From 2027, nighttrain company Nox plans to roll out a network of sleeper trains with private rooms across Europe. The goal? A comfortable and climate-friendly alternative to short-haul flights — at the price of a budget airline ticket.

Night trains are experiencing a comeback in Europe, driven by a growing awareness of climate change and the discomfort of flying. But for many travellers, the idea of sharing a cabin with strangers still puts them off. Nighttrain company Nox, a Berlin-based startup, believes it has the solution: affordable sleeper trains with fully private rooms.

“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.

From budget to premium, but always private

Where traditional night trains often only offer shared compartments — or extremely expensive private options — nighttrain company Nox opts for a completely new model. Each traveller gets their own private cabin, with a choice of three categories:

• Single Loft: a compact one-person cabin with upper bed, seat and table.
• Double Loft: a two-person cabin with a double upper bed, two seats and a table.
• Double Vista: a cabin with two easily accessible beds, the lower of which can be converted into a sofa. Ideal for travellers who prefer not to climb.

Each room includes a two-metre-long bed, sufficient headroom to stand upright, space for luggage, and — in some cases — panoramic windows for watching the scenery roll by in the morning.

According to co-founder Janek Smalla, the cabins are designed to fit more passengers per train than traditional providers, without compromising on comfort.

“This, paired with a strict focus on standardisation and operational excellence, will allow us to offer affordable fares on over 35 European routes,” he says.

Prices that could compete with budget airlines

Unlike many existing night trains, which often charge hundreds of euros for a private cabin, Nox aims to keep the threshold low. Single cabins start from €79, double cabins from €149. This makes the fares similar to a budget airline – but without queues, CO₂ emissions and overcrowded terminals.

“It’s been 30 years since the no-frills revolution in aviation began – and unfortunately, European railways have largely proven unable to compete with budget airlines since then. We want to combine the convenience of flying with the comfort and sustainability of the train,” said Constant. “No more stress at the airport. You board in the evening, sleep peacefully, and wake up the next morning at your destination.”

Ambitious plans: over a 100 cities by 2035

Night train company Nox has big plans. The first trains will start running from 2027, with an expansion to more than 100 cities within a decade. The planned destinations read like a bucket list for travellers: Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Warsaw, Budapest, Rome – and dozens more.

According to Smalla, carriages have already been booked, and the final design of the interiors is underway. On board will also be a food and beverage service, space for bikes, and wheelchair-accessible cabins. Travellers can pre-register now for the Early Bird Club, which will allow them to receive updates, early access to bookings and discounts.

Not everybody is convinced, is it possible?

Yet there are also critical voices. Simon Calder, travel correspondent at The Independent, recently expressed doubts about the feasibility of Nox’s plans:

Unless the company has a billion pounds at its disposal to purchase new rolling stock, I don’t see this network becoming a reality on this scale.”

Indeed, the history of ambitious train initiatives in Europe has obstacles: national rail infrastructures differ, cross-border cooperation is often complex, and existing rail operators are not always keen on competition.

But according to Nox, the time is ripe. Demand for sustainable travel is rising, and the success of night trains in France, Austria and Sweden, among others, shows that travellers are willing to return to rail – provided the offer meets modern expectations of privacy, comfort and price.”

A new chapter for nighttrains in Europe

Whether the night train company Nox will actually revolutionise the industry remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the ambition is great, the concept innovative, and the momentum favourable.

“We believe that the night train is the perfect mode of transport for the 21st century: comfortable, efficient and climate-friendly,’ concludes Constant. ‘We are not going for nostalgia, but for a new, modern alternative.”