The romance of the sleeper train is colliding with the hard reality of economics. Despite the EU’s green ambitions, the heralded renaissance of Europe’s night trains is stalling. Major routes like Paris-Berlin are being scrapped, and new lines are cancelled before they even launch. The culprit? A rigged market that makes flying cheaper than railing.

When the Paris-Vienna Nightjet launched, it was hailed as the future of eco-travel. But last month, it was axed. Operators like SNCF cite prohibitive costs: track access charges, rolling stock shortages, and the lack of state subsidies. Without government help, the "Greener Choice" is also the bankruptcy choice.

The Uneven Playing Field

The hypocrisy is glaring. Aviation enjoys massive tax breaks—no VAT on tickets, no tax on kerosene. Meanwhile, cross-border trains are hit with VAT and high infrastructure tolls. "It is cheaper to burn the planet than to save it," notes the campaign group Back-on-Track.eu.

• Public Demand: The passengers are there. Surveys show 69% of Europeans are willing to take night trains. The demand is not the problem; the supply is. Rolling stock is ancient, and booking systems are fragmented.
• The Pyjama Protests: Frustration is boiling over. Activists recently staged "pyjama parties" at 11 major stations, demanding fair play for rail. They argue that if the EU is serious about Net Zero 2050, it must subsidize the rails like it subsidized the roads.

A Choice for Brussels

The stalling of the night train revival is a test of European resolve. Brussels can either intervene to level the playing field—slashing track fees and taxing aviation fuel—or it can let the dream die. For now, the romantic journey across a sleeping continent remains a luxury for the few, rather than a transit solution for the many.