Night Trains in Europe: Falling Asleep in One City, Waking Up in Another

There is no better way to travel for someone who loves to fall asleep in unusual places. Puffin has dozed off on night metros, in amusement park queues and once, memorably, on a bench in a pizzeria after closing time. But the night train is different: here, falling asleep is the whole point. You board in one city in the evening, watch the lights fade into the countryside, sleep to the gentle rhythm of the rails and wake up somewhere new.

Night trains have enjoyed a real revival across Europe in recent years. This guide from the One More Puff team introduces some of the main operators and routes, explains the difference between a couchette and a sleeper and offers a simple packing list.

An important note: night train routes change often. Lines are added, paused, rerouted or run only on certain days or seasons. Everything below is a general overview, so always check the official operator’s website for current routes, timetables and booking before you plan a journey.

ÖBB Nightjet: the network with Vienna at its heart

Austrian Federal Railways, ÖBB, launched its Nightjet brand in 2016 and has since built one of the largest night train networks in Europe. Vienna is its main hub, with connections over the years to cities across Germany, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and beyond. Routes have included destinations such as Hamburg, Zurich, Rome, Venice and Amsterdam, though the exact network varies.

Nightjet trains offer a range of options, from seats to couchettes and private sleeper compartments, and newer trains have introduced compact single „mini cabins“ for solo travellers. Breakfast is usually included with couchette and sleeper bookings. Check the ÖBB website for the current routes.

European Sleeper: Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin and Prague

European Sleeper is a newer, cooperative operator based in the Netherlands and Belgium. Its first route, launched in 2023, connects Brussels and Amsterdam with Berlin, and the service has since been extended to Dresden and Prague. Its trains use refurbished classic carriages, which gives the journey a pleasantly old-fashioned feel. As with any newer service, the schedule and days of operation can change, so check the official website.

France: Intercités de Nuit

France’s state railway runs a small network of night trains called Intercités de Nuit, departing mostly from Paris. Routes have included Paris to Nice along the Riviera, Paris to Briançon in the Alps and lines towards the Pyrenees and the south-west. The appeal is obvious: fall asleep in Paris, and open the blind in the morning on mountains or the Mediterranean. Trains mostly offer couchettes and reclining seats. Check the SNCF website for current routes.

„A night train is a bedroom that’s going somewhere. I can’t think of anything more sensible.“ – Puffin

A bonus beyond the EU: the Caledonian Sleeper

Just outside the EU, the Caledonian Sleeper runs between London and Scotland every night except Saturdays. One train, known as the Lowlander, serves Edinburgh and Glasgow, while the Highlander runs to Inverness, Aberdeen and Fort William. Waking up to Scottish lochs and mountains after falling asleep in London is one of the great rail experiences. Its cabins range from seats to rooms with private facilities. Check the official website for timetables.

Couchette or sleeper: what is the difference?

• Seat. The cheapest option: a reclining seat in a regular carriage. Fine for the young and the flexible, less so for a proper night’s rest.
• Couchette. A compartment with four or six bunks, shared with other travellers (sometimes in women-only or private compartments if you book the whole space). You get a pillow, a blanket and a sheet. It is a sociable, affordable way to lie flat.
• Sleeper. A private compartment with one to three proper beds, often with a washbasin and sometimes a private shower and toilet. More expensive, but much more like a tiny hotel room.
• Mini cabin. On some newer trains, compact single pods offer privacy for one at a price between couchette and sleeper.

Puffin’s tip: if you are travelling as a pair or a small group, booking a whole couchette compartment can sometimes cost less than you would expect, and it gives you privacy.

A simple packing list

• A small overnight bag. Space is limited, so keep what you need for the night separate from your main luggage.
• Comfortable clothes for sleeping. You will be sharing corridors, so something you are happy to be seen in.
• An eye mask and earplugs. Stations, announcements and the occasional bump in the night are part of the experience.
• Slippers or soft socks for padding to the washroom.
• A water bottle and a few snacks. Not every train has a dining car, and some have limited options.
• A charging cable and power bank. Sockets are not always available in every berth.
• A small torch or phone light for finding things in the dark without waking others.
• Your ticket and ID easily accessible, as staff may check them on boarding or during the journey.
• A book or a downloaded playlist. Our playlist for the last train works beautifully here.

Making the most of the night

The magic of a night train is in its slowness. Before bedtime, sit by the window and watch the towns and fields pass in the fading light. In the morning, raise the blind slowly and enjoy the surprise of a new landscape. If you have time, choose a train that arrives mid-morning rather than at dawn, so you can rest properly. For more on resting well, Puffin’s thoughts are in Sleep Like a Puffin.

Night trains are not always the fastest way to get somewhere, and that is precisely the point. They turn the journey into part of the holiday. Check the operators, book early for the best berths and, when the train pulls out into the dark, stay a little longer at the window.