European Sleeper’s 2026 Paris-Berlin Line: 1990s Coaches, 700-Person Capacity

The new Paris-Berlin night train from European Sleeper, launching in March 2026, will be a high-capacity service using 1990s-era coaches. The Dutch cooperative is aiming for a 600-700 passenger capacity by running 12-14 dedicated coaches, a significant step up from the split Nightjet service it is replacing. The rolling stock will be German-rented coaches from the 1990s, which co-founder Chris Engelsman describes as a similar comfort level to the Nightjet and “newer” than the 1950s-era carriages used on the company’s Prague service.
This new service is stepping into a gap left by ÖBB’s Nightjet, which is being cancelled next month due to the end of French subsidies. The announcement of a replacement has been celebrated as a “partial victory” by French rail advocates who had protested the cut. The new train will run three times a week, departing Paris Gare du Nord on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday evenings, and returning from Berlin on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
A key strategic change will be the train’s new route via Brussels. This path, which is currently being finalized with the rail authorities in France, Belgium, and Germany, differs from the Nightjet’s route through Strasbourg and Frankfurt. This new routing will create a major overnight connection for the Belgian capital.
The main selling point will be the capacity. By dedicating its entire train to one destination, European Sleeper believes it can not only capture the existing market but also “extend the ridership” significantly.
However, passengers should adjust their expectations for amenities. In a candid admission of the economic realities, Engelsman confirmed there will be no dining car at the start. The high rental and staff costs associated with onboard dining make it a “challenge” to profitability, a common issue for modern rail operators.