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From mid-2026 there will be a direct night train connection from Amsterdam to Milan via Brussels, Basel and Zurich. You sleep through the Alps and arrive in northern Italy rested in the morning, ready for your holiday at Lake Maggiore or in the Dolomites. The journey takes around 14 hours and replaces the current connection with a change in Basel. Want to know how to plan this train journey?
New direct connection from June 2026
The night train between Amsterdam and Milan is operated by European Sleeper. The first journey departs on 18 June 2026 from Amsterdam. The service runs three times a week: on Monday, Thursday and Saturday towards Milan. The return journey departs on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from Milan. The service may initially start from Brussels in September 2026, with Amsterdam only following in 2027. So keep an eye on the final timetable.
This new connection makes travelling to Italy by train more accessible. You no longer have to change trains in Basel. The current route to Milan runs via the ÖBB Nightjet, a night train of the Austrian railways. The route runs via Brussels, Basel, Zurich and Stresa on Lake Maggiore. This route fits well within a broader growth in train holiday destinations in Europe, with night connections becoming increasingly popular.
‘ The total travel time is around 14 hours. ’
Current route with a change in Basel
Until the new connection starts running, you travel with the ÖBB Nightjet from Amsterdam to Basel. From there you change onto a daytime train to Milan. The Nightjet departs at 20:30 from Amsterdam Central. On the way the train stops in Utrecht, Arnhem and Cologne. You arrive at 06:20 in Basel SBB. The connecting train takes you to Milan Centrale, where you arrive at around 10:40. The total travel time is about 14 hours.
The return journey from Milan to Amsterdam departs at 18:20 from Milan. You change in Basel and arrive in Amsterdam the next morning at 09:14. The Nightjet passes through the Alps and offers beautiful views of Swiss landscapes in daylight. There are six bicycle spaces available on the night train for travellers who bring their bike.
Route and stops of the new connection
The new night train follows a different route from the current Nightjet. The route runs through Belgium and Switzerland to northern Italy. The main stops are:
- Amsterdam Centraal (evening departure)
- Brussels (Zuid or Midi)
- Basel SBB
- Zurich HB
- Stresa on Lake Maggiore
- Milano Centrale (morning arrival)
The stop in Stresa makes this route interesting. You can plan a holiday at the Italian lakes. You can get off in Stresa and start your stay at Lake Maggiore straight away. Or you continue to Milan and travel on from there to the Dolomites, Lake Como or other destinations in Lombardy and northern Italy.
Comfort and accommodation on the night train
The night train offers different types of places. You can choose between a seat, a couchette or a sleeping compartment. The choice depends on your budget and how much comfort you want.
- Seat: the cheapest option, suitable if you can sleep in a chair
- Couchette: a berth in a shared couchette compartment with four or six people
- Sleeping compartment: a private compartment with one, two or three beds and often a private washbasin
ÖBB Nightjet is introducing new trains from May 2025. The accommodation will be improved. The new night train from European Sleeper is expected to offer similar comfort from 2026. For a good night’s sleep, bring earplugs and an eye mask. Buy snacks and drinks at the station before departure, as the range on board is often limited.
‘ Travelling by train is more sustainable than flying. ’
Advantages of travelling by night train
The night train to Milan has several advantages compared with flying or a daytime drive by car. You sleep while travelling, so you save time. You gain a day compared with driving and arrive rested for your first day in Milan. The train departs from and arrives at central stations, so you do not need to travel out to an airport outside the city.
Travelling by train is more sustainable than flying. This new route replaces more than 550 short-haul flights per week between the Netherlands, Belgium and northern Italy. That is an estimate, but it still makes a substantial difference in CO₂ emissions. For those who consciously choose to travel by train, this is an important consideration.
It is also practical that you can take luggage without strict limits. You can bring as many suitcases and bags as you can carry. There are no strict weight limits as there are on planes.
Booking tickets and costs
You can book tickets for the current ÖBB Nightjet to Basel via the ÖBB or Deutsche Bahn website. Booking early pays off, as prices are often lower then. A couchette starts at 100 euros for a single journey. Seats are cheaper, sleeping compartments more expensive.
No official sales channels have yet been announced for the new direct connection by European Sleeper. Keep an eye on the European Sleeper website for updates about bookings and prices. The expectation is that booking early will also be cheaper here.
If you combine your train journey with other legs in Italy, check whether an Interrail pass or other rail passes are suitable. For night train reservations you usually pay a supplement on top of your train ticket or pass.
What you see on the way through the Alps
The route through Switzerland offers beautiful views of mountain landscapes, lakes and villages. You pass through the Swiss Mittelland between Basel and Zurich, with rolling hills and agricultural areas. In daylight you can see the Alps in the distance.
The section from Zurich to Milan runs through the Alps. You pass along the Gotthard route, or a similar connection heading south. What you see depends on the season: snow-capped peaks, green valleys or autumn colours. The stop in Stresa gives you a first glimpse of Lake Maggiore, with the Borromean Islands and surrounding mountains.
You travel by night train, so you will sleep through part of the most scenic stretches. But both when leaving Amsterdam and when arriving in Milan you will see sections of the route in daylight. It is wise to sit by the window or choose a compartment with a window if you want to enjoy the view.
‘ Night train connections are opening up again. ’
Alternatives and combinations
You may prefer not to travel by night train. There are other options. You can travel from Amsterdam to Milan during the day. The route runs via Frankfurt and Basel using ICE and EuroCity services. This route takes longer, but you see everything in daylight. Another option is to travel via Paris and Lyon. This route will be available again from April 2025, when night train connections are opening up again.
From Milan it is easy to continue to other destinations. Trains run regularly to Lake Como, Bergamo, Verona and Venice. The Dolomites are also within reach: you travel via Verona and Bolzano. Or you can opt to stay in Milan itself, with sights such as the Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and the fashion district.
Travelling with children
The night train is suitable for families with children. Travellers with children between four and nine years old have experience with the Nightjet to Basel, and their feedback is positive. The couchettes offer enough space and children often find it an adventure to sleep on a moving train.
For a family, book a sleeping compartment or an entire couchette compartment. You then travel with your own group. Bring entertainment for the evening and morning, as the journey is long. Think of books, games or a tablet with films. Make sure children go to the toilet before departure and bring drinks and snacks.
Tips for a comfortable journey
Prepare your journey well so you can make the night train as comfortable as possible. Arrive early at Amsterdam Central. That way you have time to find your carriage. Night coaches are often at the very back of the platform.
Bring the following:
- Earplugs and an eye mask for a better night’s sleep
- Water and snacks for the journey
- Toiletries and a towel
- Warm clothing, as trains can be cool at night
- Power bank for your phone
Keep valuables with you in the compartment. Lock your luggage if possible. Most travellers do not experience any problems, but it is wise to be cautious.
‘ You don’t use up any holiday days. ’
Ideal for a long weekend
The night train makes a long weekend in Milan very feasible. Leave on Thursday evening and arrive on Friday. You then have three days for sightseeing, shopping or day trips to Lake Maggiore. The return journey departs on Monday evening, so you are back home on Tuesday. You do not use up any holiday days and you have more time for your visit to Italy.
This schedule also works well in combination with other destinations. Continue on to Lake Como for a few days of rest, or visit Verona and Venice. It is easy to plan this kind of itinerary, and the train offers plenty of flexibility.
On the Traveler Tips website you will find a lot more information about train travel through Europe and routes within Italy, as well as tips for planning your holiday. Discover the options and start organising your next rail journey.
Frequently asked questions
On board you can choose between seats (cheapest option but least privacy), couchettes (more comfort in a shared compartment) and full sleeping compartments with beds (most comfortable and quiet, also for families). If your budget is tight, a couchette is usually the best option: a good balance between price and a decent night’s sleep. If you can spend a bit more and value privacy and really arriving well rested, choose a sleeping compartment. On a very small budget, a regular seat is the cheapest, but in terms of comfort it is the least recommended option for a long night.
Plan the route with the ÖBB Nightjet from Amsterdam to Basel SBB (evening departure around 20:30, arrival early in the morning), then change to a daytime train to Milan so you can enjoy views of the Swiss Alps in daylight. Ideally, choose a connection via Bern, Lugano or the Simplon route (via Domodossola/Stresa) for the most beautiful scenery. Make a half- or full-day stopover in, for example, Basel, Bern or around Lake Lucerne (via Lucerne) for a walk or a mountain/boat trip. From 2026 you can also use the direct Amsterdam/Brussels–Milan night train (via Basel and Zurich) and, if you wish, get off in Switzerland for a short stopover.
Book a couchette or sleeping compartment early and check the current timetable, platform numbers and your connecting train from Basel to Milan in advance. Arrive at Amsterdam Central in good time so you can calmly find your carriage, buy provisions and have something to eat. Bring earplugs, an eye mask, comfortable clothing and a small toiletry bag so you can sleep better and arrive feeling fresh. Make sure tickets (including seat or berth reservations) are available both digitally and on paper, and allow a margin of time in Basel for a relaxed transfer.
Book the Amsterdam–Basel Nightjet as early as possible (ideally 3–6 months in advance) via the official ÖBB or DB website to secure the lowest Sparschiene fares for seats, couchettes or sleeping compartments. Ideally, choose a couchette or sleeping compartment and plan a short transfer in Basel onto an early daytime train to Milan, so you benefit from cheaper international tickets and quieter travel times. Be flexible with your travel dates (midweek and outside school holidays is often cheaper) and avoid booking at the last minute, as the cheapest night train fares sell out quickly. From 2026 onwards, also keep an eye on the direct European Sleeper Amsterdam/Brussels–Milan service, which may offer new attractive early-bird fares.
