New sleeper rail service to connect the UK with Venice in 24 hours
Ilaria Grasso MacolaA new sleeper rail service launching early next year will connect London with Venice via just a single change, with a potential journey time of around a day.
European Sleeper has announced twice-weekly night services from Brussels to the famous lagoon city, with trains passing through the Netherlands, Germany and Austria en route to Italy.
Travellers from the UK will be able to connect onto the new European Sleeper service at Brussels, which is served from London by Eurostar.
The seasonal service will get under way on 5 February 2025, with trains operating throughout February and March, catching the February half-term school holidays and peak ski season.
The 21-hour route runs via Antwerp, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Cologne, Munich, Innsbruck, Bolzano and Verona, opening up new ski rail routes to the Austrian Alps and the Dolomites, and opportunities to visit and experience the Venice carnival.
Combined with an approximately two-hour Eurostar journey from London to Brussels and a favourable connection time, a full journey from London to Venice could be completed in around 24 hours.
Chris Englesman, European Sleeper co-founder, said: “Passengers will be able to board our train from Belgium and the Netherlands and relax in the comfort of the restaurant car while the train transports them through Germany and Austria and across the Alps, ending in the historic cities of Verona and Venice the following day.
"This marks a new important milestone for European Sleeper and the convenience of night travel across Europe more sustainably."
European Sleeper said it was working with the relevant authorities to firm up its provisional route, subject to finalised departure and arrival times. Ticket prices will be confirmed ahead of bookings opening on 1 September.
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