Train travel is in the spotlight at the moment, and not just because it’s the 200th anniversary of passenger rail services in 2025. With a smaller carbon footprint than travel by air, and a way of making the journey just as special as the destination, we’re going to be hearing a lot about train travel in the coming months.
And for those already aboard the train travel, ahem, hype train, we have good news, as European Sleeper’s new service connecting Brussels to Venice is launching later this week.
Debuting 5 February 2025, the route stops off at several cities along the way, including Utrecht in the Netherlands, Munich in Germany, Innsbruck in Austria, and Verona in Italy.
The inaugural service departs Brussels at 6.06pm, arriving in Venice at 4.50pm the next day. The return leg departs Venice at 2.10pm, arriving back in Brussels at 12.38pm the following day.
The seasonal route, introduced to accommodate higher demand during the winter sports season and school holidays, will operate twice weekly during February and March.
Chris Engelsman, co-founder of European Sleeper, said of the news, “We are pleased to introduce this new night train connection from the North Sea to the Mediterranean.
“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.”
European Sleeper began operations in May 2023, initially connecting Brussels and Berlin via Amsterdam. The route was extended to include Dresden and Prague in May 2024.
Travellers booking their spot on the European Sleeper trains can choose between sleepers, which have up to three beds, couchettes, which have six beds in standard or five in the air-conditioned comfort cabin, and standard seat compartments.
Along the Brussels to Venice route, prices start from €119 (£99) for seats, €209 (£174) for couchettes, and €259 (£215) for sleepers.
More information: europeansleeper.eu
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