Share the article
Train travel is making a comeback in Europe as several railway lines are revived and people are slowly but surely waking up to the reality that trains are more often than not the safest and most reliable alternative to cheap flights. on the continent.
If you’ve ever found yourself at the mercy of Ryanair, Eurowings or Volotea staff after a cancellation, you know. precisely what we’re talking about.
Fortunately, you don’t have to travel through Europe by plane anymore, unless you absolutely do to have to, with new train routes for medium to long distances launching left, right and centre, and most importantly, it only costs a small fraction of what they did before.
One of Europe’s most exciting new offerings is this high-speed night train connecting as many as 2,000 people 6 cities (in 3 different countries) and travels throughout Scandinavia, all the way to Germany, from just $48:
Welcome aboard the SJ EuroNight!
We leave Sweden in the evening, cross Denmark, and When the SJ arrives in Germany the next morning, the SJ’s EuroNight is a popular alternative to flying for those who would like to come alonglandscape change between the three northern countries.
The EuroNight, offered by the Swedish national railway company, leaves Stockholm Central at 5:34 PM and arrives at the Berlin Central terminus the next day at 10:28 AM.
It covers the 918 miles that separate the Swedish and German capitals in 13:44 hours.
On the reverse route, trains leave Berlin earlier at 3:54 p.m. and reach Stockholm at 10:23 a.m., 6:29 p.m. later – considerably longer than the outward journey, but given the comfort level and all the lovely stops along the way, that’s not the case. as if we are in a hurry to get from one side of the line to the other.
Which destinations are served on EuroNight?
As the train whizzes past picturesque landscapes and picturesque lake areas with farms and cottages, the EuroNight includes stops in no fewer than 12 cities and towns in Sweden, Denmark and Germany, as listed below:
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Norrkoping, Sweden
- Linköping, Sweden
- Nässjö, Sweden
- Alvesta, Sweden
- Hässleholm, Sweden
- Lund, Sweden
- Malmö, Sweden
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Odense, Denmark
- Hamburg, Germany
- Berlin, Germany
There are some of the municipalities served above 6 special destinations that particularly stand out:
Stockholm, Sweden
One of Europe’s cultural capitals and most charming cities, Stockholm is built on 14 islands in the Baltic Sea, the most central of which, Gamla Stan, plays host to a ocher-colored old town dates from the 13th century.
Other notable sights in the city include the Royal Palace, the formal residence of the Swedish royal family; Skansen, a people’s park and open-air museum that depicts life as it was in rural Scandinavia in the 19th century, and Stockholm’s metro:
The city’s massive underground transportation system is something of a hidden gem and is famous for it reality-bending designwith stations that look like they were plucked from a dystopian sci-fi movie or made purely from boiling lava – either way, it’s a must see.
Malmö, Sweden
As the train travels to Malmö, you will be greeted by a modern, skyscraper-studded harbor front, a historic center from the Middle Ages full of half-timbered houses, cozy cafés and quirky exhibitions such as the Disgusting Food Museum.
If you’re not particularly keen on sampling mealworms or June beetles, we recommend sticking to a more conventional cultural activity, such as exploring Malmö Castle, a striking 16th-century red-brick fortress, or the innovative Technology and Maritime Museum.
On the way to Malmö, as you cross to the next stop you will want to keep your eyes on the road as you may be crossing the Øresund Bridge the most fascinating piece of engineering in Sweden: over the sea between both countries, this is the famous bridge that ‘disappears’ under water.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is best known for its rich Viking history––the Danes were once among the most feared, warring adventurers of the Middle Ages––picturesque Nyhavna clear waterfront with vibrantly colored houses and stately palaces.
Between Frederiksstaden, an 18th-century district brimming with rococo charm, Christiansborg, home to the palace of the same name, and Renaissance Rosenborg, home to Denmark’s crown jewels, the cultural offering is limitless.
Copenhagen doesn’t have the alien metro stations of Sweden, but if If you’re looking for something unique to fill your hours between attractions, head to Cisternerne.
A contemporary art gallery Housed in an abandoned water reservoir, it’s one of the coolest – literally and figurativelyplaces in the city.
Odense, Denmark
An often overlooked cultural gem of Denmark, Odense is the largest city on the island of Funen, and considering it’s just a short 1 hour 10 minute ride from Copenhagen on the SJ EuroNight train, there’s no excuse more to ponder about it even longer:
Apart from the obvious appeal of its compact Old Town, where modern structures mix with much older, medieval houses, Odense prides itself on being the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersenauthor of fairy tales such as The Little Mermaid And The princess and the pea.
You won’t 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 time, or delve deeper into the author’s life at home of HC Andersen.
Hamburg, Germany
In Germany, the first stop is Hamburg, a northern port crossed by a fast-flowing Elbe River, which flows into the North Sea, and crossed by numerous navigable canals – like Venice, only it has much wider parks and a more modern view.
Like every other major German city, Hamburg suffered enormous damage during the war years.
Many of the cultural sites have been destroyed or badly damaged, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing left: for starters, the Altstadt district is dominated by an 18th-century St. Michael’s Church.
We’re not entirely sure that burgers have their origins in Hamburg – and there’s clearly some controversy surrounding this issue – but since you’re probably thinking about it, for the city’s best, meatiest, and tastiest artisan burger, make sure that Otto’s Burger in Schanzenstrasse is on your list.
Berlin, Germany
Where do you even start with Berlin? The end point of the Euronight is the German capital ever changing.
It has gone from its turbulent past as a microcosm for the divide between East and West, between capitalism and communism, to a lively metropolis where everything is and everything is possible.
Whether interactive museums depicting life in the socialist era – the GDR Museum is a must! – the remnants of war, the bustling flea markets along the banks of the River Spree, or simply the absolute debauchery of the nightlife: this is Europe without restrictions And at its sharpest.
And you know what they say… when you visit a country, do what the locals do: if you don’t mind revealing everything in public, this is one of the best places to swim by nature Amidst the lush greenery (at least when it is sunny and warm) lies the Teufelsee, the aptly named Devil’s Lake.
What seating categories are there at 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 ‘seated’ category, and as attractive as the prices are, starting from just $48, we wouldn’t exactly recommend if you’re traveling from Stockholm absolutely to Berlin: it can be quite uncomfortable to sit upright for almost 14 hours.
Then it is the most comfortable and cheapest alternative a sleeping place in a couchette for six people: it includes a pillow, pillowcase, sheets and blanket, and toilet access is provided per carriage; there are also carriages intended for women only.
Couchette tickets begin from $143the equivalent of an overnight stay in a modest hotel in Stockholm or Copenhagen, unless you travel by train, you essentially combine the costs of both accommodation and transport into a single purchase.
Great, right?
For a private, first-class sleeping arrangement, tickets start selling at $260.63where each private compartment is equipped with a made bed, access to shower, built-in sink, toilet and an exceptional breakfast.
Book your SJ EuroNight tickets and start planning your multi-country trip here.
✈️Join our Travel Off Path community forum: Where travelers come together, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel companions!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
