Credit: theguardian.com
The comforts of an elegant hotel but inside a train that makes a stop in the largest European cities. Let’s discover the “Midnight Trains” together.
Combining the conforts of a hotel with the movement of trains is now becoming a trend all over the world.
Among the first to have focused on the night train is ÖBB, the Austrian Railways: its Nightjets allow you to reach Austria even from Italy.
During the night, you can sit or lie down in the sleeping car, which guarantees all the comforts of a traditional hotel room.
Together with partner railways, they offer a total of 28 night connections across Europe.
Paris is no exception and, thanks to a startup, has announced plans for a network of night services from Paris to many European cities.
It is called “Midnight Trains” and hopes that post-Covid interest in cleaner and greener travel will generate interest in its “rail hotels”.
The rebirth of the European night train network comes 25 years after the collapse of the original Trans-Europ Express, which connected 130 cities across the continent.
The boom in short-haul flights had decreased the demand for these trips but, with the pandemic and thanks to greater environmental awareness, it could be the must-have of future travel.
The project aims to make night trains not only functional and ecological but also attractive, in fact it is planning real “traveling boutique hotels”, with every kind of comfort for a sophisticated and luxury experience that makes you forget you are on a train.
The Midnight Trains network will connect Paris to 12 European destinations.
Trains will depart from Gare du Nord station in Paris and will stop in cities such as Madrid, Lisbon, Porto, Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Berlin, Hamburg, Copenhagen and even Edinburgh.
The list continues to be updated and will be final only shortly before the first available trip.
The interiors of the wagons and common areas have a modern but very elegant furniture. There will be private suites with bathrooms, a bar always open with craft beer and selected wines, a restaurant, entertainment on request and a concierge service through an application.
The company intends to be operational by 2024. At the moment there are no details yet regarding ticket prices or timetables.
Will it be the must have of the travels of the future?
ARIANNA BOTTINI