EUROPEAN Sleeper has confirmed that its new night train between Brussels and Milan will begin operations on September 9, with ticket sales opening on March 17. The launch had initially been scheduled for June 18, but extensive infrastructure works planned this summer in Germany prompted the operator to postpone the start of its third night service.
The new route will link Brussels with Milan via Cologne and Zürich, operating over the Gotthard corridor. Intermediate stops south of Zürich will include Arth-Goldau, Göschenen, Bellinzona, Lugano, Chiasso and Como San Giovanni, before terminating at Milan Porta Garibaldi. A final decision on which Zürich station will be served has yet to be announced.
The company had originally intended to use the Simplon route. However, planned engineering works through 2027 led to the selection of the Gotthard alternative.
Departures from Brussels Midi are scheduled at 17.56 on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving in Milan at 11.30 the following day. Northbound services will run on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi at 17.30 and reaching Brussels at 11.10.
Operations will be undertaken by Dutch international open-access operator Train Charter Services (TCS), whose single safety certificate now covers Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Austria, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, as well as Italian border stations. A Swiss subsidiary has been established to support local operations. Arrangements for traction on the Italian section between Chiasso and Milan have yet to be finalised.
One-way fares will start at €29.99, with couchettes available from €49.99 and higher comfort categories up to €129.99. A planned Milan - Cologne - Amsterdam portion of the service, with trains splitting in Cologne, has been deferred until December. European Sleeper’s second service, linking Paris and Berlin via Brussels, is due to launch on March 26.
