Travelers are set to benefit from a new direct rail connection linking Berlin with the Norwegian capital Oslo starting in summer 2028. The route will run via Hamburg, the Danish capital Copenhagen, as well as Malmö and Gothenburg in Sweden, creating a major new northbound European rail link.
"We are bringing together three capital cities by rail," said Michael Peterson, Deutsche Bahn’s board member responsible for long-distance passenger transport, in comments to the Funke Mediengruppe newspapers on Saturday. Deutsche Bahn will collaborate with the national railway companies of Norway and Denmark on the direct connection.
According to Deutsche Bahn, the journey is expected to take between 14 and 15 hours. The route will span around 1,000 kilometers, making it one of the longest train connections in Europe.
Two train pairs are expected to operate daily on the line. The service will use the new ICE L trains. The Berlin–Oslo route is also one of ten pilot projects selected by the European Commission to expand cross-border rail transport.
Demand for international long-distance rail services continues to grow steadily, according to Deutsche Bahn. On some of the busiest European routes, passenger numbers have increased significantly. The number of passengers traveling between Munich and Zurich rose by 27 percent last year, while the Frankfurt am Main to Paris route saw a 22 percent increase year-on-year, the company said.
A new night train began operating on the Paris-Berlin route in March. The Belgian-Dutch company European Sleeper is initially running the train three times a week between the two capitals.
From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newsletter keeps you informed & engaged.
