European Sleeper unveils $4m expansion plans as slow travel gains momentum

Slow travel is growing quickly, fast. As travellers increasingly focus on sustainability and enjoying the moment, rather than ticking off boxes, there has been a growing demand for rail travel. 

And now night train operator European Sleeper has launched a €2.3 million ($4 million) crowdfunding campaign to support its next phase of expansion across Europe.

The Dutch-Belgian company, which began operations in 2023 with a Brussels–Amsterdam–Berlin service, plans to introduce new overnight routes from Paris to Berlin and from Brussels/Amsterdam to Milan.

European Sleeper said the sharefunding campaign invites the public to invest in the growing network, with contributions starting from €280. Investors who commit €2,000 or more will receive a 20 per cent discount on European Sleeper tickets.

To date, the operator has carried more than 230,000 passengers on its night train services linking Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dresden and Prague. The network was extended to Dresden and Prague in 2024.

“This rapid growth has been made possible not by traditional investors, but by a community of more than 4,000 supporters across Europe who believe in sustainable mobility and a more connected continent,” the company said.

European Sleeper aims to raise €1.3 million initially, followed by a further €1 million, with funds supporting the launch of the Paris–Berlin night train, scheduled to commence in March 2026. The service will replace the Nightjet route between the two cities, which ÖBB and SNCF are set to terminate on 15 December.

A second new route, connecting Brussels and Amsterdam with Milan, is planned for June 2026, with stops including Cologne and Bern.

“Starting a train company is no small feat, yet our community has already shown what is possible when thousands of people pull in the same direction,” said European Sleeper co-founder Chris Engelsman.

“This new sharefunding round allows us to strengthen our network, bring back key connections like Paris–Berlin, and build the night trains that Europe urgently needs.”

Beyond new routes, the funding will also support investment in new night train carriages, upgrades to existing rolling stock, and longer-term plans to introduce a Netherlands – Belgium to Barcelona night service.