From December, you can sleep your way from the Netherlands to Italy by night train

Any takers for Lake Como?

Slaap lekker and buongiorno! The Netherlands is getting a new sleeper train to Italy, with journeys possible from as early as December 2026.

In a press release on Tuesday, Dutch-Belgian rail cooperative European Sleeper announced a new direct night connection between Breda and Milan. 

From December 14, passengers will be able to visit Eindhoven and other equally glamorous destinations like Lugano in Switzerland and the famous Lake Como in Italy. 

I’m in! Give me the details

With departures on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings, it’s the perfect excuse to take a brugdag (bridge day) or two and stretch things into a gezellig long weekend in Milan. 

Once you’ve had your fill of pizza, return trains are scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

READ MORE | You can now book a direct daily train from Amsterdam to Paris for just €19

The announcement comes after years without a direct rail link between the Netherlands and Italy. 

This is part of a broader push toward European rail integration — a pledge by the European Commission in 2021 to reduce reliance on flying, reports Nu.nl.

European Sleeper already runs trains from Amsterdam to Berlin, Dresden, and Prague. 

@noodlesandblisters Nightjet from Amsterdam to Zurich 🚆 Board from Amsterdam Centraal ~20:15— arrive Zurich HB ~08:20 the next day. Cost (one way): Seat from €29.90 6 person-bed couchette from €49.90 4-bed couchette from €59.90 3-bed sleeper from €89.90 2-bed sleeper from €109.90 1-bed sleeper from €159.90 Prices vary by date & availability, book early for best deals! 😌 next up: hiking Via Engiadina, a stunning long distance winter hike from Zernez to Ramosch in the Swiss Alps! #sleepertrain #nighttrain #viaengiadina #winterhike #switzerland ♬ origineel geluid – noodlesandblisters

For those who can’t wait for gelato, the Brussels-Milan service launches on September 9, with fares starting from €29.99 one-way per person! 

So all aboard in Breda, because nothing says la dolce vita quite like Nord-Brabant.

Are you packing your bags already? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Feature image:Dreamstime

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Gigi Ann Green
Gigi Ann Green
Gigi is a Slovak-British graduate-to-be in International Justice from Leiden University College. She moved to The Hague in 2023, and despite three years of reciting the UN Charter like a religion, she’s always had more questions than a courtroom could answer. After a summer spent interning at Radio Slovakia International, Gigi is looking for her next journalistic feat. When she’s not newswriting, she’s songwriting at Scheveningen, firmly convinced that living by an admittedly Dutch beach increases your happiness by at least 20%!

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