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Metro
2 days ago
- Business
- Metro
Fact check: Could a new European sleeper train be as cheap as a budget flight?
Interrailing is nothing new. Each year, around 600,000 people purchase Interrail passes, a golden ticket that allows you to explore 33 countries across Europe. At the same time, sustainable tourism is on the rise. A 2024 report found that 76% of travellers are actively seeking environmentally-friendly travel options and accommodations. It's no secret that trains are generally considered more sustainable than planes. But research from Greenpeace reveals that taking the train on a European getaway will cost you four times as much as a flight. That could soon change thanks to Nox, a Berlin-based start-up that plans to launch sleeper trains connecting various European cities — for the same price as a plane ticket. The idea is that travellers board in the evening and sleep before arriving at their destination the next morning, and not in couchettes. The cabins will be private, for one or two people. Essentially, we're talking about a radical new sleeper train. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Founded by Janek Smalla, FlixTrain launcher and Bolt General Manager for Germany, and Thibault Constant, the face behind the viral Simply Railway social media account, Nox vows to offer prices comparable to those charged by short-haul airlines. As with low-cost airlines, dynamic pricing will apply and fares will rise when demand is high. But in standard money terms, single cabins are set to cost €79 (£67) and doubles €149 (£127). If that all sounds too good to be true, let's take a deeper look at the proposed concept, which is set to launch in 2027. The price of a ticket all depends on the cabin size. As per the Nox website, a Single Loft room will cost €79 (£67), while a double is a little more at €149 (£127). The single cabin consists of an extra-wide upper bed, reachable by a ladder, with a seat and table below. The double follows the same layout, with a larger bed and space for two at the table. Passengers sleep vertically in the direction of travel. For travellers that don't want to miss a thing, something special will be available in the form of Double Vista rooms. These have low-floor and chest-height beds, which convert into two comfy seats. Travellers will sleep parallel to the travel direction, providing views of whichever European landscape you're passing through. These rooms are also priced at €149. Nox is preparing to launch in 2027, so you can't buy tickets just yet. However, you can join the Early Bird Club and be the first to know when bookings open. Nox has ambitious plan to connect over 100 European cities by 2035. Starting with a single line in 2027, they'll then work to expand the network. Looking at the website, which includes a blueprint for the many potential routes, passengers could end up travelling by train from Toulouse to Oslo, or Rome to Amsterdam, to name a few. Metro spoke to Christian Petzold, Marketing Director at BCN Travel, to get his take on Nox's plans. At a glance, he says the idea of connecting over 100 cities like Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Warsaw, and Budapest by 2035 is incredibly ambitious, but also 'aligned with increasing consumer demand for greener alternatives to flying.' Night trains allow you to combine travel and accommodation into one low-emission journey. If Nox can launch routes as soon as they plan, Petzold says it could 'significantly disrupt the short-haul aviation market in Europe.' Especially for routes under 1,200 kilometres, where rail is already time-competitive. 'What sets Nox apart is its emphasis on private, hotel-like sleeping quarters at budget-friendly rates,' he adds. The proposed room categories are a huge shift from current sleeper train models, which see passengers crammed into narrow, shared compartments. Petzold explains that comfort at a low price point could attract not just backpackers or eco-travellers, butprofessionals and families who currently default to Ryanair or EasyJet. 'The fact that Nox is building the cabins with higher occupancy efficiency and standardising design to optimise costs also shows a business model closer to low-cost airlines than legacy train operators,' he notes. As for potential hurdles, Petzold says it will all come down to how well the business coordinates with national operators like Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, and ÖBB, who often prioritise their own routes. But the general consensus? It's good. More Trending Petzold notes that European railways have always lagged behind in adapting to consumer trends the way low-cost airlines have. But, he says that Nox's vision could be a major disruptor. As it stands, public and political pressure is mounting on the EU to reduce carbon emissions and support train travel. Petzold points to initiatives like Germany's €49 (£42) monthly transit pass and France's ban on short domestic flights where train routes exist. He says that Nox should scale routes gradually, beginning with core high-traffic city pairs like Paris to Barcelona or Berlin to Amsterdam, before expanding to their dream of 100+ cities. MORE: Europe's 'chocolate capital' is only a £33 bus ride from the UK MORE: Ryanair calls for 'urgent' reform as French air strikes stretch to four days MORE: Pamplona has so much to offer tourists – beyond the controversial Running of the Bulls
The Independent
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
New sleeper train ventures plans to connect 100 European cities by 2035
A new sleeper rail company has proposed a network of night trains connecting over 100 European cities by 2035. Berlin-based startup Nox aims to offer an affordable alternative to short-haul flights, operating overnight trains in Europe from 2027. Thibault Constant, co-founder of Nox, said: 'Sleeping while a train gets you across Europe is a great concept. But today people have to share their cabins with strangers, beds are tight, and it's often more expensive than air travel. 'We want to change that and make night trains an essential part of European travel.' Route plans currently include connections to Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Warsaw and Budapest. According to the Nox website, rail passengers will board in the evening, sleep in their rooms and 'arrive well-rested at their destination in the morning'. The sleeper trains plan to feature private rooms – single and double loft rooms and double vista rooms – for one or two people for the same price as a flight. Single rooms will start from €79 (£67), with double rooms available from €149 (£127). All three proposed room categories will be fitted with 2m long beds and separate seats with tables, luggage storage and window views. Nox founder Janek Smalla said rooms will be designed to fit more people than traditional operators. Mr Smalla added that a 'strict focus on standardisation and operational excellence will allow us to offer affordable fares on over 35 European routes'. The company says it has already reserved train coaches and is finalising interior design plans. Some are sceptical about the delivery of the proposed night train connections. Simon Calder, travel correspondent of The Independent, said: 'I hope that Nox proves me wrong, but unless the business has a handy £1 billion to invest in new rolling stock, I cannot see much hope of a network of the proposed scale ever taking shape. 'It's 30 years since the no-frills revolution in the skies began – and sadly, since then, the railways of Europe have proved largely incapable of competing with the budget airlines.'
Metro
12-06-2025
- Business
- Metro
New sleeper train will connect 100 European cities — with private rooms from £67
Travelling by train can often be more expensive than hopping on a short-haul flight, but a new company is hoping to change that. Nox, a Berlin-based startup, is working to create an alternative travel option in Europe, with plans for overnight sleeper trains that cost the same price as a plane ticket. They're hopeful the first route will launch in 2027, with a goal of connecting more than 100 European cities by 2035. Destinations will include Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Milan, Paris, Warsaw, Frankfurt and Brussels. And the best part? If successful, the overnight trains will have private rooms for passengers, with prices starting from £67 (€79) for a single room and £127 (€149) for a double. The plan is for the rooms to feature 2m long beds, as well as armchairs and tables at which people can work, eat, or relax, plus windows where you can enjoy the views outside as you travel. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. There will be three different types of room available – a single or double loft room and vista rooms. The loft rooms have upper beds which you have to climb a ladder to get to, while the vista rooms, the beds are low to the floor or at chest-height for easy access and can be converted into seats. According to Nox, their trains will differ from other sleeper trains as they 'focus on privacy, good sleep and affordable prices'. They continue: 'You will not need to share your room with strangers and can lock it from in and outside. On top, we aim to offer ticket prices as low as air fares.' The idea behind the private rooms was born from personal experience, as co-founder Thibault Constant has taken more than 400 night train trips. He's been sharing his journeys on social media as Simply Railway. His co-founder Janek Smalla brings experience from the operational side of things, having previously worked at Flix, leading the operational launch of FlixTrain. He also led the German ridesharing market for Bolt until 2024. Janek adds: 'Our room design allows us to fit more people into our trains than traditional operators can. This, paired with a strict focus on standardisation and operational excellence will allow us to offer affordable fares on over 35 European routes.' On X (formerly Twitter) people are already excited about the prospect of the new overnight trains, although some have branded Nox's plans as 'ambitious' and 'optimistic'. More Trending Mark Smith, who runs travel site said: 'Ambitious plans for all-private-room sleeper trains, first route to be launched in 2027. I like the look of those comparments, the demand is there, and these guys know their market: It'll be tough, but can they do it? We'll see!' Doug Smart was keen, saying: 'Shut up and take my money!' And Jakub Krupa commented: 'That's brilliant, particularly now that the OBB NightJet Brussels to Berlin remains suspended.' @JB500125 said they 'love it' in response to the Nox designs, while @trainficionado felt similarly, adding: 'I love it, though I have my doubts on feasibility. But all the best for the endeavor. And fingers crossed!' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Northern Powerhouse Rail set for comeback after Rachel Reeves announces £3,500,000,000 upgrade MORE: On holiday in Albania, I discovered the price of paradise MORE: Adult throws tantrum at airport gate after being told her hand luggage was too heavy
Time Out
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time Out
An all-private-room sleeper train connecting 100 European cities is launching soon
Ever been tempted by the prospect of a sleeper train, but felt a little put off by the thought of sharing with a stranger? Well, we've got some exciting news. Berlin -based night train start-up Nox has just announced its plans for a sprawling network of sleeper services all over Europe, which will exclusively offer private one or two-bed cabins. The company was founded by Thibault Constant, whose ' Simply Railway ' YouTube has gained a solid half a million-strong following and who has travelled on more than 400 night trains, and Janek Smalla, who led the operational launch of FlixTrain – a fairly appropriate pair, eh? Nox's goal is, according to Smalla, to make night trains 'an essential part of European travel' by offering a viable alternative to short-haul flights and becoming the go-to option for business travel. Designed to be a whole lot more comfortable than traditional couchettes, Nox's cabins will feature armchairs, tables, storage space, two-metre-long beds and (in some cases) panoramic windows. You'll either be able to book a single or a double cabin, and right now those are set to cost €79 or €149 respectively. According to RailTech, a financing round is planned for autumn this year and the start-up is finalising approval for its cabin designs. Below are some snaps of what these trains could look like. The plan is to launch first services by 2027, but by 2035 Nox aims to serve more than 100 European cities including Stockholm, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome and Barcelona. Below is a render of their vision for the network. These are all the sleeper trains launching in 2025 that we can't wait to try out. Did you see that you'll soon be able to get a direct sleeper train between Scandinavia and Central Europe?
