How would you like to close your eyes in Vienna and wake up in Venice? Or doze off to the bustle of Vancouver and awaken in the peaceful mountains of Jasper? We’re talking about one of the world’s most established (and often overlooked) modes of transport: the train. We’ve scoured the globe to find the most spectacular overnight routes, offering climate- and wallet-friendly travel between some of the world’s top destinations. (All ticket prices are correct at the time of writing.)
You could take the scenic Railjet route between Austria's capital and the Floating City by day. But by far the most time-effective – and cost-effective, since you’ll be saving money on hotels – option is to take the tranquil ÖBB Nightjet service, which whisks you away on an 11-hour journey by night. The train leaves Vienna at 9.27pm and arrives at Venice San Lucia at 8.24am (some trains arrive later in the morning, so check times before booking). If you wish to travel in the opposite direction, most trains leave Venice at 9.48pm and arrive in Vienna at 7.58am.
Tickets start at just €29 (£24/$31) for a seat, but we’d advise against this option if you’re looking for a good night’s sleep. Instead, opt for a couchette compartment, which has berths for four to six people and start at €49 (£40/$53), or get the ultimate overnight experience by booking a sleeping carriage. Kitted out with comfortable beds, these cater to one to three passengers and start from €74.90 (£62/$81). There’s no dining car, but those travelling in couchette or sleeper cabins can enjoy a complimentary breakfast delivered to them in the morning.
A version of this historic service started life in 1873, when specially designed sleeper carriages were used on trains between London and Scottish cities for the first time. Thanks to a revamp in 2019, which saw the addition of 75 new carriages kitted out with luxurious double-bed cabins, the romance of the Caledonian Sleeper endures. You could whizz up to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness or Aberdeen by morning, but we’d recommend taking the longer and more scenic route up to the West Highlands town of Fort William.
Leaving London at 9.15pm Monday to Friday, or 9pm on Sundays, the train arrives at its final destination at 9.57am. This gives ample opportunity to gaze out at rugged landscapes, including the picturesque Bridge of Orchy, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, as they’re bathed in early morning light. Tickets start at £295 ($388) for two guests in a Classic room, £350 ($460) for two in an en suite Club room, or £480 ($631) for two in a Caledonian Double room (pictured). Breakfast is included in the price for Club and Caledonian Double passengers.
ÖBB’s popular Nightjet service also links Zürich and Hamburg, which is an ideal option for those wishing to explore these two popular destinations. Taking around 12 hours (although timetables vary so do check), trains typically depart from Hamburg-Altona at 8.35pm before arriving at Zürich HB at 9.05am. That’s just in time to hop off and explore the picturesque Lake Zürich before the crowds arrive.
Ticket prices vary but tend to start at €59.90 (£49/$65) for a couchette (pictured), or €129.90 (£107/$141) for a bed in a sleeper cabin, which offers the same facilities as onboard other Nightjet services (there’s no seating carriage on this particular route). If you’re wishing to continue your rail adventure from Zürich, you’re spoilt for choice, as the Swiss city is well-connected to major cities in France, Italy, Austria and more.
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Luxurious sleeper services like The Ghan and the Indian Pacific might be better-known, but thankfully there are options for budget-conscious travellers in Australia too. The XPT, which travels nightly between Sydney and Melbourne, is a prime example. Leaving Sydney at 8.42pm each night, the service wiggles inland through southeastern New South Wales before crossing into Victoria, arriving in Melbourne at 7.30am the next morning.
Launched in June 2021, Snälltåget’s hotly anticipated new night train, connecting Stockholm and Berlin, will run daily between 7 April and 23 September 2022. Southbound services leave the Swedish capital at 4.15pm, whisking you through southern Sweden’s pretty lakes and towns as day melts into evening. Be sure to make the most of the onboard bar and restaurant, Krogen, before it closes at 9pm. Lastly, you’ll whizz through Denmark and northern Germany by nightfall, arriving at your final destination at 8.58am.
For the best balance of affordability and comfort, we’d recommend booking a berth in a shared sleeping compartment (with up to five other passengers), which start at SEK 1,249 (£97/$127) per person. Alternatively, go budget with a seat from just SEK 549 (£42/$56) or splash out and get your very own private compartment, from SEK 4,999 (£387/$509). Whichever you choose, you’ll rest even easier knowing that the service is run using 100% green energy from wind, solar and hydroelectric sources.
If you’re hankering for a train ride which takes in views, history and culture, try booking one of Amtrak’s Silver Meteor or Silver Star trains, which glide along America’s east coast between New York and Miami. The journey takes around 28 hours in total, but you might wish to break it up by stopping along the way. Highlights include Charleston, where you’ll find a great food scene and plenty of historic museums, Tampa, with its white sandy beaches aplenty and Orlando, with its wealth of family-friendly attractions.
Stunning in an entirely different way to its western route, VIA Rail’s The Ocean train is perfect for those looking to enjoy Canada’s charming east coast. Beginning at 7pm in Montréal, the journey takes you alongside the Lac Saint-Pierre, before passing through New Brunswick by night and then onto the picturesque lakes of Nova Scotia. Finally, you’ll arrive in Halifax at 5.51pm the following day.
Seating and carriage options are the same as those offered on VIA Rail’s The Canadian, with the exception that there is no Prestige Class option. Economy tickets start at roughly C$137 (£81/£107), while Sleeper Plus tickets cost upward of C$473 (£282/US$371) for a cabin for two. In terms of dining, those in Sleeper class can enjoy a complimentary three-course meal accompanied by Canadian wines, or there’s a decent selection of snacks and light meals available for Economy passengers. There’s also an observation car to enjoy all the stunning views.
Make the most of the Arctic Circle’s almost never-ending daylight during the summer months with a trip on Vy’s Stockholm to Narvik night train. There are typically two scheduled services per day, with the first departing at 6.11pm and the second leaving at 9.57pm, both of which take around 19 hours in total. The route, which is often regarded as one of the most picturesque in Europe, hugs the eastern coast of Sweden before diving through Lapland’s snow-capped landscapes and onto the dramatic mountains of northern Norway.
If it’s stunning beaches and rugged shorelines you’re after, look no further than GWR’s Night Riviera Sleeper service. Leaving London Paddington at 11.45pm each night, you’ll lay your head down in a cosy single bed in either a twin or solo cabin, before waking up to Cornwall’s beguiling west coast and arriving in Penzance at 7.50am. You’ll be served a complimentary breakfast – a choice of porridge, cereal, croissants or a bacon roll, plus a hot drink – so you can hit the beach as soon as you arrive, if the mood (and weather) takes you.
The journey, which covers the more than 300 miles (480km) between the capital and one of England’s most westerly towns, is looking especially swish after a revamp in 2018. New features include an Art Deco-style bar and lounge, hotel-style key cards for cabins and a cosy, minimalist decor throughout. Tickets start at around £40 ($52) per person for a single-occupancy cabin and £30 ($39) per person for a twin cabin. (Note that the service is currently disrupted due to engineering works, but normal service will resume on 18 March).
Hopping between two of Italy’s most lust-worthy destinations, Trenitalia’s sleeper train between Rome and Syracuse is an excellent choice for anyone wanting a hassle-free journey. Both early birds and night owls are catered for, with two nightly trains leaving Rome at 8.31pm or 11pm and arriving in Sicily over 12 hours later. Or, if you’d prefer to travel in the opposite direction, there are departures from Syracuse at 7.10pm and 9.45pm.
Another exciting part of the journey is you’ll get to pass over the Straits of Messina on the “train ferry” – one of just a handful in the world that’s still in operation. In terms of tickets, you can choose between a basic sleeping berth or a deluxe sleeper cabin, with both options starting at around €80 (£66/$87), depending on the date and time of the service selected. The only thing left to decide is where to explore when you get there.
Travel between Vietnam’s two biggest cities in scenic style aboard Vietnam Railways’ Reunification Express. The epic 1,072-mile (1,762km) trip takes around 33 to 36 hours, so it’s probably a good idea to stop at a major city, such as Hué or Da Nang, to stretch your legs and break up the journey (although bear in mind you’ll need to book separate tickets for each train). Scenery along the way is as incredible as you’d expect, from wild and rugged coastlines to rolling hills and rice paddies.
Thankfully, Amtrak has plenty to offer in terms of long-distance trains. The City of New Orleans route is a popular choice for those wishing to explore the history and culture in Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans, gliding through a grand total of five states during the 19-hour journey. Trains typically leave the Windy City at 8.00pm, trundling through Illinois and Kentucky by night and gliding into Tennessee as the sun rises. It’s well worth a stop in Memphis, where you can explore the homeland of blues, rock n’ roll and soul music and visit Elvis’ former home.
Most people look to Europe when considering sleeper trains, but Asia has a wealth of incredible journeys offering stunning scenery and high-level comfort at just a fraction of the price. One of our top picks is the epic 11-hour journey between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, with two nightly departures from Bangkok at either 6.10pm or 7.35pm (or 5pm or 6pm from Chiang Mai). Tickets can be booked either via Thai Railways’ website or a travel agent.
Gliding away from Bangkok, you’ll be greeted by the flat fields and rice paddies of central Thailand, plus there’s even a monkey sanctuary at Lopburi to look out for. As night falls, lay your head down in either a second- or first- class sleeping berth (ticket prices start at around 941 THB (£22/$28) for the former and 1,453 THB (£33/$44) for the latter). Food isn’t included, but there are a number of reasonably priced dinner and breakfast options if you do wish to dine onboard. Last but not least, make sure you wake up early to catch the sunrise over the mountains approaching Chiang Mai.
Taking in more than a thousand miles (1,600km) of enchanting Pacific coastline, Amtrak’s Coast Starlight route is the way to go if you’re after incredible views. Heading northbound, you’ll set off from LA at 9.51am, with California’s vineyards, rolling hills and towering mountains providing a day’s worth of entertainment. Get some sleep in your seat or roomette before waking up in Oregon, where you can gaze out at the likes of Klamath Falls and Crater Lake before entering Washington. Finally, the epic 34-hour journey ends in Seattle at 7.51pm.
Seat and roomette options are similar to those offered on other Amtrak long-distance services, with the cheapest seats starting at around $101 (£77) for the whole journey. Meanwhile a solo roomette starts at $765 (£583) and a two-person roomette starts at around $925 (£705) – or $462.50 (£352) per person. There's also a viewing car for looking at all those incredible sights.
Japan is best known for its super-speedy bullet trains, but if you’re looking for a more tranquil travel option the Sunrise Seto is a good bet. One of the few sleeper trains in Japan that’s still in operation, the service typically leaves Tokyo at 10pm each night and arrives at Takamatsu, on the island of Shikoku, at 7.27am the following morning. If you wish to travel in the opposite direction, trains leave Takamatsu at 9.26pm and arrive in Tokyo at 7.08am.
The most cost-effective way to book onto the service, especially if you’re planning to see more of Japan by train, is to buy a JP Rail pass. These start at $279 (£213) for a seven-day pass or $445 (£339) for a 14-day ticket and give you unlimited access to the country’s rail network (including sleeper and bullet trains). With this type of ticket you can access the Sunrise Seto’s most basic sleeping accommodation, the Nobinobi berths (pictured) free of charge, or you can book a private compartment for an additional cost of around ¥7,600 (£50/$66) or more.
One of the few train routes which crosses into the Arctic Circle, SJ’s 4,530-mile (729km) Nordland Railway is easily one of the most beautiful overnight journeys on the planet. The story begins in historic Trondheim, a fjord-side city filled with 18th-century warehouses and Gothic castles. Once you’ve had a chance to wander through its historic streets, grab some dinner and hop onto the night train, which departs every evening at 11.05pm.
As the train glides northwards, you’ll drift into a deep slumber thanks to SJ’s comfortable sleeper cabins, which start at a reasonable NOK 1,149 (£98/$128) per person. Or, if you’re happy to make do with a less-than-ideal night’s sleep (and stand a better chance of waking for sunrise), you can book a standard seat for just NOK 199 (£17/$22). Either way, be sure to set an alarm well before the train's arrival in Bodø at 9.05am, so you can gaze out at wide expanses of Arctic wilderness in the morning light.
India is full of awe-inspiring rail journeys and Indian Railways’ Vivek Express is one of its most legendary. It’s more than just an overnight affair, lasting around 82 hours in total and covering more than 2,600 miles (4,184km), but if you’re wishing to make stops along the way and explore, it could be a great low-cost way to do so. The train runs once a week, on Saturdays, departing from Dibrugarh in the northeast of the country at 7.25pm.
Throughout the epic trip, passengers rumble through majestic mountains, jewel-like jungles and bustling cities, which might (just) make up for the less-than-ideal conditions. Like many Indian trains, the journey onboard the Vivek Express is often bumpy, uncomfortable and cramped, and the best seats available (a second-class sleeping berth with air conditioning, pictured) are far from luxurious. If you’re still up for the adventure, these tickets cost just INR 4,450 (£44/$58), while other classes cost even less.
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While the same journey aboard the famous Rocky Mountaineer will set you back at least £1,000 ($1,300k) per person, VIA Rail’s overnight service between Vancouver and Jasper is a steal, starting at around C$156 (£93/US$122). You’ll have to make do with a reclining seat in Economy Class for this price (or buy a ticket in a Sleeper Plus cabin, which starts from C$527 (£313/US$413) for two passengers) but the incredible scenery will more than make up for that.
The 19-hour journey begins at 3pm in Vancouver, before gliding away from the city’s glittering skyscrapers and towards British Columbia’s awe-inspiring mountains and lakes. Stopping at Kamloops just after midnight, the train continues along through eastern BC and into Alberta – it’s advised you wake up early to see the Rockies at sunrise – before pulling into Jasper at 11am. For the best views onboard, head to the glass-ceilinged observation carriage, or for a bite to eat, check out the dining car (note that meals aren’t included in the price of economy tickets).