European Sleeper to launch Brussels–Cologne–Zürich–Milan night train in September 2026

Dutch-Belgian operator European Sleeper has confirmed that its new Brussels–Cologne–Zürich–Milan night train will begin operations on 9 September 2026, marking the company’s third international route.

The service, initially scheduled to launch on 18 June 2026, has been postponed by nearly three months due to extensive summer track works in Germany and additional certification requirements for operations in Switzerland. Ticket sales will open on 17 March 2026.

The new route will connect Brussels, Cologne, Zurich, and Milan, creating a significant north–south rail link between major economic and cultural centres.

Departures from Brussels are scheduled on Monday, Thursday and Saturday evenings, arriving in Zürich and Milan the following morning. The return service from Milan will operate on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday nights.

In Milan, the train will arrive at Milano Porta Garibaldi railway station, located closer to the city centre than Milano Centrale. The station offers onward high-speed connections to southern Italy, while Milano Centrale is just two metro stops away for additional national and regional services.

Originally planned to operate via the Simplon Pass, the service will instead run through the Gotthard corridor until at least 2027 due to ongoing infrastructure works. The revised routing includes stops in Zürich, Arth-Goldau, Göschenen, Bellinzona, Lugano, Chiasso and Como San Giovanni.

The Gotthard alignment also opens new leisure opportunities, with Göschenen providing access to Alpine ski resorts and Lugano and Como serving popular lake and mountain destinations.

Plans to operate a direct Amsterdam–Milan section have been deferred to 2027, as launching a separate train portion during the off-peak season was deemed commercially unviable. Dutch passengers will be able to connect via Cologne, Aachen, Liège or Brussels.

European Sleeper will offer its familiar travel classes. Budget seats start at €29.99 one way, while couchette beds in a Classic compartment are available from €49.99, including reservation, luggage allowance and bed linen. Comfort Standard starts at €99.99, and Comfort Plus from €129.99, including breakfast.

The Milan service will become European Sleeper’s third route, joining its existing Brussels–Prague night train and the upcoming Paris–Berlin service scheduled to launch later this month.

With the addition of the Milan route, the operator will expand its network from one to three lines within six months, further strengthening the revival of cross-border night train travel in Europe.