European Sleeper acquires tour operator GreenCityTrip European Sleeper has acquired the GreenCityTrip brand from Flywise Travel.
European Sleeper acquires tour operator GreenCityTrip
European Sleeper has acquired the GreenCityTrip brand from Flywise Travel. Within European Sleeper, GreenCityTrip will continue as an independent tour operator offering package trips by night train. With this acquisition, European Sleeper takes an
An essential step toward introducing night train travel to a broader audience while providing travellers with greater convenience and service.
European Sleeper is an independent international railway company known for its popular night train route Brussels – Amsterdam – Berlin – Prague. On this route, the company has operated more than 650 trains and carried over 200,000 passengers in just two years, with potential new routes to Barcelona and/or Milan.
Looking ahead to European Sleeper needs to offer its own package holidays and tap into new markets.
Since October 2021, tour operator Flywise Travel has been offering a new approach to sustainable train travel under the GreenCityTrip brand. With the introduction of Sleeper night trains to destinations including Berlin, Dresden, and Prague, GreenCityTrip
responded to the growing demand for sustainable and affordable travel alternatives. Flywise’s partnerships with major retail brands such as Albert Heijn, HEMA, and Kruidvat demonstrate the company’s influence and reach.
European Sleeper co-founder, Chris Engelsman commented about the acquisition:
“This acquisition offers many synergies for European Sleeper. The GreenCityTrip package holidays are a perfect complement to our own offering of international train tickets and serve a market segment where the European Sleeper is not yet strongly represented. Moreover, after the acquisition, it will become much easier to expand the range of package holidays geographically and into new market segments.”
Pascal van de Sande, recently recruited by European Sleeper, will take over the day management of GreenCityTrip as Managing Director. “GreenCityTrip has already shown how attractive and accessible sustainable rail travel can be,” said Pascal van de Sande. “Under the
European Sleeper umbrella, we will build on that success — developing new travel concepts that make it easier for travellers to choose the night train as part of their holiday experience.”
The close collaboration between European Sleeper and Flywise Travel, established in early 2024, is now being formalised through this acquisition. Flywise Travel will continue to offer package
holidays as a tour operator but will no longer focus on night trains. The GreenCityTrip brand will remain in use, and the existing range of journeys will be continued. The acquisition will be formally completed in the coming weeks.
About European Sleeper
European Sleeper is a Dutch-Belgian railway company focused on operating night trains. The company is part of a movement that has put night trains back on the map in Europe. European Sleeper was founded by two
passionate night train enthusiasts: Elmer van Buuren and Chris Engelsman, who together bring extensive knowledge and experience in night train operations.
With its night trains, European Sleeper aims to connect countries, regions, cities, people, and businesses across Europe. The company’s first night train between Berlin and Brussels departed on 25 May 2023 route was extended to Dresden and Prague . At the same time, work is underway on new connections to Barcelona and/or Milan starting from 2026.