Disclaimer: I’m definitely biased in this post 😉 since I have been working on Moonlight Express and for European Sleeper
If you’re looking for a cultural and fun weekend escape from Brussels or Antwerp: jump on the direct night train to Berlin!
In May our night train from Brussels to Berlin started circulating. With hundreds of cooperative shareholders that contributed, the night train could finally start circulating on the 25th of May 2023. I traveled to Berlin to be part of the first trip, enjoyed Berlin for a couple of days, and helped a bit on the preparation of the maiden trip. To manage expectations, it’s important to know that the coaches are old, so the experience will be a nostalgic one rather than a luxurious trip! In the future, new coaches will be renovated and built for European Sleeper, but in the short term, these coaches are the only available ones.
If you’re planning to take this trip with kids and want to have our best tips & tricks, make sure to check out our article about train travel with kids.
It was not my first time in Berlin, so I did not feel pressured to try to see all the highlights. It’s fun to just do what you feel like and leave the rest for another trip. The places I hang around this time:
- Climbing Teufelsberg – a beautiful hike in nature, climbing a mountain built based on the debris of World War II. On top, you can access the old military buildings full of graffiti (access for 5 euros)
- Soviet War Memorial Treptow – a free guided tour through the impressive soviet memorial with Guruwalk
- Reichstag – Free visit to the rooftop for impressive views, you do need to reserve online in advance.
- East Side Gallery – Berlin wall
- Museum island
- Brandenburg Gate & Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
While wintertime can be very cold in Berlin, the city is full of incredible museums and restaurants so that even on the coldest days you can still have an amazing trip. Of course hot summer weather is even nicer for enjoying the many parks, beer gardens, and nature around Berlin.
Just book a trip with European Sleeper and find out for yourself 🙂
Carbon Conscious Travel 