Rotterdam to Sweden by Night Train: The 2028 Route to Malmo & Stockholm
From 2028, night-train operator European Sleeper and Germany's RDC plan a new sleeper service calling at Rotterdam Centraal on its way to Copenhagen and Malmo, three nights a week. Stockholm is not a direct stop, but the onward train from Malmo takes about four and a half hours, turning a trip that needed a flight into one change of trains.
The Route at a Glance: Rotterdam to Malmo, Then On to Stockholm
| Leg | Route | Operator | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Night train | Rotterdam Centraal → Malmo Centraal | European Sleeper / RDC | Overnight, about 15 hours (departs around 19:00, arrives around 10:00) |
| Change trains | Malmo Centraal | N/A | Same station, no need to leave the building |
| 2. Onward connection | Malmo Centraal → Stockholm Central | SJ X2000 (high-speed) | About 4.5 hours |
The night train itself is announced but not yet bookable; the SJ X2000 leg is an existing, already-running service. Confirm both legs directly with the operators before booking anything.
What did European Sleeper and RDC actually announce?
On 25 August 2026, European Sleeper and the German rail operator RDC announced plans for a new night train between Brussels and Malmo, Sweden, also calling at Copenhagen, expected to start in April 2028 (source: Treinreiziger.nl, VRT NWS and Euronews, 25 August 2026). European Sleeper co-founder Chris Engelsman described it as filling "a very fundamental connection" currently missing between the Benelux and Scandinavia. There is presently no direct sleeper train between the Netherlands and Scandinavia, so this would be the first in years.
Does the train actually stop in Rotterdam?
Yes. According to the announcement, the new service is planned to follow the same route through the Netherlands as European Sleeper's existing Prague night train: Antwerp Centraal, Roosendaal, Rotterdam Centraal, The Hague HS, Amsterdam Centraal, Amersfoort and Deventer (source: Treinreiziger.nl, 25 August 2026). The train passes near Hamburg overnight, but no German stop has been confirmed. The first confirmed stop after the Netherlands is Copenhagen, followed by the final destination, Malmo.
Can you really get from Rotterdam to Stockholm on it?
Not directly, and it is worth being precise about that: the sleeper train ends in Malmo, not Stockholm. From Malmo, Sweden's SJ X2000 high-speed train covers the onward leg to Stockholm Central in around four and a half hours (source: SJ X2000 schedule data via trainstracking.com, 2026). Combined with an overnight ride from Rotterdam, that puts Sweden's capital within one change of trains and no airport, which is the part of this story worth getting excited about, short of calling it a one-seat ride.
What will the overnight journey look like?
Both operators expect the train to depart around 19:00 and arrive at its final destination around 10:00 the next morning, in both directions, running three times a week (source: Treinreiziger.nl, 25 August 2026). Exact carriage types, cabin classes, ticket prices and a public timetable have not been released yet; European Sleeper and RDC say a schedule is still being worked out with the relevant infrastructure managers in each country. Treat every detail above as a announced plan, not a bookable service, until the operators publish tickets.
Is this part of a bigger night-train push?
Yes. The same two companies are also behind a new Brussels-Milan night train starting 9 September 2026, and European Sleeper has separately said it wants to launch an Amsterdam-Barcelona night train, also targeted for 2028 (source: Treinreiziger.nl, 25 August 2026). RDC already operates a Berlin-Stockholm night train, restarted 1 September 2026 after taking over the route from Sweden's SJ, which is the operational experience the two companies say they are building on for the Benelux-Scandinavia link.
What can Stockholm add to a Rotterdam trip in the meantime?
Nothing about this announcement is bookable yet, but the pairing is a fair one regardless of the train: both cities built their identity on water, ports and bold modern architecture rather than postcard old towns. For the Stockholm side of a combined trip, the city's own official tourism site, visitstockholm.com, is the source to check for up-to-date opening hours and events; this page is Visit Rotterdam's independent look at the travel news, not a joint venture with the Stockholm tourism board.
For getting around Rotterdam itself once you arrive by train, plane or car, see the full getting around Rotterdam guide, including how Eurostar already connects Rotterdam Centraal to Brussels, Paris and London.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be a direct train from Rotterdam to Stockholm?
No. The new night train calls at Rotterdam Centraal but ends in Malmo, Sweden, not Stockholm. Reaching Stockholm means one change onto a separate Swedish train, a connection of roughly four and a half hours (source: SJ X2000 schedule data, 2026).
Sources
- Treinreiziger.nl, "Vanaf 2028 nachttrein van Brussel, via Nederland en Kopenhagen, naar Malmo", 25 August 2026 (primary Dutch rail-industry trade press, accessed 29 August 2026)
- VRT NWS, "European Sleeper wil in 2028 nachttreinverbinding naar Kopenhagen en Malmo", 25 August 2026 (Belgian public broadcaster, accessed 29 August 2026)
- Euronews, "New European Sleeper train to launch from Brussels and Amsterdam to Copenhagen and Malmo in 2028", 25 August 2026 (accessed 29 August 2026)
- SJ X2000 Stockholm-Malmo schedule data, trainstracking.com, 2026 (secondary schedule aggregator; confirm current timetable on sj.se before travel, accessed 29 August 2026)
This page describes a publicly announced operator plan, not a confirmed or bookable timetable. Routes, stops, dates and prices for the European Sleeper/RDC night train can still change before April 2028; verify directly with europeansleeper.eu before making travel plans. Last verified: 29 August 2026.