Traveling by train from Berlin to Brussels is a convenient and scenic way to explore Europe and a new night train service launched by Austria’s national rail operator (ÖBB) will kick-off as of December.
1. Nightjet
ÖBB’s Nightjet already runs between Vienna and Brussels and will launch a night service between Brussels and Berlin which will initially run three trains a week, according to a recent statement form the company. ÖBB’s Nightjet is set to run between the Belgian and German capitals, increasing to a daily service from Autumn 2024.
This will be the second night train connecting both capital cities after the Good Night Train operated by the European Sleeper was launched in Spring 2023. The European Sleeper’s train runs three times a week via Amsterdam, while ÖBB plans to run its service via Frankfurt and Cologne. By the end of the year, Deutsche Bahn (DB) and ÖBB expect about 40% more passengers than five years ago.
“By 2030, we want to double the number of passengers on Nightjet trains. Deutsche Bahn plays an important role since many Nightjet lines begin and end in Germany. The new connections from Berlin to Paris and Brussels and the new generation of Nightjet trains in Germany are sending a strong signal of DB’s and ÖBB’s confidence in night train service and intentions to expand the portfolio,” said Dr. Sabine Stock, ÖBB Executive Board Member for Passenger Transport.
2. Cheaper for families
The numbers collected by Which? Travel, a company based in the UK, showed that two of the three European sleeper services were cheaper for families of four and six. Groups of four could save £94 (107 euros), while a bigger group could save up to £267 (306 euros).
Both the European Sleeper and Nightjet offer cheaper sleeper fares if travelers share a couchette or sleeper cabin with other travelers. Children under five travel free on Nightjet if they share the bed with a parent while children under three do not pay on European Sleeper.
