Not too long ago, rail travel was seen as a thing of the past, overshadowed by the rise of low-cost airlines which offered cheaper and faster journeys.
However, in an unexpected twist, trains have made a major comeback. In fact, the ‘rail renaissance’ is set to be one of the biggest travel trends for 2025, as tourists swap cramped plane seats for comfort and scenic vistas.
It’s not just a slower and more immersive way to travel, it’s an eco-friendly alternative for the environmentally conscious.
And sleeper trains are an increasingly popular choice for those looking for adventure. While it might take twice (or even thrice) as long as flying, that’s part of the fun.
As more operators catch on to the demand for overnight trains, Metro has rounded up six of the most scenic sleeper journeys across Europe.
The Caledonian Sleeper – London to Scotland
Often touted as Britain’s best train journey, The Caledonian Sleeper runs from London Euston to a handful of stops in Scotland.
The journey takes 8-12 hours, depending on your destination. Passengers can travel to Glasgow and Edinburgh or as far north as Inverness, Fort William, and Aberdeen.
Travellers can choose from a range of room types. One-way tickets for the ‘Classic Room’ – which includes bunk beds and a sink – start from £215.
Passengers looking for a more luxurious experience can book the Caledonian Double, which features a private en-suite and double bed.
Whichever option you choose, expect breathtaking views, from dramatic the English countryside to the rugged Scottish Highlands and the looming views of Ben Nevis.
This can be enjoyed alongside the train’s selection of food and drink options, which you can order directly to your room. Haggis, whiskey, neeps and tatties are all available for customers to sample a ‘true taste of Scotland’.
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Duration: 8-12 hours.
Price: Starting from £215 for a one-way ticket.
Nightjet – Hamburg, Vienna and Innsbruck
On board this Nightjet train you can reach the major German city of Hamburg from Vienna, Innsbruck and Zurich overnight.
Passengers will travel aboard the ‘new generation’ of Nightjet trains, which provides various room types from Mini Cabins to individual pods, designed with solo travellers in mind.
Each pod features storage space, a bed and a door you can lock for privacy.
One TikTok traveller, @therailvoyage, revealed she paid €49 (£40) for the 13-hour journey from Hamburg to Vienna in the Pod. She described the experience as ‘cosy and quite cheap when you have an interrail pass’, highlighting that she woke up to ‘amazing views’.
Duration: 13 hours.
Price: From £47 one-way.
InterCity Night – Milan to Palermo
The InterCitty Notte train from Milan to Palermo isn’t your typical sleeper train — it involves a ferry crossing.
After cruising from Milan to Genoa and along Italy’s stunning west coast, the train gets loaded onto a ferry for the Strait of Messina crossing, from mainland Sicily.
If that wasn’t exciting enough, it’s one of the longest overnight journeys in Europe, taking around 21 hours to complete. Compartments are made for 1-3 passengers and couchettes can fit up to six people.
Seasoned rail traveller @sarahbmarks3 described the journey as ‘one of the most exciting routes’ she’s ever taken, sharing on Instagram that you can view the ‘scenes of the Italian countryside from the comfort of your own cabin’.
Duration: 21 hours.
Price: £96 per person for a cabin.
Euronight – Zurich to Zagreb
This overnight train from Zurich, Switzerland to Zagreb in Croatia takes around 14 to 15 hours to complete. Passengers will pass through five countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia before arriving in the country’s capital.
The train departs Zurich at 7.40pm, and passengers can enjoy the evening admiring the postcard-perfect landscapes of the Swiss countryside.
The service is run by OBB Nighjet. Journey prices vary, with tickets starting from £36 for a seat to £96 for a sleeper cabin.
Duration: 14 hours.
Price: £96.
The Night Riviera – London to Cornwall
The Night Riviera is the UK’s second sleeper train option, which takes passengers on an eight-hour journey from London to Penzance, Cornwall.
And it’s worth noting that the Grand Western Railway service is a much cheaper option than The Caledonian Sleeper.
Prices start at £34 per person for twin occupancy cabins and £45 for single occupancy. Each comes with the promise of a ‘great night’s sleep’ and access to lounges, showers and a complimentary breakfast served in the room.
Running six nights a week and covering 300 miles, passengers can expect breathtaking views as they wake in Cornwall.
Duration: 8 hours.
Price: from £34 per person, one-way.
Ister – Budapest to Bucharest
This overnight journey departs from Budapest’s Keleti Station, which is thought to be one of the most beautiful in Europe. While a handful of trains operate the route from Hungary to Bucharest, Ister is the most popular choice.
It departs shortly after 7pm and arrives at the Romanian capital’s Gara de Nord Station by mid-morning, allowing passengers to catch some sleep before waking up in the city.
Passengers can take in stunning scenery and the tall peaks of the Carpathian Mountains as they cross into Romania.
Tickets start at £32 based on a six-bunk couchette. If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience a compartment for two people can cost up to £146, according to travel site Seat61.com.
Duration: 14-16 hours.
Price: £32.
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