Though they have long been part of the rail landscape in France, in 2016 the decision was made to cancel the last remaining night trains from service: Paris-Briançon and Paris-Rodez-Toulouse-Latour-de-Carol. The reasons were chiefly the lack of enthusiasm among travellers, the easy availability of low-cost flights, the reduction in TGV travel times and ageing equipment. However, night trains are being resurrected, and the interest is growing for savvy travellers.
The night train, a new way of travelling (almost)
Many sing the praises of the night train services:
- Ecological: train travel has a low environmental impact unlike flying or travelling by car. According to a study carried out by the NGO Transport & Environment in 2022, trains pollute 28 times less than planes.
- Economical: tickets are often cheaper, plus hotel costs may be avoided
- Comfort: arrive at your destination rested, and in a timely way
- Social: promotes the opening up of less well-known areas
- Alignment with other European countries (Italy, Austria, etc.)
Take the intercités night trains in France to travel in a different way
Eight destinations are currently served from Paris:
- Nice: travel by sleeper train. After a good night’s rest in a reclining seat, you will arrive at Nice train station. Departure: Paris-Austerlitz. This train serves Marseille-Blancarde, Toulon, Les Arcs, Saint-Raphaël, Cannes and Antibes.
- Toulouse: sitting comfortably in your reclining armchair, you won’t notice the time passing. Reach Toulouse by early morning, the ‘Pink City’ as it’s known due to the red bricks predominant in the architecture, is the ideal destination to see life through rose-tinted glasses. Departure: Paris-Austerlitz direct to Toulouse.
- Briançon: Discover the pretty walled city and soak up the fresh air of the Alps and the glorious mountain views. Departure: Paris-Gare de Lyon.
- Albi: Join a connecting service in Toulouse, you’ll arrive in Albi two hours later. It’s the perfect time to enjoy breakfast on the terrace at Pontié, the oldest café in the city. Departure point: Paris-Austerlitz
- Argelès-sur-Mer: your journey from Paris to the Mediterranean will end the next morning. What more could you ask for? Departure: Paris-Austerlitz. Connections in Toulouse and Perpignan
- Ax-les-Thermes: you will arrive at your destination perfectly rested to fully enjoy this spa town and the Pyrenees mountains that surround it. Departure: Direct service from Paris-Austerlitz.
- Cannes: Only a little more than 12 hours separate the Gare d’Austerlitz in the heart of Paris from the sunshine of the Croisette and the beaches of the Mediterranean. It would be a shame to deprive yourself of it. (Direct service).
- Lourdes: Arriving in the early morning, you’ll have plenty of time to take the funicular railway to admire the city from above. Departure: Paris-Austerlitz. Connection in Toulouse
Want to cross borders by night train?
The future is bright
Currently, only two destinations are accessible by night train from France: Vienna and Berlin. The train leaves from Gare de l’Est towards Strasbourg and separates to go in the two different directions. Travel time is about 14 hours.
Among the routes from Paris planned in the near future are Venice, Warsaw, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Porto.
The most exotic night trains in Europe
- The Santa Claus Express: despite the name, you can actually take it all year round. This Finnish train connects Helsinki and Turku to Kemijärvi, in northern Lapland, with a journey time of about fifteen hours. The train makes a stop in Rovaniemi, the city of Santa Claus. In addition to taking you beyond the Arctic Circle, it is truly unique in that in summer, this night train runs… during daylight because the sun doesn’t set. Between September and April, you’re likely to be lucky enough to spot the Northern Lights.
- The EuroNight Ister train: This service runs between Hungary and Romania and the journey takes 14 hours. You may be surprised to wake up in Brașov, Transylvania. The name may not ring a bell – but it’s where you’ll find the castle believed to be the home of Count Dracula!
- The Calendonian Sleeper: connecting London to the Scottish Highlands. This “oh so British” night train includes a lounge car with sofas, and you can even have breakfast served in bed.
In addition to all the advantages of nighttime travel by train, you’ll experience a very special atmosphere on board, making journeys unforgettable.
