European Sleeper experience

[riceuten]

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.

Isn't the forum full of speculation? But based on the number of complaints I have seen here and on other social media, at least partially supports this.

 

[AdamWW]

They are doing that classic private sector thing of expanding before the original service is bedded in and reliable

I think it might be more of a case of expanding in an attempt to become large enough to cover their overheads and become financially stable.

 

[MattSGB]

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.

I've been on many sleeper trains on a range of routes and operators, many of which have come and gone. Each of the individual problems that I experienced on my last two journeys with ES were worse than anything I have experienced before.

The uncommunicated class downgrades, the staff not having a clue what was going on, the staff who magically all vanish after departure, the majority of toilets being broken, the knackered curtains that didn't cover the corridor window, the lies told to an elderly customer to dismiss his genuine concern, the organised stag party in the bicycle compartment, the excessive delays getting compensation, having to argue for more compensation because the compensation was less than difference to the downgraded fare. Yes, all of my ES journeys encountered severe delay but that was due to rerouting outside of their control. Everything else was partly or wholly within their control.

Perhaps I have been exceptionally lucky with other operators but I have never experienced any of this on other routes. And guess what, ES also charged me the highest fares of any route that I have previously taken. I haven't reviewed data related to reliability, but my own experience is damming.

 

[BRX]

Anecdotal accounts on social media / forums are not a very reliable way of judging things, especially for a slightly unusual operation that attracts disproportionate attention on a forum like this.

The Caledonian sleeper thread is similar - many people reading that would think it screws up every second night but in reality the majority of trips are totally problem free. On that one, a couple of years ago, i compared the reliability (cancellations and late arrivals) of the sleeper to inverness with air flights, and the sleeper's performance just didn't look bad at all.

I don't know what the truth is with ES (my two journeys with them have been some of the best rail journeys I've done in years) but it would be interesting to see some actual numbers compared with other operators.

My impression is that the people that most often get let down by them are the higher fare paying passengers. Those who want an affordable journey in a traditional couchette setup are more likely to be satisfied with what they offer, perhaps.

 

[doc7austin]

As I have stated before:
ES has a very high threshold to fully cancel an entire train. I believe a full cancellation does not happen very often.
Nightjet management on the other hand is trigger-happy to cancel an entire train very quickly (low threshold).

 

[StephenHunter]

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

SNCF's got form for anti-competitive behaviour.

French Senate forces SNCF Connect to list rivals’ tickets

FRANCE: The French Senate has voted to require SNCF Connect to sell tickets from competing rail operators by the end of 2027, a structural shift in French rail distribution with direct consequences for open access operators including Trenitalia and Renfe.

The Senate passed the new distribution rule on 16 April. The full transport framework bill cleared its final Senate vote on 28 April by 310 to 19, and now passes to the Assemblée nationale for its first reading.

The rule is not yet law. The lower house can confirm it unchanged, amend it, or remove it entirely — sending the text back into negotiations between the two chambers.

 

[Jealgu]

I arrived in Prague this morning, 15 minutes late (we arrived in Berlin before schedule, and arrived in Czechia on time, the delay originated in Czechia this time).

The train arrived in Roosendaal 13 carriages strong. 10 couchettes, two sleepers and one seating car. Only odd thing was the two sleepers were AB33's, not the former type p ones that normally run. I suspect problems with the stainless steel carriages was the problem earlier this week, they did not run. This shows having an extra rolling stock partner, because of the second route, helps in having some extra flexibility. The situation is precarious though, two AB33's on both European Sleeper routes, plus one on RDC's aitoreise zug means that all 5 AB33's are now on the route, so no spares left.

For the journey itself. I had a private comfort standard compartment. I liked the setup in which you always have a bench to sit one while having a bed available. The extra mattress was comfortable (perhaps still a bit on the hard side, but I prefer that). Everything was clean, the toilet worked and was neat throughout the journey. The route has some scenic parts, extra enjoyable with opening windows. Despite the challenges they have and the problems that exist I am very happy the service exists.

 

[MattSGB]

I arrived in Prague this morning, 15 minutes late (we arrived in Berlin before schedule, and arrived in Czechia on time, the delay originated in Czechia this time).

The train arrived in Roosendaal 13 carriages strong. 10 couchettes, two sleepers and one seating car. Only odd thing was the two sleepers were AB33's, not the former type p ones that normally run. I suspect problems with the stainless steel carriages was the problem earlier this week, they did not run. This shows having an extra rolling stock partner, because of the second route, helps in having some extra flexibility. The situation is precarious though, two AB33's on both European Sleeper routes, plus one on RDC's aitoreise zug means that all 5 AB33's are now on the route, so no spares left.

For the journey itself. I had a private comfort standard compartment. I liked the setup in which you always have a bench to sit one while having a bed available. The extra mattress was comfortable (perhaps still a bit on the hard side, but I prefer that). Everything was clean, the toilet worked and was neat throughout the journey. The route has some scenic parts, extra enjoyable with opening windows. Despite the challenges they have and the problems that exist I am very happy the service exists.

That's reassuring, thanks for the update. I am taking the same route and class as you a week later. I was clearly scarred by the last experience and was getting pretty concerned.

You are right, the scenery around Saxon Switzerland / České Švýcarsko is stunning, especially on a nice day and when the poppies have bloomed.

 

[Jealgu]

As advice, the criticism that the curtains are too short is valid, so consider bring a sleeping mask

 

[StephenHunter]

Consider it an overnight trip on vintage rolling stock and you'll enjoy it more.

 

[bkhtele]

Consider it an overnight trip on vintage rolling stock and you'll enjoy it more.

Good advice

 

[Waterlooville]

I am about to read the rest of this thread but just saw the 1st post. We used this service in Summer 2024 and our experience was also diabolical. Too much went wrong to type but the main issue was the overnight train from Brussels to Germany we booked had a schedule change and was leaving 50 mins EARLIER than we had booked. We had no notification and it was only by pure luck that we made it. As we had kids we decided to get to the station early to chill and we then saw that the train was due to leave in 4 mins from a platform we had no idea where it was. W ran through the station and only got on as it departed 5 mins late. It was seriously stressful and had we missed it, there was no additional train until 2 days later, and our entire continuation journey (pre booked trains on different networks through Europe) would have been totally ruined. As per the first post we also had no refreshments, no staff, had to share a couchette and generally the experience was woeful. Would never use this service again.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 May 2026 ==

I've been on many sleeper trains on a range of routes and operators, many of which have come and gone. Each of the individual problems that I experienced on my last two journeys with ES were worse than anything I have experienced before.

The uncommunicated class downgrades, the staff not having a clue what was going on, the staff who magically all vanish after departure, the majority of toilets being broken, the knackered curtains that didn't cover the corridor window, the lies told to an elderly customer to dismiss his genuine concern, the organised stag party in the bicycle compartment, the excessive delays getting compensation, having to argue for more compensation because the compensation was less than difference to the downgraded fare. Yes, all of my ES journeys encountered severe delay but that was due to rerouting outside of their control. Everything else was partly or wholly within their control.

Perhaps I have been exceptionally lucky with other operators but I have never experienced any of this on other routes. And guess what, ES also charged me the highest fares of any route that I have previously taken. I haven't reviewed data related to reliability, but my own experience is damming.

This all sounds identical to ours - we other than the fact we almost missed it in the above post, we almost missed our exit point too. The announcement at 07:00 came over the tannoy that we would be "arriving in Berlin Hauptbahnof in 25 mins" - 5 mins later we arrived and it was a serious rush to get all our cases out the couchette and make it to the doors and alight. Like Matt said, no staff and no direction for the entire route.

 

[doc7austin]

Did you book a private couchette cabin ?
If you missed that (early) departure, there would be plenty of other train connections the next day - no need to wait 2 days.

 

[riceuten]

I am about to read the rest of this thread but just saw the 1st post. We used this service in Summer 2024 and our experience was also diabolical. Too much went wrong to type but the main issue was the overnight train from Brussels to Germany we booked had a schedule change and was leaving 50 mins EARLIER than we had booked. We had no notification and it was only by pure luck that we made it. As we had kids we decided to get to the station early to chill and we then saw that the train was due to leave in 4 mins from a platform we had no idea where it was. W ran through the station and only got on as it departed 5 mins late. It was seriously stressful and had we missed it, there was no additional train until 2 days later, and our entire continuation journey (pre booked trains on different networks through Europe) would have been totally ruined. As per the first post we also had no refreshments, no staff, had to share a couchette and generally the experience was woeful. Would never use this service again.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 May 2026 ==


This all sounds identical to ours - we other than the fact we almost missed it in the above post, we almost missed our exit point too. The announcement at 07:00 came over the tannoy that we would be "arriving in Berlin Hauptbahnof in 25 mins" - 5 mins later we arrived and it was a serious rush to get all our cases out the couchette and make it to the doors and alight. Like Matt said, no staff and no direction for the entire route.

But apparently all more reliable than Nightjet ;-/

The issue here for me - and it bears repeating - is that ES are running before they can walk - you need to get the basics right before you expand. It bears all the hallmarks of an organisation under financial stress that may or may not be here in 6 months' time.

 

[Waterlooville]

But apparently all more reliable than Nightjet ;-/

The issue here for me - and it bears repeating - is that ES are running before they can walk - you need to get the basics right before you expand. It bears all the hallmarks of an organisation under financial stress that may or may not be here in 6 months' time.

One thing I remember was that it was lucky we took some food/sweets with us, there was no food or drink available on board at all. No canteen coach either. (July 2024).2 small water bottles put in each couchette to keep you alive that was it. In the morning, a staff member appeared in an empty couchette at the end of one of the carriages and was handing out the equivalent of pannetone chunks in wrappers as breakfast - literally a mouthful of sponge to get you through the next few hours.

 

[StephenHunter]

One thing I remember was that it was lucky we took some food/sweets with us, there was no food or drink available on board at all. No canteen coach either. (July 2024).2 small water bottles put in each couchette to keep you alive that was it. In the morning, a staff member appeared in an empty couchette at the end of one of the carriages and was handing out the equivalent of pannetone chunks in wrappers as breakfast - literally a mouthful of sponge to get you through the next few hours.

Most sleepers have historically not had full catering vehicles unless they are doing significant amounts of daytime running. Even then, those carriages would generally only run for part of the journey.

It makes no financial sense to run a carriage that will be unused for most of the night.

 

[RT4038]

Most sleepers have historically not had full catering vehicles unless they are doing significant amounts of daytime running. Even then, those carriages would generally only run for part of the journey.

It makes no financial sense to run a carriage that will be unused for most of the night.

In Western Europe maybe, but not in the wider world USA, Canada, South Africa (in the past), Russia etc.


What this shows is, in spite of all the hype of a renaissance of Sleeper trains across Europe, that they are what the major rail undertakings already knew - a hopeless economic case unable to sustain the cost of reliable operations, let alone a return on capital of purchasing new rolling stock.

 

[riceuten]

Most sleepers have historically not had full catering vehicles unless they are doing significant amounts of daytime running. Even then, those carriages would generally only run for part of the journey.

It makes no financial sense to run a carriage that will be unused for most of the night.

This is true. On other sleeper trains like TCDD, staff sold light refreshments from their own cabin, some of them gave you a roll and an instant coffee in the morning from the same - it doesn't need to be a whole carriage.

To be honest, the food and drink aspect of sleeper trains is generally not my concern.

It's

*short notice cancellations
*downgrades due to lack of serviceable stock
*poor communications when trains are cancelled or diverted
*kicking people off the inaugural journey to make way for "influencers"
*terminating services early with no onwards transportation
*non-existent refunds when promised

and general unreliability. It has all the hallmarks of an amateurish operation operating on a shoestring.

I get that people are excited that there is competition and additional services available, and I very much want them to succeed, but at the moment, ES are phoning it in and ripping people off, and people for some unfathomable reason are hell-bent on defending them, come what may.

This is nearly 2 years after launch and cannot realistically be passed off as "teething problems".

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 May 2026 ==

Did you book a private couchette cabin ?
If you missed that (early) departure, there would be plenty of other train connections the next day - no need to wait 2 days.

On your own dime, of course, and good luck getting a refund.

 

[bluegoblin7]

On the flip side I took European Sleeper from Brussels through to Prague last September in a private couchette. I was aware of the need to bring my own supplies, so that wasn't an issue, and nor were there any others. The couchette, whilst a bit dated, was clean and comfortable enough, the train left Brussels on time and was only a few minutes late into Prague, I believe due to a delay in the Dresden area. I slept well - better than I have on any UK sleeper train - and found the staff helpful and attentive throughout the trip when I needed them.

I certainly wouldn't hesitate to use ES again if it served my purposes.

 

[doc7austin]

What an embarrassment:
The Berlin public broadcaster rbb has covered the ES train Berlin-Paris.

Well, the journalist didn't even make it to Paris.

The train departed Berlin more than 2 hours delayed due to broken loco and broken cars.
Most toilets onboard were broken.
It is not 100% clear in the video, but it seems the journalist was downgraded from a Single to a Double sleeping car cabin.

The best: the train terminated in Brussels, because ES missed crew, which was certified for France.

Passengers reached Paris with a delay of 8 hours.

The journalist abandoned the journey in Brussels, because he didn't want to sit 3-4 hours on a bus.

Video summary:
Fall asleep in Berlin and wake up in Paris? This is possible with the European Sleeper night train. We check how clean, punctual and safe the train is. One thing should be revealed in advance: We didn't make it to Paris! How could this happen? And what rights do travelers have in the event of hours of delays and failure to reach their destination?

 

[rvdborgt]

ES may have learnt a few things about their obligations since their start:
- They now seem to indicate what your options are in case of cancellation (including booking your own reasonable alternative)
- They are also capable of refunding such alternatives within a few days only (somebody mentioned this just a few days ago).

I'm still not sure what the fiasco was with the inaccessible parking space in Paris; it seems to have been solved now.

 

[Waterlooville]

Surely though there is a requirement to ensure some food/water under H and S? There must have been some issues to date with delays/late runnings where people have been under prepared. I took loads of video of the experience and could post up some if it on a reel via Youtube if of interest. No much in the way of sound but moving imagery, it also incorporates Railjet and other services across 7 countries. Including the overnight Adria train Budapest to Split which was a different ball game altogether, epic experience.

 

[riceuten]

ES may have learnt a few things about their obligations since their start:
- They now seem to indicate what your options are in case of cancellation (including booking your own reasonable alternative)

And then not actually refunding you...

- They are also capable of refunding such alternatives within a few days only (somebody mentioned this just a few days ago).

Indeed they are - but they generally do not

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 May 2026 ==

Surely though there is a requirement to ensure some food/water under H and S? There must have been some issues to date with delays/late runnings where people have been under prepared. I took loads of video of the experience and could post up some if it on a reel via Youtube if of interest. No much in the way of sound but moving imagery, it also incorporates Railjet and other services across 7 countries. Including the overnight Adria train Budapest to Split which was a different ball game altogether, epic experience.

I suspect most of these are only done in the breach.

This all smacks of an organisation overwhelmed when even the smallest thing goes wrong, and poorly resourced overall, with management crucially failing to give any meaningful guidance.

 

[doc7austin]

The trick is simple.
ES promises to pay the compensation/refund with 10-12 weeks.
Most people will have forgotten about the claim 3 months later.
In each case I had write a stark reminder after the 12 weeks had passed.

 

[riceuten]

The trick is simple.
ES promises to pay the compensation/refund with 10-12 weeks.
Most people will have forgotten about the claim 3 months later.
In each case I had write a stark reminder after the 12 weeks had passed.

10-12 WEEKS ? I don't think I've ever heard of such a lame performance. This company definitely has finance issues. I would have long gone to my credit card prior to this

 

[rvdborgt]

Indeed they are - but they generally do not

Since this was very recent, I'm kind of hoping that they've learned a few things. We'll see over time whether that is really the case.
I know some people have escalated to court or various enforcement bodies. I also know that e.g. the Belgian enforcement body won't hesitate to give fines in cases of repeated or multiple breaches, as Belgian railways have already experienced during the Fyra crisis (they refused to rebook passengers on Thalys), so maybe ES also had such an experience. But I guess we'll never know. But that's why I often recommend the Belgian enforcement body.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 May 2026 ==

I would have long gone to my credit card prior to this

I'd forward any claims to the enforcement body. The legal limit is 1 month.

 

[riceuten]

Since this was very recent, I'm kind of hoping that they've learned a few things. We'll see over time whether that is really the case.

To be honest, they've been running long enough for teething issues to be ironed out. They have insufficient stock, personnel and finances to run a service that's fit for purpose and there's no sign they will change soon.

I know some people have escalated to court or various enforcement bodies. I also know that e.g. the Belgian enforcement body won't hesitate to give fines in cases of repeated or multiple breaches, as Belgian railways have already experienced during the Fyra crisis (they refused to rebook passengers on Thalys)

Oh God, Fyra, that's a whole different thread. But yes, I used the Dutch one (KiFiD) in respect of a dispute with a Dutch bank, and it worked well.

so maybe ES also had such an experience. But I guess we'll never know. But that's why I often recommend the Belgian enforcement body.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 May 2026 ==
I'd forward any claims to the enforcement body. The legal limit is 1 month.

I do wonder if you buy the tickets in the UK, do UK laws apply to compensation, or Belgian/French/German?

 

[mad_rich]

10-12 WEEKS ? I don't think I've ever heard of such a lame performance. This company definitely has finance issues. I would have long gone to my credit card prior to this

They have to pay within 30 days.

I reminded ES of this when I told them I was taking my complaint to the ombudsman - telling them that the clock started ticking X days ago, and that I wouldn't accept any further stalling. Magically they found the cash within a couple of days.

I don't doubt that cashflow, as well as hoping the customer gives up, are both major reasons for stalling.

 

[bkhtele]

The trick is simple.
ES promises to pay the compensation/refund with 10-12 weeks.
Most people will have forgotten about the claim 3 months later.
In each case I had write a stark reminder after the 12 weeks had passed.

Exactly my experience only paid when I threatened legal action months later

 

[MattSGB]

I am on the European Sleeper to Prague right now. So far it isn't a total disaster but there is an issue. My comfort plus carriage 18 now appears on their website train formation page as classic class. Sure, the cabin has the mattress toppers, but... The air conditioning is completely non-functional (without power), and it is a 30 degree day. The website also now shows a comfort standard carriage (numbered 14). They have just made an announcement that passengers can upgrade to comfort standard at a fee if they contact staff. This was a fully booked train. So they seem to have left the customers who payed for standard comfort to swelter in a broken carriage while selling upgrades to other customers for the functioning carriage. I am pretty non-plussed at present.