Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), together with RDC Deutschland, will launch a new EuroNight service linking Basel SBB with Copenhagen and Malmö from 15 April 2026, operating three times a week in both directions to expand Switzerland’s night train network and offer a climate-friendly alternative to air travel under Swiss Confederation support via the CO₂ Act.
The service is designed to meet rising demand for international travel while restoring a direct connection between Switzerland and Scandinavia. Ticket sales are scheduled to open on 4 November 2025 via the SBB Mobile app, sbb.ch and SBB Travel Centres. As a subsidised service, it will rely on federal funding to 2030; if parliamentary approval is not granted, the train will not run and SBB will refund any tickets already purchased.
Timetable, route and onboard offer
The night train will depart Basel SBB at 17:35 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, arriving in Malmö at 09:35 the following morning. Trains from Malmö will leave on Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays at 18:57 and arrive in Basel SBB at 11:30. The connection will run year-round in both directions, providing a consistent overnight option for travellers between central Europe and southern Scandinavia.
Planned intermediate stops include Freiburg (Breisgau) Hbf, Karlsruhe Hbf, Mannheim Hbf, Frankfurt (Main) Süd, Hamburg Hbf, Padborg, Kolding, Odense, Høje Taastrup and Københavns Lufthavn. Due to timing constraints the train is not scheduled to stop at Copenhagen Central; the Danish capital remains a short S-Bahn ride from Høje Taastrup or the airport. The route covers approximately 1 400 km across Switzerland, Germany and Denmark before crossing to Sweden.
The EuroNight will offer sleeping, couchette and seated accommodation for around 350 passengers, including a wheelchair-accessible compartment. A bistro service is planned between Basel and Padborg. The configuration aims to balance comfort, capacity and price points for overnight travel across multiple markets.
Sales, pricing and funding
Tickets are expected to go on sale from 4 November 2025. SBB indicates that prices will be comparable to other Swiss night train services and will vary by comfort class, refund conditions and train occupancy. Distribution will be through the SBB Mobile app, the sbb.ch website and SBB Travel Centres, aligning with existing purchase channels for international services.
The project is supported by the Swiss Confederation under the CO₂ Act as a measure to promote climate-friendly mobility. Despite strong customer interest in night trains across Europe, such services remain cost-intensive due to rolling stock, track access and personnel expenses. Federal support is envisaged at around CHF 47 million through 2030. The budgets are subject to parliamentary approval; without the allocated funding, the service cannot commence. In that case, SBB will notify customers and provide refunds for any tickets already purchased.
Operationally, SBB will run the train in cooperation with RDC Deutschland, a private railway company with experience in international night train services. The partnership is intended to leverage operational know-how and ensure stable performance as the route beds in during its first full year.
The overnight schedule targets convenience for long-distance travellers: early evening departures enable boarding after work, while morning arrivals in Malmö and Basel provide same-day onward connections. The Copenhagen area remains accessible via short S-Bahn transfers from Høje Taastrup or the airport stop, maintaining practical access to the Danish capital within the timetable envelope.
As the only direct rail link between Switzerland and Scandinavia, the EuroNight is positioned to support tourism and business travel while shifting trips from short-haul flights to rail. Malmö provides access to wider Scandinavian destinations, with Stockholm and Göteborg reachable from the Swedish hub. For Switzerland, the service complements existing international night routes and extends the country’s long-distance rail reach to northern Europe.
The combination of tri-weekly frequency, mixed accommodation types and a year-round timetable reflects a measured ramp-up that matches demand trends while balancing operating costs. The bistro and accessible facilities add to the offer for a broad customer base, from leisure travellers and families to budget-conscious passengers and those seeking private sleeping compartments.
Looking ahead, the key dependencies for launch are the planned ticketing start on 4 November 2025 and the Swiss Parliament’s approval of the multi-year budget framework. SBB indicates that, should the funding be confirmed, the new EuroNight will begin on 15 April 2026 and operate continuously through the year. If the funding is not approved, SBB will cancel the service and process refunds.
With clear schedules, defined stops and an established operating partnership, the EuroNight Basel–Copenhagen/Malmö connection is structured to deliver a straightforward overnight option to Scandinavia. Its success will hinge on stable occupancy, disciplined operating costs and the continuation of public support designed to accelerate modal shift to lower-emission travel.
Photo credit: © SBB CFF FFS
