This new railway company plans to run fancy sleeper trains throughout Europe

Europe is already known for having excellent train transportation, but it’s only going to get better. As people look for ways to ditch low-budget flights and travel more sustainably, French startup Midnight Trains plans to create a network of overnight sleeper trains from Paris to other a dozen European cities, including Madrid, Barcelona Porto, Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, Brussels, Berlin, Hamburg, Copenhagen, and Edinburgh, according to Time Out.

Photo: Midnighttrains/Facebook

The goal is a middle ground between the hyper-luxury of the now-liquidated Orient Express and the basic-class SNCF sleeper trains, by offering hotel-style rooms for comfort and privacy, a restaurant, and bar. Guests will also be able to receive concierge services via an app.

Photo: Midnighttrains/Facebook

“I noted that people around me don’t want to get on a plane because of concerns about carbon emissions, but also my girlfriend is afraid of flying and decided she was never getting on a plane. I realised the only way travel was going to be possible was by train,” Midnight Trains co-founder Adrien Aumont told The Guardian.

Guests can expect prices close to a low-budget flight with some extra fees. The anticipated start of service is in 2024. Other sleeper trains are already in the works in other popular destinations in Europe.