Night Train Linking Milan to Brussels Launches in September A new overnight sleeper train service connecting Milan, Italy, to Brussels, Belgium, is set to begin operations in September 2026. The service, operated by European Sleeper, will make its inaugural departure from Milan on Wednesday, September 9th, 2026. The route spans 18 hours, passing through key cities such as Como, Zurich, and Cologne before reaching Brussels. The train will run three times a week in each direction. Departures from Brussels will occur on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday at approximately 6 p.m., with arrivals in Switzerland and Italy the following morning between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. In the reverse direction, trains will leave Milan on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 5:30 p.m., arriving in Brussels within the same time window. Tickets for the service will go on sale starting March 17th, with pricing options ranging from €50 for a shared “Classic” compartment. Some shared carriages will be designated as women-only, while private cabins will start at €180. A more affordable “Budget” class and an upgrade option to “Comfort” are also available, though details for these options have not yet been released. The service’s launch has been delayed by three months compared to its original June 2026 schedule. European Sleeper cited extensive track works in Germany and prolonged certification processes in Switzerland as the primary reasons for the delay. The company also announced plans to extend the route to Amsterdam in 2027, with the new segment branching off from Cologne and heading north toward the Dutch capital. This development follows recent announcements about Italy’s progress on high-speed rail links with Germany and Austria by 2026, highlighting growing infrastructure investments in the region.#zurich #milan #brussels #european_sleeper #cologne
European Sleeper delays Amsterdam night train to Zurich, Milan to 2027 European Sleeper has postponed the launch of its night train from Amsterdam to Milan until 2027, despite Amsterdam remaining part of the original plan just a week prior. Simultaneously, the Brussels-to-Milan route, which previously faced delays, is now scheduled to begin on September 9, 2026. The company initially aimed to start service on June 18 from both Amsterdam Centraal and Brussels-Zuid, with trains combining in Germany before continuing to Milan. European Sleeper attributed the delay to extensive track work in Germany during the summer, which the company deemed too risky. “We fear a difficult start and prefer to begin properly in September,” said Chris Engelsman, co-founder of European Sleeper. Additional time is required to finalize operational paperwork in Switzerland, where the process differs due to the country’s non-EU status. Engelsman noted that while there are no obstacles, the registration of passenger transport and timetable applications take longer in Switzerland. He expressed satisfaction with the company’s reception in the country. Ticket sales for the Milan service will open on March 17, marking European Sleeper’s third night train. This follows its existing Brussels–Prague route and the upcoming Paris–Berlin service, which is set to launch on March 26 as planned. Prices range from 29.99 euros for a seat to 129.99 euros for a Comfort Plus sleeper. The Brussels–Milan train will operate on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday from Brussels, with return trips on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Stops include Luik-Guillemins, Aachen, Cologne, Zürich, Arth-Goldau, Göschenen, Bellinzona, Lugano, Chiasso, Como San Giovanni, and Milan Porta Garibaldi.#zurich #european_sleeper #amsterdam_centraal #brussels_zuid #milan_porta_garibaldi
European Sleeper’s Brussels-Milan Night Train Delayed to September European Sleeper has announced that its new night train service connecting Brussels to Milan will now launch in September 2026, instead of the originally planned June departure. The company cited ongoing track works in Germany during the summer months and the certification process for Switzerland, a new country in its network, as the primary reasons for the delay. The revised schedule moves the first departure to 9 September, marking a significant adjustment to the initial timeline. The new route will operate three times weekly, with departures from Brussels on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings. Travelers will arrive in Zürich and Milan the following morning. The return journey from Milan will run on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday nights. While the schedule remains largely unchanged, the route has undergone some modifications. In Switzerland, the train will initially traverse via Zürich and the Gotthard Pass, bypassing the Simplon Pass due to planned track works through 2027. This revised path offers access to new destinations, including stops in Göschenen, Lugano, and Como, which provide convenient connections to nearby ski resorts and scenic lakes. Ticket sales for the new route will commence on 17 March 2026, with pricing options ranging from budget to premium classes. Budget seats start at €29.99 one way, while a Classic compartment with a couchette bed is available from €49.99, including luggage and bed linen. Comfort Standard and Comfort Plus options are priced at €99.99 and €129.99 respectively, with the latter including breakfast. This new service will be European Sleeper’s third route, joining its existing Brussels-Prague service and a soon-to-launch Paris-Berlin connection.#zurich #milan #brussels #european_sleeper #gotthard_pass
