A new 30-minute documentary from French broadcaster ARTE examines the current state of European night-train services [1, 2].
The report highlights the tension between large rail operators scaling back sleeper services and smaller companies fighting to preserve them. As sustainable travel becomes a priority, the survival of these networks determines whether long-distance rail remains a viable alternative to short-haul flights.
The documentary focuses on the Canopus night train, which operates on the route between Prague in the Czech Republic and Zurich in Switzerland [2]. Central to the story is Michal Jaros, a 29-year-old employee aboard the Canopus [1]. Through his experience, the film illustrates the operational realities of maintaining sleeper cars in a modern transit landscape.
The production, released in 2026 [2], showcases the efforts of CD Night, a small Czech sleeper-car company. While many major European rail providers have reduced their night-service offerings, CD Night continues to develop and expand its sleeper-car networks [1].
This push for innovation is mirrored by other industry players. For example, Nox Mobility recently raised 2 million euros to reinvent night-train travel across Europe [3]. Such investments suggest a growing market interest in reviving the efficiency and romance of overnight rail travel.
The ARTE reportage serves as a case study in the logistics of the Prague-Zurich line, emphasizing that small-scale operators are often the primary drivers of network preservation [1, 2].
“Small players like CD Night are still trying to develop and preserve sleeper-car networks.”
The focus on small operators like CD Night and the funding success of Nox Mobility indicate a shift in the European rail model. While national carriers may find night trains financially burdensome, niche providers are leveraging a growing demand for eco-friendly, slow-travel alternatives to fill the gap in cross-border infrastructure.
