New Night Train Proposal to Connect Switzerland, Denmark, and Sweden
A new night train service is being proposed to connect Switzerland, Denmark, and Sweden, adding to Europe’s expanding fleet of overnight rail services. The initiative, currently under consideration by the Swiss Parliament, could see the service begin operations in mid-April 2026.
The proposed route will link Basel in Switzerland with Copenhagen in Denmark and Malmö in Sweden. Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) has announced plans for this new night train, which they are calling the EuroNight. According to a spokesperson, the service aims to make climate-friendly travel to Northern Europe more accessible and meets the growing demand for sustainable cross-border mobility.
The EuroNight will operate three times a week in both directions. The first service is scheduled to depart from Basel on 15 April 2026. The journey from Basel to Malmö will take approximately 16 hours, with the train departing at 5:35pm on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Upon arrival in Malmö, passengers can continue their journey to Basel, with departures from Malmö at 6:57pm on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays. This leg of the trip will take around 16 hours and 30 minutes, arriving at 11:30am.
The train will cover a distance of about 1,400 kilometers. Along the way, it will make stops in several cities, including Freiburg (Breisgau), Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Frankfurt (Main) Süd, and Hamburg in Germany, as well as Padborg, Kolding, Odense, Høje Taastrup, and Copenhagen Airport in Denmark.
It’s worth noting that the service will not stop at Copenhagen Central Station. However, travelers can reach the Danish capital from Høje Taastrup or Copenhagen Airport via the S-Bahn urban railway, which takes approximately 15 minutes.
The sleeper train will be equipped to accommodate around 350 passengers across sleeping, couchette, and seating carriages. Tickets for the EuroNight service are expected to go on sale starting 4 November.
Challenges Facing Night Trains in Europe
Despite the potential benefits of night trains, they face challenges due to high operating costs. Recently, Austria’s national rail operator ÖBB announced that its night trains connecting Paris with Vienna and Berlin will be discontinued from mid-December following the French government’s withdrawal of funding.
The new sleeper train proposal from Switzerland to Sweden is still pending approval. SBB is awaiting government financial support to proceed with the project.
The Swiss government has allocated CHF47 million (€50.6 million) through 2030 to support international night train services as part of the CO2 Act, which aims to reduce the country’s emissions by half within the next five years. However, this funding requires approval from parliament during the winter session.
If the funding is not approved, SBB has stated that it will inform customers and provide refunds for any tickets already booked. This highlights the importance of government support in ensuring the viability of such services.
Future of Night Travel in Europe
As night trains become increasingly popular in Europe, their sustainability and convenience are drawing attention. These services offer an eco-friendly alternative to air travel, especially for long-distance journeys. However, without consistent financial backing, many of these initiatives may struggle to survive.
The proposed EuroNight service represents a step forward in promoting sustainable travel between Switzerland, Denmark, and Sweden. If approved, it could set a precedent for future night train projects across the continent.
With the right support, night trains could play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and providing efficient, comfortable travel options for passengers across Europe.
