Night trains to Barcelona to depart in 2025, Berlin services to start in May

Barcelona skyline. Photo: Depositphotos.com

The European Commission will “do whatever it takes” to help new Dutch and Belgian rail operator European Sleeper launch an overnight sleeper service between Amsterdam and Barcelona from 2025. .

supported by the committee 14 schemes International rail connections to promote more sustainable rail travel than flying.

The commission is short on subsidies but said it would do everything in its power to “help remove roadblocks,” a spokesman said. volkslandOne such hurdle is the bureaucracy surrounding the licensing of new rail capacity in the countries involved. “We advise on regulations and help find funding and available subsidies,” he said.

European Sleeper founder Chris Engelsman said Brussels was happy to help the company navigate the “bureaucratic jungle”, adding that the lack of direct subsidies could prove detrimental to the project’s financing. Said it wasn’t a problem.

Barcelona is one of the most popular destinations, with around 1.5 million Dutch tourists flying to the Catalan capital last year. The cheapest sleeper ticket is around €110, about €30 more than the cheapest one-way flight.

European Sleeper will run night trains to Berlin from May.