9 of the best sleeper trains and ferries in Europe
Simon Tartarotti
Sleeper trains and overnight ferries are a wonderfully efficient, practical and exciting way to travel huge distances as you sleep, and all European sleeper trains and ferries are unique in some way.
The Byway team – and their friends and family – have a lot to share about their favourite experiences travelling overnight by rail or sea, so we’ve put together our favourite sleepers with practical information included for each one.
Adrienne Salmon
The Caledonian Sleeper
One of two sleeper train providers in the UK, the sought-after Caledonian Sleeper runs from London Euston, Crewe or Preston to many destinations in Scotland. It runs six out of seven days. Interiors are modern and comfortable, there’s a selection of cabins available and there are various journey lengths depending on where you’re going – the Lowlander route between London, Edinburgh and Glasgow is fun, but you really want the Highlander routes for astonishing views (particularly to Fort William that crosses wild Rannoch Moor on the train affectionately known as the Deerstalker, or to Inverness).
Where? London/Preston/Crewe to various locations in Scotland
When? Runs 6 out of 7 days, excluding Saturday evenings.
Price range: from budget to premium (£ - £££)
Cabin selection
Caledonian Double: private, en-suite room with double bed, breakfast included, complimentary extras, priority Club Car access and lounge access. £££
Club room: private, en-suite room with bunk beds, breakfast included, complimentary extras, priority Club Car access and lounge access. ££ - £££
Classic room: private room with bunk beds, shared facilities in the corridor, washbasin in room, breakfast can be ordered at extra cost, some complimentary extras, Club Car access and lounge access. ££
Seat: seat, either individual or two together, breakfast to seat, overhead luggage compartment, sockets, complimentary sleep mask. £
Which sleeper train cabin will Byway book for me?
A Classic cabin without en-suite, but upgrades are possible where available.
Pros
Amazing views; regional food and drinks; variety of cabins to choose from; lounges at select stations with showers; early boarding before departure; modern interiors; complimentary goodies depending on cabin type.
Cons
Some very late departures and short journeys to big cities; train carriages split in the middle of the night on some routes; lots of stops on the route; low availability in peak season.
Top tip from Byway
Book well in advance to get your choice of room, the Caledonian sleeper is a popular route and sells out months in advance.
Our favourite route: Caledonian to the Highlands
Marijke’s experience on the Caledonian Sleeper: London to Edinburgh, Caledonian Sleeper
My favourite thing about the Caledonian Sleeper journey from London to Edinburgh was waking up and walking to the dining car (known as the Club Car), where I enjoyed a delicious breakfast and coffee, gazing at the stunning landscape covered in morning frost through the train window. The Club Car was definitely a highlight for me, the quality of food is excellent and the dining car adds a level of luxury to the experience.
There are various accommodation options on board; I went for the Club option and enjoyed the privacy of the en-suite plus some fancy extras like tasty chocolates and swish toiletries (the complimentary sleeping mask also came in very handy).
The train left late from London Euston, at 23:45 with rooms available from 22:30. However, you can take the overnight trip all the way to the Highlands, with the train to Fort William offering the longest lie-in and an earlier departure. My journey to Edinburgh was quite quick for a sleeper journey, arriving in Edinburgh at 07:20. We had to vacate the train by 08:00, which meant my breakfast was pretty early. I slept well though and was ready to go. If you’re a light sleeper then you should be aware that at some point in the night the train stops and the train splits, with one heading west and one east, which might wake you up.
I’d highly recommend taking the Caledonian Sleeper from England to Scotland, it’s a convenient way to cover a large distance and travelling overnight means you still have the day to yourself. The journeys to Edinburgh and Glasgow are short, so if you’re on holiday then I’d suggest going a bit further to get a longer rest.
Marijke Cortenbach, Head of Growth at Byway
Jemima Whyles
The Night Riviera
The second UK sleeper train on our list, the Night Riviera gives major Agatha Christie vibes (albeit, slightly less glamorous or deadly). It runs from London Paddington to various stops in Cornwall and takes around 8 hours. The trains are modern with functional cabins and there’s a lounge bar on board. It’s also a reasonably priced sleeper train, with cabins costing only a little more than a regular seat.
Where? London Paddington to various stations in Cornwall
When? Runs 6 out of 7 days, excluding Saturday evenings.
Price range: from budget to mid-range (£ - ££)
Cabin selection
Twin occupancy cabin: private cabin for two with bunk beds, breakfast included, shared toilet facilities in your carriage (two per carriage), washbasin and wardrobe in room, access to lounges at stations. £
Single occupancy cabin: private cabin for one with bunk bed, breakfast included, shared toilet facilities in your carriage (two per carriage), washbasin and wardrobe in room, access to lounges at stations. £
Seat: seat, either individual or two together, breakfast to seat, shared toilet facilities, overhead luggage compartment, sockets, complimentary sleep mask. £
Which sleeper train cabin will Byway book for me?
A cabin as standard, with your group number in mind. Please note this is not en-suite.
Pros
Regional food and drinks; both cabin types come with lounge and shower access at stations; breakfast included with all cabin types; comfortable lounge bar on train; early(ish) departure and long journey; various stops along route.
Cons
Shared facilities with all cabin types; no showers onboard; very early arrival on both outward and return journeys; low availability in peak season.
Top tip from Byway
Take the train an extra stop or two for a longer lie, or when travelling from Cornwall to London, travel back along the line for an earlier departure.
Our favourite route: Explore Cornwall
Simon Tartarotti
Nightjet
Europe’s best known sleeper service with multiple start locations (Amsterdam, Brussels, Cologne, Paris, Munich and Zurich are our favourites) and myriad destinations (Vienna, Rome, Venice, Bologna, La Spezia, Salzburg, Vienna and Innsbruck to name but a few). The trains themselves are functional with limited frills, but they offer a convenient way to nip across the continent with a variety of private cabins or couchette carriages (where there are multiple beds, sometimes shared with strangers but can be booked privately for groups).
Where? Travelling between various cities in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Croatia.
When? Various timetables with some routes running less frequently than others
Price range: from budget to premium (£ - £££)
Cabin selection
Deluxe cabin: private cabin for one, two or three with bunk beds; breakfast included; washbasin; en-suite toilet and shower. £££
Standard cabin: private cabin for one, two or three with bunk beds; breakfast included; shared shower onboard. ££
Shared couchette: compartment for four to six with bunk beds; light breakfast included. £
Seat: either individual or two together; in a compartment or open plan carriage. £
Which sleeper train cabin will Byway book for me?
A standard private cabin, with your group number in mind. These are not en-suite.
Pros
Fast way to travel vast distances across Europe; a huge variety of departures and destinations; safe, clean and modern; range of departure and arrival times; different cabins to choose from.
Cons
Limited dining options; basic cabins that can be small and very few frills; limited en-suite options; can be noisy and busy; some late departures.
Top tip from Byway
Deluxe cabins are much the same size and basic set up as standard, except for the en-suite and the fact that you can’t book two deluxe cabins next to each other (if you want that, go for standard). If you’re a solo traveller, ask for a private individual cabin (which is sometimes a bit pricier) as booking a single bunk in a deluxe or standard cabin, means you might be sharing a single-sex cabin.
Our favourite route: Alpine Capitals
Simon Tartarotti
EuroNight
In addition to the Nightjet, ÖBB has a partnership with regional operators, called the EuroNight. These trains run throughout Europe from Switzerland and Germany to Croatia, Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland and Hungary, adding even more options to the wealth of European sleeper trains. The trains themselves are a mixture of stock from the operators and can be different to the Nightjet offering, but all offer a light breakfast (except on the Zürich to Prague route).
Where? Travelling between various cities in Germany, Switzerland, Croatia, Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland and Hungary.
When? Various timetables with some routes running less frequently than others
Price range: from budget to premium (£ - £££)
Cabin selection
The cabins on offer vary from service to service on EuroNight trains, with only some offering a deluxe option.
Deluxe cabin: private cabin for one, two or three with bunk beds; breakfast included; washbasin; en-suite toilet and shower. £££
Standard cabin: private cabin for one, two or three with bunk beds; breakfast included; shared shower onboard. ££
Shared couchette: compartment for four to six with bunk beds; light breakfast included £
Seat: either individual or two together; in a compartment or open plan carriage £
Which sleeper train cabin will Byway book for me?
A standard private cabin, with your group number in mind. These are not en-suite.
Pros
Fast way to travel across Europe; a huge variety of departures and destinations; safe and clean; range of departure and arrival times; different cabins to choose from; some sleepers may have dining cars depending on the operator.
Cons
There may be limited dining options; basic cabins that can be small and very few frills; there may not be any en-suite options on some routes; wagon stock might be a bit older on some routes; limited en-suite options; can be noisy and busy; some late departures.
Top tip from Byway
Travel back up the line for an earlier boarding and more time on the sleeper - and pack a picnic in case your sleeper doesn’t have a dining car.
Our favourite route: Dalmatia
Read about Cat’s experience on the EuroNight: Stuttgart to Lake Bled, ÖBB/HZ
On our most recent sleeper train trip, me, my husband Rob and our two girls (ages 5 and 7), travelled from Stuttgart, Germany, to Lake Bled, Slovenia. The train, which splits with carriages travelling on to Venice and the Croatian Coast respectively, was amazing and mirrored our multi-country holiday.
We stayed in Ulm beforehand but (on the advice of James from the Byway Concierge team!) chose to travel to Stuttgart in the late afternoon, because the train left from there at 8pm (in time for bedtime) instead of boarding around 10pm from Ulm. Top tip for families: consider going back along the line a few stops and getting on earlier so that you can get everyone to sleep in good time!
The girls were thrilled to sleep on the train. We stayed in a private three-berth couchette (no en-suite) The two girls top and tailed on the middle bunk while I took the bottom and daddy, the top. The accommodation was functional and fun - like being in a camper van - with clean sheets and pre-made beds. Despite the slight inconvenience of corridor toilets, the setup worked well for us with a handy sink to brush teeth in our room. After the children went to bed, Rob and I chatted on the bottom bunk as we travelled south through Germany while the children were sleeping above our heads. It was lovely.
We brought snacks from Stuttgart, but there was a croissant breakfast waiting in the cabin and the guard brought hot coffee around in the morning as well. The journey was surprisingly quiet, with only one brief disturbance from a woman on her phone in the corridor. Our early bedtime allowed us to enjoy the journey's ambiance, passing lights in the darkness with the rhythmic sounds of the train lulling us to sleep. We slept well and all the way through, apart from one toilet excursion in the night. Leave your shoes by the bed to limit nighttime fumbling!
Our conductor was wonderful and offered to give us a knock 20 minutes before we got to the station (the train was running late and we wanted to sleep a bit longer). He did exactly that. It was beautiful waking up to breathtaking views of the mountains with the sun coming up over the train tracks. We’d left urban Germany and had woken up in the middle of rural Slovenia. It was lovely to coax the children awake with the words, "Look out of the window, look, we're in Slovenia”.
When we alighted, there was a short wait for the bus to the lake, which turned into a stone-collecting activity with the girls and a proper coffee for me from the station cafe. Overall, the journey was just what we’d hoped - a magical adventure for our family, without first-class luxury.
Cat Jones, CEO and Founder at Byway
James Hill
MAV
There are a multitude of sleeper trains that leave from Budapest each day, going every direction across Europe. One of the most adventurous journeys is to Romania. There are a mix of more modern trains with air-conditioning, such as the Ister with private cabins and couchettes, while the Dacia Express, which can also be taken to or from Vienna, has couchettes and a Romanian sleeping car. Neither have dining cars (although sometimes one joins the train in Romania). The Corona is slightly different in that it has Communist-era interiors and a classic dining car, but unfortunately no air-conditioning. All three trains give you a long overnight journey (up to 19-hours), and offer a cheaper sleeper experience than other European trains. They also have a late-night passport check at the border.
Photo by James Hill
Where? Vienna or Budapest to Brașov, Bucharest, Cluj, Timișoara, Sibiu, and Sighişoara.
When? 365-days of the year
Price range: from budget to mid-range (£-££)
Cabin selection
Standard, private 1-, 2- or 3-berth cabin: private cabin with bunk beds; cooked breakfast included; shared toilet onboard. £
Standard 4- or 6-person couchette: shared cabin with bunk beds; can be booked for groups; shared toilet onboard. £
Which sleeper train cabin will Byway book for me?
A standard private cabin as standard, with your group number in mind. These are not en-suite.
Pros
Amazing views; charming wood-panelled compartments; dining car usually attached where you can have dinner or drinks; cooked breakfast included; ready-made beds; cheaper than a lot of other European options.
Cons
Cabins have very few frills; 1960’s-style cabins may not be for those who prefer modern amenities; no air-conditioning; late night border checks; bumpy tracks which might not be ideal for light sleepers.
Top tip from Byway
Take a handheld fan with you in summer in lieu of air-conditioning!
Our favourite route: Romania by sleeper train
Read about James’ experience on the Corona sleeper train: Budapest to Brașov, MAV
There are three sleeper trains departing Bucharest for Romania each day. My favourite is the ‘Corona’ to Brașov. What sets this train apart from the others is the classic 1960’s wood-panelled cabins that make for a cosy place to spend the night. Another highlight is the Hungarian dining car that is usually attached, where you can sit and enjoy a drink and dinner in the evening, then come back for a cooked breakfast in the morning as the train makes its way through striking Transylvanian countryside.
With old-world charm in abundance comes a few downsides to this journey – there’s no air-conditioning on the train (I’d recommend taking your own handheld fan in summer), the tracks can be a bit bumpy, and you will need to be awake for a nighttime passport check at the border. However, this journey is an adventure and one you won’t forget!
James Hill, Concierge travel expert at Byway
Marijke Cortenbach
DFDS overnight ferry
DFDS Ferries ply the waters of the UK and Ireland, Scandinavia, the Baltics and from 2024, Spain and Morocco. Not all of the DFDS sailings are overnight, but our favourites are between the UK and the Netherlands, and Norway and Denmark. With outstanding onboard facilities, it’s almost like a mini cruise, with incredible views and comfortable departure and arrival times (plenty of time for a long dinner – choose between the bistro or all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant – and breakfast). There is also a fun Kiel to Klaipeda overnight DFDS route too, this one has a very different feel – almost like a freight service.
Where? Newcastle to Amsterdam/Oslo to Copenhagen
When? Daily overnight sailings
Price range: from mid-range to premium (££ - £££)
Cabin selection
Commodore cabin: Twin beds/double bed; very spacious; wi-fi and breakfast included; en-suite toilet and shower. £££
Inside/outside cabin: two- and four-berth bunk bed options; no window or sea views; en-suite toilet and shower. ££
Economy cabin: two- and four-berth bunk bed options; no window; en-suite toilet and shower; some noise from nightclubs, engine rooms or catering areas. ££
Which sleeper train cabin will Byway book for me?
An inside cabin for you as standard, with your group number in mind.
Pros
Daily overnight sailings; comfortable en-suite cabins; shops, restaurants, play areas and bars; pet-friendly.
Cons
Not city-to-city (bus transfers required); potential for travel sea sickness.
Top tip from Byway
Take some sea sickness tablets or sea sickness wrist bands, just in case your sea legs fail you.
Our favourite route: Amsterdam and Utrecht
If you’d prefer to travel from Harwich to Hoek van Holland with Stena Line, we recommend this trip to Hoek van Holland and The Hague.
Read about Nicky’s favourite overnight DFDS route: South Shields to IJmuiden, DFDS
At 4.30 pm glasses of bubbly are served in the forward lounge on deck 10 of the MS King Seaways. The vessel is one of two smart DFDS cruise ferries DFDS which ply the route from North Shields (near Newcastle) to IJmuiden (near Amsterdam). A musical accolade over the ship’s PA system marks the moment when the King Seaways slips off her mooring and sets sail for Holland.
This must surely rate as the most stylish departure from British shores. For anyone living in northern England or Scotland, DFDS’ daily service from North Shields to IJmuiden is an absolute godsend, removing the need to travel via London. It is a shortcut to the continent over the North Sea. With late afternoon departures from both IJmuiden and North Shields and arrival around 10 next morning, the long overnight crossing is a chance to relax and indulge in creature comforts. Book one of the posh commodore or commodore-deluxe cabins for stateroom style and enjoy a leisurely dinner in the North Sea Bistro which mainstreams on classic European cuisine with tasty staples like sea bass and lamb.
The two vessels on the route, King Seaways and Princess Seaways, are very similar but King Seaways has the edge when it comes to the very best commodore-class cabins, and on that ship there’s also the lounge up front on deck 10 for passengers booked in the deluxe accommodation.
This DFDS route is perfect for passengers relying on public transport. There are dedicated bus links from Newcastle to the ferry and also on arrival in IJmuiden into the middle of Amsterdam, but I prefer more local options. In Newcastle I take the metro to Meadow Well, from where it’s an easy 20-minute walk to the boat. On the Dutch side, bus route 74 gives a fast link from IJmuiden to the nearby railway station at Beverwijk.
Nicky Gardner, co-author of Europe by Rail: The Definitive Guide
Jeton Bajrami
Intercity Notte
The Italian brand of sleeper trains is operated by Trenitalia and travels between northern and southern Italy, and Sicily. There are one- and two-bed en-suite Excelsior cabins on only the Milan-Catania-Siracuse route (and on one train on Rome-Catania-Siracuse route), all other Intercity Notte sleeper cabins are branded simply ‘Deluxe’. And in truth, it’s not the Excelsior cabins that are the highlight on the Sicily route, but the fact that your train boards a ferry to cross the Straits of Messina (though this doesn’t necessarily offer the best night’s sleep!). For light sleepers, we recommend taking the day trains and ferries to Sicily to enjoy the Tyrrhenian coastline as you sail, then heading back by sleeper train from Naples to Turin.
Where? Between northern and southern Italy, and Sicily
When? These trains run daily throughout the year between Sicily and Rome, Naples and Milan.
Price range: from budget to mid-range (£ - ££)
Cabin selection
Excelsior cabin: en-suite shower and toilet; one- or two-berth options; power outlets; bedding provided; towel and simple wash kit provided; bottle of water provided; light breakfast and coffee served; no main meals; shared toilet and shower facilities; only on certain routes. ££
Deluxe cabin: washbasin; one-, two-, or three-berth options; beds fold away with fold-out seat option for daytime journeys; power outlets; bedding provided; towel and simple wash kit provided; bottle of water provided; light breakfast and coffee served; no main meals; shared toilet and shower facilities. ££
Four-berth comfort couchette: shared washing facilities; can be booked for groups of three or four for sole use; bedding provided but beds have to be made up by guests; light breakfast and coffee served; no main meals. £
Basic seat: nothing provided; shared facilities; seats are two by two so we wouldn’t recommend this option. £
Which sleeper train cabin will Byway book for me? .
A standard private cabin (called ‘Deluxe’ on Intercity Notte), with your group number in mind. These are not en-suite.
Pros
Fast way to travel vast distances across Italy; safe; clean and modern; towel and wash kit provided; connecting compartments available for groups; breakfast included.
Cons
Shared toilet and shower facilities (except in ‘Excelsior’); solo travellers can’t book a single bunk in a shared sleeper; no dining car; can be noisy if on the route through to Sicily.
Top tip from Byway
Pack yourself a picnic with some Italian wine to enjoy as there are no evening meal options.
Our favourite route: Stopover to Sicily
Read about Katia and Max’s journey on the Intercity Notte: Ora to Naples, Trenitalia
We travelled from Auer (Ora) in South Tyrol to the lively city of Naples on a Trenitalia sleeper train. We were two couples and booked a private couchette for the four of us. It was a fun adventure with close friends. The couchette was simple yet comfortable and we were provided with fresh bed sheets. We slept well, although it might be a bit noisy if you’re woken up easily.
The trip went smoothly, and what made it even more enjoyable was the attentive care of the train manager. He consistently went the extra mile. From offering a wake-up call to providing the morning newspaper, his attention to detail was impressive. These considerate gestures made our journey really special, we felt very pampered.
One highlight was having breakfast on the train itself. As the wheels rolled towards Naples, our final destination, we enjoyed a leisurely morning meal, setting us up for a day of exploration. The café car, with standing tables, was charming, and the option to have breakfast delivered to our room added convenience and a touch of luxury.
Looking back, our train journey became more than just a way to get from one place to another; it was a combination of comfort, care and unexpected treats that turned a simple trip into a great memory.
Katia and Max, family of Jess Piazzi, Support lead at Byway
Ellis King
Intercités de nuit
A more adventurous offering, the French sleeper trains offer only couchettes with shared facilities. If you book ‘first-class’, you can have access to showers at Austerlitz after disembarking and you can book extra tickets to ensure your cabin is not shared with others. But beware, it’s not as ‘first-class’ as some of the other sleeper offerings and you can’t book first-class with an Interrail/Eurail pass (it has to be booked at normal rates). However, it is a fast and fun way to get to the south of France.
Where? From Paris to various destinations in the south of France (including Nice, Toulouse and Latour-de-Carol)
When? Various timetables with some routes running less frequently than others.
Price range: from budget to mid-range (£ - ££)
Cabin selection
First class couchette: four-bed couchette; lockable door; pillow and sleeping bag provided; bottle of water provided; eye mask and ear plugs provided; shared toilets and washbasins at end of corridor. ££
Standard couchette: six-bed couchette; lockable door; pillow and sleeping bag provided; bottle of water provided; eye mask and ear plugs provided; shared toilets and washbasins at end of corridor. £
Seat: nothing provided; shared facilities; seats are two by two so we wouldn’t recommend this option. £
Which sleeper train cabin will Byway book for me?
A private couchette (4- or 6-berth), with your group number in mind. These are not en-suite.
Pros
Fast way to travel vast distances across France; plenty of departures and destinations; adventure travel; showers at Paris Gare d’Austerlitz and Toulouse Matabiau if you book 1st Class.
Cons
Not as comfortable as other offerings; only couchettes; no dining car; can be quite expensive to book a whole cabin; some routes are seasonal; for journeys to Latour de Carol you still have another train to take in the morning.
Top tip from Byway
Bring snacks or eat beforehand as there are no dining facilities available.
Read about Felicity and Paul’s time on the Intercites de Nuit: Latour-de-Carol to Paris, Intercités de Nuit
After our walking holiday in the Pyrenees, we (a married couple) travelled from Latour de Carol on the French/Spanish border to Paris (Austerlitz) by overnight train. We opted for a four-berth cabin, booking four tickets to ensure that we had it to ourselves.
The compartment was reasonably comfortable and although ideal for two, it might be cramped for four strangers. The facilities (including washbasins) were shared, and located at the end of the carriages; they were basic but clean. There was no dining carriage and no food to purchase on the train, so we brought a picnic dinner. The journey offered stunning views through the French Pyrenees, and it was great to be able to open the windows to fully take them in. We wound between mountain peaks, following the course of a small river, and passing through tiny mountain villages. The sun was setting by the time we reached the plain outside Toulouse.
We enjoyed a drink at the station cafe before departure, soaking up the afternoon sunshine. The train journey served as a convenient return to Paris before our Eurostar trip to the UK. Complementary showers at Paris Austerlitz were a greatly appreciated bonus with our first-class ticket.
Booking the entire compartment was a wise choice for a more comfortable experience. The lack of a dining table and limited space would have made sharing with others less enjoyable. Although there were no disturbances, a brief stop at Toulouse added an extra train section, which might be a bit disruptive if you’re easily awoken. Booking a four-berth couchette compartment (which is always what they call ‘first-class') ensured access to showers at Austerlitz station, and we recommend heading there promptly to avoid queues.
Felicity and Paul, family of Izzy Thearle, Routing team lead at Byway
Peter van der Meulen
Arctic Circle train
The ‘Arctic Circle Train’, or Nattågstrafiken, which has been operated by various Swedish or Norwegian companies over the years, strikes out each day from Stockholm Central Station to Swedish Lapland and the far north of Norway. The journey takes in Europe’s most remote and wild landscape (a vast region called Sápmi by the Indigenous Sámi people) and is staggering from start to finish, around 20 hours and nearly 2000 km later. Travelling north, it’s beyond Boden, and then Kiruna, that the views of rugged mountains and glacial lakes really impress.
As striking as this journey is, it comes with a lot of risks and over the winter season, we saw massive disruption to this route due to adverse weather conditions. Many travellers had to be rerouted in various ways that meant their trip was very different to what they expected. After diving deeper, we found that Norway & Sweden’s lesser-appreciated (but just as gorgeous) neighbour, Finland, also has a sleeper journey to Lapland that is much more robust in the snow and less likely to face cancellations. The trains in Finland are more modern than their Scandinavian counterparts and the scenery gives you that same wow factor. If you’re after the winter wonderland experience, then we’d recommend travelling to Finland instead (see our favourite route below).
Where? Stockholm to Narvik
When? Daily, year round
Price range: from mid-range to premium (££ - £££)
Cabin selection
First Class cabin: en-suite shower and toilet; one- or two-berth options; lockable door; pillow, sheet and blanket provided. £££
Second Class cabin: three-berth option; washbasin; shared shower and toilet in the corridor; lockable door; pillow, sheet and blanket provided. ££
Shared couchette: six-berth option; shared shower, toilet and washbasin in the corridor; lockable door; pillow, sheet and blanket provided (though you make your bed yourself). ££
Seat: not recommended for more than a short journey. £
Which sleeper train cabin will Byway book for me?
A private cabin (called ‘second class’ on this route) as standard, with your group number in mind. These are not en-suite.
Pros
Dining car with bar; incredible views year round; adventure travel; showers onboard.
Cons
Long journey around 20 hours; possible disruption in heavy snow; older carriages at times; food and drink menus are limited; breakfast isn’t included with any class (you go to the restaurant car).
Top tip from Byway
Go in summer for less likelihood of disruption, or travel to Finnish Lapland instead.
Our favourite route: Sleeper to Lapland (Finland)
If you’re still keen on a Scandinavian adventure, we recommend this trip to Norway and Sweden with a sleeper ferry, or if you’d like the journey to Narvik, please get in touch with our concierge team who can check for disruption before booking.
Read Nicky and Susanne’s thoughts on the Arctic Circle train: Stockholm to Narvik, Vy Tåg
Few European night trains offer such a fine dose of morning scenery to boost the spirit. Full marks are due to the Norrlandtrain in this context. This service leaves Stockholm at 18.10, for a journey of over 18 hours to Swedish Lapland, culminating in a wonderful final couple of hours as the train crosses the Norwegian frontier and then drops down steeply to Narvik. It’s made all the better by having a restaurant car which is there for the entire journey. The train usually crosses the Arctic Circle around seven in the morning, by which time breakfast is being served. We made this journey in late spring, but winter still lingered in Sweden’s far north. We took our time over breakfast, spotting our first reindeer, as the train crept up narrow valleys where the hillsides tilt sharper and sharper. For over fifty kilometres the train runs along the south shore of Torneträsk, a magnificent glacial lake which is frozen for more than half the year.
Nicky Gardner and Susanne Kries writing in the French journal La Vie du Rail in autumn 2023 (translated from the French original)
Take a look at Byway’s top journeys with sleeper trains and ferries and read more about what to expect on your sleeper journey in our Sleeper train 101 blog.