European Sleeper to launch new night rail service to Switzerland and Milan from June 2026

European Sleeper continues to expand its European network with the announcement of a new night rail service connecting Amsterdam and Brussels to Switzerland and Milan, starting June 18, 2026. This new service, operating three times a week, will complement the existing Paris–Berlin service, which will begin in March 2026.

The train will travel via Cologne, Bern, Brig, and Stresa, offering direct access to major destinations in Switzerland and northern Italy. Passengers will travel along the historic Simplon Pass, with stunning views of the Alps and the lakes of Valais and Piedmont.

European Sleeper, a Belgian-Dutch operator owned by its investor community, is thus reinforcing its position as an independent pioneer in night rail travel. Since 2023, the company has already transported nearly 240,000 passengers on more than 750 trains.

To optimise the schedule, two separate sections will depart from Amsterdam and Brussels before being combined in West Germany. Departures will take place on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, arriving in Switzerland and Milan the following morning. Return trips from Milan are scheduled for Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The final timetable is still being finalised.

Tickets will go on sale in January or February 2026, with fares comparable to current services to maintain broad accessibility.

However, the launch of this route delays the planned Barcelona service, now expected to begin in 2027 or 2028.