European Sleeper is launching its third overnight route on September 9, 2026, giving Britons more options when travelling within the continent.
The new route will whisk passengers from Brussels and Cologne to Zürich and Milan while they sleep. Tickets go on sale next week, on March 17, 2026.
For British holidaymakers, this is a useful option for reaching Switzerland and northern Italy without flying. You can take the Eurostar to Brussels, then catch the night train and wake up in the Alps or beside an Italian lake.
This north-south link serves both holidaymakers and business travellers, connecting major cultural and economic hubs overnight. Within six months, European Sleeper's network will triple from one route to three.
Fares are affordable for holidaymakers, with budget seats starting at just 29.99 euros per person one way
|EUROPEAN SLEEPER
The train was originally meant to travel through Switzerland via the Simplon Pass, however, track works running through 2027 made that route impossible. European Sleeper switched to the Gotthard Pass instead.
The revised journey includes a stop at Göschenen, which gives easy access to nearby ski resorts - perfect for winter sports fans.
Further along, stops at Lugano and Como put passengers right on the doorstep of those famous Italian lakes and the stunning mountain scenery surrounding them.
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The launch was pushed back from June to September due to extensive railway works in Germany over the summer of 2026, as well as the time needed to complete certification for operation in Switzerland.
Fares are affordable for holidaymakers, with budget seats starting at just 29.99 euros per person one-way.
Those who want the option to lie down, couchette beds in a shared compartment cost from 49.99 euros. This includes your ticket, reservation, luggage allowance and bed linen.
For more space, holidaymakers can opt for Comfort Standard from 99.99 euros, or splash out on Comfort Plus from 129.99 euros, which includes breakfast.
The route will connect more parts of Europe
|EUROPEAN SLEEPER
The London connection is straightforward: transfer in Brussels to or from the Eurostar.
Once you reach Milan, the train arrives at Porta Garibaldi station, which is actually more central than Milano Centrale. From there, high-speed services head south to Florence and Rome, while Milano Centrale is just a quick six-minute metro ride away.
In more train updates, GB News tested Eurostar Standard versus Premier to see how the classes compare.
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