Planned Night Train Service by SBB through Rhine Valley Railway Heads to Malmö, Sweden; Set to Start in Basel
In exciting news for rail travelers, the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) has announced plans for a new night train service from Switzerland to Sweden, set to commence in spring 2026. The train will travel from Basel to Malmö, with potential stops in Copenhagen and Malmo. However, as of mid-2025, Karlsruhe and Baden-Baden in Germany are not confirmed stops on this route.
The Swiss Federal Office of Transport (FOT) has provided funding of 1.2 million Swiss francs for the preparatory work on this Basel–Copenhagen–Malmö night train service. The current official plans focus on this route, with no detailed sources mentioning Karlsruhe or Baden-Baden as stops.
Passengers boarding at 00:29 in these German cities could potentially still benefit from the new train service, as the night train from Zurich to Hamburg, currently operated by SBB and Austrian Railways (OBB), has stops in Freiburg, Offenburg, Baden-Baden, and Karlsruhe.
SBB has stated that they cannot provide any further details about the planned stops at this time due to ongoing work. They have also emphasised that financial support from the federal government is necessary for the operation of the new night train.
The new Nightjet train will depart and arrive in Basel, Switzerland. The southern part of the route is likely to pass through the Rhine Valley, including cities such as Freiburg, Baden-Baden, and Karlsruhe. The exact route of the new Nightjet train has not been disclosed by SBB, leaving some uncertainty for potential passengers from the Baden region.
Starting next spring, rail travelers will have the opportunity to enjoy an overnight train journey from Switzerland to Sweden, with stops in Copenhagen and Malmo. While Karlsruhe and Baden-Baden are not yet confirmed stops, the new service could still offer a convenient and eco-friendly travel option for those looking to explore Scandinavia.
[1] Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), "Nightjet: Switzerland's new night train from spring 2026" (Accessed 15 June 2025)
- The potential existence of a stop in Karlsruhe or Baden-Baden for the new night train service from Basel to Malmö is still uncertain, though passengers from these cities might find benefit in the existing night train service between Zurich and Hamburg.
- In addition to the planned Basel–Copenhagen–Malmö route, the Nightjet train may pass through other industries such as the automotive industry in cities like Freiburg, Baden-Baden, and Karlsruhe during its journey southwards.
- Financial backing from the public-transit sector, including support from the Swiss government, is essential for the operation of this new night train service, as well as ongoing night trains connecting Switzerland to other European countries such as Germany and Austria.
