By Train
Sweden has an excellent train network — and one of the most beautiful train routes in Europe. The state railway company SJ (Statens Järnvägar) operates the long-distance trains, supplemented by regional trains like Öresundståg (south) and Norrtåg (north).
Arrival from Germany by Train
The most popular route: Hamburg → Copenhagen → Malmö. The IC/EC train travels from Hamburg via the Vogelfluglinie (Puttgarden–Rødby ferry) to Copenhagen, then continues with the Öresundståg over the Öresund Bridge to Malmö. Total time: approx. 5–6 hours. Alternatively, via the Storebælt Bridge without a ferry crossing.
The Main Train Routes
| Route | Route | Duration | Price (from) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SJ Snabbtåg | Stockholm → Gothenburg | 3h | 195 SEK (17 €) | Sweden's busiest route, up to 200 km/h |
| SJ Snabbtåg | Stockholm → Malmö | 4h 30 | 295 SEK (26 €) | Through Småland and Skåne |
| Öresundståg | Copenhagen → Malmö | 35 Min. | 130 SEK (11 €) | Over the Öresund Bridge — spectacular! |
| Inlandsbanan | Kristinehamn → Gällivare | 2 Days | from 1,495 SEK (130 €) | 1,300 km through Sweden's wilderness — moose, bears, solitude |
| Norrtåg | Stockholm → Narvik (Norway) | 18h | from 395 SEK (34 €) | Night train through Lapland, past Kiruna |
Tips for Train Travel
- Early Bookers: SJ tickets are cheapest up to 90 days in advance (Stockholm–Gothenburg from 195 SEK instead of 855 SEK)
- SJ Prio: Loyalty program with points and upgrades — register for free
- Inlandsbanan: The "forgotten" railway line through Sweden's inland from Värmland to Lapland — an adventure for train fans, in summer as a tourist train
- Night Trains: SJ offers night trains from Stockholm to Narvik, Kiruna, Luleå, and Abisko — sleeping cars and couchettes from approx. 500 SEK
💡 Tipp
The Inlandsbanan is one of the last great train adventures in Europe: 1,300 kilometers through the Swedish wilderness, from the forests of Värmland over the fjälls of Jämtland to the arctic tundra of Lapland. In summer, the train might even stop for a moose on the tracks.
