Swiss Federal Railways and RDC Deutschland Launch EuroNight Service Connecting Basel, Copenhagen and Malmö in April, Boosting Regional Tourism Growth

Published on November 22, 2025

A new era for European night trains is just around the corner, as Swiss Federal Railways and RDC Deutschland prepare to launch their new EuroNight service, which will link Basel with Copenhagen and Malmö from April 15, 2026. This three-times-a-week service will offer passengers a smooth, comfortable, and scenic overnight route right across Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden. More than just an alternative mode of travel to flying, the new EuroNight train is poised to drive tourism growth across the four countries, offering travelers a more environmentally friendly and convenient option for long-distance travel.

A Boost for Regional Tourism and Cross-Border Travel

The introduction of the EuroNight service will provide a significant tourism boost for Basel, Copenhagen, and Malmö, cities that will benefit from increased cross-border tourism as travelers can now explore multiple countries on a single, comfortable overnight journey. The service will connect major tourism hubs across Europe, strengthening the tourism network between Central Europe and Scandinavia.

For Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden, the service represents a unique opportunity to increase tourist mobility and encourage travelers to visit multiple destinations in one trip. This interconnectedness fosters greater tourism collaboration and lays the groundwork for regional tourism initiatives that promote the countries’ rich cultural and natural attractions.

Comfort, Accessibility, and Sustainability for Travelers

The EuroNight service offers multiple travel options, including sleeping cars, couchettes, and classic seated coaches, accommodating 350 passengers. An accessible compartment will be available for those with reduced mobility, ensuring inclusivity. A dining car between Basel and Padborg will offer passengers a chance to enjoy meals on their way to scenic destinations, enhancing the overall travel experience.

From a tourism impact perspective, these upgraded facilities and the added comfort of night travel make it an appealing option for both tourists and business travelers. The accessibility and multi-tiered options will attract a broader range of visitors, including eco-conscious travelers, who are seeking sustainable alternatives to air travel, while also providing travelers with a more relaxing, overnight way to get from city to city.

Promoting Sustainable Tourism: A Greener Travel Option

In addition to offering convenient and comfortable travel, the EuroNight service promotes sustainable tourism by providing an eco-friendly alternative to air travel. Air travel is a major contributor to carbon emissions, and the new night train offers a greener alternative for travelers who want to reduce their environmental footprint while exploring Europe. As tourism continues to grow, travelers are increasingly aware of their environmental impact, making train travel—especially overnight trains—an attractive option for those seeking sustainable travel experiences.

The train service not only reduces carbon emissions but also encourages slow travel, where tourists can enjoy the journey as part of their travel experience, rather than just the destination. This aligns with growing global trends toward eco-tourism and responsible travel, which are becoming increasingly important to modern travelers, especially younger generations.

Financial Support for Long-Term Sustainability

The Swiss Confederation has committed approximately 47 million Swiss francs through 2030 under the CO₂ Act to ensure the service’s financial sustainability, providing crucial backing for the night train’s operation. This funding helps cover operational costs, ensuring that the service remains viable even as it establishes itself in the market. Without this financial support, the service would face potential cancellations. This public-private partnership highlights the growing role of government support in promoting sustainable tourism and green transportation options.

Enhancing Local Economies Through Increased Visitor Traffic

The EuroNight service will undoubtedly have a positive impact on local economies across the cities and regions it connects. With more affordable and convenient travel between major European cities, there is likely to be an increase in tourism-related spending on local accommodation, restaurants, retail, and tourism activities. For Basel, Copenhagen, and Malmö, the service will bring an influx of visitors who will explore not only these cities but also surrounding areas. By promoting multi-country travel, the EuroNight will drive more regional tourism, increasing the economic benefits for the wider areas surrounding each destination.

Local tourism stakeholders, including hotels, tour operators, and local businesses, will benefit from the increased footfall, helping create a more robust tourism ecosystem. This will also open up new opportunities for cross-promotion between neighboring tourism destinations, further enhancing the region’s attractiveness to international travelers.

Expanding the Night Train Network Across Europe

The Basel-Copenhagen-Malmö EuroNight service is just the beginning of what could be a wider push to revitalize night trains across Europe. As demand for sustainable travel grows, the success of this service could pave the way for more overnight train routes, linking more cities and creating seamless travel between countries. This would be a significant step in the European Union’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from transport while providing travelers with affordable, convenient, and enjoyable travel options.

A revitalized network of European night trains could transform how tourists travel across the continent, shifting away from short-haul flights toward more sustainable and comfortable rail travel options. The expansion of this network would further enhance Europe’s attractiveness as a destination for eco-conscious travelers and support the continent’s goal of becoming a leader in green tourism.

A Promising Future for European Night Trains and Tourism Growth

This new EuroNight service will connect Basel with Copenhagen and Malmö, thus creating an exciting advance in European tourism development with comfortable, sustainable travel at reasonable prices. The new service would mark a decision to improve regional connections and to offer a greener alternative to flying, thus positioning the service as an important part of Europe’s future in tourism.

As international travelers increasingly look toward greener alternatives and more immersive cultural experiences, EuroNight will meet those needs and contribute to the local economy, strengthening tourism growth on the continent. If this is successful, it will trigger further investments into night train services and consolidate rail travel’s position as part of Europe’s sustainable tourism strategy.