Germany's rail landscape is set for a new overnight option in spring 2027. Berlin-based startup Nox Mobility has confirmed that its first night train will run between Hamburg and Munich starting 23 March 2027, with stops in Bremen and Augsburg.
The service will operate three times a week in each direction, offering an alternative to short-haul flights on one of the country's busiest corridors. Nox Mobility has positioned the launch as a step toward making overnight rail "the most obvious alternative" to air travel, with ambitions to connect 100 European cities by 2035.
What the train offers
Passengers will travel in individual "Nox Suites," each equipped with a large seat, a fold-out table for work or dining, space for bulky luggage, and power outlets. At night, the seat reclines into a lounge position, providing two metres of stretch-out space along the window.
However, those expecting the fully private sleeping cabins originally announced will need to wait. The company's "Nox Rooms," designed for one or two passengers, are scheduled to join the fleet from 2029. This phased introduction marks a shift from earlier plans, which had envisioned private cabins from the outset.
Thibault Constant, co-founder of Nox Mobility, explained the concept: "With Nox, every passenger has their own space to work and rest in. A night on a Nox train should eventually bring together everything that used to take three bookings: getting there, staying the night and the morning at the destination."
Schedule and pricing
One-way fares start at €65. Southbound trains will leave Hamburg at 9:22 pm, call at Bremen at 10:30 pm and Augsburg at 7:35 am, arriving in Munich at 8:14 am. Northbound departures from Munich are set for 9:20 pm, stopping in Augsburg at 9:51 pm and Bremen at 7:20 am, with arrival in Hamburg at 8:27 am.
The launch comes amid a broader European push to revive night trains as a sustainable travel option. Several operators have expanded sleeper services across the continent, though challenges such as track access and rolling stock availability remain.
Nox Mobility's long-term vision includes routes to Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Warsaw, Budapest and Rome. The company's approach—focusing on individual suites rather than traditional couchettes—aims to appeal to business travellers and leisure passengers alike.
For now, the Hamburg–Munich route will test whether the model can win over passengers who might otherwise fly. With its phased rollout, Nox is betting that comfort and convenience will make overnight rail a compelling choice.
