The new European sleeper train set to launch next year – and Brits can join without flying
A BRAND new night train service is set to be launched in Europe next year, linking two European capitals.
What’s more, Brits have access to the service without the need to fly, making travel through Europe even easier for them.
Dutch rail company NS has its sights set on launching the new overnight route from Amsterdam to Vienna.
The route will be launched in collaboration with Austrian service ÖBB, according to Dutch publication De Stentor.
The service will stop off at Amersfoort, Deventer, Bad Bentheim, and several German and Austrian locations before reaching its final destination.
The route is predicted to take 14 hours and 9 minutes to complete.
Currently, Nightjet services already connect Amsterdam to Vienna with a stop at Innsbruck.
However, NL Times claims that NS and ÖBB “plan to split the existing line into two”.
While the connection via Innsbruck will continue to exist, the new service will be added at the end of next year.
The route will be served by new Nightjet trains, which were launched over the winter.
Some of the trains have pod-style” cabins on board that offer single beds for those who want to sleep alone.
Couples can also make use of the “innovative cocoons” which ÖBB has said provide a “high level of privacy” with adjacent cabins connected by a small sliding door.
Each cabin has its own luggage shelf space, a storage pouch for personal items, two coat hooks, a reading lamp, a sliding folding table for breakfast, a mirror and a control display.
The cabins are similar to the capsule hotels that are popular in Japan and have started to become more common throughout Europe.
Several other options are available for passengers too, including a compartment for 4-6 passengers and a “ladies compartment” for between 4-6 female travellers.
Elsewhere, families or groups can book their own private couchette compartments for 4-6 people, while a comfort version for a maximum of four people is also available.
Sun Travel's favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel's journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
Whether or not these trains will be used on the route remains to be seen.
However, NL Times added that the trains will be equipped with 416 places, consisting of a sleeping car with 40 beds, minicabs with 78 beds, lounge compartments with 40 beds, and 96 seats.
They also stated that there will also be a sleeping car with 36 beds and two couchette cars with 30 beds and additional seating with 66 seats spread over 11 compartments.
An estimated timetable suggests that the service will depart from Amsterdam at 7:08 pm, arrive in Bad Bentheim at 9:04 pm, and then to Vienna at 9:17am the next morning.
The return train will leave Vienna at 8:10pm, arrive in Bad Bentheim at 7:34am, and end its journey in Amsterdam at 9:49am.
The rail companies hope that it will launch by December 2025.
With Amsterdam also connected to London via the Eurostar, Brits will be able to get to the service via direct trains from St Pancras.
Meanwhile, this UK train station is set to get an outdoor pool on its roof.
And this new train service can take you all the way to Prague.
