European Sleeper Amsterdam to Berlin and Prague

Amsterdam is a train hub for national and international connections. It is easy to travel by train from Amsterdam to many cities in other European countries. A very convenient way to travel to Berlin, Germany, and Prague, Czech Republic is by European Sleeper. You board the train in Amsterdam and arrival is the next day. The European Sleeper starts in Brussels and via Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Berlin it terminates at Praha hlavní nádraží, Prague’s main station. If you are looking for a sustainable alternative to traveling by plane or car, the sleeper train is a good option.

The European Sleeper

The European Sleeper is the brainchild of Chris Engelsman and Elmer van Buuren. The project is a start-up and financed by small investors. In 2023, the first route was from Brussels to Berlin, and in 2024 it was extended to Prague.
They met with some problems such as the bureaucracy because they were working with various national carriers in the countries through which the train passes. The railways have not invested in night trains for decades and the European Sleeper is struggling with this legacy. This is why they work with relatively old rolling stock.

Night Train Timetable

Departures from Amsterdam are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Departures from Berlin and Prague are on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday,

Amsterdam – Berlin
Amsterdam departure 22:34 – Berlin arrival 06:18 (the next day)
Berlin departure 22:56 – Amsterdam arrival 06:26 (the next day)

Amsterdam – Prague
Amsterdam departure 10:34 PM – Prague arrival 10:56 AM (the next day)
Prague departure 6:04 PM – Amsterdam arrival 6:26 AM (the next day)

Seven stations in the Netherlands to board the train
1. Roosendaal at 20:44
2. Rotterdam Centraal at 21:11
3. The Hague HS at 21:42
4. Amsterdam Centraal at 22.34
5. Schiphol Airport 22.11
6. Amersfoort Centraal at 23.12
7. Deventer 23:52

Sleeping Options

There are three sleeping options and a female-only compartment is are available upon request. There is no dining car, but drinks and snacks can be purchased from the train team. Three booking options: sleepers with the most comfort, couchettes with or without air conditioning and seats the most economical option.

Sleepers
* For occupancy for one, two or three people
* Seats and small table
* Charging point available
* Three beds per compartment
* Own sink and shared toilet
* Coupé can be locked from the inside
* Towels and toiletries
* Breakfast, mineral water and welcome drink

Couchettes
* Standard: sleeps 6
* Comfort: sleeps 5, compartment with air conditioning
* Seating during the day, bunk beds at night
* Bed linen
* Two charging points available
* Washroom toilet in the corridor
* Compartment locks from the inside
*Mineral water
*Breakfast at extra cost

Seating only
* 6 seats per compartment
* Seat reservation included
* Toilets in the corridor

Why go to Berlin or Prague by European Sleeper?

There are many reasons to travel by the European Sleeper. Not only is the train journey romantic, sustainable and environmentally friendly, it is also more comfortable than by air. And yes, the journey takes longer but you have more space to move around, you need not sit in the same place for the entire journey, you can walk about the entire length of the train and most of the time you are sleeping anyway.

No need to be at the airport two hours in advance. You can carry unlimited amounts of liquids, no queuing at security. You do not have to remove your shoes or take off your belt or pull out your electronics from your luggage. And then you have to wait a long time until boarding starts.

Simply arrive at the train station 5 or 10 minutes before the sleeper train leaves. When you arrive in Berlin and Prague, you are in the middle of the city. So you don’t have to take the train from the airport in Berlin to the centre, travel time is half an hour. In Prague it takes a little longer, about an hour, first you take a bus to Veleslavin metro station then the metro to the centre of Prague.

The big advantage of the night train is that you can take much more with you than on the plane, your bicycle and even cats and dogs. With a pet you must book a private compartment.

The European Sleeper is a relaxing way to travel to Berlin and Prague. When you go to Prague, at 9 o’clock in the morning you will cross the Czech border and enjoy the beautiful view – the Elbe River and the rock formations of Bohemian Switzerland.

Although there are a few drawbacks – no showers, no WiFi and no dining car at the moment (but planning to add one), a trip by the European Sleeper is definitely recommended!

Scenic Route

The most beautiful part of the route is the Dresden – Prague stretch. The train follows the course of the Elbe River. Once the German-Czech border has been crossed, you are in Bohemian Switzerland, a national park with high jagged mountains. The next station is Děčín with a castle high on a rock above the river. This town is known for its many hiking trails to explore Bohemian Switzerland.

Highlights of Berlin

1. The Brandenburg Gate is Berlin’s most famous landmark and a must-see for all visitors. A symbol of German division during the Cold War, but now a national symbol of peace and unity.

2. Checkpoint Charlie was the most famous border crossing between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. At the height of the Berlin crisis in 1961, American and Soviet tanks faced each other here.

3. Museum Island is a unique combination of five museums in the centre of Berlin. The entire complex is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

4. The Reichstag building with the famous glass dome is one of the most visited sights in Berlin. It is the seat of the German parliament, the Bundestag.

5. East Side Gallery after the German reunification, artists transformed this former part of the Berlin Wall into the largest open-air gallery in the world.

Highlights of Prague

1. Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral: an imposing complex consisting of a number of churches, palaces, towers, museums, courtyards and gardens.

2. Charles Bridge: a procession of statues adorns the bridge, always bustling with artists painting your caricature, souvenir sellers and tourists

3. Astronomical clock, Prague’s most famous attraction. In addition to the time, the clock also indicates the days, sidereal time and the position of the moon and sun. Every hour on the hour you can watch the spectacle of the apostles walking around, which lasts less than a minute.

4. Obecni Dum: the best example of Art Nouveau architecture in Prague.

5. John Lennon Wall: A wall with graffiti and protests as a reminder of John Lennon

6. Petrin Observation Tower: an observation tower at the top of Petrin Hill with a viewing platform that offers spectacular views of Prague.