The best new European sleeper trains we can’t wait to ride in 2023

This brand new Nightjet route launched at the end of 2022 and runs from Germany to Austria, Italy, Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia. Trains depart from Stuttgart and either head towards Venice or Rijeka, stopping at cultural hotspots such as Vienna, Budapest, Ljubljana and Zagreb. That’s central Europe to the Adriatic coast in no time at all.

Connecting the Czech capital Prague with Swiss finance hub Zurich, this route from Czech national operator České Dráhy (ČD) also stops at Dresden, Leipzig, Frankfurt and Basel. Dubbed the ‘Canopus’ train and shut down in 2017, it restarted at the tail end of 2022 and, excitingly, is set to be juiced up with new carriages sometime in the near future.

This one’s been in the works for a while: initially set for a 2022 launch date, the Brussels-Berlin service by European Sleeper is now set for kick-off on May 25 2023. The ‘Good Night Train’, as it’s officially (and accurately) called, will also link up well with the Eurostar, connecting UK passengers to the continent with a quick change in Brussels.

Another new NightJet route takes passengers from central Europe down to Italy’s spectacular Ligurian coast. Trains leave from Vienna and Munich and arrive at Genoa in the morning – just in time for the spectacular run down to La Spezia. The coastal line goes right through the middle of the incredibly beautiful and famous Cinque Terre. Make sure you’re on the right-hand side of the train for sea views.

A NightJet route primed for one thing and one thing only: romance. Whisking travellers between Euro capitals Paris and Vienna, it’s difficult to find a train that links two more loved-up destinations. You can also catch a second night’s sleeper from Vienna which’ll take you to Budapest and Cluj-Napoca – two cities that are perfect for captivating city breaks.

The best thing about this route – a literal A-to-Z of European cultural hotspots – is its combination of luxury and affordability. It runs from Amsterdam to Arnhem, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Frankfurt, Basel and Zurich, and the cost of an entire single compartment is just €90 (£79, $96). And if you only need a single seat? Well, that’ll cost just €29 (£25, £31). If that ain’t a bargain, we don’t know what is. 

Getting the train is already an eco-friendly alternative, but this night train route is even better. Run entirely on renewable energy, Swedish operator SJ’s EuroNight service is a remarkably green way of getting between Hamburg, Copenhagen and Stockholm. And it’s pretty swish, too, featuring brand-new trains with private compartments and six-bed couchettes alongside regular seats. From March, this service will also be extended all the way down to Berlin, thereby linking up several of northern Europe’s coolest cities.

Last year also saw the launch of a new route from Zurich to unmissable Italian spots Rome and Milan. Run by (surprise, surprise) NightJet again, it takes just eight-and-a-half hours to get from the Swiss financial capital to the Eternal City. That’s mountain air to espresso and carbonara with ease.

Right, so this one was technically supposed to have a 2023 launch date but has now been pushed back to 2024 – but that doesn’t mean we can’t get excited about it. The Orient Express La Dolce Vita will offer eye-widening luxury on rails, all while trundling between Italian destinations like Venice, Rome, Siena and the Italian Riviera. We don’t love the term ‘bucket list’, but add this to yours immediately.