Long-distance train travel is back in the spotlight—not as a nostalgic experience, but as a part of sustainability, comfort, and Europe’s evolving travel spirit.
Europe’s Sleeping Patrols: The Night Train Renaissance
Germany is reigniting the night train network after years, ushering in a new era for European transportation. This quiet transformation is redefining not only rail routes but also the continent’s approach to travel.
Austria-based ÖBB Nightjet is expanding its network in 2025 with new lines connecting cities such as Berlin, Paris, Vienna, Brussels, and Zurich. Complementing this development, private initiatives like European Sleeper and Nox are launching additional night routes across Europe.
The goal is not merely nostalgic. Rising airfares, growing environmental awareness, and policies aimed at reducing carbon footprints have positioned the train once again as “the transportation of the future.”
Back on Track Between Hamburg and Stockholm After 28 Years
One of the most talked-about routes is the Hamburg–Stockholm night train, restarted after 28 years. Travelers arrive in Stockholm in the early morning, accompanied by the Baltic light—a journey marking a new chapter for explorers eager to rediscover Northern Europe by rail.
Similarly, the Amsterdam–Vienna line is poised to become one of Europe’s most in-demand routes in the near future.
New Luxury in the Age of Sustainability
Increasing carbon taxes and airport congestion are making Europe’s railways more attractive. Germany is at the heart of this transformation: night trains on routes from Berlin to Vienna and Munich to Paris are becoming not just a mode of transport but a symbol of eco-conscious living.
Experts predict that over 200 new night train lines will be operational across Europe within the next five years.
A New Economy on the Rails: Europe’s Green Mobility Strategy
As part of the EU’s 2030 sustainable transport targets, 30% of short-haul intra-European flights are planned to be replaced by train travel. To support this financially, a new “Green Mobility Fund” of €7.4 billion is proposed for 2025–2027. A large portion of the fund will go toward modernizing night train lines between Germany, France, and the Netherlands.
Deutsche Bahn aims to reduce carbon emissions by 60% over the next three years through investments in 250 new sleeper cabins and 40 ultra-quiet electric locomotives. This modernization will redefine European standards for both comfort and energy efficiency.
The economic picture is equally striking: in 2024, sleeper train journeys across Europe increased by 46% compared to the previous year, while average ticket prices remain about one-third of comparable airfares. Tourism studies project that, with the rise of night trains, the rail-based “eco-luxury travel” segment could reach €12 billion annually by 2026.
