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Throughout Europe, tourists are beginning to appreciate the benefits of sleeper trains, as overnight railway services enable connections between cities that might otherwise be too distant for a single journey.

Traveling by train means you don’t have to treat each location as a separate stop. A night train can combine two far-apart and unique cities into a single journey, letting tourists depart from a European city in the evening and wake up in a completely different place the following morning.

A study conducted by Omio, a digital travel booking and comparison platform, revealed that this form of transportation is becoming more popular, with the most-searched sleeper routes concentrated near Berlin, Amsterdam, and Prague,Paris and Sint-Gillis.

Based on their examination of the most frequently searched itineraries by users, tourists show particular interest in these paths:

1. From Berlin, Germany to Prague, Czech Republic

2. Amsterdam, Netherlands to Berlin, Germany

3. Amsterdam, Netherlands to Sint-Gillis, Belgium

4. Berlin, Germany to Paris, France

5. Amsterdam, Netherlands to Antwerp, Belgium

In general, Omio reported that sleeper train reservations have consistently risen by 8% compared to the previous year, with NightJet bookings increasing by 15% and EuroNight trips seeing a rise of 26%.

But why stick to the most well-known paths? Choose from these surprising European city combinations that you can travel between using a sleeper train.

Sofia, Bulgaria, and Istanbul, Turkey

From the capital of Bulgaria known for its open-air book markets, beech forests, and the towering Mount Vitosha, to Istanbul, the city spanning two continents, Sofia andIstanbul provide two entirely distinct experiences.

A 10-hour trip on the Sofia-Istanbul Express provides passengers with couchette and sleeper options, where a double sleeper ticket is priced at €15 per person and a single sleeper costs €35.

To obtain a ticket, travelers typically have to follow the traditional method and purchase them in person at the train station in Sofia, Bulgaria, or at Istanbul Halkalı station in Turkey.

Berlin, Germany and Budapest, Hungary

Although Berlin and Budapest are approximately 900 kilometers apart, a sleeper train allows for a seamless journey between the two capitals in one trip.

Through the ÖBB Nightjet, passengers can opt for seating cars, couchettes, or a sleeper cabin. A one-way sleeper cabin ticket fromBerlin Traveling to Budapest in September begins at €223 per person.

A 12-hour trip from Berlin Hbf to Budapest-Nyugati features a sleeping berth with a pillow and blanket, individual bathroom amenities, and breakfast included in the price.

Over 16 stops, the night train travels through cities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, transforming what would have been a short flight into a transnational trip across Central Europe.

Brussels, Belgium and Prague, Czech Republic

Although Brussels serves as the core of European political and policy development, Prague provides visitors with medieval appeal, bold street art, and a smaller replica of France’s Eiffel Tower—the Petřín Tower (sometimes referred to as “the little sister of the Eiffel Tower”).

The Belgian the capital is linked to this Czech city through theEuropean Sleeperwhich provides options such as seats, small couchette berths, and sleeper cabins that can hold up to three individuals with separate beds and seating spaces. Although the comfort standard sleeper cabin class does not feature breakfast, it is available in the comfort plus option.

A one-way ticket from Bruxelles Midi to Praha hl.n. in September begins at €239.99. The trip departing from Brussels takes approximately 15 hours and 29 minutes.

Warsaw, Poland and Vienna, Austria

Warsaw and Vienna present visitors with a journey of contrasts: the Polish capital is known for its lush green areas, such as Łazienki Park, which includes a lake and peacocks walking proudly, while Vienna showcases its imperial buildings, magnificent palaces, and historic castles, along with traditional coffee shops like Café Schwarzenberg, which has been open since 1861.

Two locations are linked by an overnight Nightjet service departing from Warszawa Centralna to Wien Hbf, passing through Czechia. The roughly 10-hour journey begins at €129.90 for a sleeper cabin in September.

Zurich, Switzerland and Amsterdam, Netherlands

Exchange the Swiss Alps for a detour to Amsterdam’s canals, taking an overnight train that links Zurich’s lakeside scenery with the Dutch capital’s museums and well-known bike-friendly streets.

A Nightjet overnight train departing from Zürich Hauptbahnhof to Amsterdam Centraal takes approximately 12 and a half hours, with sleeper cabins available from €134.90. The trip includes stops in Germany, such as Bonn and Cologne.