Europe’s Night Trains Are Expanding—And They’re Perfect For Slow Travel

There’s something undeniably romantic about drifting off to sleep while a train hums steadily towards its destination. For many travellers, though, the reality of overnight trains has often fallen short of the dream—shared compartments, cramped couchettes, and steep prices that rival airfares. A Berlin-based start-up called Nox is promising to change all that, with plans to launch an entirely private-room night train service across Europe from 2027.

Private Rooms Redefined

Unlike most European sleeper services today, where single cabins are rare and many passengers end up sharing with strangers, Nox is setting itself apart by making privacy the default. The trains will be designed exclusively with one- and two-bed rooms that can be locked from the inside and outside, giving passengers a genuine sense of personal space. Travellers can expect two-metre-long beds, seating areas with tables, and generous storage space for luggage. Some rooms will even come with panoramic windows so that the night views are as much a part of the journey as the morning arrival.

Three room categories will be on offer: Single and Double Loft rooms, where beds are placed vertically to the direction of travel and accessed by ladders, and Double Vista rooms, which feature chest-height beds that convert into seats and run parallel to the windows. Each design has been created to maximise comfort while keeping the cabin layouts efficient enough to allow more passengers onboard than traditional sleeper trains.

Comfort Meets Affordability

Nox’s big ambition isn’t just privacy, it’s making overnight rail travel accessible at prices that rival short-haul flights. The company has announced that single cabins will start from EUR 79 and doubles from EUR 149, with fares designed to fluctuate depending on demand. For a product that combines accommodation and transport, those numbers are likely to appeal to both leisure travellers and business passengers looking for a more sustainable, stress-free alternative to flying.

The start-up’s co-founders, Thibault Constant and Janek Smalla, are no strangers to the railway world. Constant, best known for his YouTube channel “Simply Railway,” has travelled on more than 400 night trains worldwide, while Smalla helped launch FlixTrain and previously led the German ridesharing market for Bolt. Their combined experience has informed Nox’s approach: a mix of traveller-first design and operational efficiency to keep costs low without sacrificing comfort.

Europe-Wide Vision

Though the first trains are only expected to roll out in 2027, the long-term vision is bold. By 2035, Nox aims to connect over 100 European cities with its network, spanning from Stockholm and Copenhagen to Rome, Barcelona, Paris, and Amsterdam. The promise is that passengers will board in the evening, settle into their private cabins, and wake up refreshed in a new city, with no airport transfers, security queues, or early morning alarms.

The company has already reserved train coaches and is finalising interior approvals, with financing rounds in progress to bring the ambitious project to life. Travellers can get a glimpse of the proposed cabin layouts and timetables on Nox’s website, which also offers an “Early Bird Club” for those keen to secure discounted fares and early booking access once tickets go live.

What sets Nox apart is its clear focus on redefining overnight rail not as a nostalgic throwback but as a modern, sustainable, and even premium way of travelling across the continent. By promising both comfort and affordability, the start-up is looking to turn Europe’s fragmented sleeper services into a cohesive, city-to-city network.

If the vision materialises as planned, the coming decade could see night trains reclaim their place as the most stylish, convenient, and eco-conscious way to cross Europe. For travellers, that means no more awkwardly shared compartments, just a bed of one’s own, a window onto Europe’s landscapes, and the chance to wake up somewhere entirely new.

FAQs

1. When will Nox sleeper trains launch in Europe?
Nox plans to begin operations in 2027, with a full network of over 100 European cities expected by 2035.

2. How much will tickets for Nox sleeper trains cost?
Single cabins are expected to start at EUR 79, while double cabins will be priced from EUR 149, with flexible fares based on demand.

3. What makes Nox sleeper trains different from existing night trains?
Unlike traditional couchettes, Nox offers only private one- or two-person rooms, complete with beds, seating areas, storage, and in some cases panoramic windows.

4. Which European cities will be connected by Nox trains?
By 2035, Nox aims to connect major hubs like Stockholm, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Berlin, and more.

5. What types of private rooms will Nox offer?
There will be three cabin categories: Single and Double Loft rooms with ladder-access beds, and Double Vista rooms featuring low-floor or chest-height beds with scenic views.