New Sleeper Train to Weave Through Paris, Brussels, and Berlin

A new sleeper train service launching in 2026 will weave a new path through Europe’s capitals, connecting Paris, Brussels, and Berlin. The Dutch operator European Sleeper has announced this new route, which will launch on March 26, 2026, and replace the outgoing Nightjet service. The Nightjet, which is being cancelled in December due to French subsidy cuts, traveled a different route via Strasbourg and Frankfurt.
The new service is a significant development for the European rail network, creating a new overnight link for the Belgian capital. The service is scheduled to run three times per week, with evening departures from Paris Gare du Nord on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and return journeys from Berlin (Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
This new service is not just a replacement; it’s an upgrade in capacity. European Sleeper plans to run 12 to 14 coaches directly to Berlin, accommodating 600 to 700 passengers. This is a major increase from the outgoing Nightjet, which had to split its 12-coach train between Berlin and Vienna. The company’s co-founder, Chris Engelsman, is confident this will help “extend the ridership.”
This announcement has been hailed as a “partial victory” by French rail advocates, who had passionately protested the Nightjet’s cancellation. The group ‘Oui au train de nuit!’ gathered 91,000 signatures and held a “pyjama party” protest. The arrival of a new, high-capacity operator confirms their belief in the strong public demand for such services.
Passengers should, however, expect the company’s “no-frills” approach. The rolling stock will be 1990s-era German-rented coaches, described as similar in comfort to the Nightjet. But one cherished amenity will be missing: the dining car. Engelsman confirmed that the “challenge” of profitability, due to high rental and staff costs, means this feature will not be available at launch.