As the allure of overnight rail travel continues to captivate adventurers, a new wave of affordable sleeper train journeys is set to redefine continental exploration in 2026. With comfortable cabins, scenic vistas, and the convenience of combining transport with accommodation, these services provide a cost-effective alternative to flights and hotels, making dream destinations accessible without breaking the bank.
Affordable Sleeper Train Options Across Europe
European Sleeper has announced the revival of the Paris to Berlin night train connection, launching in March 2026, with one-way tickets in shared compartments starting from just €69.99 (£60). Meanwhile, Berlin-based startup Nox plans to offer an even more economical alternative from 2027, with single rooms priced from €79 (£67), targeting travellers seeking to avoid short-haul flights. These initiatives highlight a growing trend towards budget-friendly rail travel that doesn't compromise on experience.
1. ÖBB Nightjet – Extensive European Network
Operated by Austrian Railways, Nightjet connects over 25 European cities, including Vienna, Amsterdam, and Hamburg, through its multinational services. Passengers can choose from sleeper cabins, couchettes, or seating carriages, with some sleeping categories featuring private showers, toilets, fully made beds, and à la carte breakfasts. Key routes such as Vienna to Amsterdam offer minimum fares starting at €19.90 (£17.30) for a six-berth couchette, €29.90 (£26) for a four-berth couchette, €69.90 (£61) for a double sleeper bed, and €114.90 (£100) for a single-bed sleeper.
2. Night Riviera – Paddington to Penzance
One of only two sleeper trains in the UK, Night Riviera operates overnight from London Paddington to Penzance, Cornwall, six nights a week, departing at 23:45 and arriving at 7:50. It offers airline-style seats and single or shared cabins, with super off-peak return tickets around £150 and sleeper berths from £49 in a single cabin. Cabins include plug sockets, sinks, wardrobes, and convertible bottom bunks, while guests enjoy lounge and shower access at stations and a complimentary breakfast. An onboard lounge bar serves drinks and light bites.
3. SJ Night Train – Stockholm to Narvik
The SJ Night Train (Nattåg 94) provides an 18-hour journey from Stockholm Central to Narvik, Norway, traversing arctic landscapes. Options include regular seats, private ensuite cabins for two with breakfast, compartments for three with communal facilities, and couchette cabins for up to six. Departing daily around 6 pm, it arrives just before 12:40 pm the next day, with beds in shared compartments starting from approximately 2,865 Swedish Krona (£233) each way.
4. Caledonian Sleeper – London to Fort William
This iconic service connects London to the Scottish Highlands, with a stop at Birmingham International from January 2026, running nightly except Saturdays. Destinations include Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, and Fort William, with five room types ranging from reclining chairs to private double en-suite rooms. Basic seating costs £54 to £100, while a bed in a classic single or twin room to Fort William ranges from £210 to £405. The train features a Club Car serving Scottish produce and drinks.
5. VR Finnish Railways – Helsinki to Rovaniemi
For a magical journey to Lapland, VR Finnish Railways offers the Santa Claus Express, a double-decker night train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi via Tampere and Oulu. The 12-hour trip includes basic bunkbed cabins for two with shared or private shower and toilet facilities. Private cabins start from €49 (£43), with those including showers from €74 (£64.30), making it an enchanting and affordable option.
6. InterCity Notte – Italian Routes
Trenitalia's InterCity Notte provides affordable sleeper trains linking northern and southern Italy, with routes from Milan and Rome to Palermo, Sicily—where trains are ferried across the Strait of Messina—and connections from Turin to Naples. Modern coaches offer seat, sleeper, and couchette categories, with sleeper cabins for single, double, or triple occupancy featuring air conditioning, washbasins, power sockets, and continental breakfast. Fares begin at €122 (£106) for private sleeper cabins.
These budget-friendly sleeper train journeys demonstrate that overnight rail travel in Europe can be both economical and enjoyable, offering a unique way to explore the continent while saving on accommodation costs. With new services launching and existing routes expanding, 2026 promises to be a landmark year for affordable adventures on the rails.
