Vy-DSB-Deutsche Bahn Launch Oslo-Berlin Direct Service in Summer 2028

Vy, DSB and Deutsche Bahn announced a tri-national partnership on May 9 to launch direct Oslo-Berlin passenger service in summer 2028, restoring the route after a 20-year hiatus since the early 2000s.

The service represents a significant shift in European cross-border rail operations, creating one of the continent's longest direct daytime routes at approximately 1,000-1,500 km. The partnership demonstrates how national operators can overcome technical and regulatory barriers to provide seamless international connectivity, potentially serving as a template for other long-distance European corridors. The route will compete directly with aviation on the Oslo-Berlin corridor while offering intermediate connections that airlines cannot match.

The operators will deploy Talgo ICE-L trainsets with 562 seats across the four-city route connecting Oslo, København, Hamburg and Berlin. Service frequency will comprise two daily return pairs operating year-round. The collaboration spans three different electrification systems and national railway networks, requiring complex technical coordination between the Norwegian, Danish and German operators.

The announcement aligns with the European Commission's push for modal shift from aviation to rail on medium-distance routes. The Oslo-Berlin restoration follows similar long-distance service launches including the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express revival and new overnight services across Central Europe, reflecting growing passenger demand for sustainable cross-border travel alternatives to short-haul flights.