Slow travel and sustainability are a match made in the big train station in the sky.
Studies have shown that train travel can help reduce your total carbon footprint throughout your journey compared to alternative modes of transportation. Plus, there are dazzling European landscapes that you can only view via rail lines.
But did you know that slow travel can actually be a faster way to get to your destination? Skip a boring night at the hotel and travel under the moonlight with the best night trains in Europe.
Image Credit: Getty Images. Image Location: Caledonian Sleeper, Edinburgh Waverley Station
Our Favorite Night Trains In Europe
Which company has got the best night trains in Europe? That’s a tricky question.
Those who desire a vacation in a winter wonderland will find the Eurostar ski train’s routes from London to the French Alps ideal while the ÖBB Nightjet serving Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy gives foodies the opportunity to spend dinner eating schnitzel in Vienna then wake up to a cappuccino in Rome.
Which route should you catch your z’s on? We love getting our winks via:
- Turin and Reggio Calabria, because no one should have to choose between white truffle carpaccio and lagane e cicciari when vacationing in Italy.
- Prague and Brussels, because it’s honestly the only sober moment we could schedule in-between beer tastings.
- London and Fort William, because the only thing better than a city break in London is waking up to the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands.
- Brussels and Berlin, because we have a soft spot for ‘b’ named capital cities who know how to serve a mighty meal with a brilliant beer (plus the new European Sleeper route sounds absolutely amazing).
- Porto to Lisbon, because due diligence requires that every visitor to Portugal get an equal fill of pastel de natas and Port wine.
Regardless, nearly all overnight sleeper trains in Europe have the same benefits for travelers:
- No long boarding line to wait through
- No liquid limits or lost baggage woes
- Falling asleep and waking up in city centers without the need for additional transport
- Pocketing the cost of an additional night’s hotel room
A rail-based renaissance is sweeping the continent, with new overnight routes connecting cities from Lisbon to Berlin and beyond. Redesigned cabins with airline-like entertainment, coupled with hotel-like privacy and conveniences, are creating an experience that is not only streamlined, but affordable, too.
Related: Why train travel beats flying in Europe
Image Credit: Getty Images
What are overnight sleeper trains?
Overnight sleeper trains in Europe are just that: train routes scheduled overnight. Night trains may have sleeper cabins that act like moving hotel rooms or couchettes which transform normal daytime seating into padded bunk-style sleeping quarters at night. For budget travelers, some seating carriages are available with airline-style reclining seats.
Are night trains safe in Europe?
Safety: an ‘s’ word that is more important than speed and sustainability. Taking sensible precautions and smart planning can mitigate any inherent risks associated with night travel. Many visitors and EU residents feel perfectly safe on night trains, both in private sleeper compartments and in the reclining seats of public cars.
How can you stay safe on a night train in Europe? Consider locking your luggage and keeping valuables within reach in a safe location (like a money belt). If traveling with a partner, communicate your concerns and work together for peace of mind (for instance, using the buddy system when going to the bathroom or watching over their valuables while they leave the train car).
Where can I take night trains in Europe?
Night trains in Europe are excellent options for continent-crossing travelers who want to maximize time. For instance, the night train from Lisbon to Madrid or the night train from Munich to Vienna saves you the hassle of holing up in a hotel room or wasting time on the rails during daylight hours.
Take a peek at Trainline’s night trains map to get an idea of where else you can literally fall asleep and wake up to your dream vacation. Better yet, download the Trainline app and see for yourself how much you can save when taking a night train through Europe.
Download the Trainline App, and we’ll show you the lowest fares available, help you browse hundreds of routes, and provide you with the live support that you need so you can rest easy on your trip, even in the dead of night.