RDC takes over Stockholm–Berlin EuroNight
RDC Deutschland takes over operation of the EuroNight between Stockholm, Hamburg and Berlin today, 1 September, following the end of SJ's four-year involvement with the service. The final SJ train departed Stockholm on 31 August.
The change of operator should be relatively seamless for passengers. RDC has been SJ's partner on the service since its introduction in 2022, operating the train on the German section, and already owns the rolling stock. The same fleet of sleeper, couchette and seated cars will continue in service under the RDC EuroNight brand.
The service will operate three times a week between Stockholm and Hamburg in each direction, with two of the three services extended to Berlin. From Stockholm, trains depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. From Berlin, services depart on Mondays and Fridays, with the third weekly service starting or ending at Hamburg.
SJ began operating the year-round Stockholm–Hamburg night train in September 2022, extending it to Berlin in March 2023. The service was supported by funding from the Swedish Transport Administration, but that funding is now ending.
Despite repeated disruption from engineering works and diversions in Sweden, Denmark and Germany, demand has remained strong. SJ reported that its sleeper cars were almost fully booked for much of summer 2026.
RDC has now chosen to continue the service commercially. The company's existing involvement in the operation and ownership of the coaches means that the change can take place without a change of fleet.
The RDC EuroNight will operate alongside Snälltåget's separate Stockholm–Berlin night train, which will also continue to operate commercially.
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Image: ID 15980133 © Swinnerrr. Dreamstime.com
