As someone who devoured Murder on the Orient Express as a teenager, taking a night train still feels like something special. The real Orient Express is just a tiny bit out of our budget (😅), so we went for the next best thing: the European Sleeper. And the good news? Everyone survived the journey.
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Hi! I’m Helena, a Belgian mom exploring the world with my kids. Here you’ll find my honest, tried-and-tested tips for discovering cities and countries as a family. Today, I’m sharing our experience on the night train to Dresden — a fun and eco-friendly way to travel while still getting some (sort of) sleep. Curious what it’s like to ride the European Sleeper? Let’s go! Don’t forget to follow along on Instagram of TikTok for more tips!
At 8 p.m., dressed in our comfiest clothes, we boarded the train at Antwerp Central Station, ready for our trip to Dresden, Germany. We had a child-free weekend ahead, so we chose not to ride all the way to Prague and instead stopped in Dresden to have more time there. We arrived around 9 a.m. the next morning — the perfect start to our little getaway.
Traveling with the European Sleeper had been on my bucket list for a while, and I’m so happy we finally did it!
Is the Sleeper Train Comfortable?
Honestly? Yes, it’s pretty comfortable — especially when it comes to timing. You travel overnight and wake up in your destination the next morning. Super efficient.
My husband Ahmet and I booked a private compartment, officially designed for five people. With just the two of us, it felt perfectly spacious. I imagine it would be a bit of a squeeze with five adults.
Right now, the sleeper compartments are still a bit dated. There are two long bench seats that turn into beds, and three fold-down bunks above. The mattresses are firm but reasonably comfy. The top bunks come with safety rails; the bottom ones don’t — so maybe skip the lower bunk if you’re a restless sleeper.
Luckily, there’s a ladder stored under the bench seat to help you climb up.
The vibe on the train was pretty calm. Most people are just there to sleep, and the sound of the train helps drown out other noise. Still, bring earplugs — just in case.
There are shared toilets in the hallway and small washbasins in each cabin — perfect for a quick freshen-up. There’s a limited selection of snacks and drinks on board, so I highly recommend stopping by a grocery store before departure.
Sleeping on the Night Train
How well you sleep really depends. My husband can fall asleep anywhere — but even he had trouble nodding off this time. I usually can’t sleep unless I’m in my own bed… but surprisingly, I slept pretty well on the European Sleeper!
Don’t expect the rhythm of the train to lull you to sleep — it stops and slows down fairly often (even between stations), which means you’ll feel a lot of movement. That’s not so bad if you’re in an upper bunk with a rail, but it can feel a bit unsettling if you’re in a lower bed without one.
Is the European Sleeper Expensive?
The night train is a sustainable way to travel — but still (for now) a relatively expensive one. A private compartment currently costs around €350 for a one-way trip. You can book a shared compartment, but I personally wouldn’t want to sleep that close to strangers in such a small space.
Pro tip: Sign up for the European Sleeper newsletter. They often share discounts, and that’s how I managed to book a private round-trip compartment for just €200 total!
I’ve been following the journey of the European Sleeper for a while now — I’m a big fan of this small, sustainable startup. From Brussels to Prague, and now also to Venice — what a dream. Our journey already felt adventurous and fun, and the comfort level is only going to improve. I recently read that the whole company is currently run by just ten people (how?!), and that brand-new carriages are on the way. I really hope to travel with the European Sleeper again soon — because this is so much more fun than flying or driving.
Planning a Night Train Trip?
Thinking of hopping on a sleeper train yourself? Consider getting off in Dresden — it’s a beautiful, underrated city with lots to see.
Don’t forget to follow along on Instagram of TikTok for more tips!
