Brussels – Milan and Brussels have a new connection. The Belgian-Dutch company European Sleeper, already present on the Brussels-Venice route, has announced the first direct overnight train between the Lombard capital and the European one. To board the first train, however, one will have to wait until almost the summer; the train’s debut, a night train, is scheduled for 18 June.
The new route will see trains departing from both Brussels and Amsterdam, with the two lines connected in Germany. From there, the journey will continue to Switzerland via Bern, then enter the Italian railway system through the Simplon Tunnel in the Domodossola area. The trains will continue to the most important centres of Lake Maggiore and then straight on to Milan. The journey will take about 10 hours.
According to European Sleeper’s plans, the frequency would be three trains per week. Departures would be from Brussels on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings, arriving in Italy the following morning. From Milan, on the other hand, the route would operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Today, the most popular option for getting to Brussels from Lombardy is the plane, with flights available from all three main airports in Milan. Getting to the European capital by rail, however, is much more difficult, with the obligation to make several changes between Switzerland and France and very high prices.
European Sleeper is finalising the last details of its alternative. The exact programme will be finalised shortly, and ticket sales should start in January or February.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
