After years of quiet anticipation, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) is officially bringing back a direct night train connection between Switzerland and Scandinavia. Teaming up with RDC Deutschland, SBB will launch a new EuroNight service linking Basel SBB with Copenhagen and Malmö, starting 15 April 2026.

Running three times a week in both directions, this new route is more than a nostalgic revival of Europe’s golden age of sleeper trains. It’s a modern, climate-friendly alternative to short-haul flights—one that’s being actively supported by the Swiss Confederation under the CO₂ Act.

The first tickets are expected to go on sale on 4 November 2025 through the SBB Mobile app, sbb.ch, and SBB Travel Centres.

A Journey Designed for Modern Travellers

The EuroNight Basel–Copenhagen/Malmö isn’t just about connecting dots on a map. It’s about rethinking how long-distance travel across Europe can look and feel in 2026.

Departing Basel SBB at 17:35 on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, the train will glide through Switzerland, Germany, and Denmark before arriving in Malmö at 09:35 the following morning. In the opposite direction, trains will leave Malmö at 18:57 on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays, pulling into Basel SBB by 11:30.

That means a 1,400 km overnight journey—a comfortable night’s rest instead of an early-morning airport rush.

The route’s intermediate stops include major hubs such as Freiburg, Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Frankfurt Süd, Hamburg, and Odense, along with smaller but strategic points like Kolding and Høje Taastrup (for easy Copenhagen access). While it won’t stop at Copenhagen Central due to scheduling constraints, travelers can easily hop onto the S-Bahn from Høje Taastrup or Copenhagen Airport.

Comfort and Connection on Board

The new EuroNight is set up to carry around 350 passengers, with a mix of seated, couchette, and sleeper compartments—including a wheelchair-accessible section.

A bistro car will operate between Basel and Padborg, offering drinks and snacks for those who prefer a social cabin experience to quiet sleep. It’s a blend of comfort, accessibility, and affordability designed to appeal to everyone from solo adventurers to families and business travelers.

Climate Meets Convenience

SBB’s move isn’t just about restoring an old route—it’s part of a broader strategy to decarbonize long-distance travel and make rail the natural choice for international mobility.

The Swiss Confederation will subsidize the route until 2030, with an expected budget of CHF 47 million, pending parliamentary approval. That financial backing matters: as much as Europeans love the idea of sleeper trains, they remain expensive to operate. Rolling stock, maintenance, track fees, and onboard staff make these routes difficult to sustain purely on ticket revenue.

SBB has made it clear: if funding isn’t approved, the service won’t launch, and tickets will be fully refunded.

But assuming parliament gives the green light, this night train will become a flagship for Switzerland’s sustainable mobility policy—and a new entry in Europe’s fast-expanding network of overnight routes.

A Strategic Partnership for the Future of Night Trains

Operationally, the service will be jointly managed by SBB and RDC Deutschland, a company with significant experience in night train operations. That partnership is smart: RDC Deutschland’s expertise in international routes complements SBB’s established infrastructure and reliability.

It’s also a sign that national operators increasingly see private partnerships as essential to making night trains viable again. The era of single-operator dominance is fading; in its place, we’re seeing collaborative, cross-border ventures that mirror the complex patchwork of Europe’s rail landscape.

Europe’s Sleeper Renaissance

The EuroNight Basel–Copenhagen/Malmö isn’t launching in isolation—it’s part of a broader European renaissance for night trains. Across the continent, ÖBB’s Nightjet network continues to expand, linking cities like Vienna, Berlin, and Brussels. France and Germany are reviving their own connections, while new private ventures such as European Sleeper and Midnight Trains aim to make overnight rail as stylish as it is sustainable.

Compared to these, SBB’s new route is one of the longest and most ambitious new sleeper lines planned for the coming years—uniting three countries and offering a direct Switzerland–Scandinavia connection that hasn’t existed for over two decades.

And the timing couldn’t be better. With airfare volatility, rising climate awareness, and improved rail infrastructure across northern Europe, travelers are rediscovering the charm of waking up in a different country without ever stepping into an airport.

Why It Matters

For Switzerland, this train is more than a mobility project—it’s a statement about how Europe should travel in the next decade. It aligns with the EU’s Green Deal objectives and Switzerland’s own Net Zero 2050 roadmap, pushing for tangible shifts in how people move across borders.

From a traveler’s perspective, it also fills a crucial gap. Scandinavia has remained one of the few regions not directly connected to Switzerland by night rail—until now. Malmö provides smooth onward access to Stockholm, Gothenburg, and even Oslo, making this route a valuable link for business and leisure travel alike.

The Bigger Picture: Can Night Trains Compete?

Night trains have seen a resurgence, but not without challenges. According to the European Commission’s 2023 Transport Outlook, the average sleeper route still needs 30–40% occupancy just to break even. Competition with low-cost airlines remains fierce, especially on routes under 1,500 km.

Yet, the Basel–Copenhagen/Malmö route sits in the sweet spot: it’s long enough to justify an overnight service, crosses major business and tourism hubs, and benefits from strong environmental policy backing.

If the rollout succeeds, it could become a model for future long-distance sleeper services—balancing climate goals, convenience, and collaboration.

Conclusion: A Smart, Sustainable Step Forward

The upcoming EuroNight between Basel, Copenhagen, and Malmö represents more than a new line on Europe’s rail map—it’s a glimpse into the future of connected, low-carbon travel.

SBB and RDC Deutschland are betting on a trend that’s here to stay: slow travel as a smart choice. The combination of strategic public funding, proven operational partners, and growing traveler demand suggests this isn’t just an experiment—it’s a preview of Europe’s next mobility chapter.

If Nightjet showed us that sleepers could be revived, SBB’s EuroNight to Scandinavia might prove they can thrive.