The Berlin–Hamburg–Stockholm night train connects Germany, Denmark and Sweden overnight. It is especially practical because you can board in Berlin or Hamburg in the evening and arrive the next day in Copenhagen, Malmö or Stockholm — or travel the other way round. The connection will continue from September 2026 and is planned to link Berlin and Hamburg with Stockholm three times a week via Copenhagen.
On board, there are three basic travel categories: seating car, couchette car and sleeping car. This makes the train suitable both for budget-conscious travellers and for those who really want to sleep overnight. The seating car is the lowest-priced option, the couchette car offers a lying-down journey with good value for money, and the sleeping car is the most comfortable category.
Comfort & classes
On the Berlin–Hamburg–Stockholm night train, there are seating cars, couchette cars and sleeping cars. The seating car is the simplest and lowest-priced category. It offers seats in an open saloon or compartment, access to toilets and power sockets. For a long overnight journey, however, it is only moderately comfortable.
The couchette car is the good middle category. Here you travel lying down. A compartment can be occupied by up to six people. You can book an individual berth in a shared compartment or a private couchette compartment. Bedding is provided, and washrooms are located in the car.
In the sleeping car, you travel in a real bed. Second class offers compartments with two beds, a washbasin in the compartment and WC in the corridor. First class offers a private compartment with up to three beds, a private bathroom with shower and WC, and breakfast served in the compartment.
Tickets & notes
Tickets are sold online. For journeys from September 2026, the official website gives 27 May 2026 as the start of sales; journeys until the end of August 2026 will continue to be sold through the previous booking channel. For the new offer, tickets are listed from EUR 40 per journey.
Sleeping cars and private couchette compartments in particular should be booked early. Demand on the route between Germany and Sweden is often high, especially before holidays, at weekends and during the summer season. If you really want to sleep, you should not wait too long, because seating cars usually remain available longer than sleeping cars.
When booking, it is important to pay close attention to the category: seat, individual berth in the couchette car, private couchette compartment, second-class sleeping car or first-class sleeping car. For Interrail, a paid reservation is required; the pass does not replace the full booking for the desired comfort category.
Travel tips
Pack a small bag separately for the night: toothbrush, sleepwear, earplugs, water bottle, charging cable, medication and everything you need directly in the morning. You can then stow your large luggage and do not have to move it again during the night.
If you travel with connecting trains, do not plan too tightly. Officially, it is recommended to allow at least two hours between connections. That makes sense because international night trains can be delayed by border crossings, construction work or shunting procedures.
For the long route to Sweden, a lying-down category is worthwhile. The seating car is cheap, but tiring for a whole night. The couchette car is a good compromise, while the sleeping car is the best choice for rest.
Food & drinks on board
The food and drink offer depends on the section of the route. Within Sweden, there is an onboard bistro with hot meals, salads, sandwiches, snacks and drinks. On other sections, a mini kiosk with a small selection of food, snacks and hot and cold drinks is available.
Breakfast is included in the sleeping car. In first class, it is served in the compartment. In second class, breakfast is also included; depending on the journey, it is served in the bistro or collected from the onboard kiosk. In the couchette car and seating car, breakfast is not automatically included, but it may be possible to reserve it in advance depending on availability.
You may generally bring your own food and drinks. One important restriction concerns alcohol: alcoholic drinks brought on board are not treated like ordinary food and drinks. The onboard rules apply here and state that drinking your own alcohol is not allowed.
WiFi on board
There is no Wi-Fi available on the Berlin–Hamburg–Stockholm night train. It is therefore useful to download films, series, music, maps and important travel documents before the journey.
Power sockets are generally available in the compartments, and the seating car also has electrical sockets. However, a continuous power supply throughout the night cannot be guaranteed, because cars may temporarily be disconnected from the locomotive supplying power during shunting operations. If you depend on power, you should definitely bring a power bank.
Bicycle transport
A regular bicycle cannot simply be placed on the train as a bicycle. To take one with you, an additional bed in a couchette or sleeping car must be booked. The bicycle must be folded and packed in a bicycle bag. The maximum dimensions are given as 140 × 85 × 30 cm; the maximum weight including bicycle and bag is 25 kg.
This is important: this rule is much stricter than on many daytime trains. If you want to travel with a bicycle, you should check carefully before booking whether the packing, weight and additional space are realistic.
Pets
Pets are generally possible, but there are clear conditions. Small pets such as birds, rabbits or guinea pigs must travel in a suitable, closed transport container. The container must not be larger than a normal piece of hand luggage and must remain closed during the journey.
Larger pets, especially dogs, are only possible if a private compartment in the couchette or sleeping car is booked. In this private compartment, up to two pets can be taken without an additional fee. The animals must remain on the floor during the journey and must not lie on beds or seats.
Assistance and guide dogs may be taken in all comfort categories. To provide enough space, a private compartment in the couchette or sleeping car is booked; unoccupied beds or berths are not charged additionally for this.
Car transport
Cars and motorcycles are not carried on the Berlin–Hamburg–Stockholm night train. The connection is a passenger train without vehicle transport.
If you want to travel with your own vehicle, you need to choose another solution for this route, such as a rental car at the destination.
