Ever dreamed of falling asleep and waking up in a different city? Well, thanks to an abundance of sleeper train networks in Europe, your dream has never been easier (or more comfortable) to realise. From the harsh landscapes of Norway’s north to the rocky Romanian mountains and sun-drenched cities of Italy, there’s a sleeper journey for every traveller. Forget liquid limits and baggage restrictions as you opt out of planes and hop onto trains. Here’s how to catch a night’s kip while on the move with our rundown of the top seven sleeper trains in Europe.
1. Hamburg to Stockholm
2. Budapest to Bucharest
3. Oslo to Trondheim
4. Trondheim to Bodø
5. Paris to Vienna
6. Rome to Sicily
7. Zurich to Prague or Budapest
1.
Hamburg to Stockholm
In today’s climate crisis, we’ve all experienced the pang of guilt that accompanies the excitement of booking a flight. The Swedes even have a word for this – flygskam – which means ‘flight shame’. To alleviate national feelings of flygskam, the Swedish government procured the Euronight train in 2022. Lasting approximately 12 hours and travelling throughout the year, the route between Hamburg and Stockholm has proved a hit. Fancy a trip to the ABBA Museum, anyone? Swapping Hamburg’s bridges and canals for the Nordic architecture of the Swedish capital, you’ll traverse Germany’s north and Sweden’s south, stopping in destinations such as Copenhagen and Malmö along the way.
2.
Budapest to Bucharest
What sleeper trains in Europe lack in speed, they certainly make up for with scenery. The journey between Budapest and Bucharest, passing through the mystical Carpathian mountains and medieval Transylvania, is a prime example. For any bookworms on board, keep your eyes peeled (and wits about you) for Bran Castle, Bram Stoker’s inspiration for Dracula’s Castle. Climb aboard and check out the dining carriage, before cosying up for your 17-hour adventure in one of the couchettes (convertible seats) or private sleeper compartments. Several of these Romanian Railways trains depart daily, so there’s a journey to suit all schedules.
3.
Oslo to Trondheim
Much like their Swedish neighbours, Norwegians are no strangers to the joys of train travel. The Dovre Railway – which travels between the Norwegian capital, Oslo, and the historic city of Trondheim – reduces your CO2 footprint by 20 times (compared to a flight). Taking approximately six-and-a-half hours, with the option to travel by day or night, you’ll settle into a comfortable compartment and pass through spectacular scenery including the lush Gudbrandsdalen valley and Dovrefjell mountain range. After the memorable 485-mile trip, you’ll soon be wishing for another togferie (that’s Norwegian for train holiday).
4.
Trondheim to Bodø
Next up on our list of the top seven sleeper trains in Europe is another Nordic special: Norway’s longest continuous train journey. Covering 729 miles, the Nordland train crosses 293 bridges, travels through 154 tunnels and crosses the Arctic Circle to reach the northern city of Bodø. If that’s not impressive enough, take the ten-hour sleeper journey during the summer to enjoy 24 hours of daylight, thanks to the Midnight Sun phenomenon above the Arctic Circle. In winter, you might even be lucky enough to spot the Northern Lights as you whizz past the spruce and pine forests of the Saltfjellet mountains. Dramatic nature, street art and museums await on arrival in the mini-metropolis of Bodø, named the European capital of culture for 2024.
5.
Paris to Vienna
Take two palatial cities of culture and connect them via rail; voila, you’ve got the ÖBB Nightjet sleeper train. Taking on average 11 hours and 20 minutes (although the fastest one can get you there in under ten), hop on the train and settle into a seat, couchette or sleeper compartment for the night. Save on a night’s hotel bill as you dream of apfelstrudel and snooze through cities, including Munich and Salzburg, under the cover of darkness. Watch the sunrise as you roll into Vienna, well-rested and ready to explore the city after a comfortable night’s sleep.
6.
Rome to Sicily
If you want a guilt-free taste of the sweet Italian life, look no further than the romance of a slow train ride down Italy’s west coast. Swap the Eternal City's historical wonders for Sicilia's turquoise waters as you embark on the 300-mile journey south to your pick of cities Palermo, Syracuse and Catania. The sleeper train even crosses the waters of the Strait of Messina to get to the island, making it the only route in Europe where a passenger train boards a ferry. Sicily has the largest rail network of any Mediterranean island, so your love affair with train travel needn’t end once you reach your destination.
7.
Zurich to Prague or Budapest
Fancy saving 16 times more CO2 emissions than if you were to travel by plane? Our final mention in the roundup of the best sleeper trains in Europe does just that. Climb aboard in the lakeside city of Zurich, then travel 13 hours and over 300 miles through the night, waking up in the cultural Czech capital, Prague. If you opt for a couchette or sleeping car, you’ll even be greeted with a light breakfast as you approach your destination. Also departing from Zurich is a Hungarian Railways night train to Budapest, which passes through Vienna. Lasting just under 11 hours, you’ll glide past beautiful mountain and lakeside scenery while feasting on breakfast, arriving in the ‘Paris of the East’ itching to discover the city.
Written by Hannah Whitehall | Header image by Carlota Weber Mazuecos