In response to the high demand for winter sports travel and city trips, European rail company European Sleeper has announced a new sleeper train service linking Belgian capital Brussels with the Italian city of Venice.

In a press statement, the Belgo–Dutch railway company says that its new European Sleeper night train will connect a range of winter sports and city trip destinations on one spectacular route from the North Sea to the Mediterranean.

The inaugural journey will depart from Brussels on February 5, 2025, with the service operating twice weekly during February and March. 

The statement adds that this schedule accommodates school holidays, and the peak winter sports season, and provides a sustainable, enjoyable travel option to Venice’s famous carnival. 

This overnight journey connects Belgium and Italy passing through the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria, making cross-continental night journeys more accessible. 

Chris Engelsman

“We are pleased to introduce this new night train connection from the North Sea to the Mediterranean,” says Chris Engelsman, Co-Founder of European Sleeper. 

“Passengers will be able to board our train from Belgium and the Netherlands, and relax in the comfort of the restaurant car, while the train transports them through Germany and Austria, and across the Alps, ending in the historic cities of Verona and Venice the following day. This marks a new important milestone for European Sleeper and the convenience of night travel across Europe more sustainably,” Engelsman adds.

The ticket prices for this winter service will be disclosed shortly, the company says, and travellers can begin booking their trips starting September 1. 

The Venice sleeper train will depart Brussels at 17:00 and arrive in Venice at 14:00 the next day. The return trip will leave Venice at 15:00, returning to Brussels at 23:00 the next day.