Night train between Brussels and Prague by next year

The new Dutch co-operative European Sleeper plans to launch its first route one year from now: An overnight train that connects Brussels to Prague via Amsterdam and Berlin. Passengers would leave Brussels in the early evening, wake up to breakfast in bed and arrive in Prague soon after. The return trip would follow a similar schedule.

European Sleeper was founded by Chris Engelsman and Elmer van Burren, rail enthusiasts who lamented the loss of overnight trains. They founded the company as a co-operative, which means anyone can invest in it.

After confirming a partner in the Czech Republic – private bus and rail transport company RegioJet – European Sleeper has now announced that its first route will launch in April of 2022. There will be 10 stops between Brussels and Prague – Antwerp, Roosendaal, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Hannover, Berlin, Dresden, Bad Schandau, Děčín and Ústi Nad Labem.

Alternative to air

“From Prague to Brussels, the train will arrive in the morning, ideal for EU meetings, for instance,” said the co-operative in a press release. It also notes that both internet and coffee will be free. The train will offer regular seats as well as sleeper compartments.

“We will probably launch the service in April, but certainly in the first half of next year,” said Engelsman. “We will begin with three trains a week, but hope to increase that to a daily service by the summer.”

The price of a ticket is not yet known, but he said it would be competitive, especially compared to flights. One of the co-operative’s goals is to provide more sustainable transport at convenient hours.

Photo courtesy European Sleeper/Facebook