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2-berth sleeper. Book online at www.sj.se. |
Introducing SJ's EuroNight train
On 1 September 2022, a comfortable EuroNight sleeper train started linking Hamburg with Stockholm every night. Procured by the Swedish government to improve rail links between western Europe and the home of Flyskam (flight shame), the train is run by SJ, Swedish Railways. It was extended to/from Berlin over the summer in 2023, this proved so popular that SJ have decided to run it from Berlin via Hamburg to Stockholm all year round. The train often leaves fully-booked, especially in sleepers!
Video: Hamburg to
Stockholm, inaugural journey
Stockholm Central
station guide
Trains
from Hamburg to other European cities
Trains
& ferries from Stockholm to
other cities
Train times 2024
Berlin to Stockholm is 1,446 km (899 miles), Hamburg to Stockholm is 1,160 km (720 miles). See route map.
What's the train like?
Sleeping-cars
The train has one or sometimes two air-conditioned AB32 type sleeping-cars each with 14 standard compartments with washbasin and 2 deluxe compartments with toilet & shower. The standard compartments can be sold as single or double, the two deluxe compartments can be sold as single, double or triple. A light breakfast with tea or coffee is included, served in your compartment. Soap, towel and clean bedding are provided. For evening or morning use, the beds fold away to reveal a 2-seat sofa in the standard compartments and 3 black leather armchairs in the deluxe compartments. There's a 2-pin 240v power outlet for laptops and mobiles below the bed at the pillow end. Click the interior photos for larger images.
Couchettes
The train normally has two couchette cars with 6 berth compartments. You can book a berth in a shared compartment with other passengers, or there's a price for sole occupancy of a whole compartment. The couchettes each come with two fresh clean sheets, blanket & pillow. Complimentary cartons of drinking water are provided. There are 4 USB & 2 power outlets under the window in each compartment. The compartments convert from bunks at night to seats for morning or evening use. There are washrooms & toilets at the end of the corridor. There are no 4-berths, for sole occupancy of a 6-berth for 4 or 5 people, either pay the 'whole compartment' price or buy 6 tickets whichever is cheaper.
Seats cars
The train also has one or two seats cars with 6-seat compartments, although I don't recommend seats for an overnight journey, it's a false economy.
Travel tips
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Sleeper, couchette or just a seat?
For solo travellers on a tight budget, a couchette is fine, you get a flat bunk in a safely lockable compartment and can sleep just as well as in a sleeper. Never travel in just a seat, it's a false economy, always book a couchette or sleeper on a night train for both comfort and security.
For families, a couchette compartment is the ideal choice, you're all together in one compartment and can have a blast - bring a bottle of wine for mum & dad. Paying more for two separate 2-berth compartments in the sleeping-car probably isn't worth it (unless you've older kids and mum & dad want a break!).
There are no 4-berth couchettes on this train so for sole occupancy of a 6-berth for 4 or 5 people, either pay the 'whole compartment' price or buy 6 tickets (by adding one or two phantom children to the booking), whichever is cheaper.
But the carpeted sleeping-car has a quieter, more civilised atmosphere, you get a proper fully-made-up bed with duvet (in couchettes you get a blanket, sheet & pillow and arrange them yourself), there's a washbasin in the compartment, and a light breakfast is included. A sleeper is obviously the best option for solo travellers & couples not budget-restricted. Some families and many solo travellers prefer it - a bed in a shared 3-bed single-gender sleeper doesn't cost that much more than a bunk in a 4-berth couchette compartment.
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Berth numbering
This often confuses people! They get berths 21 & 25 and think that they aren't in the same 2-berth sleeper compartment. Of course they are! See the way sleeper & couchettes are numbered here.
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Is the overnight train safe?
Yes. In the sleeping-car or couchette cars it's comfortable and safe for families, solo females, for anyone. Compartments in the sleeping-car & couchette car lock securely. An attendant is on duty in the sleeping-car & couchette car throughout the journey, in the attendant's compartment at the end of the corridor. Seating compartments do not lock.
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Finding & boarding your train
As with virtually all European trains, there's no check-in. Just stroll into the station, find your train and get on, any time before it leaves. And yes, Hamburg Hbf is safe at night with plenty of people around. The sleeper or couchette car attendant will normally greet you on the platform just outside the car entrance door and check your reservation. He'll come round and see you soon after departure to take your ticket or pass.
Berlin Gesundbrunnen station guide. Hamburg Hbf station guide. Stockholm Central station guide.
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Luggage
You take your luggage with you into your sleeper compartment and simply stick it on the luggage racks above the window, over the door to the corridor, or on the floor. Nobody weighs it, measures it, or worries about how much you take. More about luggage on European trains.
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Power & WiFi
Each sleeper compartment has a 240v European-type 2-pin power outlet for laptops & mobiles below the bed at the pillow end. Each couchette compartment has four USB ports and two 240v European-type power outlets for laptops & mobiles under the window.
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Dinner or a beer before boarding?
See the food & drink sections of the Berlin Gesundbrunnen station guide, Hamburg Hbf station guide or Stockholm Central station guide for places to stock up for the journey or have a beer or meal before boarding the sleeper.
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Food & drink on board
There's no catering car, so feel free bring your own food & drink. However as this is a Swedish train you aren't allowed to consume your own alcohol on board. Complimentary drinking water cartons are provided for all sleeper & couchette passengers.
Beer, wine, tea, coffee and snacks can be ordered from the train staff, see the menu at www.sj.se/en/travel-info/sj-euronight.html (please let me know if this link stops working).
A breakfast box with tea or coffee can be pre-ordered from staff in the evening and served in your compartment at the time of your choosing. This is included in the sleeper fare, but available at extra cost in couchettes or seats.
Route map
How much does it cost?
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Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in a shared 6-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper.
A private couchette compartment for up to 6 people starts at €249.90.
All prices per person per bed, fares vary like air fares so book ahead.
Youths 16–26 years old get 15 % discount and seniors a 10 % discount.
Children under 15 years old have a 25 % discount. One child 0–5 years old may share a bed or seat with an adult free of charge, in which case the child does not need a ticket of their own.
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If you have a Eurail or Interrail pass you pay a sleeper or couchette passholder fare, see prices on the Interrail/Eurail reservations page.
How to buy tickets
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Book tickets at SJ's website, www.sj.se.
Booking opens several months ahead, You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
You print out your ticket and can board the train.
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Interrail & Eurail passholders can make reservations at www.sj.se, see the instructions here.
Video: Hamburg to Stockholm by sleeper
The author rode the inaugural train from Hamburg to Stockholm on 1 September 2022.