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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
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Is Europe finally getting an affordable alternative to short-haul flights?
Few things evoke the romance of travel more powerfully than night trains, a form of transport that is enjoying a veritable renaissance at the moment. But there is one serious snag: the price. Leaving aside the truly eye-watering cost of travelling on luxury trains such as the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (from £3,530pp), two-bed en-suite cabins on many of Europe's regular night trains can easily set you back £400, while even berths in a four- or six-bed couchette can come in at more than £100. Compare that with the prices you can get on a low-cost airline – Brussels to Vienna with Ryanair, for example, from as little as £25 – and it's easy to see why, even if they'd rather take a night train, so many still choose to fly. A new player Step forward Nox, a Berlin-based enterprise that is developing a radical new sleeper train concept for Europe that will deliver totally private, spacious cabins (for one or two people) at a price comparable with what is charged by short-haul airlines. 'Sleeping while a train gets you across Europe is a great concept,' says Nox co-founder Thibault Constant, an inveterate night train traveller known as 'Simply Railway' to his many followers on YouTube and Instagram. 'But today people [often] 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.' It's an ambitious plan, still very much in the early stages. There are blueprint designs for what the cabins would look like (spacious and sleek), a target start date of 2027 and a selection of 100 routes which within a decade would link cities such as Barcelona, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Warsaw, Budapest and Rome, with Brussels and Paris serving as key hubs for Eurostar passengers from London. There is also a pledge on price, with single cabins costing from €79 (£67) and doubles €149 (£127). As with low-cost airlines, dynamic pricing will apply and fares could rise when demand is strong. But the aim is to keep them low by maximising passenger loads and providing an experience that, in terms of convenience and enjoyment, is light years away from that offered by budget airlines. In addition to privacy – no couchette-sharing with strangers – and two-metre long beds, the key attraction with Nox will be cabins which, while not offering en-suite facilities, will have considerably more space. 'Many night trains offer private compartments, but we identified a major gap in the experience: people don't necessarily want to go straight to bed after boarding,' says Constant. 'Most current options focus solely on providing a bed in a compact space. But many prefer to finish their workday, unwind, enjoy a meal, or simply take a moment for themselves before sleeping. 'Our cabins are not just places to sleep; each is equipped with one or two seats and a table, giving passengers the freedom to choose how they spend their time onboard.' Less than luxurious Certainly what Nox is proposing will set it apart from other European sleeper train operators, most notably Nightjet, the Austrian state-owned company that over the past decade has done so much to revive this much-loved form of travel. Nightjet, which operates a swathe of routes linking northern and central Europe, has itself introduced dramatic innovation to meet the growing demand, most notably with its ' mini cabins ' – small Japanese capsule-style spaces offering privacy if not exactly room to swing a cat. While mini-cabins on many Nightjet routes can be had for less than €100 (£85) and a berth in a shared four or six-bed couchette for something similar, better-sized private cabins for one or two are frequently more than €200pp (£170) – a price point that, as with comparable fares on the Caledonian Sleeper (London-Scotland) and the Night Riviera (London-Cornwall), puts many people off. European Sleeper, a Netherlands-based operator that offers journeys from Amsterdam to Prague via Brussels and Berlin is more competitive, with berths in six-bed couchettes costing as little as €69.99 (£60) one-way and seats even less – €59.99 (£51). But much of its rolling stock is very dated, and customer reviews are not always favourable. A tough nut to crack With so many vested interests and intricate planning requirements, the European night train market is not an easy one to break into. Just last year, Midnight Trains – a private French start-up that planned a fleet of luxurious 'hotel-on-rails' sleeper trains crossing the continent – had to bow out after failing to secure sufficient backing. European Sleeper experienced its own setback this year when the inaugural run of a new route from Brussels to Venice was denied entry into Italy. But specialist train operators are hopeful that Nox will succeed. 'The Nox trains look fantastic, and if they can get it going there will definitely be an appetite for it,' says Simon Hodge, managing director of Tailor Made Rail. 'With his travel experience, Thibault Constant definitely knows what is needed in a sleeping carriage.' Cat Jones, founder of flight-free specialists Byway, says Nox represents a 'real opportunity' but that it will face considerable challenges, not least in securing finance and adequate rolling stock. 'If Nox succeeds, it would be a significant step forward for sustainable, overnight rail travel in Europe, encouraging more innovation and choice for travellers,' she says. Constant and fellow Nox co-founder Janek Smalla are mindful of the challenges. 'We believe in starting small and learning fast,' says Smalla. 'Rather than committing to a large fleet, we're launching with a single line, testing our assumptions in the real world, and refining the product before expanding.' Night train lovers worldwide will wish the enterprise well. As to whether it can deliver – only time will tell.
Local Germany
16-06-2025
- Business
- Local Germany
New German night train provider plans to connect '100 European cities'
A new startup has announced plans to set-up overnight rail connections between numerous central European cities, with passengers riding in private cabins and for a price comparable to a plane ticket. Nox, a Berlin-based startup with ambitions for revitalising night train travel has said it will launch its first services by 2027. The company suggests it will ultimately serve more than 100 cities on 35 routes including Stockholm, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome and Barcelona within a decade. Setting themselves apart for competitors on the market today, Nox plans to build up a new fleet of trains with one- and two-person sleeper compartments. "Today people have to share their cabins with strangers, beds are tight, and it's often more expensive than air travel," Thibault Constant, Co-Founder of Nox said. "We want to change that and make night trains an essential part of European travel." Graphic provided by Nox Mobility. According to a press release by the company, all of the passenger cabins in Nox's trains will have two metre long beds, separate seats with tables, and enough space to stand up and store your luggage. Nox also said it plans to offer double beds and beds with panoramic windows. READ ALSO: The destinations you can reach by direct night train from Berlin The destinations you can reach by direct night train from Munich A challenging enterprise A number of private rail companies have tried to take advantage of increasing demand for night train connections in Germany and Europe, but so far none have seen wild success. Advertisement A Paris-based startup launched in 2021 with a similar mission failed to get enough investor backing to take-off. Similarly, a Dutch company recently had to push back its plans after a being rejected for an initial loan. Another night rail enterprise, European Sleeper, has managed to start operating night trains linking Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin and Prague since last year. But the company has faced challenges trying to expand its connections on offer. However, interest in revitalising night train travel has picked up around Europe in recent years with Germany's Deutsche Bahn and France's SCNF also making some efforts to expand night-time services. At the EU level as well, lawmakers in Brussels have taken on the task of bringing various countries' standards into alignment, and to reduce hurdles for would-be international rail operators.
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.'
Euronews
12-06-2025
- Business
- Euronews
New night train to connect 100 European cities by 2035
Sleeper trains are enjoying a booming renaissance in Europe at the moment, but some travellers are still put off by the idea of sharing a cabin with strangers. While many night services offer two-bed or single cabins, they are usually an expensive option and tend to sell out quickly.. Now, a new company is launching sleeper trains with entirely private rooms - and they promise tickets won't be more than the price of a flight. Nox, a Berlin-based startup, says its mission is to offer a real alternative to short-haul flights in Europe. From 2027, the company plans to operate its first Europe-wide overnight trains with cabins designed for one or two passengers. '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,' says Thibault Constant, co-founder of Nox. 'We want to change that and make night trains an essential part of European travel.' Constant, who is known as 'Simply Railway' to his over half a million social media followers, has more than 400 night train trips worldwide under his belt. He says this experience has been a crucial influence on the design of the new sleepers. There will be three room categories: a single loft for one passenger with an upper-level bed and a seat and table; a double loft with a double upper-level bed and two seats and a table; and a double vista with easy-entry beds, the lower of which converts into seating. All three room categories will have two-metre-long beds, and enough space to stand up and store your luggage. Some cabins will also offer windows with panoramic views. Fellow founder Janek Smalla says the room design allows them to fit more people into their 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,' he adds. The aim is to offer night train connections between 100 European cities by 2035. These include Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Warsaw, Budapest and Rome. The company wants the network to become a viable alternative to short-haul flights, saying it aims to 'offer ticket prices as low as air fares'. Interested travellers can already explore planned timetables and prices on the Nox website. Single rooms will start at €79 and double rooms at €149. There will be a food and drink service on board, space for bikes, and wheelchair-accessible coaches. Travellers can join the free Early Bird Club to stay updated, receive discounted rates, and gain early access to bookings.
