Even before its planned launch in April 2026, the Basel-Copenhagen-Malmö night train is under threat due to the possible cancellation of subsidies by the Swiss Federal Parliament. Back-on-Track Switzerland wants to save this future service

Switzerland’s revised CO2 Act stipulates how the “proceeds from the auctioning of emission allowances for aircraft” are to be used: firstly, “for measures to promote cross-border long-distance passenger transport by rail, in particular for the promotion of night trains”. 

And secondly, “for measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in air transport, in particular for the development and production of renewable synthetic aviation fuels”.

30 million francs

A maximum of 30 million Swiss francs per year is earmarked for night train connections. Last year, with the aim of making savings, the Federal Parliament already cut the budget by CHF 20 million from the CHF 30 million that had been earmarked to ensure the promotion of international rail transport from 2025 to 2030. 

The wording of the law does not allow these reduced funds to be returned to the general federal budget, meaning that the 20 million Swiss francs are automatically allocated to air transport.

On 12 November 2025, the Finance Committee of the Council of States proposed a further cut of 10 million, which would mean that the night train from Basel to Malmö in Sweden would not be able to start in April 2026, as according to the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS), funding is not guaranteed. ​​The Federal Parliament will decide on the fate of the night train during its winter session from 1 to 19 December 2025.

Save the night train

A coalition of transport policy organisations, including the Swiss Public Transport Interest Group (IGöV), the Swiss Transport Club (VCS), the environmental organisation umverkehR / actif-trafiC, the Swiss Public Transport Association (VöV), the association representing the interests of public transport customers in Switzerland (Pro Bahn Schweiz), the Coalition for Air Transport, Environment and Health (KLUG / CESAR) and Back-on-Track Switzerland, is therefore appealing to the members of the Swiss Parliament to grant the federal subsidy for this night train after all. This is the only way to ensure the future-oriented and climate-friendly development of international passenger transport.

The signatures will be handed over to the Federal Parliament on 2 December 2025.

Basel to Copenhagen to Malmö

In cooperation with RDC Germany, SBB CFF FFS plans to operate a EuroNight connection from Basel SBB via Copenhagen in Denmark to Malmö from 15 April 2026. Three weekly journeys per direction are planned.

The EuroNight offers space for around 350 passengers in sleeper, couchette and seating carriages, including a barrier-free compartment. A bistro is also available for travellers between Basel and Padborg. Stopovers include Basel Bad Bf, Freiburg (Breisgau) Hbf, Karlsruhe Hbf, Mannheim Hbf, Frankfurt (Main) Süd, Hamburg Hbf, Padborg, Kolding, Odense, Hoeje Taastrup and Copenhagen Airport. A stop at Copenhagen Central Station is not planned due to time constraints, but the Danish capital can be reached from Hoeje Taastrup or Kobenhavns Lufthavn in around 15 minutes by S-Bahn.

The budgets still have to be approved by parliament – if this is not the case, the night train would not be able to run. In this case, SBB CFF FDS would inform customers in good time and refund tickets that have already been booked.

The approach taken by Swiss Federal Railways is the result of close consultation with the Federal Office of Transport (BAV). The reason for the early start of sales lies in an official commitment as a basis for business: the BAV has classified the connection as eligible for funding, as international night trains cannot be operated economically without federal subsidies.

This commitment gave SBB CFF FFS the necessary planning security to anchor the connection for the new Basel–Malmö night train in the timetable and to start ticket sales early as usual.

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