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Trains • Netherlands

European Sleeper

European Sleeper is a railway cooperative created in 2021 by Dutch and Belgian enthusiasts. It now operates three major night-train lines: Brussels-Prague (via Berlin), Brussels-Milan and Paris-Berlin since March 2026.

Germany, France, Switzerland, Czechia, Austria, Italy, Netherlands, and Belgium

European Sleeper, the activist comeback of the night train

Founded in 2021 by Chris Engelsman and Elmer van Buuren, European Sleeper is a cooperative that has gathered more than 10,000 individual shareholders to fund the redeployment of the European night train. The first Brussels-Prague line was launched on 25 May 2023. Since March 2026, a Paris-Berlin line has rounded out the network, with three rotations a week (Paris: Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday; Berlin: Monday/Wednesday/Friday). In September 2026, a Brussels-Zurich-Milan line will be added.

Brussels-Prague timetable

The ES 453 Brussels-Prague train leaves on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 19:22 from Brussels-Midi, arriving in Prague at 10:56. On the way it serves Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Deventer, Bad Bentheim, Berlin Hbf, Dresden and Ústí nad Labem. The return ES 452 leaves Prague on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 18:04, arriving in Brussels at 09:27.

Comfort and fares

European Sleeper coaches date from the 1970s-1990s (rolling stock taken over from Russia's RZD and Czech ČD) but have been refurbished. Three categories: reclining seat (from €29 Brussels-Berlin), 6-berth couchette (from €69), 4-berth couchette (from €89), private 2-berth couchette compartment (from €179), 1-3 berth sleeper coach with washbasin (from €199). Tickets include a light breakfast in the sleeper coach.

Travel guides

European Sleeper

  • Bruxelles
  • Amsterdam
  • Rotterdam
  • Berlin
  • Prague
  • Paris
  • Strasbourg
  • Karlsruhe
  • Milan
  • Zurich
  • Dresde

Most frequent questions about Gopaxo

How do I book a European Sleeper?

Tickets are sold on europeansleeper.eu, on B-Europe (SNCB), on SNCF Connect, on NS.nl and on Gopaxo, which compares availability in real time.

Can I bring a bike on a European Sleeper?

Yes — every train carries up to 12 bikes in a dedicated van. Reservation mandatory at the time of booking (€25 supplement).

Does European Sleeper run every day?

No. Brussels-Prague runs 3 days a week (Mon/Wed/Fri from Brussels, Tue/Thu/Sun from Prague). Paris-Berlin follows the same pattern. Brussels-Milan will run three times a week from September 2026.

Is there a catering service on board?

Yes — a bistro car offers meals, hot drinks, snacks and craft beers. Breakfast is included for sleeper-car passengers, optional (€7) for couchettes.

What sets European Sleeper apart from ÖBB Nightjet?

European Sleeper is a private cooperative with more rustic rolling stock (refurbished coaches) and targeted Benelux-Central Europe lines. ÖBB Nightjet is the Austrian public operator with modernised Siemens stock and a denser network (25+ destinations).

Carriers

Start a search · Bruxelles → PragueCarriersTravel guides