Interrailing is nothing new. Each year, around 600,000 people purchase Interrail passes, a golden ticket that allows you to explore 33 countries across Europe.
At the same time, sustainable tourism is on the rise. A 2024 Booking.com report found that 76% of travellers are actively seeking environmentally-friendly travel options and accommodations.
It’s no secret that trains are generally considered more sustainable than planes. But research from Greenpeace reveals that taking the train on a European getaway will cost you four times as much as a flight.
That could soon change thanks to Nox, a Berlin-based start-up that plans to launch sleeper trains connecting various European cities — for the same price as a plane ticket.
The idea is that travellers board in the evening and sleep before arriving at their destination the next morning, and not in couchettes. The cabins will be private, for one or two people.
Essentially, we’re talking about a radical new sleeper train.
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Founded by Janek Smalla, FlixTrain launcher and Bolt General Manager for Germany, and Thibault Constant, the face behind the viral Simply Railway social media account, Nox vows to offer prices comparable to those charged by short-haul airlines.
As with low-cost airlines, dynamic pricing will apply and fares will rise when demand is high. But in standard money terms, single cabins are set to cost €79 (£67) and doubles €149 (£127).
If that all sounds too good to be true, let’s take a deeper look at the proposed concept, which is set to launch in 2027.
How much will a ticket cost?
The price of a ticket all depends on the cabin size. As per the Nox website, a Single Loft room will cost €79 (£67), while a double is a little more at €149 (£127).
The single cabin consists of an extra-wide upper bed, reachable by a ladder, with a seat and table below.
The double follows the same layout, with a larger bed and space for two at the table. Passengers sleep vertically in the direction of travel.
For travellers that don’t want to miss a thing, something special will be available in the form of Double Vista rooms. These have low-floor and chest-height beds, which convert into two comfy seats. Travellers will sleep parallel to the travel direction, providing views of whichever European landscape you’re passing through. These rooms are also priced at €149.
Nox is preparing to launch in 2027, so you can’t buy tickets just yet.
However, you can join the Early Bird Club and be the first to know when bookings open.
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How many cities will the sleeper train connect?
Nox has ambitious plan to connect over 100 European cities by 2035. Starting with a single line in 2027, they’ll then work to expand the network.
Looking at the website, which includes a blueprint for the many potential routes, passengers could end up travelling by train from Toulouse to Oslo, or Rome to Amsterdam, to name a few.
What have travel experts said about the concept?
Metro spoke to Christian Petzold, Marketing Director at BCN Travel, to get his take on Nox’s plans.
At a glance, he says the idea of connecting over 100 cities like Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Warsaw, and Budapest by 2035 is incredibly ambitious, but also ‘aligned with increasing consumer demand for greener alternatives to flying.’
Night trains allow you to combine travel and accommodation into one low-emission journey. If Nox can launch routes as soon as they plan, Petzold says it could ‘significantly disrupt the short-haul aviation market in Europe.’ Especially for routes under 1,200 kilometres, where rail is already time-competitive.
‘What sets Nox apart is its emphasis on private, hotel-like sleeping quarters at budget-friendly rates,’ he adds.
The proposed room categories are a huge shift from current sleeper train models, which see passengers crammed into narrow, shared compartments.
Petzold explains that comfort at a low price point could attract not just backpackers or eco-travellers, butprofessionals and families who currently default to Ryanair or EasyJet.
‘The fact that Nox is building the cabins with higher occupancy efficiency and standardising design to optimise costs also shows a business model closer to low-cost airlines than legacy train operators,’ he notes.
As for potential hurdles, Petzold says it will all come down to how well the business coordinates with national operators like Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, and ÖBB, who often prioritise their own routes.
But the general consensus? It’s good.
Petzold notes that European railways have always lagged behind in adapting to consumer trends the way low-cost airlines have. But, he says that Nox’s vision could be a major disruptor.
As it stands, public and political pressure is mounting on the EU to reduce carbon emissions and support train travel.
Petzold points to initiatives like Germany’s €49 (£42) monthly transit pass and France’s ban on short domestic flights where train routes exist.
He says that Nox should scale routes gradually, beginning with core high-traffic city pairs like Paris to Barcelona or Berlin to Amsterdam, before expanding to their dream of 100+ cities.
