European Sleeper Steps In: Dutch Co-op to Take Over Key Paris-Berlin Route

The European night-train market is witnessing a significant shake-up, as the Dutch cooperative European Sleeper has announced it will launch a new service from Paris to Berlin starting in March 2026. This move directly fills the gap left by the Austrian state operator ÖBB, which is controversially axing its Nightjet services from Paris to both Berlin and Vienna in December. The cancellation of the Nightjet, blamed on the end of French government subsidies, was seen as a major setback for the sleeper train renaissance, prompting protests from advocacy groups.
European Sleeper is positioning itself as a key player in filling this void. The company, which ran its inaugural service from Berlin to Brussels in May 2023 and later extended it to Prague, has experience in navigating the complexities of cross-border rail. Co-founder Chris Engelsman expressed confidence that the existing Nightjet market will transition to their service. The company also aims to “extend the ridership” by offering a significantly larger capacity than its predecessor, a strategic move to solidify its market position.
The operational details highlight this focus on capacity. While ÖBB’s 12-coach train from Paris had to split its capacity between Vienna and Berlin, European Sleeper will run 12 to 14 coaches dedicated entirely to the Berlin route. This consolidated service will be able to carry 600 to 700 passengers per trip. The service is planned to run three times per week, departing Paris on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday evenings, with return journeys from Berlin on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Travelers familiar with the old route will notice a significant change. The new service is expected to travel via Brussels, a major departure from the Nightjet’s path through Strasbourg and Frankfurt. This new routing is currently being confirmed with the infrastructure managers of France, Belgium, and Germany. This Brussels-centric route could enhance connectivity between the EU’s key political centers and tap into a wider customer base.
Despite its ambitions, European Sleeper faces the same economic realities that have challenged other operators. The company, which has received mixed reviews for its blend of nostalgia and operational glitches, will be using German-rented coaches from the 1990s for the new route. While these are newer than some of its other rolling stock, the company has confirmed there will be no dining car from the start. The high rental and staffing costs make onboard dining a challenge to profitability, a persistent issue in the logistics of modern sleeper train services.