Norway to Launch Direct Oslo–Berlin Train From Summer 2028

Norway is poised to join the heart of Europe’s rail network as a new direct service from Oslo to Copenhagen, Hamburg, and Berlin is scheduled to begin in summer 2028, creating a one-seat journey across four countries and signaling a new chapter for long-distance train travel in Northern Europe.

A Four-Country Rail Corridor Without Transfers

Publicly available information from Scandinavian and German rail operators shows that the forthcoming Oslo–Berlin service will run via Sweden and Denmark, allowing passengers to travel from Norway’s capital to the German capital without changing trains. The route is expected to cover roughly 1,500 kilometers and to include key intermediate stops such as Gothenburg and Malmö in Sweden, Copenhagen and Odense in Denmark, and Hamburg in northern Germany.

The initiative is described in published coverage as a joint project between Norwegian operator Vy, Danish state railway DSB, and Germany’s Deutsche Bahn. The partners plan to operate a long-distance train that effectively stitches together existing high-demand corridors into a single continuous service, bringing back a level of cross-border connectivity that has been largely absent in Scandinavia for more than two decades.

Reports indicate that the launch will also restore a direct passenger rail link between Norway and Denmark, which disappeared from timetables in 2004 when the previous joint venture Linx was discontinued. For travelers, the new train will simplify journeys that currently involve at least one, and often several, transfers between different national operators and rolling stock types.

Timetables and frequency for the new connection have not yet been fully detailed, but early information points to a regular, year-round service rather than a limited seasonal operation. That approach would place the Oslo–Berlin train among Europe’s longer intercity services and give both leisure and business travelers a predictable alternative to regional flights.

Strategic Timing Amid Europe’s Rail Renaissance

The 2028 start date positions the new train within a broader resurgence of cross-border rail in Europe. In recent years, multiple operators have revived or expanded night trains and long-distance daytime services linking cities such as Stockholm, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Vienna, Zurich, and Amsterdam. The Oslo–Berlin line adds a missing Scandinavian link to this lattice of routes and responds to growing demand for lower-carbon travel options.

Environmental organizations and rail advocacy groups have repeatedly highlighted Oslo as one of the few neighboring European capitals without a robust direct rail connection to the continent. Analyses published by campaign groups have pointed to this lack of connectivity as a factor nudging travelers toward short- and medium-haul flights between Scandinavia and central Europe. By offering a seamless, single-seat route across four countries, the new service is expected to shift at least a portion of that demand back to the rails.

The planned opening also comes ahead of major infrastructure upgrades further south, including the Fehmarnbelt fixed link between Denmark and Germany, which is scheduled to significantly shorten travel times later in the decade. While the Oslo–Berlin train will initially rely on existing bridge and tunnel infrastructure, its presence in the timetable should leave it well placed to benefit from future improvements in capacity and line speed on the key Hamburg–Copenhagen corridor.

In the context of European Union climate and transport goals, the connection offers a tangible example of rail’s role in replacing short-haul aviation on routes where practical, direct services can be provided. Even though Norway is not an EU member, the project aligns closely with broader European policy discussions about interoperable rail infrastructure, through-ticketing, and customer-friendly cross-border services.

What Travelers Can Expect on the Oslo–Berlin Route

While final operating details are still being refined, initial information indicates that the Oslo–Berlin train will use modern long-distance rolling stock suited to both Scandinavian and German networks. For travelers, that is expected to translate into amenities such as at-seat power, onboard catering, and a mix of seating classes aimed at both price-sensitive passengers and those seeking greater comfort on day-long journeys.

The route will offer a continuous rail journey that threads together several major urban regions. From Oslo, the train is expected to run south along Norway’s existing main line toward the Swedish border, serving Gothenburg and then Malmö. After crossing the Øresund between Malmö and Copenhagen via bridge, artificial island, and tunnel, the service will continue across Denmark and into Germany, with Hamburg as the final major stop before Berlin.

Travel time estimates vary depending on final pathing and border procedures, but current press material suggests a total journey of around 15 to 17 hours between the two capitals. That would position the service as a serious alternative to flying for travelers willing to trade speed for lower emissions, city-center arrivals, and the possibility of combining overnight segments with daytime sightseeing stops in intermediate cities.

Capacity and reservation policies will be closely watched, given that existing Hamburg–Copenhagen services can be heavily booked during peak periods. Analysts expect that the Oslo–Berlin train will operate with compulsory reservations for at least part of the route, particularly across the most congested international sections, in order to manage demand and ensure that long-distance travelers can secure seats for the entire journey.

Economic and Tourism Impacts Across Scandinavia and Germany

Tourism boards and city marketing agencies across the four countries are already highlighting the potential of the new link to stimulate multi-destination travel itineraries. A single-seat route from Oslo to Berlin via Gothenburg, Copenhagen, and Hamburg makes it notably easier for visitors to string together several Scandinavian and German cities in one trip without navigating complex ticketing or last-minute transfers.

Published commentary notes that smaller intermediate hubs, including Odense in Denmark and regional cities in southern Sweden, stand to benefit from increased visibility and footfall as part of an iconic north–south train line. Hotels, cultural attractions, and conference venues along the corridor may see new opportunities as travelers gravitate toward rail-based tours and business trips.

From a trade and labor-mobility perspective, the service will complement existing aviation and ferry links rather than replace them outright. However, by adding another reliable mode across borders, the Oslo–Berlin train could help diversify transport options for cross-border workers, students, and professionals commuting between Scandinavia and Germany for extended stays.

Rail policy observers also point to potential knock-on effects for ticketing and digital booking platforms. A high-profile, four-country service is likely to encourage further development of integrated reservation systems that allow passengers to buy end-to-end tickets across multiple operators, reducing one of the key barriers that has long complicated international rail travel in Europe.

A Symbol of Closer Nordic–Central European Ties

Beyond the practicalities of timetables and rolling stock, the new train has quickly become a symbol of closer ties between the Nordics and central Europe. The joint project by Vy, DSB, and Deutsche Bahn is being presented in public materials as a collaborative effort that no single operator could have realized alone, underscoring the importance of cross-border coordination in modern rail planning.

The Oslo–Berlin line also arrives at a moment when many European travelers are reconsidering how they move around the continent, weighing climate concerns and airport congestion against the appeal of slower, more scenic journeys. A direct train that connects fjord landscapes, Scandinavian coastal cities, and some of Germany’s largest urban centers in one continuous route taps directly into that shifting mindset.

As preparations progress toward the summer 2028 launch, infrastructure works, rolling-stock allocation, and regulatory approvals will determine the exact contours of the new service. For now, the announcement alone marks a notable milestone: Norway’s capital is finally set to gain a direct rail lifeline to the European mainland’s high-density network, offering a preview of what a more integrated, transfer-free future for European train travel could look like.