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TRAIN TRAVEL

What to know about new night train connecting Belgium, Germany, Austria and Italy

The new night train route from Brussels to Venice, which will launch early next year, will allow passengers to make an overnight journey to the North Sea, the Mediterranean or to the Alps. Here’s what you need to know.

Published: 21 August 2024 16:08 CEST
sleeper car passenger
A passenger takes in the view from a sleeper cabin on a European Sleeper train. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/dpa-tmn | Zacharie Scheurer

Night train transport firm, European Sleeper, is introducing a new Brussels – Venice route to begin in February 2025.

The line will also connect Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Italy – with stops in Cologne, Munich, Innsbruck, Bolzano and others along the way.

European Sleeper is one of a few privately owned international train operators in Europe. Currently it operates night trains on just one international line that connects Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dresden and Prague several times weekly.

READ ALSO: The destinations you can reach by direct night train from Berlin

According to the company, the new line comes in response to high-demand for winter sports travel, more city trip options and the current lack of suitable train connections in Europe.

The new route is intended to make it easier for passengers to choose greener travel options without compromising on comfort.

“This marks a new important milestone for European Sleeper, and the convenience of night travel across Europe more sustainably,” said Chris Engelsman, co-founder of European Sleeper in a statement released by the company.

Itinerary

Starting on February 5th, 2025, the Brussels – Venice line will initially run twice a week.

Southbound trains will depart the Belgian capital at 5 pm and arrive in Venice at 2 pm the following day. Passengers departing Cologne can catch the train at 11 pm and get a good night’s sleep before the train stops in Munich at 7 am the following morning.

Northbound trains will depart Venice at 3 pm, stopping in Innsbruck by 7 pm and Munich at 10 pm. They’ll arrive in Cologne at 6 am the next morning and reach the end of the line in Brussels by 11 am.

What you can expect

Mark Smith, author of The Man in Seat 61, a popular blog about train travel in Europe, told The Local that he’s had two experiences riding on European Sleeper trains – once in a sleeper bed and once in a new couchette car.

Sleeper cars are the equivalent of a hotel room on wheels, typically equipped with proper beds and washbasins, whereas cheaper couchettes are smaller padded bunks often fitting four or six in a cabin.

Asked how European Sleeper trains compare with those run by Europe’s bigger operators like Nightjet, Smith said, “Their newer 5-berth couchettes are as good as Nightjet, the sleeping-cars are older than Nightjet’s sleeping-cars (so no showers) but very comfortable.”

READ ALSO: Five ‘coolcation’ spots you can reach by train from Germany

He added that a perk about the new Brussels – Venice line is that the trains will have a dining car, “which promises lunch and a glass of red while you pass through the mountains of the scenic Brenner Pass.”

Ticket prices

Booking for trips on the new route will officially open on September 1st.

European Sleeper hasn’t yet published ticket prices. But to give a general idea tickets from Brussels to Prague start at €69 for seats, €99 for couchettes and €159.

As for scoring the cheapest tickets: “Like anything, book as far ahead as you can and the booking horizon allows, mid-week is cheaper than weekends, February is cheaper than June,” said Smith, the man who rides trains for a living.

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FLOODS

Roads, rail and the Vienna Metro: What’s the state of Austria’s transport services?

Flooding has hit Austria hard, leaving many roadways impassable, metro services partially suspended, and river boats stranded in Vienna. Here's what you need to know on Monday.

Published: 16 September 2024 16:53 CEST
Roads, rail and the Vienna Metro: What's the state of Austria's transport services?

The severe flooding across Austria caused by the relentless rainfall over the weekend and on Monday has wreaked havoc on the nation’s transport systems, leaving commuters and travellers scrambling to adapt. 

The storm’s effects are being felt nationwide, from disrupted metro services in Vienna to closed motorways and suspended rail services.

Vienna metro network hit hard

The capital’s metro system, Wiener Linien, has been particularly affected, with several vital lines running with severe restrictions. Water levels on the Vienna River and Danube Canal have fluctuated, requiring constant flood protection efforts.

READ ALSO: Weather forecast: When will the torrential rain in Austria stop?

As a result, services on the U4, U6, U3, and U2 lines were partially suspended. While the U6 could only operate between Floridsdorf and Westbahnhof and between Meidling and Siebenhirten, the U4 was limited to the section between Heiligenstadt and Friedensbrücke. Similarly, the U3 was running from Ottakring to Schlachthausgasse, leaving Simmering without service, and the U2 was restricted to running between Seestadt and Taborstraße.

Wiener Linien has indicated that normal operations may not resume until mid-week, as flood protection measures like dam beams and sandbags were still in place. 

Depending on how the rain and water levels develop, additional delays or restrictions are possible. Commuters should check for updates via the WienMobil app or the operator’s website.

Nationwide rail and road chaos

Floods have also affected Austria’s national railway, ÖBB, with delays and cancellations expected to persist until at least Thursday, September 19th. 

The ÖBB issued travel warnings urging passengers to avoid non-essential journeys, and some major routes were suspended entirely.

READ ALSO: What’s the cause of Austria’s ‘unprecedented’ rainfall and flooding?

On the western rail line between Vienna and Linz, services were halted on Monday and Tuesday due to flooding, leaving WESTbahn passengers unable to travel. Although WESTbahn tickets were temporarily accepted on ÖBB trains between Vienna and Salzburg, travellers were asked to prepare for disruptions and extended journey times.

The situation on the roads isn’t much better. While some motorway closures have been lifted, others remained, particularly in Lower Austria, where almost 300 roads were currently impassable. Drivers are advised to avoid travel where possible and to check local road conditions before setting off.

You can see a list of all road closures HERE.

Boats and river cruises stranded

The flooding has as would be expected hit travel on Austria’s waterways. In Vienna, a Swiss river cruise ship, the Thurgau Prestige, remained docked, with its passengers unable to disembark due to high water levels. 

Since Saturday, 102 passengers and 40 crew members had been stranded on board. 

Authorities have not yet confirmed when it will be safe for them to leave the ship.

READ ALSO: Floods latest: Two men found dead in their homes in Lower Austria

Pedestrians also impacted

Even walking in some areas of Austria has been made dangerous by the storms. In Vienna, public parks were closed to reduce the risk of falling trees, while footpaths and public spaces were at risk of water damage or further flooding. 

Residents are being urged to stay indoors where possible.

READ NEXT: Do workers in Austria have the right to stay at home amid floods crisis?

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