Belgium’s Ostend with Slovakia’s capital Bratislava Train by Leo Express

A new chapter in European rail travel could be on the horizon as Leo Express, the Czech-based subsidiary of Spain’s Renfe, has proposed an ambitious night train connecting Belgium’s Ostend with Slovakia’s capital Bratislava. If realised, the 750-mile journey would begin in December 2026, offering a direct link across Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

Passengers would embark from Ostend at 7:10pm, with the possibility for UK travelers to join at Brussels after taking the Eurostar from London. The train would traverse major European cities, including Brussels, Cologne, Hanover, Dresden, and Prague, before arriving in Bratislava at 2:18pm the next day. The service is set to include 50 stops and refurbished rolling stock with seats, couchettes, and beds, catering to up to 450 passengers.

Night trains, once sidelined by the rise of budget air travel, have enjoyed a renaissance in Europe, particularly with the restoration of routes like Berlin–Paris. However, experts warn of significant logistical hurdles for the Ostend–Bratislava service. Challenges include securing train paths across four countries, overcoming complex operations and high running costs, as well as fierce price competition from budget airlines offering fares as low as €18 between Brussels and Bratislava.

While the plan has sparked enthusiasm among rail fans and policymakers keen to promote climate-friendly travel, its feasibility remains uncertain. Leo Express itself has clarified that these are not yet concrete plans but a formal intention filed with regulators. Past attempts at similar routes have failed to launch due to regulatory and operational roadblocks.

If successful, this train would not only offer a scenic and sustainable option across central Europe, but also reconnect Ostend—long a gateway to continental rail services from the UK—with destinations deep into Slovakia. For now, much rides on whether Leo Express can navigate the formidable barriers that have derailed so many night train dreams before.

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/belgium-slovakia-europe-express-train-sleeper-b2803672.html