European Sleeper train. Photo: European Sleeper European Sleeper is getting ready to bring back an iconic night rail connection. The cooperative operator plans to relaunch the Paris–Berlin night train by the end of March 2026, stepping in after ÖBB and SNCF confirmed they will end all Nightjet services to and from Paris on December 15, 2025.
The first European Sleeper departure from Paris is set for Thursday, March 26, 2026, and the train will run three nights a week.
European Sleeper train. Photo: European SleeperSince it began operating in 2023, European Sleeper has built a loyal following as one of the few independent companies running international night trains in Europe. Its Good Night Train, which links Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dresden, and Prague, operates three times weekly and has already carried more than 230,000 passengers across over 750 night trains.
Final timings for the new Paris–Berlin service are still being worked out with infrastructure managers. The plan is for trains to leave Paris on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings and arrive in Berlin the next morning. The return trips from Berlin would run on Monday, Wednesda,y and Friday nights. European Sleeper expects to confirm the full timetable soon.
One of the goals is to run this new route via Brussels, which would create a combined six-times-weekly service between Brussels and Berlin when paired with the company’s existing Brussels–Berlin–Prague route. For travelers coming from the UK, this setup makes it easier to reach Berlin by connecting from Eurostar in Brussels, with journey times improving overall.
Tickets will go on sale on December 16, 2025, and they should be close to those of the current Nightjet route, with the usual range of night train accommodations. That gives travelers plenty of choice, whether they’re looking for a lower-cost bunk or something more comfortable.
“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,” says Chris Engelsman, Co-founder of European Sleeper. “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.”
European Sleeper train. Photo: European SleeperThe cooperative model behind European Sleeper allows anyone who cares about sustainable rail travel to invest. Shares start at €280, and the current funding round aims to raise €1.3 million, followed by another €1.0 million in early December. The money will help cover preparations for the new route, rolling stock needs, and early operating costs.
European Sleeper train. Photo: European SleeperEuropean Sleeper says more new routes are already in the pipeline. The team has been working for more than two years on potential lines to Switzerland or Milan from Amsterdam and Brussels, as well as a new night train to Barcelona. One of these is expected to be confirmed soon, with more additions planned for the years ahead.
European Sleeper train. Photo: European Sleeper