The Dutch cooperative European Sleeper, a key player in the recent night train revival, is making its biggest expansion yet: a new flagship route from Paris to Berlin. The service, launching on March 26, 2026, will be the company’s first to serve the French capital. This move directly fills the gap being left by ÖBB’s Nightjet, which is controversially ceasing its Paris services to Berlin and Vienna next month due to the end of French subsidies.
European Sleeper, which has carried over 230,000 passengers on its Berlin-Brussels-Prague routes since its 2023 launch, is betting big on this new line. Co-founder Chris Engelsman believes the existing Nightjet market will “certainly be interested” and aims to “extend the ridership” with a high-capacity offering. The new train will feature 12-14 dedicated coaches for Berlin, accommodating 600-700 passengers, a significant jump from the split Nightjet service.
The service will operate three times a week. The proposed schedule includes evening departures from Paris Gare du Nord on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and return trips from Berlin (Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This reliable schedule is designed to appeal to both leisure and business travelers.
A key strategic change will be the new route via Brussels, which is currently being finalized with national infrastructure managers. This path will create a new sleeper corridor, linking the French, Belgian, and German capitals, and departing from the Nightjet’s previous route through eastern France.
While the company is expanding, it is sticking to its “no-frills” model. The rolling stock will be 1990s German-rented coaches, described as a comfort-level match for the Nightjet. However, passengers hoping for a hot meal will be disappointed. Engelsman confirmed the service will launch without a dining car, as the high operational costs make it “difficult to break even” on food and drink sales.
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