European Sleeper to Venezia

On 5 February 2025, European Sleeper launched its long announced night service linking Brussels with Venice, with stops in Eindhoven, Köln, Innsbruck, and Bolzano/Bozen, marking the start of a two-month service operating twice weekly for six return journeys in February and March. The provisional timetable has been designed to align with European school holidays, the ski season, and city break getaways to Italy’s most iconic destinations, including Verona and Venice.

To mark this milestone, ES hosted a special press event at the Pullman Hotel in Brussels, welcoming members of the press and distinguished guests. The event culminated in an exclusive visit to the inaugural train, departing that same evening. Chris Engelsman, co-founder of European Sleeper, emphasized the importance of this new route: “This launch is a significant milestone for European Sleeper. Our mission is to reconnect Europe’s cities by night, providing travellers with more options for sustainable and comfortable travel. With stops in iconic locations like Innsbruck and connections to ski resorts and cultural landmarks, this route truly captures the spirit of adventure and discovery.”

In any case, the first train did not reach Venice because, according to the ES, a week before, the Italian side suddenly announced, without giving any reasons, that the train could not continue beyond Bolzano, and on the evening of 4 February European Sleeper was informed by Arenaways, the company that is supposed to provide traction in Italy, that the agreed operation in that country was not possible. Therefore, ES organised at its own expense an alternative solution for passengers travelling to Italy on the morning of 6 February in the form of a journey on an ÖBB railjet.