European Sleeper is set to launch a new overnight rail service linking Brussels, Cologne, Zürich and Milan on 9 September 2026.

Ticket sales for the route will open on 17 March 2026, with couchette beds priced from 49.99 EUR.

The Milan service will be the company’s third night train route. The train will initially depart from Belgium, with a direct section to and from the Netherlands planned for introduction in the 2027 timetable.

The route establishes a north–south overnight connection between Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. It is intended for both leisure and business travellers, linking economic and cultural centres. The service also connects with other rail networks in Brussels, Cologne, Zürich and Milan, enabling onward travel to destinations including London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Venice, Florence and Rome.

In Switzerland, the train will operate via Zürich and the Gotthard Pass. The originally proposed route via the Simplon Pass was deemed unfeasible because of track works scheduled until 2027. The revised routing includes a stop at Göschenen, providing access to nearby ski resorts, as well as stops in Lugano and Como, which offer connections to the surrounding lake and mountain regions.

Infrastructure works have also affected the launch date. The service was initially planned to start on 18 June 2026, but a high number of scheduled engineering works in Germany during summer 2026 led the company to postpone the introduction to September to maintain operational reliability. The certification process required to operate in Switzerland also contributed to the decision to delay the start.

Plans to operate a separate train section to and from Amsterdam have been deferred until 2027, as demand during the off-peak season is expected to be lower. Passengers travelling from the Netherlands will be able to connect in Cologne for Amsterdam and Utrecht, in Aachen for Heerlen, in Liège for Maastricht, and in Brussels for Breda and Rotterdam.

The Brussels–Cologne–Zürich–Milan service will run three times a week. Departures from Brussels are scheduled for Monday, Thursday and Saturday evenings, with arrival in Zürich and Milan the following morning. Return services from Milan will operate on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday nights.

In Milan, trains will arrive at Porta Garibaldi station, which is located close to the city centre and provides onward connections, including high-speed services to southern Italy. Milano Centrale, offering a wider range of national and regional services, can be reached in around six minutes by metro.

Tickets for the new route will go on sale on 17 March 2026. The operator will offer several travel classes. Budget seats start from 29.99 EUR per person one way. A couchette bed in a Classic compartment is available from 49.99 EUR, including reservation, luggage allowance and bed linen. Comfort Standard fares begin at 99.99 EUR, while Comfort Plus fares start at 129.99 EUR and include breakfast.

European Sleeper is a community-owned railway company focused on night train operations between European cities. Since launching in 2023, it has expanded its services in response to demand for international rail travel.

The company currently operates a route connecting Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dresden and Prague three times a week. It reports having carried almost 240,000 passengers on more than 750 night trains. A second service between Paris and Berlin is scheduled to begin at the end of March 2026, replacing a route previously run by ÖBB and SNCF, which was discontinued on 15 December 2025.