Travelling by train can often be more expensive than hopping on a short-haul flight, but a new company is hoping to change that.
Nox, a Berlin-based startup, is working to create an alternative travel option in Europe, with plans for overnight sleeper trains that cost the same price as a plane ticket.
They’re hopeful the first route will launch in 2027, with a goal of connecting more than 100 European cities by 2035. Destinations will include Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Milan, Paris, Warsaw, Frankfurt and Brussels.
And the best part? If successful, the overnight trains will have private rooms for passengers, with prices starting from £67 (€79) for a single room and £127 (€149) for a double.
The plan is for the rooms to feature 2m long beds, as well as armchairs and tables at which people can work, eat, or relax, plus windows where you can enjoy the views outside as you travel.
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There will be three different types of room available – a single or double loft room and vista rooms.
The loft rooms have upper beds which you have to climb a ladder to get to, while the vista rooms, the beds are low to the floor or at chest-height for easy access and can be converted into seats.
According to Nox, their trains will differ from other sleeper trains as they ‘focus on privacy, good sleep and affordable prices’.
They continue: ‘You will not need to share your room with strangers and can lock it from in and outside. On top, we aim to offer ticket prices as low as air fares.’
The idea behind the private rooms was born from personal experience, as co-founder Thibault Constant has taken more than 400 night train trips. He’s been sharing his journeys on social media as Simply Railway.
His co-founder Janek Smalla brings experience from the operational side of things, having previously worked at Flix, leading the operational launch of FlixTrain. He also led the German ridesharing market for Bolt until 2024.
Janek adds: ‘Our room design allows us to fit more people into our trains than traditional operators can. This, paired with a strict focus on standardisation and operational excellence will allow us to offer affordable fares on over 35 European routes.’
On X (formerly Twitter) people are already excited about the prospect of the new overnight trains, although some have branded Nox’s plans as ‘ambitious’ and ‘optimistic’.
Mark Smith, who runs travel site seat61.com, said: ‘Ambitious plans for all-private-room sleeper trains, first route to be launched in 2027. I like the look of those comparments, the demand is there, and these guys know their market: It’ll be tough, but can they do it? We’ll see!’
Doug Smart was keen, saying: ‘Shut up and take my money!’
And Jakub Krupa commented: ‘That’s brilliant, particularly now that the OBB NightJet Brussels to Berlin remains suspended.’
@JB500125 said they ‘love it’ in response to the Nox designs, while @trainficionado felt similarly, adding: ‘I love it, though I have my doubts on feasibility. But all the best for the endeavor. And fingers crossed!’
Looking for more European train travel inspiration?
Here’s a look at other recent news about train journeys and sleeper trains across Europe:
- Inside the new luxury UK sleeper train that costs £11,600 for 3 nights
- New train to span 745 miles linking five European countries — and tickets are £40
- Six spectacular sleeper trains to ride across Europe in 2025
- This new train journey links seven European cities — and it costs £99 for a 21-hour trip
- New direct train set to connect London with Switzerland in five hours
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