In a significant blow to sustainable travel enthusiasts and night train advocates across Europe, French national rail company SNCF Voyageurs has confirmed the permanent cancellation of its beloved overnight service connecting Paris with Berlin and Vienna.
The decision marks the end of an era for the iconic route, which had briefly returned to service in 2020 after a six-year hiatus, only to face renewed challenges including persistent operational issues and disappointing passenger numbers.
The Rise and Fall of a Continental Connection
Originally operated in partnership with Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and Germany's Deutsche Bahn, the service promised to revolutionise overnight travel between three of Europe's most vibrant capitals. The ambitious project saw carriages split during the night at different stations before continuing to their final destinations.
However, the complex operational requirements proved challenging from the outset. "The train's composition was particularly complex," acknowledged SNCF Voyageurs CEO Alain Krakovitch in a statement that highlighted the logistical nightmares behind the scenes.
A Broader Pattern for European Night Trains
This cancellation forms part of a worrying trend for overnight rail services across the continent, despite growing environmental concerns and increasing demand for sustainable travel alternatives to short-haul flights.
SNCF's decision comes despite notable successes elsewhere in Europe. Austrian operator ÖBB has demonstrated that night trains can thrive, having expanded its Nightjet services significantly in recent years with considerable commercial success.
What This Means for Travellers
The termination leaves a significant gap in direct overnight connections between these major European cities. Passengers seeking sustainable travel options between Paris and Berlin must now consider:
- Daytime high-speed train services
- Alternative routing through other cities
- Bus services offering overnight journeys
- The increasingly controversial option of short-haul flights
Environmental campaigners have expressed disappointment at the decision, noting that it represents a step backward in efforts to establish a comprehensive European night train network as part of broader climate change initiatives.
The Future of European Night Trains
While this particular service has reached its final destination, hope remains for the broader night train revival movement. Several European countries continue to invest in overnight services, recognising their potential to reduce carbon emissions from transport.
For now, travellers mourning the loss of this romantic rail journey can only hope that future operators might find a way to make the Paris-Berlin-Vienna connection commercially viable once more.
