European Sleeper

European Sleeper is a Dutch-Belgian rail startup running international overnight trains between the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Czechia, France and Italy. It has carried more than 250,000 passengers since launch.

Where European Sleeper runs

The operator runs three overnight corridors. One links Prague with Brussels via Dresden, Berlin Gesundbrunnen and several Dutch stations, including Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA, Utrecht Centraal and Arnhem Centraal. It departs Prague on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, and Brussels on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, taking around 16 hours 45 minutes. A second links Paris Nord with Berlin Gesundbrunnen via Brussels and Hamburg-Harburg, departing Paris on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday and Berlin on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, around 16 hours 10 minutes. A third runs Brussels to Milan, departing Brussels on Monday, Thursday and Saturday and Milan on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

European Sleeper only sells international, cross-border journeys. It will not sell you a ticket for a trip entirely within the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland or Czechia. Book a separate domestic connection if your own trip starts or ends short of the border.

Classes and what is included

Budget gets you a reserved seat, either in a 6-person compartment or an open-plan area with tables; toilets are down the corridor. Classic is a 4, 5 or 6-person couchette compartment that converts from daytime seating, with a blanket, sheet and pillow included; book it as a private compartment for the whole space to yourselves. Comfort Standard sleeps up to 3 in a made-up bed with duvet, sheet and pillow, in compact 60 cm wide berths. Comfort Plus is the top tier: up to 3 beds, an en-suite washbasin, a wake-up call, and breakfast, mineral water and a welcome drink included in the fare.

Breakfast comes free only with Comfort Plus. Everyone else can add it at booking or buy it from the crew on board. Whatever your class, bring no more than one suitcase or backpack plus a small daypack, since you carry and store your own luggage. A folding bike, or a bike packed in a bag no bigger than a standard suitcase, is allowed, and so are skis or a snowboard, as long as they stay out of the aisle.

Booking with a pet, bike or an Interrail Pass

Dogs and cats travel for a €29.99 surcharge, but only in a private compartment. No other pets are accepted beyond assistance dogs. Bicycle transport is not bookable for summer 2026, so check current availability before assuming you can bring one. An Interrail or European Sleeper Pass covers the journey itself, but you still need a separate paid reservation for Budget, Classic or Comfort class.

Disruption, changes and cancellation

If your departure or arrival station changes, European Sleeper reimburses a second-class domestic ticket to reach your original or new station; keep the ticket and quote your booking reference. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Refund terms depend on the fare bought. Easy Night tickets are non-refundable. Good Night tickets refund fully up to 30 days before departure and half up to 15 days before. Flex Night tickets refund fully up to 48 hours before departure.