German start-up Nox Mobility will launch its first night train between Hamburg in Germany and Munich in Bavaria on 23 March 2027, initially operating three times a week. The company plans to increase this to a daily service relatively quickly, Mobilithib by Thibault Lapers writes. Nox unveiled its first coach at InnoTrans in Berlin.

Its concept is aimed particularly at air travellers, with private ‘Nox Suites‘ offering a seat that folds into a bed and a door separating each suite from the corridor. The company says it wants to make overnight rail attractive to people who do not normally consider taking a night train.

Nox Mobility has secured €2 million in pre-seed funding and is using refurbished former Deutsche Bahn IC-1 coaches. The first vehicles are being converted with business-class-style seats and are undergoing certification in Germany. 

The company says there is very little suitable second-hand rolling stock available for night trains, so the design has been developed around coaches that can eventually be converted back to conventional seating if required.

The service will run from Hamburg Main Station via Bremen and Augsburg in Swabia to Munich Main Station. It will leave Hamburg at 21:22 and arrive in Munich at 08:14 the following morning; the return service will depart Munich at 21:20 and reach Hamburg at 08:27. 

Fares will start at €65 one way, with demand-based pricing. A seat-bed coach will accommodate 30 passengers. Nox says research among 140 potential customers, including business travellers, found an average willingness to pay of €136 for the service.

The company will compete with ÖBB‘s Nightjet, night-time ICE services and numerous daytime ICE trains, as well as flights operated by Lufthansa and Eurowings. Nox intends to offer a more aviation-style service, including catering at passengers’ seats, staff on board and optional hotel rooms or showers at the destination. It plans to expand to seven weekly services by spring or summer 2027 and eventually operate a much larger network of night trains.

Images on Mobilithib.

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