The Eco-Conscious Alternative
This wonderful news caught my attention this week with the announcement of a brand-new sleeper train providing sustainable rail travel to Stockholm. Due to be launched in September 2022 it will allow passengers to travel from London to Stockholm in Sweden via Hamburg in less than 24 hours.
What’s called the EuroNight service will be operated by Swedish operator SJ. These new Swedish train runs entirely on renewable electricity, making them an eco-conscious alternative to air transport.
Starting in London, you can catch the Eurostar to Brussels (3 hours). From Brussels Midi Station take the German ICE train to Cologne (7 hours). From Hamburg, take this new sleeper train to Stockholm (12 hours).
Freewheeling To Scandinavia
As far as the service is concerned you will have a choice of options. If you’re travelling on a budget, then there is just the standard seat or couchette. If, however, you need a little more comfort then you could book a standard compartment with a bed and also a breakfast box included.
The train drivers will be encouraged to ‘freewheel’ the trains which as you may have done as a youngster in your first car, you switch off the engine and then let gravity and the train’s momentum take over.
For those of you who are conscious of your carbon footprint the European Environment Agency has released figures that show where air travel generates 252.8 grams of carbon emissions per km travelled, rail travel emits just 22.4 grams. So, if you have the time to let the train take the strain then this is a great way to travel both in comfort and sustainably.
Stockholm Awaits
Once in the beautiful city of Stockholm, there is so much to do. You can discover Gamla Stan, the city’s old town which dates to the 1200s. The baroque-style Royal Palace and The Royal Chapel are a couple of stand-out buildings. For fans of pageantry, you can marvel at the daily changing of the guard’s ceremony.
There are countless museums for art, culture, and history plus there is the ABBA museum for those interested in music from the band of the 70s. Further afield and for those wanting to experience nature at its best then you can head out to the nearby Stockholm archipelago – a reserve of 30,000 islands, islets, and rocks.
For more information on sustainable rail travel to Stockholm and this new Euronight service check out SJ Trains.
