Swedish Railways (SJ) has modernized most of its sleeper car fleet. The coaches meet the International Coach Regulations (RIC) standards, which allow passenger coaches to be used for international services within Europe. Climate-conscious travelers are now taking advantage of the night-train revival to comfortably get around all of Europe without having to fly. Sleeper trains are back on track in Scandinavia.
SJ Group (Swedish Railway) is a public company with a workforce of 5,400 which operates the majority of Sweden’s rail network, connecting Stockholm with the other Scandinavian capitals, Copenhagen and Oslo. Providing transport to in excess of 150,000 passengers daily, the company is renowned for its highly efficient and environmentally friendly services. This is evidenced by SJ being named Sweden’s most sustainable brand and the country’s best transport company, as well as Europe’s leading digital transport company.
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Related: Norwegian Railway Heralded as a Wonder of the World
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On 1 September 2022, a comfortable EuroNight sleeper train started linking Hamburg with Stockholm every night. Procured by the Swedish government to improve rail links between western Europe, the train is run by SJ. It was extended to/from Berlin over the summer in 2023, this proved so popular that SJ have decided to run it from Berlin via Hamburg to Stockholm all year round. The train often leaves fully booked, especially in sleepers!
The Swedish – German overnight market is growing. More than 120,000 passengers have travelled on its Stockholm – Malmö – Copenhagen – Hamburg – Berlin service since it was launched on June 27 2021, a 500% increase compared with the Malmö – Berlin service it replaced.
How does dinner overlooking Hamburg’s harbor or a rooftop dinner at the Käfer Restaurant Reichstag in Berlin, followed by a good night’s sleep and then waking up in the world capital of architecture 2023, Copenhagen, ready to seize the day sound?
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Related: The Swedish Inland Railway
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Night trains of Norway (Nattoget) are night sleeping car services on four domestic routes: Oslo – Bergen, Oslo – Stavanger, Oslo – Trondheim and Trondheim – Bodø (The Nordland Line). All services are provided using WLAB-2 sleeping cars. All night trains offer both sleeper cars with closed apartments with one or two beds in addition to regular sitting cars with individual seats in an open configuration.
If you want to go by train in Europe, check out Trainline.
Scandinavian night trains are an example of how railway companies in small countries can make a difference. Scandinavia can be a role model for other countries to follow. All aboard!
Sleeper Trains Back on Track in Scandinavia, written by Tor Kjolberg
Feature image (on top): © Night train Denmark, Hugh Llewelyn/Wikipedia