Expanded rail service targets linkage of a hundred urban areas by 2035, providing an eco-friendly travel option outside of flying.
Introducing Nox Mobility, a game-changer in the European mobility landscape, promising to provide a bona fide alternative to short-haul flights! This Berlin-based startup, brainchild of Janek Smalla (a former FlixTrain bigwig and Bolt Germany's Head of Operations) and YouTube sensation Thibault Constant (aka "Simply Railway"), plans to weave a web of night trains across old Europe. According to a press release, these trains will offer fully private rooms designed to make the journey as comfortable as possible, at a price that won't break the bank.
With over half a million followers and 400 night train trips under his belt, Thibault Constant knows a thing or two about the joys and challenges of long-distance rail travel. The problem, he says, is that today's rail options aren't cutting it. Sharing cabins with strangers? Beds barely long enough to stretch out on? Prices sky-high? No thanks! That's why he and Smalla are determined to revolutionize night trains and make them an essential part of European travel.
Say goodbye to cramped quarters and hello to three luxurious room options: the single loft, double loft, and double vista. Each room boasts a spacious two-meter-long bed, separate seats with tables, and enough room to stand up and store your luggage. Fancy a romantic getaway? Nox has you covered with double beds and rooms boasting panoramic window views. Want to travel solo and save a bit of cash? Expect to pay around €79 for a single room, or €149 for a double.
But how can Nox offer such competitive prices in an industry starved for rolling stock? Smalla has the answer: smart design. Nox's room concept is space-efficient, packing more passengers onto its trains than traditional operators. Add in a focus on standardization and operational excellence, and you've got a winning recipe for affordable fares on over 35 European routes to begin with, with plans to expand to 100 cities by 2035. Destinations on their radar include Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Warsaw, Budapest, and Rome.
Optimistic travelers can already peruse planned timetables, check out the rooms, and lock in prices on Nox Mobility's website. Those eager to stay in the loop can even join the Early Bird Club for exclusive discounts and early access to bookings. But with any ambitious venture, there's always a question of funding. Nox is reportedly gearing up for a funding round later this year, so stick around, and we'll see if their dream takes shape!
Critics, like travel expert Simon Calder, have their doubts. "I hope Nox proves me wrong," The Independent reported him saying, "but unless the business has a handy £1 billion to invest in new rolling stock, I can't see much hope of a network of this scale ever becoming reality." Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best, shall we? After all, who wouldn't want a comfortable, affordable way to cross Europe while we sleep? Time will tell if Nox is up to the challenge!
- Nox Mobility, a disruptor in the European mobility industry, is planning to change short-haul flight booking trends with its web of night trains across old Europe.
- The startup, led by Janek Smalla and Thibault Constant, aims to revolutionize long-distance rail travel, providing private rooms for a reasonable price on over 35 European routes.
- In the lifestyle and travel sector, Nox Mobility offers three luxurious room options - single loft, double loft, and double vista - each providing comfort, space, and affordability for their customers.
- The finance aspect of Nox Mobility's success relies on smart design, packing more passengers onto their trains while maintaining operational excellence, offering competitive prices versus traditional operators.
- Travelers are invited to explore Nox Mobility's offerings, including online booking and the Early Bird Club, but funding remains a critical hurdle as the company prepares for a funding round later this year.
