Extra international night train Aachen–Sittard starts on April 11

From April 11, the last Friday evening RE18 (tri-country) train service from Aachen will no longer end at Heerlen but will continue to Sittard.

This extension will create a direct connection to the Friday night train that runs between Maastricht and Schiphol Airport/Amsterdam. This extended train service is the result of a motion submitted by Leon Vaessen, Member of the Provincial Council for D66, which was adopted unanimously and the swift implementation by Jasper Kuntzelaers of the Provincial Executive (PvdA).

With this extra ride, which is part of the Limburg Concession granted to Arriva, the desire to further improve international connections for Limburg is being met. Travellers from Aachen and the Parkstad Region can now also travel to Sittard after midnight and transfer to the existing Arriva night train to the Randstad in approximately ten minutes.

The connection, which will initially be implemented as a one-year trial, offers a direct connection for travelers who want to continue their journey on Friday night to destinations such as Eindhoven, Den Bosch, Utrecht, or Amsterdam. The new timetable provides an intercity service without stops from Heerlen to Sittard. The tri-country train departs from Aachen at 00:17 and arrives in Heerlen at 00:41. The train then continues to Sittard, arriving at 01:01. The night train to Schiphol departs from Sittard at 01:11.

Practical information

• The regular Arriva rates apply to the Heerlen–Sittard route. You can check in with an OV-chip card or (bank) card.
• A special rate applies for the night train to Schiphol Airport/Amsterdam. That part of the trip can be booked via Arriva’s Glimble app or with a bank card/credit card on the train.
• You can also book a ticket for the entire journey in the Glimble app.
• This trial runs until 2031 and will be evaluated in 2026.

"Another important step has been taken towards better international connections for Limburg," said Leon Vaessen. "This extra service in the timetable offers a quick and efficient night journey for Aachen and the Parkstad Region in the direction of Schiphol Airport/Amsterdam."

Vaessen emphasises that further improvements are possible: "There is still a great desire to take a next step towards the realisation of a structural intercity link between Aachen and Eindhoven, for example by seeking slots in the weekend timetable."