Travelers eagerly awaiting the new European Sleeper service from Paris to Berlin, launching in March 2026, will get a “no-frills nostalgia” experience with 1990s-era rolling stock, but they’ll have to forgo a dining car. The Dutch cooperative’s co-founder, Chris Engelsman, has confirmed that while the company would “love” to have a dining car, the high rental and staffing costs make it a “challenge” to profitability. The difficulty in breaking even on meal and drink sales means this amenity will not be available from the start.
This pragmatic approach defines the new service, which is stepping in to replace the ÖBB Nightjet service being axed next month. The Nightjet’s cancellation, tied to the end of French subsidies, sparked protests from groups like ‘Oui au train de nuit!’. European Sleeper’s arrival, while celebrated, comes with these practical caveats. The coaches, rented from Germany, will be from the 1990s, which Engelsman notes is a significant improvement on the 1956-era carriages used on their Prague service and offers a comfort level similar to the outgoing Nightjet.
The new train, set for its first run on March 26, 2026, will operate three times a week. Departures from Paris Gare du Nord are planned for Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday evenings. Return services from Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof are scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. This schedule offers a solid alternative for travelers disappointed by the Nightjet’s withdrawal.
A key strategic difference will be the train’s route, which is planned to go via Brussels. This is a departure from the Nightjet’s path through eastern France and central Germany. The new route, which is pending final confirmation with infrastructure managers, will connect three major European capitals. This change, combined with a higher-capacity train, is part of European Sleeper’s strategy to expand the market.
The company is confident it can attract new riders. While ÖBB’s service split its 12 coaches between Vienna and Berlin, European Sleeper will run 12 to 14 coaches directly to Berlin. This allows for a much larger capacity of 600 to 700 passengers. This focus on capacity and core service, even without the romance of a dining car, is European Sleeper’s bet on the future of the night train market.