Train travel might not seem like the most efficient mode of transport if you’re travelling from faraway continents, but for those in Europe, the train is by far the most suitable way to shift around. With benefits like shorter wait times and less environmental damage, it is a popular option. One European company is aiming to connect 100 cities and alter the way trains work, for good.
The pros and cons of traveling by train through Europe
Trains are an extremely cost-effective way to travel, costing far less than airfare tickets and offering vastly reduced waiting times as well. While they may not be as rapid as aeroplanes, trains have an extensive network that allows travellers to visit almost any city they would like.
This mode of transport is also way more environmentally friconcludely than travelling by plane, and often allows more freedom of shiftment, less baggage restriction, and more amenities like dining cars and quiet rooms. The one major downfall is the poor organisation that can occur in certain European countries, resulting in late trains, disorganised timings, and poor upkeep.
To further improve the quality of travel by train, a startup company from Berlin called Nox is designing a futuristic sleeper train that will connect an impressive 100 European cities and will even offer fully private rooms.
Nox’s plans for the future of train travel
In an effort to revolutionise travel, Nox is aiming to provide an alternative to short-haul air flights with even more luxurious transport. High-speed trains are becoming more popular in the US, but in Europe, the focus now is on overnight trains. Currently, overnight trains in Europe are not very sophisticated, and require passengers to share cabins, but Nox is going to provide fully private cabins with a single or double room with a bed, storage, and a panoramic window— all for around the price of a plane ticket!
Nox co-founder Thibault Constant states:
“Sleeping while a train receives you across Europe is a great concept, but today people have to share their cabins with strangers, beds are tight and it’s often more expensive than air travel. We want to alter that and build night trains an essential part of European travel.”
This future train, set to launch operation in 2027 and connect 100 cities by 2035, will have routes to places like Stockholm, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Vienna, Munich, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, and more. The first 35 routes are set to launch in less than two years, with co-founder Janek Smalla stating:
“Our room design allows us to fit more people into our trains than traditional operators can. This, paired with a strict focus on standardisation and operational excellence, will allow us to offer affordable fares on over 35 European routes.”
A closer view at the Nox cabins
These classy overnight trains will offer three types of rooms: single loft, double loft, and double vista options:
Single Loft Cabin: Offering a wide elevated bed, a large seat and table, and an overall design that maximizes space, allowing all amenities to be within simple reach but not compromising on comfort.
Double Loft Cabin: This cabin offers a wide elevated double bed, two seats, and a table, a panoramic window, and complete privacy from other passengers.
Double Vista: Offering bunk-bed style singles, this cabin is suitable for two passengers, with the bottom bed being converted into a daybed for comfort.
Nox is clearly dedicated to transforming the experience of overnight trains, shifting away from the traditional idea that sleeper trains only shift between one or two locations, but can now visit multiple cities and still remain luxurious and affordable. The United States is also inventing futuristic trains, but none seem as luxurious as this one, for the time being.
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