Exciting news for those who love to travel: starting February 5th, adventure awaits with a brand-new overnight train route from Brussels to Venice! This thrilling experience takes passengers on a scenic journey through some of Europe’s most captivating landscapes, including the North Sea coast, Mediterranean shores, and the stunning Alps.
European Sleeper – Connecting Cities
Behind this new venture is European Sleeper, an innovative private train company dedicated to creating smooth travel connections across Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Italy.
Passengers will have the chance to stop in bustling cities like Cologne, Munich, Innsbruck, and Bolzano, enhancing their travel experience with a variety of exciting destinations.
Travel Schedule
The launch of this route responds to an increasing desire for winter sports trips, spontaneous city getaways, and improved rail connections throughout Europe.
European Sleeper aims to provide a comfortable, eco-friendly travel option while fostering sustainable transportation.
The co-founder of European Sleeper emphasizes that this new service is a major step forward in redefining overnight travel across the continent.
The Brussels-Venice service will initially kick off with selected dates in February and March.
For the southbound leg of the journey, trains will run on February 5, 14, and March 4, 12.
Limited services will also be available to Innsbruck on February 21 and 28.
For those heading north back to Brussels, trains will depart on February 9, 18, and March 8, 16, with options from Innsbruck to Brussels on February 22 and March 1.
Comfort and Experience
Although the complete schedule isn’t finalized, early details indicate the southbound trains will depart from Brussels shortly after 6 PM, arriving in Venice the next afternoon at 3 PM.
Travelers in Cologne can begin their adventure at 11:38 PM, enjoying a full night’s sleep before stopping in Munich the next day at 7:20 AM.
On the return journey, trains leave Venice at 4:15 PM, stop in Innsbruck around 9 PM, and reach Munich by 11:45 PM.
Passengers will arrive in Cologne about 7 AM the following morning before reaching Brussels by 12:48 PM.
Mark Smith, a European train travel expert and beloved travel blogger, shared his insights about the European Sleeper experience.
He described the comfort of the sleeper cars, likening them to cozy hotel rooms on wheels, complete with beds and washbasins.
For those on a tighter budget, the couchette cars offer snug bunks for shared sleeping arrangements.
In comparing European Sleeper with other larger operators like Nightjet, Smith praises the newer couchettes while noting that their sleeping cars might not boast all the latest features.
One highlight of the Brussels-Venice route is the dining car, where travelers can enjoy a delicious meal while soaking in the breathtaking vistas of the Brenner Pass mountains.
Tickets for this exciting journey became available on September 24, with prices starting around €100 for a standard shared couchette.
Travelers looking to enhance their experience can opt for private compartments featuring washbasins, sitting areas, and breakfast service, priced at about €200.
Smith, drawing from his extensive travel experiences, recommends booking early and choosing mid-week dates for better deals, especially since February tends to be more affordable than the summer rush.
For those eager to start this incredible journey, tickets are available online.
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure that beautifully combines comfort, sustainability, and the stunning scenery of Europe!