Mobility

European Sleeper is launching a new night train. It will depart from Brussels and terminate in Venice, via Antwerp, Utrecht and Cologne. When passengers wake up, they will be able to admire the Alps, just before reaching the gondolas.

Leaving Venice train station to discover the gondolas and vaporettos is an adventure in itself. It's an even stronger adventure than leaving the Venice car park, for those who come by car. When travelling by train, the shock is immediate. And it will be possible to experience this emotion twice a week, early in the afternoon, thanks to a new night train. The train will leave Brussels and head up to the Netherlands before reaching Venice via Germany and Austria. European Sleeper wants to create a rail link to ensure a connection between the serene and the capital of Europe. The ride will begin In February and March 2025 in order to coincide with the famous Venice carnival. But the train will also reach winter sports destinations such as Innsbruck. After this winter's experience, train connections could be put in place during school holidays.

8 p.m.

The journey will last 20 hours. Departure from Brussels at 5pm. The train will stop in Antwerp then Utrecht in the Netherlands, Cologne and Munich in Germany, Innsbruck in Austria, Bolzano and Verona in Italy, before arriving in Venice at 2pm. The train will travel through the night, non-stop, and in sleeper cabins between Cologne and Munich to get a good night's sleep. Between 10am and noon, the train will venture onto the Brenner line, in the mountains, a magnificent route to admire from the train window in the middle of winter. For the return, you will have to be on the train at 3pm and arrive in Brussels the next day at 11am. An interesting alternative to the car, because such a journey in winter requires suitable tires and, when the weather is capricious, it also requires patience and a good driving. And it's certainly more romantic and relaxing than by plane.

(MH with Olivier Duquesne – Source/Picture: © European Sleeper)