Ten of the most interesting night trains in Europe

Night trains are a pretty common trope in pop-culture history. Take Agatha Christie, who had Detective Poirot investigating a homicide aboard the Orient Express. Or maybe Wes Anderson, who pictured three brothers trying to come to terms with their father’s death while crossing India in his comedy-drama “The Darjeeling Limited”.

Truth is, no matter how real they are, one can’t imagine Europe’s sleeper trains without a little pinch of fantasy. The sheer concept of falling asleep in one place and waking up somewhere entirely different, purposely mixing-up the concepts of transport and accommodation, and meeting new, like-minded travelers while traversing the narrow corridors of an old metal carriage is probably the most perfect and accurate depiction of wanderlust.

However, with the ever-raising popularity of low-cost flights, plenty of European night train routes ended up being suspended since they were no longer competitive for an average passenger. Nevertheless, with the current growing concerns over climate change and carbon emissions, which led countries such as Germany to seriously consider the end of domestic flights, Europe night trains will probably experience a revival of sorts within the next few years.

That being said, we invite you to discover the best routes aboard any European sleeper train:

Overnight train from Amsterdam (the Netherlands) to Linz (Austria)

No other country will come up as often on this list as Austria – and there’s a very good reason for that! Even when night trains in Europe started becoming obsolete, the Austrian public company ÖBB never stopped believing in the project or offering services on overnight journeys.

In fact, they actually doubled-down on the risk! You see, back in 2016 when its German counterpart Deutsche Bahn decided to suspend pretty much all of their domestic overnight routes, ÖBB decided to take the plunge and invest on all 42 wagons the former had put up for sale, hence creating Nightjet, a new brand exclusively dedicated to overnight passenger train services.

One of the many routes offered by Nightjet links Amsterdam to the Austrian city of Linz, cruising through the very centre of Europe, coming all the way from the shores of the North Sea to the Alpine foothills.

After enjoying your day by the well-known canals of Amsterdam, make your way to Central Station, where a daily train to Linz departs at 19h30, arriving at around 8h00 the next morning. Set in the banks of the Danube, Linz might only be the 3^rd biggest city in Austria, but we guarantee you that the likes of Vienna or Salzburg ain’t got nothing on this city when it comes to culture and beauty.

After leaving the train station, you just need to walk for about 20 minutes until you reach the river and Hauptplatz, Linz’s imposing central square, and the perfect starting point for those wishing to explore the city.

Sleeper train from Hamburg (Germany) to Stockholm (Sweden)

Recently inaugurated in September 2022, this route stands as the latest proof of how local companies have shown a renewed interest in operating overnight trains in Europe. The result of a partnership between the Swedish SJ and Nightjet, the new route is now connecting these two vibrant cities aboard the SJ EuroNight.

Thanks to its crucial port and its ancient status as an important centre of trade, which dates back to medieval times, Hamburg has always been an international city. In fact, the city can hold its own against the likes of Berlin when it comes to cultural offers on display and rowdy nightlife. The latter of which can be experienced in its full, uncensored glory around the Reeperbahn, one of the biggest entertainment districts in Europe.

Overnight trains from Hamburg to Stockholm leave on a daily basis. The journey will take you all the way across Denmark and cruise over the North Sea via the gigantic Oresund Bridge, before entering Sweden through the city of Malmo.

Once in Stockholm, you’ll notice that the Swedish capital is split into no less than 14 different islands, providing new perspectives as you discover each of its quarters. Still, and contrary to what one might think, Stockholm is extremely easy to navigate – especially with a bike! A quiet and easygoing city, Stockholm has some amazing museums and an ever-changing culinary scene. Increasingly popular among foodies, this city is the place to be for those wishing to experience first-hand the reinvention of traditional Nordic Cuisine.

Night train from London (England) to Fort Williams (Scotland)

Known as the Caledonian Sleeper (Caledonia being the name given by the Roman Empire to modern-day Scotland), the railroad which connects London to Fort Williams is famous for the stark contrast between the hustle & bustle of the capital and the hostile nature of the breathtaking Scottish Highlands.

Departing at around 20h00, it is possible to make it all the way to Fort Williams in time for breakfast. Since the Caledonian Sleeper is a dividing train, the carriages get split into three different groups in Edinburgh, with the other two compositions heading towards Inverness and Aberdeen, higher up north.

However, it is the city of Fort Williams, located on the country’s western shores, which attracts the most visitors. Serving as the main gateway to a whole lot of natural wonders across the region, it is the perfect base for those keen on exploring its surroundings. Right next to Fort Williams you will find Ben Davis – the highest point in all of the UK; further north there is the Island of Skye, and down south the region of Glen Coe and the Loch Lomond (or Lomond Lake). All the more reason why this is definitely one of the best night trains in Europe.

Photo credit: Caledonian Sleeper

Overnight train from Paris (France) to Vienna (Austria)

As promised, Austria finds itself back on our list! This time, the final destination is the wonderful capital of Vienna, with a sleeper train connecting two of the greatest and most culturally significant cities in all of Europe.

Needless to say, both cities boast absolutely fabulous museums. And while Paris has the Louvre as its eternal postcard picture, Vienna certainly doesn’t lag behind with the likes of the Belvedere Palace and the Albertina Museum. We also recommend you not to skip on strolling around both cities, just taking in the vibes and appreciating the grandiose and imperial architecture they are so famous for.

Transportation between both capitals takes place aboard a comfortable Nightjet train, which leaves Paris’ Gare de L’Est three times a week. The journey lasts a little over 14 hours and runs through the Alsace region and the south of Germany, before passing the other most important Austrian cities, such as Salzburg and Linz.

Sleeper train from Vienna (Austria) to Bucharest (Romania)

Time for a switcheroo! Previously the destination on our last entry, this time Vienna will be the starting point of one of the coolest trips you can take aboard a night train in Europe. If you’re feeling hungry and still have some time to kill before the journey, then trying the iconic Schnitzel is mandatory when in Austria. If you’ve been living under a rock all your life and don’t know what this delicacy is, think of a tender veal cutlet, breaded and fried to crispy perfection! Cap your meal off with a delicious apfelstrudel for dessert – Vienna’s signature apple pastry – and you’re good to go!

Your final destination will be the Romanian capital of Bucharest, a much more affordable city than the likes of Vienna. Considering both cities are fairly popular for their beer, differences are quite noticeable when it’s time to pick up the tab. While having a pint in Vienna will set you back an average of €4,20, that same beer in Bucharest will only cost you €2. Great news for those seeking the thrills of the Romanian nightlife, with Bucharest’s city centre gaining traction as one of the up-and-coming party hotspots in Europe.

Much like the Caledonian, the train linking both capitals gets its name from the original roman designation for modern-day Romania – Dacia Express (yep, this is also where the car’s name comes from!). However, this route is not for the weak of mind since it requires passengers to spend at least 21 hours inside the train until you reach Bucharest! However, the wait doesn’t sound nearly as painful when you can look out the window and appreciate the amazing scenery of the Carpathians or the picturesque mist covering the rural villages of Transylvania. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up seeing Dracula himself! If that happens, do not panic… Considering how easily you can get cheap Romanian beer aboard the train’s bar car, we’re pretty sure many passengers have witnessed a lot worse!

Night train from Edirne (Turkey) to Villach (Austria)

If those 21 hours between Vienna and Bucharest don’t sound like much of a test, then we got the perfect challenge for you: Optima Express. This train connects the Turkish city of Edirne, located next to the borders with Bulgaria and Greece, to the unassuming small city of Villach (Austria), with both the starting point and the destination conveniently connected to Istanbul and Vienna, respectively.

We’re talking about a total running time of 33 hours, not accounting for any potential delays or setbacks. The train passes through much of the Balkans, entering Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia, in a multitude of largely untouched (and unexplored) landscapes. Schedules are tricky in this part of Europe, and the fact that this train goes through 5 different borders also helps explain why you should not plan too much ahead when taking this European sleeper train.

In short, comfort is definitely not this journey’s strong suit. However, and for real train aficionados, this is probably one of the most interesting journeys you can take. There’s not a whole lot of information online and passing time can become quite the arduous task, but that also means passengers are in for a raw, authentic experience, the likes of which are becoming less and less common in the continent. Many of the passengers aboard the Optima Express are definitely not tourists, but seasoned regulars who have taken this journey several times before. That being said, expect a welcoming atmosphere and an endless, communal spread for every single meal!

Photo credit: Optima Express Instagram

Overnight train from Zurich (Switzerland) to Zagreb (Croatia)

Aboard the EN415 Alpina – yet another Nightjet service – a 14-hour journey separates these two cities starting with a Z. Taking passengers through the Alps, all across Austria and through the country of Slovenia (all the way to the source of the Sava River), this is a lengthy but beautiful trip aboard a European night train.

Zurich and Zagreb are two quiet and tranquil cities. In Zurich’s case, despite being one of the world’s most important financial hubs, its historic core is actually one of the most peaceful in Europe. As for Zagreb, hundreds of miles away from the agitation of the Adriatic coast – where most tourists visiting Croatia tend to focus – offers a pretty different experience from the rest of the country, with a quaint little Old Town which is as pretty as it is underrated.

This is also a route where you’ll be noticing a steep difference between the cost of living. For example, while a bottle of water costs on average €1,55 in Zagreb, the same item is priced at €4 in Zurich. For that reason alone, we recommend you to save your culinary endeavors for when you finally make it to Zagreb. Not only will it be lighter on your budget, but you’ll also get to try a foodie scene which combines the very best of the Balkans, with the most popular flavors of Central European fare.

Sleeper train from Rome to Palermo (Italy)

Palermo, capital of the island region of Sicily, is definitely a vibrant city. Despite not being the most obvious choice among tourists planning a visit to Italy, it is nevertheless a place very much worth visiting. Some of Palermo’s main highlights include the imposing Piazza Vigliena (commonly known as Quattro Canti) or the grimly fascinating Capuchin Catacombs.

As for Rome, there’s nothing we can write about the city that hasn’t been said yet. One of the most visited cities in the world, combining Rome and Palermo is actually a pretty good idea, allowing you to see some of those iconic sights everyone has on their bucket list (we’re lookin’ at you, Colosseum and Sistine Chapel) before venturing into a less traveled road.

But hold on a minute… If Sicily is an island, how can one travel between Rome and Palermo aboard an overnight train? The answer is precisely what lands this entry on our list of the best night trains in Europe: in order to cross the Strait of Messina, the InterCityNotte 1955 is actually shunted onto a ferry! Besides the rather inventive crossing, most of the journey takes place by the Italian shore, allowing you to take in the views while the sun is still up.

This train leaves Rome twice a day, taking about 13 hours before arriving in Palermo.

Night train from Prague (Czech Rep.) to Krakow (Poland)

The Chopin Train, named after the famous classical composer from Poland, is the result of a fruitful partnership between Czech and Polish State Railways. The line, which is formed by wagons split into 1 to 3-bed compartments, connects the Czech capital of Prague to the historical Polish city of Krakow, with daily departures available for those keen of completing this journey on a European sleeper train. Compared to other trips on this list, this one is actually quite short, taking passengers “only” 7 hours to get to their final destination.

Both cities are actually popular for their bustling street life. When thinking of Prague, most people conjure up images of bars, cheap beer and the beautiful gothic architecture on the embankments of the Vltava River. Crossing Charles Bridge is an absolute must, as is taking a few hours to appreciate the imposing beauty of its Old Town – specifically the main square, where you can find some of the city’s most popular sights, such as the Astronomical Clock or the Church of Our Lady before Týn.

As for Krakow, it is just an equally vibrant city. Over there, about a quarter of the population is actually made up of students, which means there is certainly no shortage of bars, nightclubs or cheap restaurants. The former Polish capital also boasts the largest medieval square in Europe, serving as the perfect postcard to the city’s jaw-dropping architecture. With so much to do in both cities, both during the day and at night – maybe the sleeper train actually comes in handy. In the end, it may very well be your only chance of a full night of sleep!

Photo credit: NightJet

Overnight train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, Finland

Finally, we’ve reached the end of our compilation of the most interesting night trains in Europe. As such, we want to “Finnish” (pun intended) things on a high note with the so-called Santa Claus Express, taking passengers from the capital of Helsinki all the way north to Rovaniemi, the main city in the Lapland region, and the official hometown of Santa Claus! The city is actually located above the Arctic Circle, making it perfectly plausible for visitors to be able to enjoy either the Northern Lights or the Midnight Sun.

During high season, there are up to 3 daily lines connecting Helsinki to Rovaniemi. The journey takes about 15 hours and starts in the capital’s Central Station, coincidently one of the city’s major attractions. Luckily enough, Helsinki itself is quite compact, taking visitors only a few hours to walk around the city centre and check most of its main sights, such as the Cathedral or the Uspenski Orthodox Church. If time allows, make sure not to miss out on a traditional Finnish sauna!

The train journey is run by VR, Finland’s national railways company. During colder months, you can marvel at the icy landscape out the window, while all snuggled-up inside one of the cozy compartments. Needless to say – this is Scandinavia, after all – there are specific areas of the train where you can store your ski equipment.

Photo credit: VR