Plans are underway to introduce a direct night train service connecting Malmö and Copenhagen with Basel, Nordiskbil reports. The project is being developed jointly by Swiss operator SBB and Germany’s RDC. Operations could start as early as spring 2026.
The connection would establish the first direct night train service between Scandinavia and Switzerland, targeting both leisure and business passengers.
The proposal reflects a broader European trend toward night train revival. The service is expected to contribute to efforts promoting rail as a low-emission alternative to air travel. According to the European Environment Agency, emissions from trains are up to 20 times lower per passenger kilometre compared to flights.
The planned service would potentially link Malmö and Copenhagen with the Swiss rail network and existing night train services operated by SBB and other partners across Germany, Austria, Italy, and France.
Before operations can begin, the project still requires securing financing and obtaining regulatory approvals from Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. Political support at national levels may influence the timeline. The Danish Minister of Transport, Thomas Danielsen, has previously expressed general interest in expanding international rail services, although no specific comments have been made regarding the Malmö–Basel connection.
