On May 25, just before 7:30 pm, a train left Brussels in the soft evening light. It was headed for Berlin and would stop in Antwerp before continuing on to Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Berlin.
It wasn’t just any train, but the inaugural trip of Europe’s newest rail company European Sleeper. This was the fulfillment of a long-time dream for two entrepreneurs who love night trains and are also travel enthusiasts.
After years of anticipation and preparation, European Sleeper has finally arrived on the tracks. It is now a fully-fledged member of the European railscape.
What you should know about this unique travel company
The Founders
Elmer van Buuren, and Chris Engelsman, share a love for rail travel. Both men are convinced that night trains, in addition to offering a romantic and adventurous way to travel the continent can also be an important part of Europe’s sustainable tourism puzzle.
The European Sleeper program was launched a bit differently from most other rail companies.
European Sleeper Night Train, Europe Travel
Postcard of Pillow and European Sleeper.
The Difference
European Sleeper, unlike the vast majority of European rail companies, is a community-owned company.
In May 2021, European Sleeper sold shares to hundreds of small investors and raised a half-million euros in just three months. In 2022 they sold shares worth two million euros to move things up a notch.
European Sleeper, as a co-operative organization, was able, thanks to its status, to finance the entire start-up of the business, avoiding any debt.
It’s not to say that everything has gone smoothly. The fact that European Sleeper is a privately-owned, “open-access” operator meant they had to buy access to the tracks. This process took longer than anticipated, which caused delays in the launch of the brand.
Grand Place, Brussels (Belgium), Europe
Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium.
The Route
The train departs from Brussels South Station (locally called Brussels Zuid in Flemish or Bruxelles Midi in French). The train departs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays evenings at 7.22 PM, and arrives in Berlin Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays mornings at 6.48 AM.
The trains are scheduled to leave Berlin Hauptbahnhof at 10:56 pm on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and arrive at Brussels at 9:27 am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The train can be boarded anywhere between the two cities. The list includes Antwerp Rotterdam Amsterdam The Hague, and many more.
The exact time can change due to rail work, but European Sleeper will build in any changes into its booking platform to let passengers know when they make their reservations if any anticipated changes are expected to the schedule or route.
The Connections
It’s important to know that the European Sleeper can be used as part of an itinerary if you are traveling to Europe. The European Sleeper allows passengers to reach London, Paris and Warsaw, among other cities, with just one change. You could, for example, take the Eurostar from London to Brussels and then connect to the European Sleeper to create your own London-to-Berlin overnight experience. Take the afternoon train from Warsaw, Germany to Brussels, and then connect to the European Sleeper.
European Sleeper, Europe’s night train
The Price
What will the cost of a seat be on the European Sleeper? The price of the European Sleeper is dependent on when you make your booking and which type of sleeping arrangement or seat you select.
Tickets start at $50 for a standard seat. A bed in a six berth cabin costs $85 and a four berth cabin bed costs $108.
Prices for a sleeper with three beds and a sink are approximately $120, EUR140 for two beds with sinks and EUR175 per bed with one bed. If you are wondering, at present, all bathrooms can be found at the end.
The Future
European Sleeper has already announced plans to expand. Their goal is to be one of Europe’s most recognized night trains.
Next year, the route will be extended to Dresden and Prague. In 2025, the company plans to launch a service from Amsterdam to Barcelona.
European Sleeper has also announced a new round of funding to help roll out its daily services, improve the sleeping cars, add a restaurant vehicle, and invest in marketing, among other things.
Eurail passes are now valid on European Sleeper Trains. You only need to make a reservation for your seat and you can board. The prices above will even be lower.
Elmer van Buuren, co-founder of European Sleeper, said recently: “I can’t be sure.” Our goal is to bring the sleeper trains and their charms back to Europe. We want to connect Europe efficiently, sustainably, and in a fun way. “We are well on our path”.
Welcome to the European Sleeper.