From Milan to Brussels by night train
16 September 2026
On 9 September 2026, a new chapter in European night train travel began.For the first time, European Sleeper connected Milan and Brussels directly by night train, linking northern Italy with the heart of Europe in one journey across four countries.
There was excitement on the platform at Milano Porta Garibaldi as passengers, railway enthusiasts, journalists, politicans, and partners gathered for the inaugural departure. What had been an idea, a project and months of preparation was finally becoming reality.
That afternoon, the first European Sleeper night train from Milan to Brussels stood ready to depart.
A new night train connection
The new Milan-Brussels night train gives travellers a different way to cross Europe.
Instead of spending much of a day travelling between northern Italy and Belgium, or flying and spending time at airports, passengers can board in the late afternoon, settle into their compartment, have dinner, watch the landscape disappear outside the window and let the train travel while they sleep.
The service operates three times a week from Milan, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with return journeys from Brussels on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
From 13 December, the route changes slightly, with trains travelling from Brussels through Antwerp, Breda and Eindhoven in the Netherlands before continuing towards Cologne and on to Milan.
But before the first train could begin its journey north, there was an important moment to mark in Milan.
The inaugural day began in Milan with a press event held across from Milano Porta Garibaldi, bringing together representatives from European Sleeper, Arenaways, local and regional authorities, and the wider railway and tourism community. The speakers reflected the international nature of the new connection, with representatives from Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and European Sleeper taking part in the event. They spoke about the launch of the direct Milan-Brussels service and the role of international cooperation in expanding overnight rail travel across Europe.
From left to right: Giorgio Maria Zamperetti, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Belgium in Milan; Chris Engelsman, Co-founder of European Sleeper; Raffaele Cattaneo, Undersecretary to the President of the Lombardy Region; Mascha Baak, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Milan; Matteo Arena, General Manager of Arenaways; Elmer van Buuren, Co-founder of European Sleeper; and Julia de Graaf-Heugl, Head of Sales at European Sleeper.
As the train pulled away from Milano Porta Garibaldi, Milan gradually disappeared behind us. The busy city gave way to the northern Italian landscape as the train headed towards Lake Como. This was no ordinary first departure. As the inaugural European Sleeper service between Milan and Brussels, the train carried a mix of passengers, railway partners, journalists and photographers, with interviews taking place throughout the journey as everyone experienced the new route for the first time. The onboard stewards were also settling into their first service on this connection, checking passengers in, answering questions and handing out drinks as the atmosphere gradually became more animated. There was a real sense of excitement running through the carriages, not just because of the journey itself, but because everyone on board was part of the first trip.
For passengers on board, there was time to settle in, explore the train, meet fellow travellers and begin to get into the rhythm of an overnight journey. There is something particularly enjoyable about the first few hours of a night train: you know you have a long distance ahead of you, but unlike travelling by plane or car, there is no need to concentrate on getting there. Instead, the journey itself becomes part of the experience.
The first stop was Como San Giovanni, before the train continued towards Switzerland. From there, the route passed through Lugano and Bellinzona before heading towards the Gotthard region and into the Swiss Alps. The railway line takes passengers through some of Switzerland's most impressive landscapes, with mountains, lakes and valleys unfolding alongside the tracks.
The train continued north through Switzerland, with stops including Göschenen, Arth-Goldau and Aarau, before eventually crossing into Germany.
By morning, the landscape had changed again. The train had reached Germany and continued towards Cologne, before travelling onwards to Aachen and crossing the Belgian border. The final part of the journey took the train through Belgium before reaching Brussels, bringing the inaugural journey from Milan to an end.
The arrival was followed by an inauguration event at Brussels-Midi, bringing together representatives from across Europe to mark the first arrival of the new service. Among those who spoke were Federica Favi, Ambassador of Italy to Belgium, Jacques Pitteloud, Ambassador of Switzerland, Belgian Federal Minister for Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke and Patrick Bontinck, CEO of visit.brussels. Their presence underlined the wider European significance of the connection and the interest in bringing cities and countries closer together by rail.
For those travelling on the inaugural service, the arrival in Brussels marked the end of the first overnight journey on the new route. After leaving Milan the previous evening, passengers had travelled through northern Italy, across Switzerland and the Alps, and onwards through Germany and Belgium. By the time the train reached Brussels the following morning, the route had been tested in practice and the first journey was complete.
The service is now open for bookings through September 2027, alongside European Sleeper’s other routes. With regular departures continuing, the Milan-Brussels connection is now available for travellers looking to make the journey themselves.
