Mice Insights

By Viviane Vaz

MICE INSIGHTS (12 December 2025)

Europe’s overnight rail network is entering a critical moment defined by rising public activism, service cutbacks and ambitious new route development. For travel, tourism and events professionals, the implications for connectivity, sustainable itineraries and multi-destination travel are significant.

Today, 12 December, coordinated “pyjama party” protests will unfold at nearly a dozen major European train stations, calling for stronger investment in cross-border night trains. The actions, staged by climate and transport advocacy groups, reflect increasing traveler demand for overnight rail, even as some services are cut back. The 🇫🇷 Paris–🇦🇹 Vienna Nightjet is being discontinued after French funding was withdrawn, and other international links remain under pressure.

🟢 Click on the city bubble to find schedule and meeting point:

A new night train route takes shape

Meanwhile, European Sleeper  is preparing to launch a new night-train service from 🇳🇱 Amsterdam and 🇧🇪 Brussels to 🇨🇭 Bern, 🇨🇭 Brig, and 🇮🇹 Milan starting 18 June 2026, running three times a week. The route aims to offer scenic overnight travel through 🇨🇭 Switzerland and into 🇮🇹 northern Italy.

However, to fully operationalise this long-distance service, Mice Insights found that European Sleeper still needs to finalise key agreements with several infrastructure and rail-industry stakeholders.

• 🚉 National infrastructure managers (IMs) — To secure track access rights and train paths across each country on the route (Belgium’s Infrabel/SNCB, the Netherlands’ ProRail/NS, Germany’s DB Netz, Switzerland’s SBB-owned infrastructure, and Italy’s Rete Ferroviaria Italiana)
• 🕰️ Train path allocation bodies — Approval from each territory’s scheduling authority is essential to coordinate cross-border timings and platform access
• 🚂 Rolling-stock providers or lessors — European Sleeper must secure sufficient sleeper and couchette coaches, either by leasing from specialist rolling-stock companies or in partnership with established operators; rolling stock shortages are widely acknowledged as a bottleneck for night-train expansion across Europe
• 💰 Funding partners and possibly governments — Because night trains generally operate at a loss without subsidies, European Sleeper and partners may require local or national funding agreements, especially on segments crossing Switzerland, where the federal parliament is still debating support for night services

Systemic challenges across borders

The hurdles European Sleeper still needs to clear are emblematic of broader industry dynamics:

• 🛤️ Infrastructure access remains complex — Securing coordinated path rights across multiple national networks requires lengthy negotiations with several European IMs
• 🚃 Rolling-stock scarcity — Suitable sleepers and couchettes remain in limited supply, complicating expansion. Operators often negotiate leases with specialist railway leasing firms or established companies
• 💵 Funding and subsidies — Without predictable public support (such as the debated night-train subsidy package in Switzerland) operators face profitability challenges, especially on international routes

What does it mean for the Travel & Event sector?

For travel industry stakeholders, the evolving night-train landscape presents both opportunities and uncertainties:

• 🌱 New routes to Switzerland and Italy could enrich sustainable destination portfolios and offer alternatives to air travel for delegates and leisure travelers
• ⚙️ Operational fragility highlights the importance of advocacy and alignment with rail partners to support resilient service planning
• ✊ Public pressure on climate-friendly transportation suggests rising demand for overnight rail offerings —an element that destinations and meeting planners can integrate strategically into sustainable travel products

In a nutshell: a turning point for European Mobility 🇪🇺

Europe’s night-train network stands at a crossroads: old routes are ending, public campaigns are gaining traction, and new connections are emerging—but success hinges on closing deals with infrastructure managers, financing partners and rolling-stock providers.

For the travel, tourism and events industry, the next 12–24 months could define whether overnight rail becomes a backbone of sustainable continental travel—or remains fragmented in the face of logistical and financial barriers.

🧸💭 Think a pyjama party event could help night trains? Watch now: