Sweden by train

Gothenburg, Sweden

Modern, playful Gothenburg

A mixture of natural beauty and man-made adventure, Gothenburg (Göteborg) is like one giant playground, just waiting for exploration. Visit Liseberg, Scandinavia’s largest amusement park, and Universeum, the science discovery center. Shop at Gothenburg’s trendy stores, and camp in its (often free) parks and campgrounds. What’s more, Gothenburg has one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline imaginable.

Town Hall, Malmö

Multicultural and mesmerizing Malmö

Beautiful and dynamic, Malmö is filled with charm. Malmö burst onto the scene in recent years with a huge renovation, and the construction of the impressive, five-mile long Öresund Bridge (Øresundsbron), connecting Malmö to Copenhagen. A true port city, Malmö boasts residents of more than 160 nationalities and 100 languages. After a day at the beach, be sure to check out the fantastic array of dining options.

Södermalm distict in Stockholm

Spectacular Stockholm

Stockholm is a sparkling city built on 14 islands, connected by 57 bridges. It’s ranked among the most breathtaking capitals in the world. History, culture, world-class museums, natural beauty and modern city life combine for an unforgettable travel destination. From Gröna Lund amusement park to the beautiful City Hall and the Museum of Medieval Stockholm (Stockholms Medeltidsmuseum), you’ll find it all in this stunning capital city.

Reindeer in Northern Sweden

The great Northern beyond

Northern Sweden is a nature-lover’s paradise. Countless national parks and reserves – like Sarek and Abisko – are some of the world’s most stunning. Ride a husky sledge, try ice fishing or skiing, everything is possible. The ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’ is also the backdrop for the Northern Lights. Learn about the Sami – indigenous Swedes with a unique way of life. In nearby Jukkasjärvi is the world-famous Ice Hotel.

Visby

The sweet Swedish Isles

Sweden is rumored to have hundreds – or even thousands – of islands. One of the largest and most interesting is the isle of Gotland, off the southeastern coast of the mainland. Gotland’s capital, Visby, is a reasonably priced tourist dream, with medieval architecture and cobblestone streets. The ancient town square and old town, plus unique stone fortifying walls make Visby a charming must-see.

Ferry between Sweden and Finland

Boat trips

With a valid Eurail pass for Sweden, you'll get discounted travel on ferry routes to the following countries:

• Finland

• Estonia

• Latvia

• Germany

Train travel to Denmark and Norway

A Eurail pass valid in Sweden covers free travel on the following routes:

• SJ trains directly to and from Copenhagen and Copenhagen airport

• Göteborg and Stockholm to Oslo.

See all pass benefits for Sweden

Rail Network

The national railway company of Sweden is called SJ (State Railways - Statens Järnvägar).

Visit the SJ website.
 

Sweden has an extensive railway network. Visitors travel smoothly and comfortably across the countryside on some of Europe’s most modern trains. Swedish rail moves between the major cities of Malmo, Helsingborg, Gothenburg and Stockholm every hour throughout the day. Take a look at the table of travel distances by train, offered by visitsweden.com.

Private railway companies

In addition to travel with the SJ, a Eurail pass is also valid for travel with the private railway companies listed below. Show your pass when you board.

• Arlanda Express

• Arriva

• Öresundståg

• The Öresund-trains form a joint train service system in southern Sweden and Denmark. The Öresund-trains operate on the following routes in both 1^st and 2^nd class:

  • Gothenburg-Halmstad-Helsingborg-Malmö-Copenhagen

  • Karlskrona-Kristianstad-Hässleholm-Malmö-Copenhagen

  • Kalmar-Växjö-Malmö-Copenhagen

You can make reservations for Öresundståg: Online at www.oresundstag.se or at ticket desks or self-service machines at local train stations.

• Inlandsbanan

• Krösatåg(local train services in Småland)

• Norrtåg

• Skånetrafiken

• Tågkompaniet

• Värmlandstrafik (local train services in Värmland)

• Västtrafik (local train services in Western Sweden)

• Snälltåget trains operate between Malmö and Stockholm with 1^st and 2^nd class coaches and a restaurant car. You have access to free wifi and electricity sockets.
  A reservation for this trains is required. Fees: 1^st class €15 (light meal included), 2^nd class €5.
  
  Snälltåget also operates night trains on the route Malmö – Åre (winter) and Malmö – Berlin (summer). A reservation for your sleeping accommodation is required. Fee: €29 for a couchette.
  On the Malmö – Berlin route, your Eurail pass only has to be valid in Sweden.

Railway services

Swedish regional and inter-regional trains have 1^st and 2^nd class cars with refreshments available on board and seats adapted for disabled travelers. Some trains also have a family car with a play corner including a slide etc, where children can play during the journey.

You can reach Sweden by train from three countries:

• Denmark: Trains depart from Copenhagen for Malmö every 20 minutes. The train goes over the Öresund Bridge and arrives in Sweden in less than 30 minutes. Direct trains (SJ High Speed trains) leave from Copenhagen to Stockholm.

• Norway: There are connections between Oslo, Stockholm and Gothenburg as well as connections between Trondheim – Åre – Östersund and Narvik – Kiruna – Boden – Stockholm.

• Germany: Between April and August, you can travel from Berlin to Malmö with the Berlin Night Express. Reservations are compulsory. 

Train types

The Swedish built SJ high-speed train enables you to travel the country with Stockholm as the central point. The SJ high-speed train operates on existing tracks at speeds up to 200 km/h (124 mph). SJ have managed to achieve considerably shorter traveling times with this train.

In addition, other comfortable Intercity, regional and local trains provide access to almost every other destination. Night trains will take you to the northern part of Sweden and abroad.

Please note: only holders of Sweden One Country Passes, Select Passes including Sweden, or Global Passes can travel on international SJ trains.

Domestic night trains:

• Göteborg – Östersund/Åre

• Stockholm – Östersund/Åre

• Malmö – Sundsvall/Östersund/Åre

• Malmö – Stockholm

• Stockholm – Luleå/Kiruna/Narvik

• Göteborg – Luleå/Kiruna/Narvik

International night trains:

• Malmö – Oslo (summer season only)

• Malmö – Berlin (Berlin Night Express)

Reservations

Domestic trains

For most domestic trains in Sweden seat reservations are not required, so you can just hop on the train with your Eurail pass. For the SJ, high-speed train reservation is compulsory for Eurail pass holders. For InterCity and regional trains reservation is not required, but recommended if you want to be sure of a seat in busy times. See the reservation fees for domestic trains.

International trains

There are some international trains from Sweden that require a reservation fee. Examples are the InterCity from Stockholm to Oslo (Norway) and the SJ high-speed train to Denmark and Norway. See the reservation fees for international trains.

How to make reservations

You can make reservations for domestic and international high-speed trains and night trains:

• Online through the SJ website.
  Please note that you can only make reservations for domestic trains.

• Through the Rail Planner App

• At a ticket desk or self-service machine at local train stations.

• By phone through the SJ call center.
  Phone number: +46 771 757575
  Opening hours: 9:00-18:00 , daily (local times)
  
  When calling you'll hear a Swedish menu. Select extension "7" for an English menu and press extension "1" for reservations. Choose extension "1" for domestic trains or extension "2" for international trains. The SJ call center can make reservations for trains in almost all European countries. Reservations can be delivered to addresses in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. You can also collect your reservations at a ticket desk at a Swedish railway station with your booking number. You will receive your booking number when you have made and paid your reservations by phone.
  
  The SJ call center has English speaking staff and can also be reached with Skype.

Itineraries

Examples of travel times

• Copenhagen – Göteborg (3 hrs 30 min 7 dept/day)

• Copenhagen – Stockholm (5 hrs 6 dept/day)

• Malmö – Stockholm (4 hrs 30 min 14 dept/day)

• Stockholm – Göteborg (3 hrs 16 dept/day)

• Stockholm – Karlstad (2 hrs 30 min 9 dept/day)

• Stockholm – Falun (2 hrs 30 min 9 dept/day)

• Stockholm – Sundsvall (3 hrs 20 min 8 dept/day)

• Stockholm – Åre (7 hrs 3 dept/day)

Scenic routes

• Inlandsbanan (Kristinehamn – Gällivare)
   

Extra info

Airport - station link

From Stockholm Arlanda airport, there are train connections to Stockholm Central (train every 15 minutes) and many other destinations. More details on the airport website.

Eurail aid office in Sweden

For questions about Eurail, you can go to the international ticket office at Stockholm central station. See the page Eurail aid offices for opening times and more aid offices in Europe.

SJ lounges

Holders of a Eurail pass 1^st class have free access to the SJ lounges at the main stations in Stockholm and Göteborg.

Boat travel from Sweden

With your Eurail pass you get:

• 50% discount from Stockholm to Helsinki (Finland), Turku (Finland), Riga (Latvia) or Tallinn (Estonia) on ferries from Tallink Silja Oy.

• 25% discount from Göteborg to Fredrikshavn (Denmark) or from Varberg to Grena (Denmark) on ferries from Stena Line.

• 50% discount on deck prices from Stockholm to Turku on ferries from Viking Line.

More information on discounted shipping lines in Sweden can be found on the pass benefits page.