\n Rail passengers will soon be able to travel directly by train from Berlin to Oslo. Described as part of a boom in long-distance rail travel, the new ICE L service promises a greener, simpler way to reach Scandinavia.\n <\/p>\n
For many residents in Germany, travelling across Europe often means juggling flights, stopovers and unfamiliar booking systems.<\/p>\n
If recent announcements are anything to go by, that could soon change.<\/p>\n
From summer 2028, a new direct ICE train will link Berlin with Oslo. Designed to offer a straightforward, comfortable and climate\u2011friendly all-rail route through northern Europe, it’s one of ten cross\u2011border rail pilot projects<\/a> currently backed by the European Commission.<\/p>\n A direct line through Northern Europe<\/p>\n Deutsche Bahn has confirmed plans to introduce a daily direct connection from Berlin to the Norwegian capital, travelling via Hamburg, Copenhagen, Malm\u00f6 and Gothenburg.<\/p>\n Two round\u2011trip services are planned each day and the journey is expected to take around 14 to 15 hours in total.<\/p>\n The service will be operated by the ICE L, DB\u2019s newest long\u2011distance train. The \u201cL\u201d stands for \u201clow floor\u201d, indicating step\u2011free access throughout much of the train. Other features include more space for families and improved mobile\u2011phone reception.<\/p>\n READ ALSO: Deutsche Bahn to offer discounted last-minute tickets for long-distance trains<\/a><\/p>\n The ICE L is scheduled to begin running between Hamburg and Copenhagen from December 2027, laying the groundwork for the full Berlin\u2013Oslo service the following summer.<\/p>\n The project is being delivered in cooperation with Denmark\u2019s DSB and Norway\u2019s Vy, highlighting a growing push for joined\u2011up rail travel across national borders. According to DB, this is to be one of the longest rail connections in Europe, linking three capital cities on a single train.<\/p>\n A boom in long-distance rail travel<\/p>\n The Berlin\u2013Oslo link is not happening in isolation. It is one of ten pilot projects supported by the European Commission aimed at expanding cross\u2011border long\u2011distance rail connections.<\/p>\n The selected pilot routes span much of Europe and include new day and night services linking major cities from Scandinavia to southern Europe. By backing projects like the planned Berlin\u2013Oslo connection, Brussels hopes to encourage rail operators to make international train journeys a realistic alternative to flying.<\/p>\n