When trains start running between Copenhagen and Hamburg under the Fehmarn Belt, according to Region Zealand, there should be two stops on the route within the region's borders. A new analysis now recommends that Næstved and Nykøbing Falster be the selected stations.
The analysis is prepared by the consultancy firm SYSTRA at the request of Region Zealand and the Zealand municipalities. Six stations have been assessed: Køge Nord, Ringsted, Næstved, Vordingborg, Nykøbing Falster, and Rødby. The latter is a new station under construction in connection with the tunnel to Germany.
The possible combinations of two stops are then analysed and weighed against each other based on a number of established criteria.
Three combinations in play
An assessment of three different scenarios has been made: Ringsted and Nykøbing Falster, Næstved and Nykøbing Falster, and Næstved and Rødby. The analysis examines, among other things, which stations provide the most passengers, best commuting time, access to workplaces, and greatest regional coverage.
How the three scenarios are assessed
Stops in Næstved and Nykøbing Falster are collectively considered the best scenario. It scores highest on commuting and passenger numbers, and second highest on growth and regional significance. Average rating: 4.0 on a scale from 1 to 5.
Stops in Ringsted and Nykøbing Falster are considered the second best. It scores highest on regional accessibility, but lower on the other criteria. Average rating: 3.3.
Stops in Næstved and Rødby are considered the least attractive. Here, the potential for German labour is high, but there are few local jobs and a low passenger base. Average rating: 2.3.
Source: Analysis from Region Zealand and SYSTRA, May 2025
The criteria are politically defined and translated into quantitative indicators - including catchment area analyses, travel times, population figures, and tourism data. It's about finding the combination that overall creates the most value for Region Zealand.
Næstved and Nykøbing Falster perform best
The conclusion is clear: Stops in Næstved and Nykøbing meet the most considerations and score highest in the overall assessment. Næstved is a town with good car accessibility, high workplace density, and a growing business sector. Nykøbing stands out particularly in tourism and potential for passenger growth - not least due to many German overnight stays in the municipality.
The scenario with Ringsted and Nykøbing Falster is close, especially because Ringsted is easy to reach by train from large parts of Zealand. The third scenario, with Rødby and Næstved, is considered the least attractive. Rødby has a short travel time to Lübeck and thus a large labour catchment area, but the area around the station has few workplaces and a low local passenger base.
Commercial operation without political control
The connection between Copenhagen and Hamburg is to be operated commercially and is not covered by DSB's contract with the state. This means that ultimately it will be up to the operators - typically DSB and Deutsche Bahn - to decide where the trains stop.
Precisely for this reason, Region Zealand and the municipalities want to have a common basis that can be used in dialogue with the Ministry of Transport and the commercial actors. For them, it is about ensuring that the Femern connection also has local significance - not just as a transit corridor between capitals.
The next step will be political
The next consideration of the matter will take place in September. Here, both the Region Zealand's committee for regional development and KKR Zealand will have to decide on the recommendations. If political consensus is reached, the region will proceed to handle the matter with operators and the state.
The analysis could therefore have a significant impact on how train traffic to and from abroad will affect the development in the region in the coming years.
