New Giruno train connects Hamburg and Basel: revolution in long-distance transport!

New Giruno train connects Hamburg and Basel: revolution in long-distance transport!

From mid-December 2025, the journey between Hamburg and Basel will have an exciting new option: the high-speed train “Giruno” will start regular operations. On December 5, 2025, the train was ceremoniously christened “Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg” in Altona, and the anticipation of this transport connection is clearly noticeable. The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) are relying on this latest type of train, which reaches top speeds of up to 250 km/h and is intended to appeal to travelers with a modern, barrier-free design, as NDR reports.

The Giruno not only impresses with step-free entry, but also with comfortable seating groups for four and separate toilets for men and women. Two trains in each direction will run daily, alternating with Deutsche Bahn's tried and tested ICE trains, on the route between Hamburg and Basel. Travel times are approximately 6 hours and 45 minutes, with trains departing Hamburg-Altona at 8:29 a.m. and 4:29 p.m. The return journeys from Basel start at 6:46 a.m. and 2:46 p.m.

Convenience and connectivity

The new Giruno trains offer a pleasant travel experience with a total of 405 seats and power outlets. This expansion in high-speed transport not only includes Hamburg and Basel, but is also part of a larger concept that aims to optimize European travel options. German and Swiss transport companies are working hand in hand to offer travelers an environmentally friendly and time-saving alternative to intra-European air travel, as T-Online's reporting adds.

Further direct connections from Hamburg, for example to Copenhagen and Stockholm, show that the Hanseatic city is becoming increasingly linked to the European transport network. Despite the new connections, the number of daily trips between Hamburg and Basel remains unchanged at a total of 30. Traffic delays on the German-Swiss connection could continue to cause problems when changing trains in Basel, as NDR critically notes.

Looking into the future

Hamburg's Transport Senator Anjes Tjarks expressed the desire to further expand the network and examine direct connections to Warsaw, Paris and Amsterdam. These efforts are part of a broader plan to establish a modern high-speed rail network in Europe. Think tanks such as 21st Europe present concepts such as “Starline”, which aim to create uniform timetables, ticket systems and train stations to simplify cross-border travel.

The vision not only envisages improving the infrastructure, but also ensuring trouble-free connections. At the same time, there are criticisms of the concept, particularly the lack of consideration of smaller cities and rural regions. Nevertheless, the hope for sustainable mobility in Europe remains high among many travelers.

Apart from this major project, it should be mentioned that DB Regio trains will continue to run between Kiel and Flensburg, with a new connection to Denmark being planned. The public transport landscape in northern Germany is becoming increasingly attractive and diverse.

An exciting time for all travelers who will soon be able to discover not only from Hamburg to Basel, but also the whole of Europe!