© Lynn Cruchten / RTL
A Swiss start-up has partnered with Luxembourg’s Emile Weber Group to launch Twiliner, Europe’s first luxury overnight bus featuring business-class sleeper seats, designed as a sustainable and comfortable alternative to air travel and night trains.
The Twiliner's creators describe it as being as eco-friendly as a train, as comfortable as a business-class flight, and as flexible as a coach. The bus features 21 patented sleeper seats spread across two decks, along with a wardrobe, a small kitchenette, and a modern toilet. Each seat comes with USB charging ports and a fold-out table, and can be fully reclined into a bed, allowing passengers to legally and safely sleep while travelling.
According to Luca Bortolani, co-founder and CEO of Twiliner, passenger safety was the first challenge to solve before the project could even be approved. He explained that his team developed a unique restraint system for the reclining position, something that did not previously exist. The system involves passengers placing their legs inside a secured "sleeping bag" mechanism designed to hold them in place in case of an accident.
The concept is not meant to compete with existing night coaches but to complement overnight train services, said Philippe Heinisch, Executive Attaché at the Emile Weber Group. He added that Twiliner offers a more comfortable alternative on routes where train services do not exist or demand is too low, targeting travellers who want more comfort than low-cost options like FlixBus can provide.
Luxembourg's Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Yuriko Backes, welcomed the initiative, calling it a good thing for Luxembourg's economy and a reflection of the country's innovative spirit.
The first phase of operations will launch in mid-November, connecting Zurich and Amsterdam, with a stop in Bouillon and Luxembourg City. A second route between Zurich and Barcelona is planned next, and Bortolani noted that if the service performs well, the company intends to expand rapidly across Europe, creating a wide network of overnight bus lines.
As Heinisch pointed out, coach travel remains popular, and rising airfares are driving more groups and companies to opt for bus journeys instead. He added that they are seeing strong demand from businesses, associations, clubs, and schools.
The company also highlights the Twiliner's sustainability credentials: each bus emits just 24 grams of CO₂ per passenger kilometre, compared with 276 grams for air travel, making comfort, flexibility, and environmental responsibility the three pillars of this new way to travel.
Fares will range from €155 to €250 per person, depending on route and season, and the buses will also be available for private hire, business trips, and group travel. Tickets can be booked online.
