Overnight trains are back in France and across Europe
Overnight trains are making a comeback in both France and Europe generally. It’s more than a fad—the way we travel is changing.
Back by popular demand
Phased out 20 years ago and now resurrected: overnight routes from Paris to Berlin, Aurillac, etc.
Since 2021, when we launched our overnight service to Vienna and brought back trains linking the French capital with Nice and Lourdes, overnight rail has returned in Europe and France.
Around 10 new domestic lines are planned by 2030. Today overnight service is part of our effort to fight climate change and sits at the intersection of several SNCF priorities: comfort and onboard services, linking regions across France and throughout Europe, and the growing popularity of slow travel.
Nine years on
Following on Paris-Vienna, we launched our Paris-Berlin service on 11 December 2023. Trains leave from Paris Est station and arrive at Berlin Hauptbahnhof. Service will initially run round-trip three times a week, ramping up to daily service from October 2024.
Out of favour
Low-cost airlines and the number of TGV routes have exploded in recent decades in a race to be offer the fastest service from point A to point B. Overnight trains never really adapted to the times and were phased out.
A pan-European resurgence
Today several European operators are responsible for the resurgence. Links connect Zurich to Prague; Prague to Amsterdam, Hamburg and Stockholm; Stockholm to Berlin, and the capitals of Eastern Europe to one another via numerous partnerships—international overnight routes are gaining steam.
Why now?
The renewed appeal stems from a growing awareness of the environmental impact of flying, which has spawned “train bragging” and a closer look at the cost of overnight train travel.
Serving communities nationwide
In 2021, a report on the development of TET trains (Trains d’Equilibre du Territoire, or long-distance inter-regional rail) highlighted the benefits of overnight service and opportunities for creating new service options. The report found that a modal shift to overnight trains would cut these journeys’ CO2 emissions by 95%.
Major updates
The French government bankrolled much-needed renovations, such as significantly better soundproofing, power outlets for each compartment and onboard wifi, and modern washrooms. We’ve also updated colour schemes, lighting, and more.
770,000
people in France took an overnight train in 20231
€91m
invested by the French government2 to update overnight rolling stock
13
major European cities on track for overnight service by the end of 20242