The roar of diesel engines fades into the night as Europe’s sleeper train glides across borders, carrying passengers to their morning destinations while they dream. Imagine a “hostel on rails” that blends budget travel, sustainability, and heartfelt human connection—this is the vision of European Sleeper, the Dutch‑led cooperative reshaping rail travel across the Continent.
From Guardrails To Railways: A Dream Decades In The Making
When Elmer van Buuren, once a dutiful train guard in the Netherlands, shared his ambition of owning a train company, few believed him. Yet, after two decades of rail experience—from operations to consulting—he and his colleague Chris Engelsman launched European Sleeper in 2021. The startup would harness the power of community, raising €500,000 via crowdfunding within minutes—followed by nearly €4.5 million in support within a few years.
Van Buuren remarks, “I had always dreamt of having my own train company… this idea had been boiling inside for 25 years.” Their mission: bring back night trains not as showpieces of luxury, but as affordable, sustainable, and deeply human journeys.
A Sleeper Train Reborn: Practicality Meets Romance
European Sleeper launched its inaugural route on May 25, 2023, between Brussels and Berlin, later extending to Prague in March 2024. The thrice‑weekly service offers seating, couchettes, and sleeper compartments, and welcomes Interrail and Eurail passes since mid-2023.
In its first year, the train carried over 55,000 passengers across more than 260 trips, even as the team wrestled with scarce rolling stock, complex international timetables, and investor uncertainty.
For many Europeans, especially the climate-conscious and young travellers embracing “flight shame,” this service resonates. Bookings jumped by 147% in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels—ushering in a new age for overnight rail travel.
A “Hostel On Rails”: Real People, Real Stories
A recent Forbes feature described the experience aboard European Sleeper’s Hamburg‑Berlin‑Prague service: shared compartments of up to six people, linen-changing staff, camaraderie, and sunset views over sleeping cars. It truly felt like a hostel on wheels.
The Guardian travel writer captured the poetry of the route from Amsterdam to Berlin: boarding after oysters and steak tartare, lights dimmed at 22:20, crisp bedding and fresh linen, waking hours later to Berlin’s urban gardens and the expansive Hauptbahnhof station. That slow trip unfolds into a nostalgic embrace of history and hope.
Passengers speak of softly clicking tracks lulling them to sleep, window air vents opening to night air, and the waves of city lights greeting them at dawn—moments that make the journey more than transport.
The Crossroads: Logistics, Growth, And Future Routes
Amid the goodwill and rising demand, European Sleeper faces real challenges. Its fleet consists of rented carriages, mainly refurbished models from the 1960s‑80s, with updates from the 1990s‑2010s. Newer couchette cars with air conditioning are now leased, and occasional bistro cars trialled in fall–winter 2024–25 add charm—though some routes still lack them.
Planning remains cautious. A proposed Amsterdam–Barcelona route, initially penciled in for 2025, has been delayed until 2026. Negotiations with France’s SNCF Réseau remain unresolved, and rolling stock shortages continue to hamper the timeline.
A seasonal service was mounted between Brussels and Venice (via Innsbruck) in early 2025, though only two of the planned four train-pairs actually reached Venice due to late agreements with Italian operators. Even so, passengers were rerouted smoothly via alternatives from ÖBB and Trenitalia.
Looking Ahead With Cautious Optimism
Van Buuren and Engelsman plan to upgrade to 30‑35 revamped carriages over time, raising some €40–60 million to build a fleet capable of handling three trains of ten cars each. Their vision includes accepting Interrail passes, adding daily services, and targeting business travelers with more creature comforts—Wi‑Fi, showers, more privacy.
As passenger numbers grow and climate awareness deepens, European Sleeper is betting that what began as low‑cost adventure travel can mature into a mainstream, sustainable alternative to flying—without losing its communal spirit.
Real‑Life Moments On Board
- A hostel‑style bond: Travelers in six‑berth couchette cabins often share wine, cheese platters, and conversation, turning the train into a mobile communal space.
- Sunrise in central cities: Arriving in Berlin or Prague before dawn, passengers step into historic heartlands—not airports 50 km outside town. Some recall stretching at breakfast in Berlin’s Aerziger Bath; others emerge to Prague’s energy and walkable culture.
Why This Revival Matters—And Why The 4th Point
You asked that Point 4 be emphasized—and it is: European Sleeper’s landmark seasonal Venice‑Brussels service in early 2025, despite its rocky rollout, demonstrates both ambition and the challenges of cross-border rail. While only half the planned trains reached Venice, the company swiftly arranged for alternate passage via ÖBB and Trenitalia—a testament to its resilience and customer care.
This episode highlights how the startup is navigating external complexities—from track-rights to partner agreements—while holding firm to its mission. It’s not perfect, but it’s real, and it’s growing.
Conclusion: More Than A Train—An Emblem Of Possibility
European Sleeper isn’t just offering night transport—it’s reviving an ethos of leisurely travel, low-carbon commitment, and shared discovery. Born of rail nostalgia and environmental urgency, its cooperative structure and grassroots funding make it uniquely human. It’s a journey not just across Europe, but toward a new ideal: travel that honors history, companionship, and the planet.
As the wheels click softly into station platforms and dawn breaks over European skylines, passengers on this “hostel on rails” know: they are part of something hopeful, something new—and without departure boards reminding them they had to choose speed over story.
Sources:
Good News Network
Forbes
The Guardian
Euro News
World at Large
Fast Company
