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The futuristically designed bus from Zurich-based startup Twiliner is ready for night trips across Europe—with reclining seats instead of standard rows. Image: TN

Night bus with sleeping comfort celebrates premiere in Zurich

Sleep your way to Barcelona or Amsterdam—comfortably and safely. Zurich-based start-up Twiliner is reinventing long-distance night travel in Europe with reclining sleeper seats and a strong safety concept. Starting this October, their first cross-border sleeper buses will hit the road.

Good things come to those who wait: After approximately five years of development, the Zurich-based start-up Twiliner has reached a significant milestone. On Wednesday afternoon (July 2), the young company unveiled one of its specially converted long-distance buses at Schiffbauplatz in Zurich West—and simultaneously launched ticket sales for trips across Europe. The official launch is planned for early October.

«Standing here with the bus is a very special moment,» Twiliner Managing Director Luca Bortolani told Travelnews. «There were many setbacks—moments when we were close to abandoning the project. But we persevered.» Two key hurdles had to be overcome: financing and the strict safety requirements demanded by authorities.

Sleeping seats in safety mode

For years, the Federal Roads Office (FedEx) blocked the idea. Reclining seats that convert into full beds were considered unsafe, with no comparable systems available on the market. But now there's a breakthrough: Twiliner has developed an innovative restraint system—a kind of safety sleeping bag—that protects even fully reclined passengers in the event of a crash. The seats can be adjusted to three positions: upright, reclined, or completely horizontal.

Twiliner is thus creating an offer that is unique in Europe—and, according to Bortolani, represents a real alternative to night trains or short-haul flights: «Many people want to travel more sustainably or are afraid of flying. Night trains are limited to a few routes and often fully booked early. We see great potential there.»

Twiliner founder Luca Bortolani at the sales launch at Schiffbauplatz in Zurich. Image: TN

Initially, two routes will launch in October: Daily buses from Zurich and Basel to Amsterdam, with stops in Luxembourg, Brussels, and Rotterdam. Barcelona will be served three times a week from Zurich and Bern, with an additional stop in Girona.

Twiliner relies on a dynamic pricing system: Prices fluctuate depending on occupancy. For a weekend trip to Barcelona, ​​prices start at around CHF 330 for a round trip.

The specially designed reclining seats can be converted into a full-size bed. Image: TN

The three buses in the Twiliner fleet each accommodate 21 passengers—offering maximum comfort for the night. This provides Switzerland with a new, environmentally friendly way to reach major European cities comfortably while sleeping.

(RSU)

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