European Sleeper Brussels-Milan night train will now begin service on 9 September 2026, instead of the original June launch. The delay is caused by track work in Germany during summer 2026 and the certification process required for Switzerland, a new country for the company’s network. Ticket sales for the new route will open on 17 March 2026.
The route will create a major north-south connection in Europe, linking Brussels with Cologne, Zürich, and Milan. According to European Sleeper, this connection serves both business and leisure travellers and links key economic and cultural hubs overnight.
The train will depart from Brussels on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings and arrive in Zürich and Milan the following mornings. Return services from Milan are scheduled for Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday nights. The route will initially travel through Switzerland via Zürich and the Gotthard Pass, rather than the Simplon Pass, which is unavailable due to track works through 2027. This revised path adds opportunities for travellers, with stops at Göschenen near ski resorts and at Lugano and Como, providing access to lakes and surrounding mountains.
European Sleeper plans to add a direct connection to the Netherlands in 2027. The company notes that a separate Amsterdam section is less viable during the off-peak season, so the extension will come later.
This route will be European Sleeper’s third. The company already runs a Brussels-Prague service, and a Paris-Berlin connection is launching later this month.
Ticket prices for the Brussels-Milan route reflect the company’s tiered travel classes. Budget seats start at €29.99 per person one way. Classic couchette beds are available from €49.99, including the ticket, bed linen, luggage, and reservation. Comfort Standard starts from €99.99, while Comfort Plus, which includes breakfast, is available from €129.99.
European Sleeper’s revised plan demonstrates both operational flexibility and a commitment to expanding night train travel in Europe. The route not only connects major cities but also offers travellers a chance to reach cultural landmarks, natural landscapes, and ski resorts, all in a single overnight journey. For passengers seeking a more sustainable alternative to air travel, the Brussels-Milan service strengthens the European rail network’s appeal.
