The European sleeper train network is undergoing a major shuffle on the key Paris-Berlin axis. From December 14, the Austrian state operator ÖBB will ax its popular Nightjet service, citing the end of French government subsidies. This move, which also affects the Paris-Vienna line, dealt a significant blow to the night train renaissance. However, the route will not stay dormant for long. The Dutch cooperative European Sleeper has announced it will step into the breach, launching its own Paris-Berlin service on March 26, 2026.
This “changing of the guard” has been welcomed by rail activists. The French campaign group ‘Oui au train de nuit!’ had protested the Nightjet’s cancellation with a “pyjama party” and a 91,000-signature petition. They are calling this new development a “partial victory,” as it ensures the continuity of this vital link, even as the Vienna service remains un-replaced for now.
European Sleeper’s service promises to be a robust replacement. It will run three times a week, with evening departures from Paris Gare du Nord (on Tue, Thu, Sun) and return trips from Berlin (on Mon, Wed, Fri). The company’s co-founder, Chris Engelsman, is confident they can attract the Nightjet’s existing market and even “extend the ridership” due to a significant increase in capacity.
This increased capacity is a key feature. While ÖBB’s 12-coach train split between Berlin and Vienna, European Sleeper will run 12 to 14 coaches solely for Berlin, allowing for 600-700 passengers. The service will also take a new path, rerouting via Brussels instead of the Nightjet’s Strasbourg-Frankfurt line, pending final agreements. This move will create a new sleeper connection for the Belgian capital.
The company, which has been operating its Berlin-Brussels-Prague service since 2023, is known for its “no-frills nostalgia” and has faced mixed reviews. The new Paris-Berlin route will use 1990s German-rented coaches, which are newer than some in their fleet. But Engelsman has confirmed the service will launch without a dining car, as the high operational costs make it “difficult to break even” on food and drink sales.