by You can rise for your morning commuter train, but you won’t rush to Vienna after the sleeper. The Nightjet train to the Austrian capital is the most famous departure of the day of Amsterdam. There is an art, the perfect departure and the perfect arrival, the bookers of an exciting overnight stay.
There are four important hubs for sleeper services in Western and Central Europe: Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna and Zurich. Then there are secondary nodes in Budapest, Brussels, Milan, Munich, Paris and Prague. Most night trains in the region begin or end in one of these 10 cities. Whatever your departure point is, enjoy the moment by deciding on an aperitif and a relaxed dinner before getting in. And not just on on arrival – linger over a coffee and leave the morning and the city around you.
Amsterdam Centraal
For ÖBB Nightjets too Basel, Innsbruck, Munich, Vienna and Zurich; and European sleeper too Berlin, Dresden and Prague
Do not miss the excellent Grand Café Restaurant 1E Klas in the former first -class waiting room (entrance via platform 2b). It opens at 9:30 a.m., i.e. the perfect place for breakfast after it was decanted from a night jet (or a Eurostar from London from the early morning), and remains open until late in the evening. It serves in a room that flairs retro flair, rather inexpensive Dutch staple foods. The Guardian referred to it no less than one of the “best station restaurants in Europe”.
An alternative option in front of the Department of Drinks and Dinner is Bistro Bannlage in the lower circle of the former Beurs (Stock exchange), seven minutes on foot from the train station.
This can be a frustrating station, with violent ticket barriers that guard the platform access (luggage locker in the east wing from € 10 per day). It receives another black brand for the lack of showers for passengers who arrive in overnight stays, but a big plus for the heart of the city in which it serves – its enchanted channel network is right in front of the train station.
Just go south from the train station to meet the most important sights. If you prefer to cut it off from the masses, then jump the station on the north side and on the F4 ferry, a 15-minute drive to the NSDM-KAI, an old shipyard that is now a creative and cultural hub with many old Vibe cafes.
Berlin Central Station
For ÖBB night jets too Basel, Graz, Paris, Vienna and Zurich; SJ/RDC or SNELTåget too Stockholm; Máv Euronight too Bratislava, Prague and Budapest; European sleeper too Amsterdam and Brussels; and from later pckpic night sleepers too Chelm And Przemyśl in the eastern Poland
The train station is a multi -stage attachment in glass with a striking vault roof, with level 0 in the middle and the trains on the level -2 and +2 departure -completely confusing for a first timer. The station is not the most relaxing place to linger, but for the few sublime, Deutsche Bahn’s premium lounge (first class) is an oasis of calm.
For an extraordinary breakfast in a breathtaking area, book a table at beetle on the roof terrace of the Reichstag (900 meters from the ward daily from 9 a.m.). For a Posh evening dinner before paragraph, Paris-Moscow in Alt-Moabit 141 (open from 6 p.m.) is a traditional Berlin-Restaurant in half a Timbereg, just 400 meters away.
Start the mood of the German capital over time by hiking on the banks of the river stroll and handing over the Reichstag on the way to the Brandenburg goal.
Leave the luggage on the DB luggage locker (Level -1 and +1 of € 2 for two hours or € 4 per day). Shower for a fee in the “rail and fresh” facility at level 0.
Vienna Central Station
For ÖBB night jets too Amsterdam, Berlin, Bragenz, Brussels, Cologne, Dresden, Hamburg, Hanover, Milan, Paris, Venice and Zurich (Also until the end of September, additionally with ÖBB night jets too Florence, Rome and Verona); For Euronight too Kraków, Stuttgart and Warsaw; And Other operators too Bucharest, Braşov, Kyiv and LVIV, Plus summer season via night trains to trains too Rijeka and Split
Vienna’s main station was completely opened 10 years ago and evaluates one of the most efficient transport centers in Europe 10 years ago and has a larger selection of targets than any other station in Europe.
Skip the fast food options in the train station for a relaxed breakfast and drive to the Café Goldeng with its elegant wooden paneling and the Art Nouveau style (on the corner of Goldengasse and Argentinierstrasse). Ask nicely and you will even open you a full English.
For the dinner, I recently followed Mark Smith’s advice, the legendary man in seat 61, and tried the excellent Ringmuth in Johannitergasse 1 (closed sun and mon), a traditional Viennese restaurant with schnitzel as well as fish and vegetable options.
Vienna Central Station is south of the city center. Three stops in the U1 -U railway is Stephanplatz, where you can clean your soul in the beautiful St. Stephens Cathedral. Or go two stops south on the U1 to Reumannplatz to clean the body in the Art -deco elegance in the wonderful Amelienbad -Indoor Pool -a triumph of the progressive socialist design. A visit will help compensate for the shortage of showers at the train station for those who arrive in night trains (but there are two -time luggage lockers of € 2).
Zurich Central Station
For ÖBB night jets too Amsterdam, Berlin, BremenPresent ColognePresent Graz, Hamburg and Vienna; and Euronight too BudapestPresent DresdenPresent LjubljanaPresent Prague and Zagreb
Zurich’s main station is a place for large arrivals – take a look at the colorful flying angel that rotates over the hall. Then refreshes with a shower (Mezzanine Level, € 12). And now it’s time for breakfast …
My spot is roots on Linthergasse, just two minutes from the platforms. Power porridge and avocado toast make a treat on the rails after one night, as well as all sorts of shakes and juices. Try Maru for dinner in front of the departmentPresent A small oasis of Japan at level 2 of the shopping complex under the train station, the Matcha and “Japanese comforts” served.
I love Zurich for his feeling of small town. After I arrived in a night train and stayed at breakfast, I usually walked the pedestrian Bahnhofstrasse and searched for the Holy Peterhofstatt, a port of calm in the historical heart of the city.
London
Paddington Station for the GWR Night Riviera for 11 goals in Cornwall; Euston Railway station for caledonian sleeping trims too 40-plus Stations in Scotland
Let’s not forget London. The last direct night sleeping service on the continent stopped 45 years ago (ie the night ferry to Brussels and Paris, which even conveyed a car for a spell).
Arrival Passengers can benefit from Posh Arrival Lounge with free showers in Paddington and Euston, although the facilities in the latter are only suitable for those who have booked accommodation on the train.
Passengers who leave Euston should rise early and to the club car (seats are limited) for dinner for a foretaste of Scotland and a small dram when they drive north. Those who travel from Paddington to Cornwall should take a relaxed bottle of champagne to enjoy in the GWR lounge (the former royal waiting room) on platform 1.
Nicky Gardner is a co-author of Europe with the rail: the final guide. The 18th edition is available in the Guardian Bookshop for £ 20.99 (additional shipping costs can apply)
