One of the finest ways to enjoy the vast expanses of Sweden (pictured) is while gazing out the window of a sleeper train at dusk. Though a number of operators continue to offer sleeper train service across Europe, competition from airlines and fast day trains is eroding their popularity.
Sunset onboard a Swedish SJ night train —
One of the finest ways to enjoy the vast expanses of Sweden (pictured) is while gazing out the window of a sleeper train at dusk. Though a number of operators continue to offer sleeper train service across Europe, competition from airlines and fast day trains is eroding their popularity.
Mikael Strinnhed/SJ
The City Night Line is one of Europe's leading night train operators. It's like a "hotel on wheels," says Jeannine Kroggel, a supervisor on the Prague-Oberhausen, Germany route. "We have everyone, from Americans on a tour of Europe to German backpackers."
'Hotel on wheels' —
The City Night Line is one of Europe's leading night train operators. It's like a "hotel on wheels," says Jeannine Kroggel, a supervisor on the Prague-Oberhausen, Germany route. "We have everyone, from Americans on a tour of Europe to German backpackers."
Kai Mueller
Sleeper trains have been carrying passengers -- like these boarding the Prague-Oberhausen sleeper train at Berlin main station -- through European nights for almost 150 years.
Long history —
Sleeper trains have been carrying passengers -- like these boarding the Prague-Oberhausen sleeper train at Berlin main station -- through European nights for almost 150 years.
Kai Mueller
Each sleeping compartment is stocked with towels and toiletries, including this bijou mouthwash.
Sleeping cabin services —
Each sleeping compartment is stocked with towels and toiletries, including this bijou mouthwash.
Kai Mueller
First class sleeping cabins on the Prague-Oberhausen line come with their own shower and toilet.
Deluxe living? —
First class sleeping cabins on the Prague-Oberhausen line come with their own shower and toilet.
Kai Mueller
It's easy to fall asleep thanks to the click-clack sounds of the tracks. In the morning, passengers are served a pre-packed Czech breakfast of rolls, jam, cheese and coffee. Arrival in Oberhausen is at 8 a.m.
Rhythm of the rails —
It's easy to fall asleep thanks to the click-clack sounds of the tracks. In the morning, passengers are served a pre-packed Czech breakfast of rolls, jam, cheese and coffee. Arrival in Oberhausen is at 8 a.m.
Kai Mueller
Last year, Deutsche Bahn canceled both Berlin-Paris and Berlin-Copenhagen night routes, blaming declining passenger numbers.
Declining passenger numbers —
Last year, Deutsche Bahn canceled both Berlin-Paris and Berlin-Copenhagen night routes, blaming declining passenger numbers.
Kai Mueller
But DB says no further cuts are planned and the network is being improved to offer a cost-effective and comfortable service.
No more cuts —
But DB says no further cuts are planned and the network is being improved to offer a cost-effective and comfortable service.
Kai Mueller
Russian rail operator RZD has recently reintroduced two European routes. A sleeper goes from Paris to Moscow once a week and another sleeper links Moscow with Nice on the French Riviera.
Final whistle for sleeper trains? Not quite —
Russian rail operator RZD has recently reintroduced two European routes. A sleeper goes from Paris to Moscow once a week and another sleeper links Moscow with Nice on the French Riviera.
Kai Mueller
There are still plenty of sleeper trains crisscrossing across Europe each night. Thello night train runs daily from Paris to northern Italy, stopping in Milan, Verona, Padua and, finally, Venice.
Other European night trains —
There are still plenty of sleeper trains crisscrossing across Europe each night. Thello night train runs daily from Paris to northern Italy, stopping in Milan, Verona, Padua and, finally, Venice.
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images
A six-bed couchette aboard one of Sweden's SJ night trains, which connect main Swedish cities with remote spots such as the Norwegian town of Narvik inside the Arctic Circle, or Kiruna, Sweden's northernmost city.
SJ night trains —
A six-bed couchette aboard one of Sweden's SJ night trains, which connect main Swedish cities with remote spots such as the Norwegian town of Narvik inside the Arctic Circle, or Kiruna, Sweden's northernmost city.
Courtesy of SJ
The domestic SJ night trains run directly from Gothenburg to Ostersund and Lulea, from Stockholm to Ostersund and Lulea, and from Malmo to Stockholm.
Disabled facilities onboard an SJ train —
The domestic SJ night trains run directly from Gothenburg to Ostersund and Lulea, from Stockholm to Ostersund and Lulea, and from Malmo to Stockholm.
Courtesy of SJ