How to: Good Night Train
26 March 2026
6 simple steps to travel Europe by night. Travelling by night train is more than just moving from one city to another. It is a way to journey with care, rest well, and arrive refreshed; all while gently gliding through Europe with the window open. Whether it is your first time or you have already made the good night train part of your life, this guide helps you make the most of it.Step 1
With European Sleeper, you decide what a good night looks like. We have four travel classes to choose from.
In Comfort Plus, you settle into a compartment with up to three beds, made with fresh sheets and a soft duvet. There is a private washbasin, and breakfast awaits you in the morning. It is calm and considered, so you wake up refreshed and ready for the day ahead.
With Comfort Standard, you travel in a three-person couchette that shifts gently from day to night. Seats become cosy beds with comfortable mattresses, prepared with fresh sheets and a duvet.
In Classic, the spirit of traditional night train travel comes alive in a five-person couchette. Seats by day turn into snug beds by night. A sheet and blanket are provided, along with mineral water and a fold-up table for your book, your journal, or a quiet cup of tea as the train moves on.
And with Budget, you choose a seat in a welcoming compartment. Ideal for shorter journeys or for those travelling simply, while still being part of the night train experience.
Step 2
Night trains bring together all kinds of travellers. Early sleepers and late-night readers. Quiet observers and curious conversationalists. When you book, you choose how you would like to share that space.
In a shared compartment, the journey often becomes part of the story. You might exchange travel tips, compare routes, or simply wish each other a good night as the lights dim. Compartments are mixed by default, and if you prefer, you can select a women-only compartment. It is a simple way to meet fellow travellers while still having your own berth to retreat to.
If you would rather keep things more private, you can reserve a private compartment. Ideal when travelling as a couple, with friends, or as a family. And if you are seeking complete quiet, you can even book an entire cabin for yourself. Close the door, settle in, and let the rhythm of the train carry you through the night.
Step 3
A few well-chosen items go a long way. Things that help you slow down, feel comfortable, and settle into the gentle rhythm of the journey.
Items to pack:
- Pyjamas or cosy loungewear
- Toothbrush and a small towel
- Earplugs and a sleep mask (very important!)
- Phone charger and a power bank
- A good book or downloaded podcast
- Water and light snacks
Don't worry - There is no need to fret about your larger luggage. You can store suitcases neatly under the beds or within your compartment, keeping your space calm and comfortable for the night.
Step 4
The next step is simple, settling in for the night.
As the train rolls gently through the landscape, the views shift from city lights to open countryside. Sit by the window and watch Europe change at its own unhurried pace. Pour a drink, stretch out in your cosy compartment, share a quiet conversation with your travel companions, or simply let the day soften and drift away.
When night settles in, lock your compartment and feel the ease of being safely on your way. Climb into your bunk, pull the duvet close, and allow the steady rhythm of the train to carry you into sleep. And if you happen to wake in the early hours, take a moment to look outside. A silent station, a moonlit field, a passing signal in the dark. Small, fleeting scenes that belong only to those who travel by night.
Step 5
Waking up on a night train feels different from any other morning. You slide the curtain aside and find yourself somewhere new. Perhaps a city skyline coming into view, rooftops catching the early light. Perhaps open countryside, quiet fields rolling past. There is no rush, no queues, no long transfer from airport to centre. Just the gentle rhythm of the rails and the feeling of already being where you meant to go.
Breakfast becomes part of that soft arrival. In Comfort Plus, it is included and served in your compartment, so you can ease into the day at your own pace. If you are travelling in Comfort Standard, Classic or Budget, you can simply order breakfast via our website or with our stewards onboard.
Step 6
And then there is one final step. Perhaps the most meaningful one of all.
Choosing the night train, again and again, is more than a practical decision. It is a different way of moving through Europe. Slower, more mindful, more connected to the places in between. Travelling by night train can emit up to 12x less CO₂ than flying, depending on the route. It is a small shift with real impact. You step onboard in the heart of the city, without long check-ins or airport queues, and wake up somewhere new.
Along the way, the journey itself becomes visible. Forests at dusk. Rivers catching the last light. City lights appearing and fading in the distance. And unlike most modern trains, our windows can still open. Feel the evening breeze. Hear the steady rhythm of the tracks beneath you. Let the movement, the landscape, and the quiet hours become part of your story.
