A new overnight sleeper train will link Brussels and Amsterdam with Milan via Switzerland from next summer, offering a direct rail connection between Belgium and the Netherlands with northern Italy, rewarding travellers with both scenic and sustainable long-distance routes. The Belgian-Dutch operator European Sleeper has announced that the service is scheduled to begin on 18 June 2026, with departures three times a week from both capitals.
The route will carry passengers south through Germany and Switzerland before reaching Italy, creating an essential north-south rail corridor that European Sleeper said will allow travellers to enjoy “inspiring morning and evening views of alpine valleys and serene lakes along the way.”
Trains from Brussels and Amsterdam will depart in the evening on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, meet in Germany, and continue via key stops, including Cologne, Bern, and Brig in Switzerland, and Stresa on the shores of Lake Maggiore, finally terminating in Milan the following morning. Return journeys from Milan are planned for Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Switzerland and northern Italy stand out as notable places on the route, attracting travellers interested in mountain adventures, exploring cities, enjoying lakeside activities or taking part in winter sports. The overnight link will follow the historic Simplon route, a classic Alpine corridor that has long been prized for its dramatic scenery and breathtaking landscapes.
The total journey is expected to take about 15 hours, with trains departing Amsterdam around 19:00 local time and arriving in Milan before 10:00 the next morning, although precise arrival times in Italy have yet to be confirmed. European Sleeper has reported plans to attract both leisure and business travellers with competitive pricing, with one-way fares for a berth in a shared coupé expected to start at around €80. The company has yet to finalise exact timetables with national rail network operators, and ticket sales are expected to begin in January or February 2026.
The new service is part of European Sleeper’s broader expansion of cross-border night trains. The company already operates overnight routes from Brussels to cities including Berlin, Dresden and Prague, and runs seasonal connections to the Alps and Venice. It also plans to launch a Paris-Berlin night train in March 2026. However, the company has pushed back its proposed night-train link to Barcelona until 2027 or 2028.
If the project stays on schedule, the new Brussels to Milan night train will provide a significant connection across Western Europe’s rail network, linking major urban centres with scenic Alpine landscapes. The service will further the growth of long-distance rail travel on the continent, as more travellers increasingly look for environmentally friendly alternatives to short-haul flights.
