Europe's night train revival is still gathering speed. In 2026 a fresh wave of sleeper routes launches — led by the return of the Paris–Berlin service — while operators retire the seven-car Nightjet fleet across more lines. Here is every new night train in 2026, what it costs, and which routes disappeared.
The headline: European Sleeper revives Paris–Berlin
The most anticipated launch of the year is European Sleeper's Paris–Berlin night train, which returned on 26 March 2026 after the classic route sat dormant for years. Tickets went on sale on 17 March 2026, and the train carries between 600 and 700 passengers per departure.
Southbound departures leave Paris on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, arriving in Berlin the next morning; northbound runs depart Berlin on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights. The route calls at Brussels as an intermediate stop, running via Aulnoye-Aymeries, Mons and Liège. From 12/13 July 2026, Hamburg joins as an additional stop.
| Cabin | From (one-way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Seating car (reclining seat) | ≈ €29.99 | Budget travellers |
| Couchette (shared berth) | ≈ €69.99 | Best value sleep |
| Sleeping car (private) | ≈ €109–159 | Comfort & privacy |
Fares are fully dynamic, so they rise as the train fills — booking early is the single biggest way to save. Interrail and Eurail Global Pass holders travel on this train too, but must buy a "Reservation Only" berth in advance.
More new sleeper routes in 2026
Basel – Copenhagen & Malmö (SBB + RDC Germany)
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and private operator RDC Germany launch a direct night train from Basel to Copenhagen and Malmö on 15 April 2026, running three times a week, year-round — a valuable new spine linking Switzerland to Scandinavia.
European Sleeper: Brussels – Barcelona & Brussels – Milan
European Sleeper is also targeting two long-distance additions — Brussels–Barcelona and Brussels–Milan — both anticipated to begin by late 2026, extending its low-cost sleeper model into southern Europe.
New PKP links from Poland
Poland's PKP Intercity is adding fresh cross-border night connections toward Prague and Munich, strengthening the central-European sleeper network.
Nightjet's fleet upgrade continues
Through 2026, ÖBB keeps rolling out its 33 new seven-car Nightjet sets, with their private mini-cabins, individual pods and modernised couchettes. Popular corridors such as Vienna–Rome, Vienna–Milan and Munich–Venice are among those most likely to see the upgraded trains this year.
Which routes were cut in 2026
The picture isn't only expansion. Around ten lines disappeared from the 2026 timetable, including several ÖBB Nightjet services and the epic Stockholm–Narvik link — at 1,456 km one of the longest night trains in Europe. If a sleeper is on your wish list, don't assume it will run forever: ride the routes you want while they're here.
Is a night train worth it in 2026?
For city pairs 800–1,500 km apart, a sleeper still beats flying on total time once you count airport transfers, security and a night's accommodation saved. It's also the lowest-carbon way to cross the continent. With Paris–Berlin back and Basel–Scandinavia new, 2026 is one of the best years yet to try it.