A Swiss transportation startup plans to launch a network of international overnight luxury buses, offering passengers business-class style sleeping pods in a bid to provide what it calls a missing link in long-distance ground travel.
Twiliner said the new service will begin operating in November 2025, initially linking Zurich, Basel, Luxembourg, Brussels, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Girona and Barcelona, spanning Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain. The company aims to expand to 25 major European cities by 2028.
Unlike existing intercity bus operators, Twiliner markets itself as an upscale alternative to short-haul flights. Each bus has just 21 seats — 18 upstairs and three downstairs — all of which recline into lie-flat beds at the push of a button, similar to premium airline cabins.
Passengers are provided with a blanket, pillow, fold-out table, power outlets, personal reading light, free Wi-Fi and individual storage. The lower deck features a restroom, small dressing room and snack bar with light refreshments. Departures are scheduled for after 8 p.m., with arrivals in the early morning hours.
Two routes are already active: Zurich to Amsterdam, via Basel, Luxembourg, Brussels and Rotterdam, and Zurich to Barcelona via Girona. Trips run several times per week, with daily service planned in the future. One-way fares start at €180 ($195), with three levels of flexibility: nonrefundable, semi-flexible and fully flexible.
Children under five are not permitted, and the company describes the onboard atmosphere as “quiet and sleep-oriented.” Each passenger may bring one checked bag up to 23 kilograms (50 pounds) and one carry-on up to 5 kilograms (11 pounds). Bulky items such as skis, bicycles or surfboards can be pre-booked for an extra 35 Swiss francs ($39).
The company also stressed its environmental credentials. Buses will run on renewable HVO diesel, made from industrial byproducts and plant oils, which it says reduces carbon emissions by up to 85% compared with air travel. Each trip is staffed with two rotating drivers to maximize safety.