The Man in Seat 61
@seatsixtyone.bsky.social
Mark Smith, the Man in Seat 61, the chap who runs that train travel site http://seat61.com. YouTube: http://youtube.com/c/seat61.
My report on @EuropeanSlpr’s inaugural Brussels-Milan sleeper train is now ‘live’ in the Daily Telegraph online travel section: www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/916c882...
Europe’s newest sleeper train offers vintage vibes and spectacular scenery
It’s an environmentally sustainable alternative to budget flights, but European Sleeper’s latest route has teething problems to overcome
www.telegraph.co.uk
September 17, 2026 at 12:26 PM
My report on @EuropeanSlpr’s inaugural Brussels-Milan sleeper train is now ‘live’ in the Daily Telegraph online travel section: www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/916c882...
The new Brussels-Milan European Sleeper is up and running - I've updated Seat 61 with more photos, scenery shots and tips.
London to Italy with one easy same-station change in Brussels: www.seat61.com/trains-and-r...
London to Italy with one easy same-station change in Brussels: www.seat61.com/trains-and-r...
Heading back on the European Sleeper from Milan to Brussels, this time in a single sleeper - Comfort Plus in European Sleeper parlance. 2h05 late start, let’s see how we get on…
September 13, 2026 at 12:31 PM
The new Brussels-Milan European Sleeper is up and running - I've updated Seat 61 with more photos, scenery shots and tips.
London to Italy with one easy same-station change in Brussels: www.seat61.com/trains-and-r...
London to Italy with one easy same-station change in Brussels: www.seat61.com/trains-and-r...
Heading back on the European Sleeper from Milan to Brussels, this time in a single sleeper - Comfort Plus in European Sleeper parlance. 2h05 late start, let’s see how we get on…
September 11, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Heading back on the European Sleeper from Milan to Brussels, this time in a single sleeper - Comfort Plus in European Sleeper parlance. 2h05 late start, let’s see how we get on…
Finally, some 2h50 late, the inaugural European Sleeper from Brussels to Milan is on its way!
September 10, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Finally, some 2h50 late, the inaugural European Sleeper from Brussels to Milan is on its way!
Oh dear. 19:06 sleeper to Milan shown on boards as 19:06 +1h30. So have an Emergency Plan👇🏻. But can’t see a true online real-time departure board here so will have to go and wait on the platform to avoid it sneaking off less than 1h30 late…
September 10, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Oh dear. 19:06 sleeper to Milan shown on boards as 19:06 +1h30. So have an Emergency Plan👇🏻. But can’t see a true online real-time departure board here so will have to go and wait on the platform to avoid it sneaking off less than 1h30 late…
I guess it’s time for an adventure - Interrail pass activated! It covered my train from Tring into London and it’ll cover my Eurostar to Brussels with a €35 passholder fare (€40 in 1st class). It’ll then cover my European Sleeper Brussels to Milan with a berth reservation fee.
September 10, 2026 at 8:20 AM
I guess it’s time for an adventure - Interrail pass activated! It covered my train from Tring into London and it’ll cover my Eurostar to Brussels with a €35 passholder fare (€40 in 1st class). It’ll then cover my European Sleeper Brussels to Milan with a berth reservation fee.
Today’s quiz question: What is a luggage rack for? (Apparently not for luggage)
September 10, 2026 at 7:02 AM
Today’s quiz question: What is a luggage rack for? (Apparently not for luggage)
BREAKING: Today, Eurail (established 1959) & Interrail (established 1972) merge into a single European railpass range for EVERYONE regardless of nationality or country of residence, called INTERRAIL. Read why I think this is excellent news here: www.seat61.com/news.htm
September 9, 2026 at 10:16 AM
BREAKING: Today, Eurail (established 1959) & Interrail (established 1972) merge into a single European railpass range for EVERYONE regardless of nationality or country of residence, called INTERRAIL. Read why I think this is excellent news here: www.seat61.com/news.htm
Hat tip to Francis Bourgeois for the Grand Tour. The illustrious trio hard to replace, but the new guys are killing it. Also, episode 5 - good choice of seat…
September 5, 2026 at 12:03 PM
Hat tip to Francis Bourgeois for the Grand Tour. The illustrious trio hard to replace, but the new guys are killing it. Also, episode 5 - good choice of seat…
Some key stats here: "Spain’s high-speed rail sees passenger numbers double as fares fall by 40%... Liberalisation has not simply redistributed passengers between competing railway companies. Rail has attracted travellers who might previously have chosen to fly." www.railwaypro.com/wp/?p=141129
August 28, 2026 at 8:13 AM
Some key stats here: "Spain’s high-speed rail sees passenger numbers double as fares fall by 40%... Liberalisation has not simply redistributed passengers between competing railway companies. Rail has attracted travellers who might previously have chosen to fly." www.railwaypro.com/wp/?p=141129
At Amsterdam Centraal, a 'pop-up' temporary restaurant will open where the Cafe 1e Klas used to be, following some restoration work, from 4 September to 25 October, see www.demaaltuin.nl/editie/amste... and www.treinreiziger.nl/tijdelijk-re...
August 28, 2026 at 6:28 AM
At Amsterdam Centraal, a 'pop-up' temporary restaurant will open where the Cafe 1e Klas used to be, following some restoration work, from 4 September to 25 October, see www.demaaltuin.nl/editie/amste... and www.treinreiziger.nl/tijdelijk-re...
Belgrade-Bar FINALLY becomes bookable online. Suddenly demand has leapt and the summer-only daytime train is being extended until the end of September. Could these events be connected..? 🙄
More trains to the Montenegrin coast! 🚆☀️
The “Tara” between Subotica and Bar has been extended until the end of September due to strong demand. The overnight “Lovćen” between Beograd and Bar will also continue until the end of September. shorturl.at/CEBBO
The “Tara” between Subotica and Bar has been extended until the end of September due to strong demand. The overnight “Lovćen” between Beograd and Bar will also continue until the end of September. shorturl.at/CEBBO
August 27, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Belgrade-Bar FINALLY becomes bookable online. Suddenly demand has leapt and the summer-only daytime train is being extended until the end of September. Could these events be connected..? 🙄
🤞
The return of passenger trains between Madrid and Lisbon could be close. Unofficial sources say Renfe and CP are preparing a daytime service with Talgo IV via Extremadura. trenvista.net/en/new...
Madrid–Lisbon Intercity? Renfe and CP could be working on it, with Talgo VI trains
The return of passenger trains between Madrid and Lisbon could be close. Unofficial sources say Renfe and CP are preparing a daytime service with Talgo VI via Extremadura.
www.trenvista.net
August 26, 2026 at 6:46 PM
🤞
BREAKING: @EuropeanSlpr announce another new route, Brussels & Amsterdam to Copenhagen & Malmo. 3 times a week starting from April 2028. mailchi.mp/69c6493c188f...
August 25, 2026 at 9:20 AM
BREAKING: @EuropeanSlpr announce another new route, Brussels & Amsterdam to Copenhagen & Malmo. 3 times a week starting from April 2028. mailchi.mp/69c6493c188f...
Of course, if next years switch from Amsterdam-Berlin to running Amsterdam-Hamburg Hbf proves the business case for a permanent direct Amsterdam-Hamburg service (and I suspect it will), that's great... 1/2
The best example of dressing up bad news as good I have yet seen!
New ICEs from Amsterdam to Hamburg Hbf?
Nope. Just massive trackwork disruption to existing Amsterdam-Berlin ICEs which are diverted via Harburg with journey times extended to 7 hours.
nieuws.ns.nl/nieuwe-ice-v...
New ICEs from Amsterdam to Hamburg Hbf?
Nope. Just massive trackwork disruption to existing Amsterdam-Berlin ICEs which are diverted via Harburg with journey times extended to 7 hours.
nieuws.ns.nl/nieuwe-ice-v...
Nieuwe ICE-verbinding naar Hamburg en Bremen
Vanaf vrijdag 2 oktober rijdt NS International met de nieuwste ICE-treinen rechtstreeks naar Hamburg. Daarmee komt deze populaire Noord-Duitse stad duurzaam en comfortabel binnen handbereik. Reizigers...
nieuws.ns.nl
August 21, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Of course, if next years switch from Amsterdam-Berlin to running Amsterdam-Hamburg Hbf proves the business case for a permanent direct Amsterdam-Hamburg service (and I suspect it will), that's great... 1/2
The best example of dressing up bad news as good I have yet seen!
New ICEs from Amsterdam to Hamburg Hbf?
Nope. Just massive trackwork disruption to existing Amsterdam-Berlin ICEs which are diverted via Harburg with journey times extended to 7 hours.
nieuws.ns.nl/nieuwe-ice-v...
New ICEs from Amsterdam to Hamburg Hbf?
Nope. Just massive trackwork disruption to existing Amsterdam-Berlin ICEs which are diverted via Harburg with journey times extended to 7 hours.
nieuws.ns.nl/nieuwe-ice-v...
Nieuwe ICE-verbinding naar Hamburg en Bremen
Vanaf vrijdag 2 oktober rijdt NS International met de nieuwste ICE-treinen rechtstreeks naar Hamburg. Daarmee komt deze populaire Noord-Duitse stad duurzaam en comfortabel binnen handbereik. Reizigers...
nieuws.ns.nl
August 20, 2026 at 3:34 PM
The best example of dressing up bad news as good I have yet seen!
New ICEs from Amsterdam to Hamburg Hbf?
Nope. Just massive trackwork disruption to existing Amsterdam-Berlin ICEs which are diverted via Harburg with journey times extended to 7 hours.
nieuws.ns.nl/nieuwe-ice-v...
New ICEs from Amsterdam to Hamburg Hbf?
Nope. Just massive trackwork disruption to existing Amsterdam-Berlin ICEs which are diverted via Harburg with journey times extended to 7 hours.
nieuws.ns.nl/nieuwe-ice-v...
ORR approves track access for Virgin Trains for up to 20 return services between London and Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam from 1 October 2030. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Virgin takes another step towards Channel Tunnel rail services
Firm wants to run up to 20 daily journeys to Europe but it must get additional approval for overseas tracks.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 17, 2026 at 10:33 AM
ORR approves track access for Virgin Trains for up to 20 return services between London and Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam from 1 October 2030. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Longest? What a can o’ worms THAT concept is! Start with this: jonworth.eu/the-longest-...
August 16, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Longest? What a can o’ worms THAT concept is! Start with this: jonworth.eu/the-longest-...
Good suggestion - newly-opened restaurant added to the Seat 61 Prague station guide, www.seat61.com/stations/pra...
I was somewhat knackered when I got back to the station, and the Wilsonka restaurant was just right there off the concourse. Good menu, good price, nice staff, good for solo travellers - one for the @seatsixtyone.bsky.social station guide?
August 14, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Good suggestion - newly-opened restaurant added to the Seat 61 Prague station guide, www.seat61.com/stations/pra...
Meanwhile, from my back garden… Are we all outside tonight?
August 12, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Meanwhile, from my back garden… Are we all outside tonight?
From today, Sweden-Finland train service is restored - they last ran in 1988! 🥳
For the first time in decades, a passenger train runs from Finland 🇫🇮 to Sweden 🇸🇪
The VR IC Oulu-Kemi-Tornio-Haparanda runs twice daily from now on. Norrtåg runs from Haparanda to Boden and Luleå. Sparing people a walk/bus/taxi.
It was quite an event for a 6:30am arrival on a rainy Monday morning.
The VR IC Oulu-Kemi-Tornio-Haparanda runs twice daily from now on. Norrtåg runs from Haparanda to Boden and Luleå. Sparing people a walk/bus/taxi.
It was quite an event for a 6:30am arrival on a rainy Monday morning.
August 10, 2026 at 11:28 AM
From today, Sweden-Finland train service is restored - they last ran in 1988! 🥳
One of the most scenic routes in Europe. I’ll even stick my neck out and say, even more spectacular than the Bernina!
Well another railway bucket list item ticked off last night - the #Belgrade 🇷🇸 to #Bar 🇲🇪 sleeper train and it certainly DIDN'T disappoint 😍😍😍 #NonstopEurotrip
August 9, 2026 at 10:40 AM
One of the most scenic routes in Europe. I’ll even stick my neck out and say, even more spectacular than the Bernina!
Reposted by The Man in Seat 61
Update: ICE trains 9590/9590 🇩🇪 Berlin <> Paris 🇨🇵 cancelled between Berlin and Frankfurt until a fix for Alstom's unreliable new ETCS equipment can be found. No concrete timeframe for this, so for now DB has removed the trains until December timetable change @seatsixtyone.bsky.social #CrossBorderRail
August 8, 2026 at 6:46 AM
Update: ICE trains 9590/9590 🇩🇪 Berlin <> Paris 🇨🇵 cancelled between Berlin and Frankfurt until a fix for Alstom's unreliable new ETCS equipment can be found. No concrete timeframe for this, so for now DB has removed the trains until December timetable change @seatsixtyone.bsky.social #CrossBorderRail
Yet more all-new Eurostar destinations! 🥳
Meanwhile, can anyone - maybe @seatsixtyone.bsky.social or @eurostarjustin.bsky.social - shed any light on this Eurostar train I spotted at Bruxelles-Midi this afternoon...?
August 6, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Yet more all-new Eurostar destinations! 🥳
In retrospect , I sound wildly optimistic.
August 5, 2026 at 9:51 AM
In retrospect , I sound wildly optimistic.