European Sleeper’s third route left Milan for Brussels for the first time on 9 September 2026.
It is the first direct night train between the two cities, and the cooperative’s first service into Switzerland and Italy on a regular timetable.
The route changed before launch.
It was first announced via Bern, Brig and the Simplon Pass with a stop at Stresa on Lake Maggiore, but track works on the Simplon through 2027 moved it to the Gotthard.
Track works in Germany and Swiss certification pushed the start from 18 June to 9 September.
- SouthboundBrussels 19:06 (Mon, Thu, Sat) → Milano Porta Garibaldi 11:40
- NorthboundMilan 15:45 (Wed, Fri, Sun) → Brussels 11:39
- Alpine stopsArth-Goldau, Göschenen, Bellinzona, Lugano, Como
- Launch faresSeat from €29.99, couchette from €49.99, Comfort from €99.99
- From 13 Dec 2026Via Antwerp, Breda and Eindhoven; Aachen dropped
The first run
The launch did not go smoothly: the Telegraph reported a four-hour delay on the inaugural train.
That will not surprise anyone who has followed European Sleeper, whose 2025 Venice service was stopped at the Italian border on its first run.
The i Paper’s reviewer still called it a bargain.
Why it is worth riding
The draw is the morning.
Southbound, the train climbs the old Gotthard mountain line rather than the base tunnel, pausing for half an hour at Göschenen at about 07:30, then runs down through Ticino past Lugano and Como.
From London, Eurostar to Brussels-Midi connects the same afternoon.
Our animated route has every stop and time.