Train travel is back with a vengeance in Europe now that multiple railway routes are being revitalized, and slowly but surely, people are waking up to the reality that, more often than not, trains are the safest, most reliable alternative to low-cost flying in the continent.
If you’ve ever been left at the mercy of Ryanair, Eurowings, or Volotea staff after a cancelation, you know exactly what we’re talking about.
Fortunately, you no longer need to travel Europe by plane unless you absolutely have to, with new medium to long-distance train routes launching left, right and center, and most importantly, costing only a small fraction of what they used to before.
One of Europe’s most exciting new offers is this high-speed overnight train connecting as many as 6 cities (in 3 different countries) and traveling the length of Scandinavia, all the way down to Germany, from only $48:
Welcome Aboard The SJ EuroNight!
Departing Sweden in the evening, crossing Denmark, and arriving in Germany the next morning, the SJ’s EuroNight is a popular alternative to flying for those who like to commute scenically between the three Northerly countries.
Offered by Sweden’s national railway company, the EuroNight leaves Stockholm Central at 5:34 pm, calling at its Berlin Central terminus at 10:28 am the following day.
It covers the 918 miles separating the Swedish and German capitals in 13h44.
On the reverse route, trains leave Berlin earlier at 3:54 pm, reaching Stockholm at 10:23 am, 18h29 later–significantly longer than the outbound journey, but considering the level of comfort and all the beautiful stops along the way, it’s not like we’re in a rush to get from one end of the line to the other.
What Destinations Are Served On The EuroNight?
As the train whooshes past scenic countrysides and quaint lake areas dotted with farms and cottages, the EuroNight includes stops in as many as 12 cities and towns in Sweden, Denmark, and Germany, as listed below:
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Norrköping, Sweden
- Linköping, Sweden
- Nässjö, Sweden
- Alvesta, Sweden
- Hässleholm, Sweden
- Lund, Sweden
- Malmö, Sweden
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Odense, Denmark
- Hamburg, Germany
- Berlin, Germany
Out of the municipalities served above, there are 6 particular destinations that particularly stand out:
Stockholm, Sweden
One of Europe’s cultural capitals and most charming cities, Stockholm is built across 14 islands on the Baltic Sea, with the most central of them, Gamla Stan, hosting an ocher-colored Old Town dating back to the 13th century.
Other noteworthy attractions in town include the Royal Palace, the formal residence of the Swedish royal family; Skansen, a folk park and open-air museum depicting life as it was in rural Scandinavia in the 19th century, and the Stockholm Metro:
A hidden gem of sorts, the city’s vast underground transportation system is famous for its reality-bending design, with stations that look as if they’ve been plucked out of a dystopian Sci-Fi film or purely made out of boiling lava––either way, it is a must-see.
Malmö, Sweden
As the train pulls up to Malmö, you’ll be greeted by a modern, skyscraper-dotted harbor front, a medieval-era historic center full of half-timbered houses, laid-back cafes, and quirky exhibits like the Disgusting Food Museum.
If you’re not exactly thrilled about sampling mealworms or June beetles, we suggest you stick instead to a more conventional cultural activity, such as exploring Malmö Castle, a striking red-brick 16th-century fort, or the innovative Technology & Maritime Museum.
On your way out of Malmö, as you cross to the next stop, you will want to keep your eyes on the road as you’ll be crossing Øresund Bridge, perhaps the most fascinating feat of engineering in Sweden: spanning the sea between both countries, this is the famous bridge that ‘disappears’ underwater.
Copenhagen, Denmark
The capital of Denmark, Copenhagen is best known for its rich Viking History––the Danes were once one of the most feared, war-waging adventurers in the Middle Ages––picturesque Nyhavn, a bright waterfront lined with vividly-colored houses and stately palaces.
Between Frederiksstaden, an 18th-century district oozing rococo charm, Christiansborg, home to the namesake palace, and Renaissance-era Rosenborg, where the Crown Jewels of Denmark are on display, the cultural offer is limitless.
Copenhagen doesn’t have Sweden’s otherworldly metro stations, but if you’re looking for something unique to fill your hours in between attractions, head over to Cisternerne.
A contemporary art gallery housed in an abandoned water cistern, it’s one of the coolest–literally and figuratively–spots in town.
Odense, Denmark
An often-overlooked cultural gem of Denmark, Odense is the largest city on the island of Funen, and seeing it is only a short 1h10-ride from Copenhagen with the SJ EuroNight train, there’s no excuse to pay it dust any longer:
Other than the obvious appeal of its compact Old Town, where modern structures are intermingled with far-older, medieval houses, Odense prides itself in being the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, author of fairytales like The Little Mermaid and The Princess and the Pea.
You will not find a Little Mermaid sculpture in Odense like the one in Copenhagen, but you can instead visit Funen Village, a recreation of a Danish settlement as in Andersen’s day, or delve deeper into the author’s life in H. C. Andersen’s House.
Hamburg, Germany
Over in Germany, the first stop is Hamburg, a Northerly port traversed by a fast-flowing Elbe River, emptying into the North Sea, and crisscrossed by numerous navigable canals––like in Venice, except it has far wider parklands and a more modern outlook.
Like every other major German city, Hamburg suffered tremendous damage during the War years.
Many of its cultural sites were either destroyed or severely damaged, but that’s not to say there aren’t any left: for starters, the Altstadt district is dominated by an 18th-century St Michael’s Church.
We’re not entirely sure hamburgers originated in Hamburg––and there’s clearly some controversy relating to this matter––but seeing you’re probably thinking about it, for the best, meatiest, tastiest artisanal burger in town, make sure Otto’s Burger in Schanzenstrasse is on your list.
Berlin, Germany
Where to even start with Berlin? The terminus of the Euronight, the German capital is ever-changing.
It has gone from its turbulent past as a microcosm for the East-West, capitalism vs. communism divide, to a vibrant metropolis where anything and everything’s possible.
Whether it’s interactive museums depicting life in the socialist era––the DDR Museum is a must!––the war leftovers, bustling flea markets straddling the banks of the Spree River, or just the absolute debauchery of its nightlife, this is Europe without constraints and at its most edgy.
And you know what they say… when visiting a country, do as the locals do: if you have no reservations about baring it all in public, one of the best spots to swim au naturel amid the lush greenery (when it’s sunny and warm out, that is) is Teufelsee––the aptly-titled Devil’s Lake.
What Seating Categories Are There On The EuroNight?
There are 4 seating categories:
- Seating compartment (2nd class)
- Couchette (2nd class)
- Sleeping compartment (2nd class)
- Sleeping compartment (1st class)
The cheapest tickets are for the ‘seating’ category, and as attractive as prices may be, starting from only $48, we wouldn’t exactly recommend if you’re traveling from Stockholm all the way to Berlin: it can be quite uncomfortable to sit up straight for nearly 14 hours.
In that case, the most comfortable and cheapest alternative is a berth in a couchette for six people: it includes a pillow, pillowcase, sheets and blanket, and WC access is provided per carriage; there are women-only carriages as well.
Couchette tickets start from $143, the equivalent to an overnight in a modest hotel in either Stockholm or Copenhagen, except if you’re traveling by train, you’re essentially combining the cost of both accommodation and transportation into a single purchase.
Amazing, right?
For a private, first-class sleeping arrangement, tickets start selling from $260.63, with each private compartment providing a made bed, access to shower, an in-built sink, a toilet, and an exceptional breakfast.
Book your SJ EuroNight tickets and start planning your multi-country journey here.
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