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Nordic Unbound – Three Countries, One Adventure

Nine-day rail journey from Hamburg through Copenhagen, Malmö, Odense to Kiel

Illustration of Nordic Unbound – Three Countries, One Adventure

Nordic Unbound is a 9-day rail journey operated by Railtour Suisse that departs Basel and loops through the maritime cities of Hamburg, Copenhagen, Malmö, Odense, and Kiel before returning to Switzerland. The trip moves at a relaxed pace, with two nights each in Hamburg and Kiel, three nights in Copenhagen, and one night in Odense, all connected by direct intercity trains. Days blend city exploration on foot, cultural visits such as Hamburg's UNESCO Speicherstadt and the H.C. Andersen House in Odense, and waterside experiences including a harbour tour and a canal journey past Nyhavn's historic sailing ships. A day excursion takes you across the Øresund Bridge to Malmö, Sweden. The itinerary suits first-time rail travellers seeking straightforward connections, history enthusiasts drawn to Baltic and Hanseatic heritage, and couples looking for multi-night stays that allow unhurried discovery of Nordic cities and coastal charm.

What to know before you look closer

  • Train fares from Basel require a Half-Fare Card; the price quoted assumes this discount and rail passes are booked separately from the package.
  • The final night in Kiel (night 8) is at the 3-star Ibis Styles, a step down from the 4-star hotels in Hamburg, Copenhagen, and Odense.
  • Day 5 (Malmö excursion) keeps your base in Copenhagen; the trip to Sweden and back is a day excursion, not an overnight stay.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Hamburg

    Switzerland – Hamburg

    Travel comfortably from Basel to Hamburg by ICE in 6 hours and 30 minutes. After your arrival and check-in at the hotel, you can soak up the maritime atmosphere for the first time, enjoy a fresh shrimp roll and watch the bustling activity at the harbour.

  2. Day 2overnight: Hamburg

    Hamburg

    Stroll leisurely through the historic Speicherstadt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, admire the impressive Elbphilharmonie and continue towards the Landungsbrücken. Enjoy one of the legendary harbour tours through the vast container port. For more variety, explore the area around the Inner Alster, the Jungfernstieg and the Old Town. A detour to the Reeperbahn is worth it.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Copenhagen

    Hamburg – Copenhagen

    After breakfast, make your way to the main station. The direct Intercity train takes you to Copenhagen in just under 5 hours. Upon arrival, you will immediately feel the Scandinavian joie de vivre.

  4. Day 4overnight: Copenhagen

    Copenhagen

    Explore much of the city on foot. Europe's longest shopping street – Strøget. The Tivoli Gardens. Don't miss the canal tour past colourful houses and historic sailing ships in Nyhavn. The route takes you further past Amalienborg Palace and the Little Mermaid.

  5. Day 5overnight: Copenhagen

    Excursion to Malmö (Sweden)

    Via the impressive Øresund Bridge, you can travel comfortably from the Danish capital to charming Malmö in Sweden in just 40 minutes. Spend the day in this vibrant coastal city in southern Sweden. Try the classic köttbullar at Lilla Torg. Rent a bicycle and explore the city.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Odense

    Copenhagen – Odense

    Continue your journey to Odense. The direct Intercity train takes you to Denmark's fairy-tale city in 1 hour and 30 minutes. Immerse yourself in the world of Hans Christian Andersen. Stroll through the pedestrian zone with its charming street art, cosy cafés and small boutiques.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Kiel

    Odense – Kiel

    Return to the German Baltic Sea, to Kiel. The train takes you to Kiel in just under 4 hours. Let yourself be inspired by the maritime atmosphere, the fresh sea breeze and the relaxed North German way of life.

  8. Day 8overnight: Kiel

    Kiel

    Watch cruise ships, sailing boats and ferries as they come and go. Dive into maritime history and visit the Maritime Museum & the U-boat U995. A few minutes from the city centre are the beaches of Laboe and Falckenstein.

  9. Day 9rail

    Kiel – Switzerland

    Travel comfortably back to Switzerland by train via Hamburg.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Arrive in Hamburg by ICE after 6.5 hours from Basel; experience the maritime atmosphere and sample a fresh shrimp roll at the harbour.
  • Day 2Take a harbour tour through Hamburg's vast container port and stroll the historic Speicherstadt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Day 4Take a canal tour past colourful houses and historic sailing ships in Nyhavn, Copenhagen.
  • Day 5Cross the Øresund Bridge to Malmö, Sweden in 40 minutes; explore the coastal city by bicycle and try köttbullar at Lilla Torg.
  • Day 8Visit Kiel Maritime Museum and U-boat U995, then relax on the nearby beaches of Laboe and Falckenstein.

Included

  • Train journey in 2nd class from/to Basel SBB, based on Half-Fare Card, route according to the programme
  • Accommodation in a standard double room with breakfast
  • 2 nights in Hamburg, Barcelo Hamburg****
  • 3 nights in Copenhagen, Andersen Boutique Hotel****
  • 1 night in Odense, Milling Hotel Plaza****
  • 2 nights in Kiel, Ibis Styles Kiel***

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes return train travel in 2nd class from Basel SBB with an ICE to Hamburg, direct intercity trains between cities, and the return journey via Hamburg. A Half-Fare Card is required and assumed in the pricing.
Which trains are used?
ICE from Basel to Hamburg, Intercity from Hamburg to Copenhagen (5 hours), Intercity from Copenhagen to Odense via the Øresund Bridge (1.5 hours), and trains from Odense to Kiel (under 4 hours) and Kiel back to Switzerland.
What hotels are included?
Barcelo Hamburg (4-star, 2 nights), Andersen Boutique Hotel Copenhagen (4-star, 3 nights), Milling Hotel Plaza Odense (4-star, 1 night), and Ibis Styles Kiel (3-star, 2 nights), all with breakfast.
What is included in the price?
Accommodation with breakfast, train travel in 2nd class, a harbour tour in Hamburg, entry to Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, and a day excursion to Malmö across the Øresund Bridge.
How much walking is involved?
Expect daily walking through city centres: leisurely strolls through Hamburg's Speicherstadt and harbour district, Copenhagen's Strøget and Nyhavn, a bicycle option in Malmö, and exploration of Odense's pedestrian zones and Kiel's maritime areas.
When does it run?
Railtour Suisse publishes no scheduled departure dates in the available information; contact the operator to confirm availability and departure schedules.

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