Share the article
Air traffic in Europe is dead. At least until Ryanair fixes its incredibly strict baggage policy and Europe as a whole gets its act together with its new mandatory fingerprinting, which is causing major delays at airports.
For the time being we are taking the train and it is good news that a new night train will be leaving soon 2 of the best powerhouses on the continent.
Starting September 9, 2026, you can board an evening train in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, and travel all the way south to Milan, Italy, just in time for an espresso and a pistachio croissant the next morning.
But before you leave this page because you think you have all the information you needed, hold your horses: that’s not all there is to know. This train stops at some pretty epic spots along the way and you won’t want to miss a single step of the journey:
Everything You need to know more about the new train
Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way, shall we?
This is a new European Sleeper service connecting Belgium with Italy, operated in collaboration with Arenaways. It was originally scheduled to launch in June, but due to infrastructure delays and certification issues, it was pushed back to the fall.
It’s now confirmed Start date September 9so here’s everything you need to know about the route itself, part of the current ‘night train revival’ wave across Europe:
- It runs 3 times a week any direction
- By Brussels → Milan: scheduled departures on Monday, Thursday and Saturday evenings
- By Milan → Brussels: scheduled departures Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evenings
Total journey time is 17 hours from start to finish, with an early evening departure around 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM (this varies by direction) and an overnight crossing through Germany and the Swiss Alps.
Then things start to get interesting.
Brussels and Milan are of course the main draws, and between the epic Grand Place and delicious waffles of the former, and the gleaming art galleries and imposing Gothic Duomo of the latter, we’re sure no further introduction is needed.
Now here’s the twist: perhaps the best thing about this new night service is not the start or finish lines, but what is there in between.
Here you will find the complete list of stops on the Brussels → Milan route:
Belgium
- Brussels South – 6 p.m
- Liège-Guillemins – 7.30 pm
Germany
- Aachen – 9 p.m
- Cologne (Köln Hbf) – 10:00 PM
Switzerland
- Zurich (Zürich HB) – 6:30 am
- Arth-Goldau – 07:26
- Göschenen (Gotthardberg Line) – 08:25
- Bellinzona – 09:28
- Lugano – 09:45
- Chiasso-10:15 am
Italy
- Como San Giovanni – 10:41 am
- Milan Porta Garibaldi – 11:30 am
Arrival times and route are estimates only, as the final route has not yet been announced. However, as you can see, you don’t necessarily have to go straight to Milan from Belgium if you don’t mind stopping along the Swiss Alps along the way.
If you are interested in the Germany route, this European Sleeper may not be for you, as there is a regular service from Brussels to cities such as Aachen and Cologne every day, at earlier times.
On the other hand, if it’s Switzerland you’re going to, this is probably the case now the smoothest ride from North Central Europe to the Alpswithout any changes and on a single ticket that you have been patiently waiting for.
Where to stop in Switzerland with the new European sleeping car from Brussels to Milan
Art Goldau
This may be a small settlement in the Alps, but it packs quite a punch. It is one of Switzerland’s best bases for nature and day trips, with the popular Natur- und Tierpark Goldau right on the doorstep: it is a large game park built in a natural rock forest.
It is home to bears, wolves, lynx and wild deer, all of which roam in large enclosures that feel quite natural. There are hiking trails, epic viewpoints, and even petting zoos where kids can feed the animals and interact safely. Think of it as Switzerland’s coolest, most immersive, family-friendly open-air zoo.
Furthermore, Mount Rigi, the Queen of the Mountains, is close to the village, a short cog train ride from Arth-Goldau. At the top you get a huge panoramic view of the Swiss lakes on one side and the Alps on the other.
Before you go ahead and book those tickets, make sure you check the documentation you may need to present when crossing the border in Europe.
Yes, Schengen usually means no border control, but now more than ever, random checks are carried out to ensure that there are no overstays. Switzerland is particularly strict about it, and occasionally Swiss police are allowed to board a train to verify travel documents and question travelers about the purpose of their visit.
Go to the Entry Requirements Check page right now and check for any updates to the entry and residence rules that affect your destination.
Bellinzona
If you come to Europe for the fairytale castles, cobbled streets that seem frozen in time and amazing food, then this is probably where you should get off the train instead of heading to Milan.
The city is the capital of Ticino, the “Italian Switzerland”, and it is ‘castle + Alpine view’ kind of placeand much more interesting than people might expect for a stopover on the morning train.
Bellinzona has not one, but three enormous medieval castles, all protected by UNESCO. Castelgrande is the largest, most impressive and also the easiest to reach, with its sturdy walls and towers rising above the city, and access via a public glass elevator that is probably the best panoramic viewing platform in Switzerland without paying a cent.
Higher on the hill, Montebello is quieter and more atmospheric.
It has a beautiful walking trail between vineyards and viewpoints, and the views are second to none. Finally, Sasso Corbaro is the highest. Ironically, it is also the smallest, yet offers the best views of all three castles, as the Alps unfold before you like a painted backdrop.
Lugano
Located right on Italy’s Swiss Riviera, on the shores of the crystal-clear lake of the same name, Lugano may be locked into a hugely popular tourist circuit, but it’s probably one of the most underrated destinations across the pond.
Como is the second stop after this, but it will feel quieter and slower once you’ve taken the iconic funicular from Lugano train station to the old town, with views of the church tower and sun-drenched mountain peaks in the distance.
Espresso bars line the promenade and flow into sun-drenched squares, ferries glide across the water taking passengers from the Swiss side to Italy, across the lake, in a setting that feels more Mediterranean than Alpine, really, and the town itself is compact but surprisingly elegant.
The historic center is made up of cobbled streets, arcaded streets and pastel-coloured buildings that could easily be at home in neighboring Lombardy, northern Italy, and if you’re looking for that green escape, Parco Ciano has manicured flower beds, centuries-old trees and ornate gates opening onto the lake itself.
It’s debatable one of the most beautiful city parks in all of Switzerland.
What really sets Lugano apart is how quickly you can escape: a cable car takes you straight to Monte Brè or Monte San Salvatore, both with breathtaking lake panoramas, and you’re a short bus ride away from postcard-worthy lakeside villages like Gandria and Morcote.
Switzerland is one of the safest European destinations this summer, having been awarded Level 1 status by the US government, which generally means Americans can take normal precautions when visiting, and scores 90/100 on the Traveler Safety Index:
More about the train itself
The experience on board
Accommodation types
- Seating: Airplane style seating, reclining but not completely flat, best for budget/short sleepers
- Couchettes: shared cabins with 4 to 6 berths, standard bedding provided, more comfortable for overnight routes
- Sleeping cabins – compartments for 1-3 people, real beds with flat and good mattresses, more privacy
Ticket prices
- Seating – $54+
- Couchette – $109 – $230+
- Sleeping Cabins – $142 – $285+
Prices are an estimate only for now, based on other similar European Sleeper services, and may vary depending on booking date and seat availability.
Main functions on board
- Bed linen is included in the sleeping classes
- Female-only compartments are available
- There are electrical sockets at the seats/berths
- Some cars have small lounge areas
What it will feel like
- Early evening on board in Brussels
- ‘Hotel-on-rails’ atmosphere at night
- Stops are functional and not really intended for sightseeing unless you end your trip somewhere halfway
- Part of the Swiss Alps early in the morning (this is the most beautiful part, and you can get off at the intermediate Swiss stops if you divide the trip into several parts)
- Smooth arrival in Milan, late morning the next day, or early afternoon depending on route and schedule
