Monday, July 14, 2025

Switzerland continues to develop its international rail network, with an emphasis on sustainability and climate-friendly transport. Switzerland will fund a new night train link between Basel in Switzerland and Copenhagen in Denmark with a sum of €48 million (CHF 47 million) by 2030. This is in line with Switzerland’s long-term commitment to green mobility and the aim to provide an efficient, environmentally friendly alternative to short-haul flights for passengers.

The Basel–Copenhagen–Malmö EuroNight service is due to commence operations in April 2026 and will serve as a crucial rail connection between Switzerland and the Nordic countries. The night train is a project of SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) and will run in both directions 3 times per week and offers travellers with a sustainable and comfortable way of travelling to the European metropolises.

The Swiss Federal Office of Transport (FOT) said it will release a budget of 1.2 million Swiss francs in 2025 to cover preparatory work as part of the government’s aim to help make the service ready to roll. The fund is part of Switzerland’s wider international rail subsidy scheme that has an annual CHF 10 million (€10.3 million) budget to back climate-friendly forms of travel. It will also use CHF 47 million over the period up to 2030 but in accordance with the country’s CO₂ Act on sustainable transport.

The night train connection should contribute not only to a reduction in air travel, but also to a more attractive rail service, in which passengers can comfortably and easily travel long distances, and also protect the environment while doing so.

The new Basel-Copenhagen EuroNight is following a general trend in Europe, towards a more sustainable way of travelling. Night trains are also viewed as an effective means of replacing short-haul flights, which are often disproportionately environmentally damaging. Because it emits less carbon and is more energy-efficient, and thus offers a cleaner option for travelers concerned about their carbon footprint. Further, this will provide a restful travel experience, where people can just sleep through destinations to arrive faster instead of wasting time and money on hotel accommodation.

Night trains also provide the benefit of stable timetables, which enable passengers to plan their journey without the need to account for possible delays or security checks in the terminal. The new Basel-Copenhagen EuroNight will be a central part of Switzerland’s international rail network, linking Western Europe with the Nordic states.

The Basel-Copenhagen connection of the EuroNight will also visit Malmö in Sweden, creating a connection between three major European cities.

Basel, Switzerland:

Design mag Basel is home to the Basel Art Museum but you’ll have to visit in June to attend the star-studded Art Basel fair. The city serves as a portal to Switzerland’s picturesque Alps, drawing in tourists for culture and nature alike.

The Rhine River provides a picture-perfect backdrop while the city’s old town and Basel Minster are among the main historical attractions.

Copenhagen, Denmark:

Copenhagen is known for the Tivoli Gardens, Little Mermaid statue, and Nyhavn harbor. A trailblazing city for sustainable tourism, it’s also known for a bike-friendly infrastructure and a lively cultural scene.

Copenhagen is a gourmet mecca, famed for restaurants such as Noma, so foodies will be in their element.

Malmö, Sweden:

Malmö is a combination of contemporary architecture and old-fashioned appeal, with attractions such as Malmö Castle and St. Peter’s Church.

Set on the southern shore of Sweden, Malmö has stunning views of the Öresund Strait and is a great place to relax for a scenic moment before continuing on to Copenhagen.

As well as overnight services, Switzerland is also subsidising daytrains, including to Italy. The government has committed CHF 5 million for 2025 to support SBB’s approval of Giruno high-speed trains for operation in Italy, where they will operate at up to 250 km/h, cutting journey times between Switzerland and Italy, especially Venice and Genoa and ensuring services are more reliable and comfortable.

Additionally, the Swiss Federal Council is providing CHF 1.9 million to fund catering carriages on the Eurocity service between Zurich, Innsbruck, and Graz. These vehicles for dining cars will offer passengers on one of SBB’s longest international services a range of services, ensuring maximum comfort on the journey of around 10 hours.

Switzerland’s investment in night trains, along with high-speed rail enhancements, meshes with the country’s commitment to sustainable tourism and green travel. The long-distance and international rail links are part of a wider government push to make travel more environmentally friendly, easier and more accessible. By focusing on better service and more train service, Switzerland is giving travelers a greener alternative when it comes to exploring all points Europe.

Through the improvement of its intercity rail network, Switzerland continues its role as a leading international tourist destination and a vehicle for the sustainable future of travel. There’s the new Basel–Copenhagen EuroNight service just one case in point of how the country is pioneering climate-friendly tourism, giving travellers a comfortable, environmentally-friendly alternative to hopping on a plane.

Switzerland is a great example of sustainability and green mobility, also for other European countries but also beyond. The new night train connection from Basel to Copenhagen Swiss will soon be an important part of the European travel offer that enables passengers from Switzerland to travel in a responsible, reliable and climate-friendly way through Europe.

With an increasing number of travelers looking for ways to lower their carbon footprint as they explore the continent, services such as the EuroNight connection are likely to have an enduring appeal. The future of travel is green, and that is why Switzerland is leading with investments in their rail infrastructure for eco-friendly tourism.