The new Brussels-to-Venice night train was supposed to be a game-changer for European rail travel—a seamless, sustainable alternative connecting Belgium, Germany, Austria, and Italy. But on its very first journey, the train was unexpectedly stopped at the Italian border, forcing passengers to switch trains in Innsbruck, Austria, and raising serious questions about the challenges of cross-border train travel in Europe.

Despite months of planning and approvals, Italian authorities blocked the train from entering the country at the last minute, citing no clear reason. Meanwhile, logistical hurdles—like the unavailability of required locomotives in Italy—only added to the chaos. The situation highlights a long-standing issue: while air travel between European countries is smooth and well-coordinated, international train services still face bureaucratic roadblocks, regulatory confusion, and operational inefficiencies.

With European Sleeper working to resolve the issue for future departures, this incident underscores a bigger problem—why is it still so difficult to run a train across borders in Europe?

Europe’s Dream Night Train Hits a Roadblock at the Italian Border

The highly anticipated Brussels-to-Venice night train was set to be a game-changer—an eco-friendly, comfortable, and seamless way to travel across Europe. But instead of arriving in Venice, the train stopped unexpectedly in Innsbruck, Austria, 313 kilometers short of its final destination. The reason? A last-minute decision by Italian authorities, leaving passengers scrambling and raising questions about Europe’s cross-border train system.

Italy’s Sudden U-Turn: A Bureaucratic Nightmare

European Sleeper, the company behind the journey, spent nine months navigating the complexities of launching a new international rail route. Everything was set—until Italy changed its mind at the last second.

“It took hundreds of calls, meetings, and coordination with railway services in five countries. It seemed that everything was settled, and then, suddenly, the Italians told us we couldn’t go beyond Bolzano,” said Elmer van Buuren, European Sleeper’s co-founder. “Now, we couldn’t even enter Italy at all—without any clear reason.”

This kind of bureaucratic back-and-forth is exactly what makes cross-border rail travel in Europe so frustrating. And in this case, it left travelers in limbo.

Logistics or Red Tape? What Really Happened?

Rail travel expert Mark Smith, known for his website The Man in Seat 61, was onboard and shared firsthand insight. The issue? The required locomotives to move the train within Italy simply weren’t available. And worse—European Sleeper only found out the day before departure.

Italy’s railway regulations require two locomotives to maneuver trains in and out of Venice. But the Italian operator couldn’t provide them, forcing the train to stop in Austria. European Sleeper is hopeful they’ll resolve this issue for future departures, but this situation highlights how complex it still is to operate a train across multiple countries.

What About Passengers Booked on the Brussels-Venice Route?

For now, the night train remains scheduled to run throughout February and March, twice a week. The route was designed for travelers heading to winter sports destinations, European city breaks, and, of course, the famous Venice Carnival.

But the big question remains: Will future trips actually make it to Venice? As of now, that answer is uncertain.

Europe’s Bigger Problem: Why Cross-Border Train Travel Is So Hard

This isn’t just about one train—it’s a symptom of a bigger issue. Unlike flights, which are easily coordinated across borders, international trains face a mess of different regulations, railway operators, and logistical headaches.

Despite all the talk about sustainable travel, long-distance international trains in Europe still account for just 7% of rail journeys. And as this incident proves, it’s not because travelers don’t want them—it’s because running them is still way too complicated.

The EU’s Plan to Fix This Mess

If booking a train across Europe feels like solving a puzzle, that’s because there’s no Skyscanner-style platform for rail travel. Right now, passengers have to buy separate tickets for each national operator, which makes train travel more expensive, confusing, and inconvenient.

The EU is working on a solution: Multimodal Digital Mobility Services legislation. If passed, this would allow travelers to book an entire journey across multiple rail companies with just one ticket—just like booking a flight. It would also strengthen passenger rights, ensuring better protections if connections are missed.

For now, European Sleeper is working on getting its Venice service back on track. But one thing is clear—if Europe is serious about making trains the future of travel, the system needs a major upgrade.

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