I’m a sleeper train fanatic – these are the brand-new routes you should ride in Europe in 2026

Route: Basel to Malmö, via Frankfurt, Hamburg, Copenhagen

Whisking you from snowy Swiss peaks to misty Danish meadows, this route is a must for slow travel fans. On April 15, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) is launching a brand new sleeper route linking Switzerland and Scandinavia for the first time ever. The sleeper service will travel north from Basel through Germany, calling at Frankfurt, Hamburg and Copenhagen before crossing the mighty Øresund bridge (of Scandi noir fame) into Malmö. Roll on 2026. 

Journey time: 16 hours

Reason to ride: This is the first ever direct rail link between Switzerland and Scandinavia – be one of the first to ride it!

Route: Przemyśl to Munich, via Krakow, Katowice, Bohumín, Vienna, Linz, Salzburg

Who hasn’t dreamed of meandering comfortably through the historic heart of Central Europe by night train? Well dream no more, as Polish operator PKP Intercity launches a brand new route linking southern Poland with Bavaria. The first Euronight EN Carpatia will depart from Przemyśl on 14 December 2025, stopping at Krakow and Bohumín, before one set of carriages continues south via Bratislava to Budapest, while the others head into Austria, passing through Vienna, Linz and Salzburg, before terminating in Munich.

Journey time: 16 hours

Reason to ride: Traverse Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany all in one night – just make sure to switch on airplane mode for all those sneaky roaming charges. 

Route: Paris to Bourg-Saint-Maurice

Winter is for mulled wine, Alpine charm and – of course – skiing, and this new seasonal sleeper really sets the festive mood as it sweeps you from the French capital to the slopes. Running from 19 December 2025 to 20 March 2026, the Travelski Night Express is a new overnight service that is already promising to be a big hit with rail and ski enthusiasts alike!

Journey time: Just under 10 hours

Reason to ride: Book the all-inclusive package, covering transfers to the resort of your choice, accommodation, ski pass, ski lessons and ski equipment all in one go.

⛷️ Discover the best ski resorts in Europe

Route: Birmingham to Aberdeen, Fort William or Inverness

The UK is a relatively minor player in the sleeper game, but change is coming. Caledonian Sleeper, famous for running overnight links between London and Scotland, is branching out to a brand new destination in 2026. From 15 January, direct sleepers will connect Birmingham to Aberdeen, Fort William and Inverness – a perfect excuse to explore the Scottish Highlands, and maybe even bag a few Munros while you’re at it.

Journey time: 11 hours to Fort William, 10 to Inverness, 9 to Aberdeen

Reason to ride: Birmingham International is the first new Caledonian Sleeper stop in over 30 years, and the first linking the Scottish Highlands with the West Midlands.

📍 Discover the best places to visit in Scotland

Route: Brussels to Barcelona and Milan

The Belgian capital has emerged as the preeminent hub for night train routes in recent years, and now European Sleeper is promising new services to Barcelona and Milan. No definite launch date has been set, but one route should kick off towards the end of 2026, with the other following in 2027. Both services are set to depart three times a week – the perfect excuse to swap northern European drizzle for southern sun!

Journey time: To be confirmed

Reason to ride: The perfect excuse to visit the Sagrada Família – 2026 marks 100 years since Antoni Gaudí’s passing

Route: Paris to Berlin, via Brussels

This year, rail fans were left reeling when ÖBB’s Nightjet shelved its Paris to Berlin route, citing the French government’s ending of subsidies. Luckily European Sleeper stepped swiftly into the gap, offering a new service between the French and German capitals from March 2026. The new route will run via Brussels instead of Strasbourg, carrying up to 700 passengers – more than the previous service. A big relief for fans of this popular route. 

Journey time: Schedule pending, but probably around 12 hours

Reason to ride: Doze off under the Eiffel Tower and wake up for coffee at the Brandenburg Gate – what’s not to love?

Route: Warsaw to Rijeka, via Vienna

Poland’s Adriatic Express is not exactly a new route, but one that will be returning next year by popular demand. PKP Intercity first trialled the route in 2025, linking the Polish capital with Rijeka on Croatia’s Adriatic coast. The timetable is pending, but the route is expected to start up again at the end of June 2026 and run throughout the summer.

Journey time: around 19 hours

Reason to ride: This is one of the longest sleeper journeys in Europe. Watch the landscape change from Central European grandeur to idyllic coastal charm, and enjoy breakfast by the sea. It’s pretty special.