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is considered the most luxurious sleeper train in Europe, featuring opulent Art Deco interiors, gourmet dining, and exceptional service on routes such as London to Venice and Paris to Istanbul.
Do sleeper trains still exist in Europe?
Yes, sleeper trains still operate in Europe, with examples including the Caledonian Sleeper in the UK, connecting London to Scottish destinations, and the ÖBB Nightjet, which serves routes like Berlin to Vienna and Rome to Munich.
My Final Thoughts
So what are the best night trains in Europe? Well, we’ve chosen just five of them for this post, but there are so many other amazing routes. And ultimately it depends where your journey is taking you and what you’re hoping to enjoy.
Some of the more unusual night trains – like from Budapest to Split – are more rustic and old-fashioned, but this is quite an experience in itself.
Or take the sleeper up into Scandinavia and you’ll find the landscape can change dramatically overnight, from the green fields of Hamburg on your departure to snow-covered lands around Stockholm the next morning.
