A new major European sleeper route is being forged, with the Dutch cooperative European Sleeper announcing a service from Paris to Berlin, notably routed via Brussels. This service, set to launch on March 26, 2026, will create a new, convenient link for travelers from the Belgian capital. This strategic routing is a key feature of the new train, which is stepping in to replace the ÖBB Nightjet service that is being cancelled in December due to French subsidy cuts.
The new train will operate three times per week, providing a regular connection. Departures from Paris Gare du Nord are planned for Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday evenings. The return journeys from Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof stations will depart on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. This schedule, combined with the new Brussels stop, is expected to appeal to a wide range of travelers.
This new service is not just a replacement; it’s an upgrade in capacity. Chris Engelsman, co-founder of European Sleeper, explained that the new train will have 12 to 14 coaches, all dedicated to the Berlin route, accommodating 600-700 passengers. This is a significant increase from the outgoing Nightjet, which had to split its 12-coach train between its Berlin and Vienna destinations.
The announcement has been hailed as a “partial victory” by French rail advocates, who had passionately protested the Nightjet’s cancellation. The group ‘Oui au train de nuit!’ had gathered 91,000 signatures and held a “pyjama party” protest. The arrival of a new, high-capacity operator confirms their belief in the strong public demand for such services.
Passengers should expect the “no-frills nostalgia” that European Sleeper is known for. The company, which has a mixed record of technical glitches and “mishmash” carriages, will be using 1990s-era German-rented coaches for this new route. In a pragmatic, if disappointing, move for some, Engelsman also confirmed there will be no dining car at launch due to the “challenge” of making it profitable.