Revolutionizing European Travel: The Brussels-Milan Night Train by European Sleeper
A new era of sustainable European travel officially kicked off this week as European Sleeper, the Dutch-Belgian rail cooperative, launched its highly anticipated overnight train service between Brussels and Milan on September 9, 2026.
The route — the company’s third international night line and its first to reach Switzerland and Italy — runs three times a week in each direction. Departing from Brussels-Midi in the evening, passengers will find themselves at Milan’s Porta Garibaldi station the following morning.
The journey takes passengers via Cologne, through the stunning Swiss Alps on the historic Gotthard route, and stops at scenic destinations including Lugano and Lake Como. This offers passengers the chance to witness breathtaking alpine views at dawn.
The service was developed in partnership with Italian rail company Arenaways (partly owned by Renfe), which provides locomotive traction on the Italian section using TRAXX E483 engines. Tickets in a shared Classic compartment start from just €49.99 one-way, making eco-friendly cross-border travel genuinely affordable.
The launch marks a significant milestone for Europe’s night train revival, giving travelers a low-carbon alternative to short-haul flights across one of the continent’s busiest travel corridors. The network is set to expand further from December 2026, when additional stops at Antwerp, Breda, and Eindhoven will bring the Netherlands into the direct fold.
Source: Il Sole 24 Ore – European Sleeper’s new Milan–Brussels night train makes its debut