The best European sleeper trains to ride in 2026

The iconic Paris to Berlin sleeper route narrowly avoided cancellation in 2025 when ÖBB dropped out. But thankfully the service now continues under European Sleeper as of March 2026. What better excuse to head to the German capital for a weekend of partying? Chomp down a Currywurst in Berlin Hauptbahnhof, then sleep off the weekend’s excesses and wake up for coffee and croissants in Paris – a no-brainer for any true rail enthusiast.

➡️ Read our full review of the Berlin-Paris sleper train

🧳 Plan your 2026 trip: Berlin boasts must-see events all year round, from the Carnival of Cultures to the Christopher Street Day parade, or the Berlinale film festival and the annual Christmas markets. Check out the German History Museum for some top-notch culture or book a boat-tour of the River Spree for a duck’s-eye-view of the city.

With misty fjords and snowcapped mountains, Norway’s Oslo-Bergen line wins first prize in the beauty contest. This route whisks you from sea level to mountain plateaux in a matter of hours, skirting forests, lakes and valleys on the way. Peaking at 1,237 metres near Finse train station, this is also northern Europe’s highest railway line. Just be warned: with all the dramatic views you might not want to sleep at all!

🧳 Plan your 2026 trip: In summer check out Bergenfest, an annual music festival that caters to all tastes from pop and electronica to blues and country. More into nature? Take the catamaran ferry through the fjords to Rosendal and hike up Hattebergfossen for spectacular views down to the sea.

This magisterial route crosses four countries in 15-and-a-half hours, linking the Belgian and Czech capitals, and stopping off at Amsterdam, Berlin and Dresden on the way. Travelling from the UK? Easy: combined with the Eurostar, this route gets you from London to the heart of Central Europe entirely by train with only one change – a must for any rail enthusiast.

🧳 Plan your 2026 trip: Explore Prague’s Old Town and try some delicious nakládaný hermelín (pickled cheese) – best washed down with a foaming mug of pilsner. For culture, don’t miss the Dvořák international classical music festival each September, or celebrate all things beer-related at the Prague Beer Festival in April. Na zdraví!

OK, ‘Istanbul’ might be a misnomer here, as this marvellous train route actually terminates in Halkalı (on Istanbul’s outskirts). But from there it’s only a brisk onward ride to downtown Istanbul. This route trundles you from the Bulgarian capital to the Turkish metropolis in under 14 hours. Just be warned: your beauty sleep might be interrupted by a passport check at the border. But the views of Edirne, Plovdiv and the mountains of Bulgaria will be well worth it.

🧳 Plan your 2026 trip: For first-timers, don’t miss world-class Istanbul attractions like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar. For food, sample a traditional balık ekmek (fish sandwich) by the waterside at Eminönü, or escape the crowds with a ferry ride to Büyükada, a car-free island in the Marmara Sea.

They say when you’re tired of London you’re tired of life – we say: head to Edinburgh! Caledonian Sleeper has been plying the London-to-Scotland route for over 150 years, and comfortably whisks you from Euston to Waverley in just under 8 hours. Popular with commuters, this is also the perfect way to explore the Scottish capital for a weekend city-break. Soak up the local culture (and perhaps a few whiskies) or use Edinburgh as a base to explore Scotland’s east coast and the Central Lowlands.

🧳 Plan your 2026 trip: Heading to Edinburgh in August? Then don’t miss the annual Fringe Festival for a smorgasbord of comedy, music and theatre. Alternatively, visit local sights such as Edinburgh Castle or the National Portrait Gallery, or stretch your legs and climb Arthur’s Seat for stunning views over the city.

ÖBB’s Nightjet service has led the charge in Europe’s night train revival, and currently runs a daily sleeper route from the Dutch capital to Innsbruck. Let yourself be swept from picturesque canals to stunning mountain views in around 14 hours, stopping off at cities in the Netherlands and Germany along the way. Then wake up to the clear mountain air of the Tyrol – the perfect way to spend a night on the rails!

🧳 Plan your 2026 trip: Travelling in winter? Many of Austria’s best ski resorts are within quick reach of Innsbruck. Check out Neustift im Stubaital or Seefeld for the authentic ski experience. Or visit the Goldenes Dachl in Innsbruck’s historic Old Town and sip a glass of local beer under the stone arcades.

This stately route has something for everyone. Meandering through Poland, Czechia, Austria and Germany, the Euronight EN Carpatia service guides you through the beating heart of Central Europe in unmatched style. With stops at Vienna and Krakow along the way, there’s a dizzying choice of potential destinations, leaving you hard-pressed to choose where to get off!

🧳 Plan your 2026 trip: Head to Munich in September for the yearly Oktoberfest (known locally as ‘Wiesn’). Or, if litres of ale and oompah music aren’t your thing, take a stroll through the English Garden (complete with its own flock of sheep) and watch the Glockenspiel display at the town hall on Marienplatz.

As the year draws to a close and the nights draw in, what better way to get into the Christmas mood than a ride on the Santa Claus Express? Running all year round (though especially popular in winter), this route whisks you from the Finnish capital to the Arctic Circle in around 12 hours. Travelling through twilight pine forests dusted with snow, this magical festive journey deposits you in Rovaniemi, Kolari or Kemijärvi in Lapland, Finland’s northernmost region.

🧳 Plan your 2026 trip: For unmatched festive vibes, take this trip in December and visit the Santa Claus Village when you arrive! Also, keep an eye out for the aurora borealis – just remember to pack a parka and snow boots in wintertime!