July 1, 2026

The journey starts before Wrocław

Every edition of Placemaking Week Europe begins long before the opening session. It begins with people travelling from different places, following different routes, and bringing their own perspectives to a shared destination.

This year, we’re making one of those journeys a little easier.

In collaboration with the European Sleeper, Placemaking Week Europe 2026 participants can book a fixed €70 one way fare on the overnight train from Amsterdam to Dresden, departing on Monday 21 September.

The European Sleeper

Rail travel invites a different rhythm. As public spaces give into the accelerated life of our current world, rail oftentimes creates time to read, think, and usually meet fellow travellers. Or simply watch the landscape change as cities become regions and regions become new destinations. Rather than treating travel as something to get through, the European Sleeper vouches to understand it as the experience itself.

As we’ve discussed in previous editions of the festival, train stations still have a lot of placemaking potential, and the train itself is a public space that becomes a meeting point of different communities and individuals. Railway is also a way to reduce the environmental impact of your trip while travelling across Europe. That’s why we like to think this means of transportation is more aligned with placemaking principles.

The European Sleeper is helping reconnect European cities through overnight rail, making it possible to travel while you sleep and arrive ready for four days of conversations, workshops and shared learning.

The trip

The train leaves Amsterdam Centraal at 22:34 and arrives in Dresden at 08:29 the following morning. From there, several rail connections with one transfer continue to Wrocław before the festival begins.

Special offer

Festival participants can book:

Amsterdam Centraal → Dresden

• Fixed fare: €70 one way

• Departure: Monday 21 September 2026, 22:34

• Arrival: Tuesday 22 September 2026, 08:29

From Dresden, several train connections continue to Wrocław with one transfer.

Reservations are open until 20 August 2026.

We look forward to welcoming many of you on board!

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