Go to bed in Stockholm and wake up in Berlin — yes, please! Take the night train and enjoy the night on the rails.
Both SJ and Snälltåget operate night trains to Berlin from Sweden. These trains depart from Stockholm Central Station and continue to Berlin, with stops in Malmö and Hamburg.
Snälltåget runs to Berlin from March to November with some departures over Christmas, while SJ EuroNight run the route year-round.
Travel with SJ EuroNights
SJ began operating night trains to Hamburg in autumn 2022 and will continue to Berlin in summer 2023. The night train to the German capital has been so popular that SJ will continue to run to Berlin during autumn and winter. The night train to Hamburg runs all year round.
The journey takes just over 15 hours. The night train departs from Stockholm shortly after half past four in the afternoon and arrives in Malmö at 11.30 p.m. The train arrives at Berlin Central Station at nine the next morning.
The train departs Berlin for Sweden at half past six in the evening and arrives in Stockholm just before ten the next morning. In Malmö, the train stops just before 4 a.m.
Berlin to Stockholm
Returning to Sweden, the train departs from a different station: Berlin Gesundbrunnen. It takes about eight minutes to get from the city centre to Gesundbrunnen station, located just north of the central areas.
Seat, coutchette or sleeping berth?
Different tickets are available: seats, couchettes, or sleeping berths in first or second class. The couchette compartment has six beds, the second-class sleeping compartment has two beds, and the first-class compartment has three beds. Only first-class compartments have a toilet and a shower.
SJ has larger compartments for wheelchair users near the wheelchair lift.
You can specify if you want a shared couchette with only men or women.
SJ EuroNight
Journey time: 15 hours and 15 minutes
Stockholm (5.34 p.m.), Malmö (11.21 p.m.), Hamburg (6 a.m.), Berlin (9.24 a.m.)
Berlin (6.34 p.m.), Hamburg (10.03 p.m.), Malmö (4.01 a.m.), Stockholm (9.55 a.m.)
Travel with Snälltåget
Snälltåget runs between Stockholm and Berlin from March to November. The train makes several stops along the way, including Malmö and Hamburg. Night trains also run during Christmas, but from New Year’s Eve to Easter, trains only run to Austria (perfect for Swedes and Danes wanting to go skiing).
Passengers can board in Stockholm at 4.20 p.m. and in Malmö just before 10.30 p.m. The train arrives at Berlin Central Station at quarter to nine the following morning.
From Berlin to Stockholm
The journey from Berlin starts at nine o’clock in the evening. The night train arrives in Malmö at half past seven the following morning and in Stockholm at two o’clock in the afternoon. The journey from Stockholm to Berlin takes approximately 17 hours.
With Snälltåget, you can book a seat or a berth in a shared or private compartment. Each compartment can accommodate six people. Toilets are available in every carriage. There is no first class.
According to Snälltåget, wheelchairs can be accommodated on board if there is space. It is best to contact the train company before booking your ticket to check the dimensions.
Snälltåget is a good option if you are travelling from Berlin to Malmö, as you arrive in Malmö at 8 a.m., while SJ arrives just before 4 a.m. If you are travelling to Stockholm from Berlin, SJ is a good option as it arrives in the morning, while Snälltåget gets into the Central Station in the afternoon.
Snälltåget
Journey time: 15 hours and 29 minutes
Stockholm (4.20 p.m.), Malmö (10.10 p.m.), (Hamburg (5.37 a.m.), Berlin (7.45 a.m.),*
Berlin (9.10 p.m.), Hamburg (11.59 p.m.), Malmö (7.00 a.m.), Stockholm (1.15 p.m.)
*the train goes to Dresden som Fridays
Food and drink on board
There is a small bistro on board SJ trains. The bistro opens shortly after departure from Stockholm and is open until half past midnight. In the morning, the bistro opens for breakfast at 5 a.m. You can only use the card on SJ’s night trains, not cash. If you have booked a sleeper, breakfast is included and served in your compartment.
Snälltåget also has a bistro that is open between Stockholm and Malmö. After that, you can buy coffee, water, soft drinks, wine, beer and sweets from the train attendant. You can pre-order breakfast, which you can also pick up from the staff. You can pay with cash and cards.
How much does it cost to take the night train to Berlin?
A seat is the cheapest option on both trains. The most expensive option is a first-class sleeper on SJ.
If you have an Interrail pass, you are entitled to a discount when booking the night train.
Pets and bicycles
You can bring pets if you book designated seats and a couchette. On SJ, you can book online, and with Snälltåget via their customer service.
Bicycles may only be brought on board when dismantled and packed in a bicycle bag that meets the train companies’ luggage requirements.
What to think about when going on a night train?
- Food and drink: Bring plenty of water and snacks in your luggage.
- Power bank: A power bank, an extra external battery that can charge your phone and other electronic devices, is always a good thing to have on a long journey.
- Entertainment: Pack a deck of cards (perfect for making friends with other passengers in a shared cabin), a book or download (the Wifi is not always good enough to stream), or a movie or show.
- Be a good fellow traveller: For example, unpack your luggage when you settle into your cabin, not at midnight when everyone else wants to sleep.
- Smart storage of valuables: When you sleep, keep a small bag (such as a money belt or similar) with your most important valuables, such as your passport, money, and mobile phone. This is especially important if you are sharing a cabin with others.
- Earplugs: Whether you are sharing a cabin with others or sleeping alone, pack a pair just in case of a snoring neighbour or a noisy train, which can ruin even the best dreams.
- Pyjamas: Pack a pair of comfy pyjamas, especially if you are sharing a cabin with others. But even if you have your own compartment that does not have a private toilet.
Still not convinced that Europe is best explored with trains? Read this!
Train operators: Snälltåget and SJ
Time: 15h – 17h
Carbon Footprint: 10 kg CO2/person with train, compared to 109 kg CO2/person if you are flying according to Travel & Climate