Is this the age of the overnight sleeper train?

Before budget airlines took off in Europe, many people made long intercity journeys by overnight train. As the likes of easyJet and Ryanair expanded, though, many of the sleeper connections were cut – including the German Railways link from Berlin to Paris.

But now the two most important capitals in continental Europe are once again linked – thanks to a new Austrian Railways Nightjet service.

For decades, Paris Gare de l’Est was the departure point for the most celebrated international train in the world. L’Express d’Orient departed daily from Paris via Vienna and Belgrade to Istanbul.

The Orient-Express was subject to death by a thousand cuts, ending its term as Europe’s premier train in 2009, by which stage it was a mere overnight link.