Popular European Night Train Services Cease Operations
A well-known night train service in Europe has abruptly halted its operations, leaving commuters and vacationers scrambling for alternative travel options. The sleeper train route connecting Berlin and Brussels, known as the Nightjet, ceased operations as of yesterday after a little over a year of service.
The Nightjet, operated by ÖBB, Austria’s national railway company, was launched in December 2023 and provided a connection between the two major cities, taking approximately 14 hours for the journey. The service was scheduled to run three times a week, forming part of a broader network of night trains that linked Germany with Belgium’s key cities.
However, the service has been discontinued indefinitely, as announced earlier this week. The decision was attributed to a “combination of unavoidable late-notice track work” occurring in Germany. Mark Smith, the founder of a well-regarded rail travel magazine, commented, “The combination of challenging track work in Germany and the fact that the Nightjet now operates on the same three days as the European Sleeper has likely led to this decision.”
Despite the discontinuation of the Nightjet, travelers can still journey overnight between Berlin and Brussels with the European Sleeper service. This alternative operates similarly to the Nightjet, running three times a week and departing from Berlin’s Ostbahnhof station.
Ticket prices for the European Sleeper start at approximately £66 per person for a six-berth couchette, which includes a padded bunk bed complete with a blanket and pillow. The cost rises to around £82 for a spot in a five-berth couchette and approximately £91 for a private bed in a three-bed sleeper carriage.
This news comes just days after a new train operator announced its plans to introduce services between the UK and Europe, aiming to provide ‘competitive fares’ for travelers. Currently, Eurostar is the sole operator offering rail connections from the UK to various destinations across Europe, including France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
However, this landscape may shift as a new train operating company, Gemini, has unveiled its intentions to launch services connecting the UK with Europe. Currently in the process of being established, Gemini aims to start its rail operations by offering routes from London to Paris and Brussels. Following the initial launch, they plan to expand their list of European destinations.
The new rail operator intends to introduce ‘cutting-edge trains and a modern approach to sales and ticketing’ for its services. Gemini is also looking to provide ‘Open Access’ services to compete on the popular cross-channel routes between the UK and the continent. An open access rail service is defined as one operated by a private company without any governmental contracts.
In preparation for their services, Gemini has applied to the Office of Rail and Road for access to Eurostar’s Temple Mills International maintenance depot. The company is also in discussions with key stakeholders regarding other train maintenance facilities, although specific details regarding these discussions remain undisclosed.
