European Sleeper experience

[DesDobramento]

The Berlin/Paris service was noted by chance, running a little late today 21/4/2026, observing the (set-down) call in Northern France at Aulnoye-Aymeries (at least 1 alighted).

7 blue-painted RDC vehicles (?all couchettes) behind a Railpool loco (being driven hard judging by speed it was still travelling at on the approach!). Numerous similar RDC couchettes noted at Niebüll on 19/4/2026, presumably the NEG workshop?

The sleeper appeared to be well loaded with many groups of ?parents and young children.

 

[doc7austin]

No, the passenger can choose to travel later (selection of option Article 18c), thus refusing option Article 18b. ES has to reimburse the replacement ticket.

Regulation (EU) 2021/782 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 on rail passengers’ rights and obligations

Article 18

Reimbursement and re-routing
1. Where it is reasonably to be expected, either at departure or in the event of a missed connection or a cancellation, that arrival at the final destination under the transport contract will be subject to a delay of 60 minutes or more, the railway undertaking operating the delayed or cancelled service shall immediately offer the passenger the choice between one of the following options, and shall make the necessary arrangements:

(a)

reimbursement of the full cost of the ticket, under the conditions by which it was paid, for the part or parts of his or her journey not made and for the part or parts already made if the journey is no longer serving any purpose in relation to the passenger’s original travel plan, together with, when relevant, a return service to the first point of departure at the earliest opportunity;

(b)	continuation or re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to the final destination at the earliest opportunity;

(c)	continuation or re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to the final destination at a later date at the passenger’s convenience

 

[riceuten]

No, the passenger can choose to travel later (selection of option Article 18c), thus refusing option Article 18b. ES has to reimburse the replacement ticket.

I would be interested to know if anyone has been able to get this

 

[danshrimp]

An email from ES this morning advertises another €2 million bond loan scheme launching on 19 May. It says it will fund the following, with a nice map of potential future connections...

What will we use the funds raised for?

1. Expanding the network

We’re preparing new connections: Milan from 9 September 2026, with ticket sales already exceeding expectations, followed by Barcelona and likely Stockholm.

2. Smoothing seasonal dips

European Sleeper still sees seasonal cash flow dips in quieter months. We bridge these gaps, helping new routes grow into services that are financially sustainable year-round.

3. Strengthening the foundation

We are investing in a more robust organisation. That means better-equipped customer service, more dynamic pricing, and well-automated internal systems.

4. Improving life on board

We’re making the night train more pleasant and efficient, with onboard dining, improved ticket scanning, and a more recognisable European Sleeper experience.

...but it very much feels like more bridge funding to get them through to the promised day when the three existing routes start turning an year-round profit. It sounds like they're getting there on the first route, and having three routes with shared overhead costs rather than just one will certainly be beneficial, but one wonders how much longer they can hold out if it takes longer than expected!

 

[Jealgu]

First thing I notice is no Amsterdam Milan dotted line. I hope that one is still going on.

 

[BRX]

An email from ES this morning advertises another €2 million bond loan scheme launching on 19 May

Different from previous ones, where they were offering shares rather than bonds.

 

[danshrimp]

Different from previous ones, where they were offering shares rather than bonds.

They've been doing both in recent years. The bond loan schemes have got a bit less attention but every now and then they've run limited schemes where people can put in €2k+ with the promise of 10%/yr returns, or something like that. Indeed as their email says, "Since 2021, nearly €16 million has been raised, €10 million in equity and €6 million in bonds".

 

[doc7austin]

According to @IntercitySimon :
ES has again failed to run its Berlin-Paris all the way to Paris.
Officially due to lack of "parking space" in Paris, yesterday's train was terminated in Mons, Belgium. Apparently, a bus replacement service was offered. @IntercitySimon though to the Ouigo train Mons-Paris instead.

A shambles of operations !

 

[StephenHunter]

According to @IntercitySimon :
ES has again failed to run its Berlin-Paris all the way to Paris.
Officially due to lack of "parking space" in Paris, yesterday's train was terminated in Mons, Belgium. Apparently, a bus replacement service was offered. @IntercitySimon though to the Ouigo train Mons-Paris instead.

A shambles of operations !

Where are they parked up in Paris?

 

[doc7austin]

Apparently, nowhere, as the train didn't reach France at all.

 

[StephenHunter]

Apparently, nowhere, as the train didn't reach France at all.

Sorry, I meant where do they park normally?

 

[Bletchleyite]

How can they mess up something so basic quite so often?

 

[BRX]

How can they mess up something so basic quite so often?

How often have they messed it up?

 

[railfan99]

How often have they messed it up?

Good point. No one asserts this occurs every week.

My sole journey on ES from Brussels to Dresden was slightly marred by the two sleeping cars not having operable toilets, but apart from that was fine.

 

[rvdborgt]

How can they mess up something so basic quite so often?

Maybe ES, SNCF and EPSF (French railway safety authority) are playing petty games? EPSF first says "OK", then "not OK" and then "OK" again, without any actual changes. But nobody wants to comment, so they all have something to hide. The next game episode seems to be "parking space":

 

[Mike395]

I don't understand ES' logic here if that post is true; surely directly blaming the infrastructure operator concerned upfront and explaining the issue would be better PR?

 

[doc7austin]

How often have they messed it up?

from empiric experience: quite often.

 

[43096]

from empiric experience: quite often.

But how much of that is that down to European Sleeper and how much is "it's France/SNCF"?

 

[doc7austin]

But how much of that is that down to European Sleeper and how much is "it's France/SNCF"?

That is the job of ES. Passenger pay ES good money to transport them by train to/from Paris.
All this stuff about parking space, safety certificates, tcs etc. etc. is the problem of ES. They should have sorted this out BEFORE selling tickets to Paris.
Yes, ÖBB Nightjet to Paris was often cancelled, but this had other causes. I never heard that ÖBB Nightjet was cancelled because of the stuff mentioned above.

 

[riceuten]

But how much of that is that down to European Sleeper and how much is "it's France/SNCF"?

I would imagine European Sleeper probably neglected to book "parking space" in Paris and a route from Mons to there.

EDIT: Just read from another passenger that the Brussels - Prague train tomorrow has been cancelled - nothing on the ES website or FB page, but they've texted passengers. No alternatives or compensation offered

 

[Jealgu]

That train only travels in the Brussels to Prague direction today, and the day after tomorrow. I plan to use it this Friday, I have not heard anything yet.

I do notice, however, that the train compositions on their website for the Prague connection are a bit short, especially because it is Ascension day, it should be busy. Any change some rides are cancelled because not all planned carriages are available?

 

[rvdborgt]

No alternatives or compensation offered

I've seen in a Facebook post that they texted their passengers but I haven't see the message itself. A recent message from ES about a cancellation did mention the options, and offered to reimburse reasonable costs for alternative train/bus options if you had to travel that day. People are notoriously short with information in such posts, so I wouldn't draw any conclusions about what ES offer before I've seen the actual message.

 

[MattSGB]

Oh wonderful. Since starting this thread some time ago with a story about a terrible journey, I am now regretting giving ES a second chance. I am travelling with ES to Prague next week and talk of cancellations is somewhat concerning. I booked the return on the Vienna to Amsterdam night jet, which was considerably cheaper than ES for a brand new train. Now I am wondering if I should have used that route in both directions. It's not good being anxious about ES before a holiday.

 

[rvdborgt]

Nightjets can also be cancelled. I can't say which one has a bigger chance to be cancelled.

 

[StephenHunter]

How can they mess up something so basic quite so often?

Is it actually them or is SNCF Réseau doing this stuff?

 

[williamn]

Is it actually them or is SNCF Réseau doing this stuff?

My money would be on the latter…

 

[riceuten]

People seem to be apologists for ES - yes, other companies cancel, including Nightjet, but as a percentage of operated services, I would imagine ES is much higher. They have older, far fewer, less reliable stock and staff shortages. The likelihood of a cancellation is higher.

They are doing that classic private sector thing of expanding before the original service is bedded in and reliable. The "compensation" offered for previous cancellations I believe has not yet been paid either, still less recompensing of passengers for expenses incurred via "any reasonable route". This company obviously has cashflow issues.

I have to say looking for conspiracy theories involving network operators is dubious.

 

[Jealgu]

I very much doubt Europea Sleeper cancels more trains than Nightjet. They do a lot to keep running, including renting a diesel locomotive to use a non electrified secondary route. Not something I can imagine Nightjet doing. (https://www.treinreiziger.nl/hengelo-zutphen-voor-even-weer-een-internationale-spoorlijn/amp/).

That does not mean they have no challenges running with their rolling stock. Especially the sleeper carriages to Prague are not always available (Personally I would book Comfort Standard for this reason).

Based on my observations on treinposities.nl the train from Prague arrives with less delays than Nightjet on average. That does not mean delays don't happen (almost two hours this morning), but that is simply a fact of life when you cross Germany by train.

 

[rvdborgt]

AFAIK ES rarely cancel an entire train. Most frequently indeed the sleeper carriage, and more recently the Paris-Mons/Brussels part of the train to/from Berlin. Who is to blame for the latter I don't know. I suspect ES, SNCF and EPSF can all be blamed for something and therefore currently don't comment.

 

[BRX]

but as a percentage of operated services, I would imagine ES is much higher.

I'd say the burden of proof is on you, here. It's a bit of an unfair statement to make unless you can back it up with fact.