From 10 September, European Sleeper will take travellers on a night train from Brussels via Zurich, Lugano and Lake Como directly to Milan. The transfer from London is conveniently made by Eurostar.
Quick overview
This announcement is primarily relevant for rail travellers because it may have concrete effects on planning, connections or infrastructure. The focus is on European Sleeper, night train, London-Milan, Brussels, Eurostar and Milan. The key points are summarised below.
Key points
- From 10 September, European Sleeper connects Brussels with Zurich, Lugano, Lake Como and Milan.
- Travellers from London change from the Eurostar to the night train in Brussels and reach Milan centrally at Milano Porta Garibaldi station.
- Tickets in shared Classic compartments start at 49.99 euros per person and per journey; private Classic compartments from 179.99 euros.
- In addition to the Classic class, there are cheaper Budget and Comfort compartments as well as Women-Only options.
- Bicycle carriage cannot be booked in summer 2026; domestic journeys within the transit countries are not offered.
What this means for travellers
For travellers, the key question is whether this connection offers a genuine alternative to flying. The deciding factors will be the timing of the schedule, the booking launch, comfort classes and onward connections at the start and end stations.
Context
European Sleeper is expanding its night train network with a new direct connection from Brussels to Milan, giving travellers from Great Britain a night train link to northern Italy without having to change trains.
What to watch now
- Wait for the booking launch and the specific days of operation.
- Compare sleeper and couchette options early, as cheap allocations can sell out quickly.
- Plan connections at the start and end stations with sufficient buffer.