New Night Train Proposal Connects Switzerland, Denmark, and Sweden
A new night train service is set to expand Europe’s growing network of overnight rail travel. The proposed route will connect Switzerland, Denmark, and Sweden, offering a direct connection between Basel, Copenhagen, and Malmö. This initiative is currently under review by the Swiss Parliament, with the potential to launch in mid-April 2026 if approved.
Details of the EuroNight Service
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) has unveiled plans for the new EuroNight service, which will operate three times a week in both directions. The journey from Basel to Copenhagen and Malmö will take approximately 16 hours, with the first service scheduled to depart on 15 April 2026.
The sleeper train will leave Basel at 5:35 pm on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, arriving in Malmö at 9:35 am the following day. On the return trip, the train will depart from Malmö at 6:57 pm on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays, reaching Basel at 11:30 am after a 16-hour and 30-minute journey.
Key Stops and Route
The route covers around 1,400 kilometers, with stops in several major cities across Germany and Denmark. Passengers will have the opportunity to stop in Freiburg (Breisgau), Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Frankfurt (Main) Süd, and Hamburg in Germany. In Denmark, the train will make stops in Padborg, Kolding, Odense, Høje Taastrup, and Copenhagen Airport.
Notably, the service will not stop at Copenhagen Central Station. However, travelers can reach the Danish capital from Høje Taastrup or Copenhagen Airport using the S-Bahn urban railway, which takes approximately 15 minutes.
Passenger Capacity and Ticket Sales
The EuroNight sleeper will accommodate around 350 passengers across sleeping, couchette, and seating carriages. Tickets for the service are expected to go on sale starting 4 November, giving travelers ample time to plan their journeys.
Funding Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite the promising nature of the project, the new sleeper train still requires government funding to proceed. This comes amid broader challenges facing night train services in Europe, where high operating costs have led to the discontinuation of some routes.
For instance, Austrian national rail operator ÖBB recently announced that its night trains connecting Paris with Vienna and Berlin will be discontinued from mid-December due to the French government’s withdrawal of funding. This highlights the financial hurdles that continue to impact the viability of night train services.
Government Support and Environmental Goals
The Swiss government has allocated CHF47 million (€50.6 million) through 2030 to support international night train services as part of the CO2 Act. This initiative aims to reduce the country’s emissions by half within the next five years. However, the funding still needs approval from the Swiss Parliament during its winter session.
If the funding is not approved, SBB has stated it will inform customers and provide refunds for any tickets already booked. This underscores the importance of securing financial support to ensure the successful launch of the new service.
Conclusion
The proposed EuroNight service represents a significant step forward in sustainable, cross-border travel. By connecting key cities in Switzerland, Denmark, and Sweden, it offers an eco-friendly alternative to air travel. However, its success ultimately depends on the availability of government funding and the ability to overcome operational challenges. As the Swiss Parliament deliberates on the proposal, the future of this innovative service remains uncertain but full of potential.
