New Sleeper Train Service to Connect Two European Capitals: Brussels and Prague

The official launch date for a new overnight train route between two prominent European capitals has been announced. The railway startup, European Sleeper, has introduced night trains that will link Brussels and Prague, two of Europe's most culturally vibrant cities. While the route was initially announced in 2021 with plans to launch it last summer, it has now been officially confirmed with a start date of March 25, 2024.

As reported by TimeOut, European Sleeper has recently unveiled an entirely new route between Berlin and Brussels.

The European Sleeper route from Brussels to Prague is an extension of the Brussels-Berlin route. The journey is expected to take around 15 hours, with the train making stops in Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Berlin, as well as Dresden before reaching Prague. Thanks to the Eurostar connection in Brussels, travel from London to Prague can be accomplished with just one change at a station in the Belgian capital.

Exact pricing for the future European Sleeper service has not yet been disclosed. However, it was recently revealed that Interrail tickets will be accepted on the company's routes. From July 1, 2023, Interrailers will have the opportunity to reserve seats, berths, and beds on European Sleeper trains.

Furthermore, European Sleeper aims to eventually increase the number of Brussels-Berlin services to once daily (currently, trains run three times a week). In 2025, the company also plans to introduce a service from Amsterdam to Barcelona.

As previously reported by The Gaze, two additional railway services connecting European capitals are set to launch:

• Paris - Berlin: For the first time in nine years, the capitals of France and Germany will be linked by a high-speed overnight train without transfers or intermediate stops. NightJet, a subsidiary of the Austrian national railway company ÖBB, plans to launch this route by the end of 2023. Initially, the train will operate three times a week, with daily service commencing in the autumn. Ticket prices will start at €50.

• Paris - Madrid: Finally, the capitals of France and Spain will be directly connected by rail. The Italian company Trenitalia plans to operate its renowned "Red Arrow" trains on this route, which already run to Paris, Lyon, Turin, and Milan. The Frecciarossa train, capable of speeds up to 400 kilometres per hour, is one of the most popular railway connections in Europe. The route is expected to launch by the end of 2024, with ticket prices starting at $30.