After nearly a decade in hibernation, the Berlin to Paris night train has once again begun its nocturnal journey! The train pulled into Paris Gare de l’Est at 10:24 am on a Tuesday morning, marking a thrilling milestone in the renaissance of eco-friendly travel options in Europe.
The inaugural trip of the newly established “Berlin link” departed from the German capital at 8:18 pm on a Monday night that was fully booked. Notably, it carried the French transport minister, Clément Beaune, who shared a heartfelt embrace with his German counterpart, Volker Wissing, before the departure.
Upon arriving in Paris, Beaune could hardly contain his excitement, describing the experience as “magnificent.” He emphasized the significance of this moment, stating, “It’s a good start. It’s a symbol we need at the moment, because we need positive projects, environmental and European projects.”
The night train was met with enthusiasm along its route. In Strasbourg, local politicians gathered on the platform before 6 am, waving French, German, and European flags as the train passed through. The Green MEP for northern France, Karima Delli, expressed her joy on social media, exclaiming, “What joy – job done. We’ll keep going.”
The reintroduction of the sleeper service between Berlin and Paris has been a long-standing demand from travellers, local politicians, and environmental advocates. Its revival signifies a return to favour of slower, greener travel options, reclaiming ground lost to budget airlines and high-speed trains during the early 2000s, resulting in the closure of many sleeper train services.
The operation of the connection will be a collaborative effort between the French and German national train operators, SNCF and Deutsche Bahn. The rolling stock will be provided by the Austrian train company ÖBB, renowned for its “Nightjet” trains that traverse central Europe.
French President Emmanuel Macron has outlined ambitious plans for the expansion of sleeper services, aiming to introduce 10 new routes by 2030. In a parallel development, France launched its first new sleeper train from Paris to Aurillac in the Cantal region, two decades after the previous service was discontinued. The French government has invested a substantial €100 million to reinvigorate the national network and prepare new carriages for service.
Concurrently, Deutsche Bahn has set its sights on enhancing its night train connections to 13 other major European cities through collaborative partnerships with other operators.
The revival of the Berlin to Paris night train not only promises a renewed era of travel convenience but also represents a significant step towards environmentally sustainable transportation. The return of this beloved train route is a testament to the enduring allure of rail travel and the growing emphasis on eco-conscious transportation solutions. With its resurgence, the night train beckons travellers to embark on a nostalgic yet forward-looking journey, evoking the romance and charm of slow travel in a fast-paced world. All aboard the Berlin to Paris night train – an exciting adventure awaits!
