The Revival of Night Train Travel and Launching a European Sleeper Train Startup with Thibault Constant
Zero To Travel Podcast
Why Night Trains Declined and Are Now Reviving in Europe
Paige asks about the resurgence; Thibault traces decline from high-speed rail and low-cost airlines, then Nightjet and 2020 demand revival.
Is night train travel making a comeback? Trains have long been seen as a romantic or nostalgic way to explore a destination, but what if it could also be the most practical, comfortable, and climate-friendly way?
Thibault Constant is a French train enthusiast turned entrepreneur who built a following of 300k on his YouTube channel, Simply Railways. He’s the author of Trains de Nuit and co-founder of Nox, a new sleeper train company aiming to revolutionize overnight travel across Europe with affordable private rooms.
In this episode, host Paige McClanahan speaks with Thibault about the rising demand for night trains in Europe, the design and mission behind his upcoming sleeper train company, and why privacy, practicality, and sustainability are reshaping how we move through the world.
You’ll hear why a new wave of travelers are choosing overnight rail, how the travel experience shifts when you’re able to rest, reflect, and arrive ready to go, and what it takes to build a better sleeper train from the ground up. Thibault shares the key barriers that have kept night trains from breaking through in recent decades, and how his company, Nox, is working to overcome them with smart design and realistic pricing. Whether you’re curious about slow travel, concerned about flying’s climate impact, or just want to know what it’s like to wake up in Sicily after sleeping on a train ferry, this episode offers both practical insights and pure travel inspiration.
If you could take one of Thibault’s recommended overnight train journeys tomorrow, which would you choose and why? We’d love to hear your thoughts, and hope you’ll share by sending an audio message.
Tune In To Learn:
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How growing up in northern France inspired Thibault’s lifelong love of trains
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Why he started his YouTube channel, and how it became a full-time job
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What led him to co-found Nox, a new sleeper train company launching in 2027
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Why most night trains today fail to deliver on sleep, and how privacy changes everything
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The real reason night trains declined in Europe, and what brought them back
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How the climate crisis is pushing more travelers to rethink short-haul flights
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What makes overnight train travel a win–win for comfort, convenience, and carbon
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Thibault’s top 3 night train routes in Europe, and his favorite long-haul ride in North America
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And so much more
Resources:
Want More?
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Sustainable Travel 101 (How to Be A Better Traveler) With Richard Hammond
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World Tour for Climate Change: Hitchhiking, Biking, and Low-Carbon Travel With Megan Routbort
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