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On 26.03.2026, the first European Sleeper service between France and Germany left Paris Nord bound for Berlin. The launch of this new route marks the second regular service of European Sleeper.
Originally starting operations in 2023, European Sleeper has taken things slow and steady, with a stable regular service now operating between Brussels and Prague via Berlin. In 2025, a brief service from the Netherlands to Venice, Italy was operated, but only on a seasonal basis. This year however, European Sleeper is gearing up to significantly expand its regular services across Europe. A service from Belgium to Italy should start by early summer.
The inaugural train departed Paris as ES475 at around 18:00 and arrived at Berlin Hauptbahnhof 15 hours later at 9 am. The route heads north out of Paris, and winds through Belgium and Germany making stops at: Aulnoye Aymeries, Mons, Brussels Zuid/midi, Liège-Guillemins, and Berlin Hauptbahnhof. A stop in Hamburg-Harburg will be added later this year. This is not the first recent night train between Paris and Berlin however, as a Nightjet service by ÖBB, DB, and SNCF was operated from 2023 to 2025, which was cancelled due to a lack of funding.
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Traction is provided by the Dutch Train Charter Services, which recently got a license to operate in France as well. Noteworthy is the traction being provided by a brand new Traxx 3MS from Railpool, which just made its first ever passenger run in France, Belgium and Germany. Train Charter now leases 2 machines from Railpool, namely 188 121 and 188 144. The passenger stock is provided by RDC, and has received Train Charter and European Sleeper stickers.
