Railway operator European Sleeper has announced plans for its first night train route to Scandinavia, set to launch in spring 2028. The service will connect Brussels and Amsterdam with Copenhagen and Malmö, with onward connections to London, Paris, Stockholm and Oslo via a single change.
Expansion and partnerships
The new route is being developed in partnership with German railway operator RDC. It marks an expansion of European Sleeper's growing network, which already links Belgium and the Netherlands with destinations in Germany and Czechia.
European Sleeper, launched in April 2021, currently operates two routes: Brussels to Prague and Paris to Berlin. A third route, a 17-and-a-half-hour journey from Brussels to Milan in northern Italy, is scheduled to launch on September 9. That service is expected to run three times a week, with stops including Cologne and Switzerland.
The company has also teased plans for a future Brussels to Barcelona sleeper train.
What we know about the new route
Many details about the Scandinavian route remain undisclosed, including the specific days of the week the trains will run. However, the plan is to offer departures from Brussels and Malmö from 7pm, arriving at the other end of the route at 10am the following morning.
The service is expected to offer the usual night train accommodation found on other European Sleeper trains, including seats, couchettes and sleeper compartments. Reports suggest the company is also considering deluxe options, such as double beds and private en-suite bathrooms.
Pricing and the rise of the 'coolcation'
Prices for the new route have not yet been released. For comparison, a one-way ticket on the European Sleeper night train from Paris to Berlin typically starts at £68 per person in a shared compartment, while a 'comfort compartment' tends to start from around £100. Specific prices for the Scandinavian route are expected to go live closer to the launch date.
The expansion comes amid growing interest in Scandinavia as a travel destination. A 2024 report found that searches for travel and holidays in Sweden among UK users increased by 24% compared with 2023. Norway and Denmark have also reported increased international interest.
Part of the appeal is the 'coolcation' trend, as Scandinavia tends to be much milder compared to the heat found in Greece or Spain. July in Sweden, for example, typically sees temperatures hovering between 18 and 22 degrees, offering sunshine without the risk of heatstroke.
