For rail travelers from Germany, getting to northern Italy is set to become significantly easier: starting in the summer of 2026, a new international night train with a stop in Cologne is planned to run directly to Milan. The private rail operator European Sleeper is planning a service from Amsterdam and Brussels via North Rhine-Westphalia, Switzerland, and onward to the Lombard metropolis. According to the company, the launch is scheduled for June 18, 2026. Initially, three trips per week in each direction are planned. This creates a new direct overnight train option from one of Germany's most important rail hubs , attractive for Italy-bound travelers from NRW and, via the Cologne axis, for passengers from large parts of Germany as well.
Route via Cologne and Switzerland
According to plans published so far, the train is set to pass through Cologne and then continue toward southern Germany and Switzerland. Scheduled stops include Bern and Brig, as well as, on the Italian side, Domodossola and Stresa on Lago Maggiore, before the train reaches Milan . The crossing of the Alps follows the Simplon route. This historic line ranks among the most important north-south rail corridors in Europe, connecting Central Europe with northern Italy for over 100 years. For travelers, it is not only significant from a transportation standpoint but also exceptionally scenic. Thanks to the additional stops , it is not only Milan-bound passengers who benefit. Destinations in the Valais region and around Lago Maggiore will also be directly reachable by overnight train.
An alternative to flying and connecting services
For many travelers between Germany and Italy, the new service offers a practical alternative to flying or long daytime journeys with transfers. Night trains make it possible to cover great distances while sleeping and to arrive directly at the destination in the morning. Travel time and overnight accommodation thus partly coincide. Especially for connections between western Germany and northern Italy, the time advantage of flying is often offset by the drive to the airport, check-in times, and transfers. The night train, by contrast, scores points with a seamless travel experience and city-center-to-city-center connections. The environmental aspect is also playing an increasingly important role for many travelers: rail journeys typically generate significantly lower emissionsthan air travel on comparable routes.
Planned onboard comfort options
According to the operator, various comfort classes are to be offered. Seat cars, couchette cars, and sleeping compartments are all planned, making the service appealing both to budget-conscious travelers and to passengers with higher comfort expectations. Final departure times, detailed rolling stock concepts, and specific ticket prices have not yet been fully announced. Ticket sales are expected to go live before the planned launch date .
Milan as a gateway for onward travel in Italy
The destination station of Milan is one of Italy's most important rail hubs. From there, numerous high-speed connections are available, including services to Turin, Bologna, Florence, Rome, and Venice, as well as dense regional connections throughout Lombardia. The new overnight train service is therefore suitable not only for city trips to Milan, but also as a convenient entry point for onward travel to many regions of Italy. The planned Milan route is part of a broader trend: international overnight train connections are making a comeback across Europe. Several operators are currently expanding their offerings after years of declining night train networks. European Sleeper already operates cross-border night trains, including services between Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Prague. The planned route via Cologne to Milan would be the company's first direct service to Italy and one of the few new international overnight train routes with a direct Italian destination. Related article:Reaching Italy while you sleep: new overnight train connection from Berlin in the works