Brussels–Milan Night Train Launch Pushed to September as Amsterdam Route Slips to 2027
The planned Brussels–Milan night train launch has been postponed, with the Brussels service now scheduled to begin on September 9, 2026, while the Amsterdam leg has been delayed until 2027. This shift reshapes the initial rollout and affects boarding points, routing and the timetable for ticket sales.
Brussels–Milan schedule, stops and frequency
The Brussels–Milan night train will operate three times weekly from Brussels, departing Monday, Thursday and Saturday, with return services on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Stops listed for the route include Luik-Guillemins, Aachen, Cologne, Zürich, Arth-Goldau, Göschenen, Bellinzona, Lugano, Chiasso, Como San Giovanni, and Milan Porta Garibaldi. For travelers from the Netherlands, the principal boarding points will be Brussels, Luik, Aachen and Cologne.
Why the Brussels and Amsterdam launches were delayed
The Brussels–Milan service was pushed back nearly three months from an original plan to start mid-June to a new start date of September 9, 2026. The Amsterdam-to-Milan service has been postponed entirely to 2027 after previously being included in the initial launch plans. The decision cited extensive track work in Germany during the summer as a significant operational risk for a safe and reliable start. Additional time is also required to complete registration and timetable work for operations in Switzerland, where passenger transport registration follows different procedures than within the EU. Company leadership described the risk of a difficult launch as a key factor in choosing a later, more stable start.
Rolling stock, route changes and ticketing
The announced train composition is expected to include one seated car, two sleeper cars and eight couchette cars, though final configuration may change depending on bookings. Originally planned routing the Simplon Pass will not be possible before 2027 due to ongoing construction; instead, the service will traverse the Gotthard Pass and add stops including Zürich, Lugano and Como, arriving in the morning hours.
Ticket sales for the Milan service are scheduled to open on March 17. Fare options will range from low-cost seating to higher-tier sleepers, with published price points spanning from 29. 99 euros for a seat to 129. 99 euros for a Comfort Plus sleeper. The delayed Brussels launch coincides with the operator’s broader network rollout: the new service will join an existing Brussels–Prague night train and a Paris–Berlin service that is set to start as planned in late March.
Implications and what to watch next
The postponements concentrate initial operations on routes with fewer immediate infrastructure obstacles and allow more time for cross-border operational approvals. Travelers who planned to board in Amsterdam will need to wait for the 2027 launch; Dutch passengers can still use nearby boarding points in Belgium and Germany for the September service if their plans allow. The company has indicated satisfaction with reception in Switzerland despite the extra administrative steps required for registration there.
These schedule adjustments are subject to change as infrastructure work and regulatory processes progress. Recent updates indicate that details may evolve, and further announcements are expected as paperwork is completed and summer track work schedules become clearer.
