Midnight Trains

Take the Midnight Train

Travel and hospitality experts join forces to develop a network of hotels on rails.

‘Travel Better’ is a mindset that has had greater prominence in recent times, encouraging people to consider the social and environmental impact of their trips and make choices that are better for the planet. The phrase also serves as the motivation for Adrien Aumont and Romain Payet, co-founders of Midnight Train, who are seeking to bring a new travel experience to the tracks.

Led by the belief that the short-haul flight is falling out of favour, the entrepreneurs are in the process of developing a network of rail routes across Europe, with the aim of providing more choice for sustainable travel. “The aviation sector is setting records for carbon emissions and Midnight Trains was born from this observation,” say the duo. “It’s time to choose a more comfortable, efficient and sustainable alternative.”

Set to launch in 2024, the train – billed as a hotel on rails – is an overnight sleeper on which all rooms are private. There’s singles, doubles and four-bed family rooms, each with quality fixtures and fittings and their own shower-equipped bathroom. The train also has a restaurant and bar serving carefully sourced seasonal produce, handmade cocktails, craft beers and lively natural wines, which can be enjoyed at the table or delivered to the room.

In developing the venture, Aumont and Payet have partnered with a number of specialists to advise on everything from the route to design to operations. Odile Fagot brings experience from SNCF and Eurostar, while Franck Gervais will tap into his former roles at Thalys and Accor to combine transportation with hospitality. Also on the advisory board is Cyril Aouizerate, founder of Mama Shelter and Mob Hotel, who states that the concept aligns with his fascination for new paradigms in sustainable travel.

Departing from its hub in Paris, the Midnight Train will travel to European destinations not served by the high-speed network. Edinburgh, Copenhagen, Berlin and Hamburg are all prospective calling points, as are Porto, Florence, Venice and Madrid. “We believe that the journey is as important as the destination, and that every moment is precious,” conclude Aumont and Payet. “Seeking to reconnect the beating hearts of our largest European cities, we set ourselves a challenge: create a hotel on rails, thereby reawakening the enchanting experience of the night train.”