There is a quiet romance in packing a small carry-on bag, walking through Vienna’s Hauptbahnhof at 8:00 PM, and boarding the night train to Italy. Instead of enduring airport security lines, cramped low-cost airline seats, and suburban runway transfers, you settle into a private sleeping compartment with crisp white sheets and a bottle of Grüner Veltliner.
The revival of European night trains, spearheaded by Austria’s ÖBB Nightjet network, represents a cultural shift toward intentional, low-carbon travel.
Iconic Sleeper Routes to Book
- Vienna to Rome: Roll through the Austrian Semmering Pass while dining on schnitzel, and awaken as the train glides through the misty cypress hills of Tuscany into Roma Termini.
- Berlin to Stockholm (Euronight): Sleep across Germany and Denmark before crossing the dramatic Øresund Bridge into Sweden at sunrise.
- Paris to Nice (Nightjet): Depart the French capital at midnight and open your cabin curtains to the sparkling blue Mediterranean sea rolling alongside the tracks.
Tanisha Panwar
Senior Travel Editor & Cultural Specialist
Tanisha is a seasoned travel journalist and cultural heritage researcher with over eight years of field reporting across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Specializing in historic architecture, local artisan traditions, and slow-paced itineraries, she uncovers the deeper human stories behind the world’s most compelling destinations.
