Dutch-Belgian rail company European Sleeper is launching its new Berlin-Brussels ‘Goodnight Train’ service on Thursday, May 25, according to euronews.com.
Linking the two cities in less than 12 hours, the train will depart Berlin just before 23h00 and arrive in Brussels at 09h30 the next day, stopping at Amsterdam and Rotterdam on the way. The return journey will depart Brussels at 19h30 and arrive just before 07h00 the next morning.
Berlin departures are on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and trains leave Brussels on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Prices start at €79 (R1 650) for a single standard seat in a shared compartment, while a private sleeper compartment with its own wash basin, made-up bed and luxury breakfast goes for €229 (R4 785). Other options include shared couchette compartments with up to six berths.
Pets are allowed in the private compartments.
The plan is to expand the service to Dresden and Prague from next year. In 2025, the company aims to introduce an additional line from Amsterdam to Barcelona.
The service is part of the EU’s plan to boost green transport. The European Commission is assisting with co-ordination, regulations and promotion of 10 new train services to smooth the logistics of connecting rail networks in different countries.