A new chapter for the Paris-Berlin sleeper train is set to begin in 2026, and it includes a new route via Brussels. The Dutch operator European Sleeper, which is taking over the service from the departing Nightjet, has announced its intention to reroute the train through the Belgian capital. This is a significant change from the Nightjet’s current path, which winds east via Strasbourg, Frankfurt, and Erfurt. The new route is currently being finalized with the rail infrastructure managers of France, Belgium, and Germany.
This change is part of a new service launching on March 26, 2026. European Sleeper is stepping in after the Austrian operator ÖBB announced the cancellation of its Nightjet services from Paris to both Berlin and Vienna, starting in December. The cancellation, blamed on the French government ending subsidies, had been met with protests, including a “pyjama party” demonstration by the ‘Oui au train de nuit!’ campaign group, which had gathered 91,000 petition signatures.
The new service will operate three times weekly. The proposed schedule includes evening departures from Paris Gare du Nord on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and return journeys from Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof stations on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This reliable schedule aims to capture the market that the Nightjet is abandoning.
European Sleeper’s co-founder, Chris Engelsman, is confident the new service will be a success, thanks in part to its superior capacity. The new train will consist of 12 to 14 coaches, all dedicated to the Berlin route, accommodating 600-700 passengers. This is a significant increase from the ÖBB train, which had to split its 12 coaches between two destinations.
Despite the optimism, the company is managing expectations. The rolling stock will be German-rented coaches from the 1990s, offering a comfort level described as similar to the Nightjet. However, travelers will have to pack their own snacks, as there will be no dining car at launch. Engelsman stated that the high rental and staffing costs make onboard dining a “challenge” to profitability, a common issue for modern rail operators.
