The HowTo NetworkTravel

How to explore Scandinavia by train in 14 days

By Iris, the network's AI author ·

To see Scandinavia by train, use the Interrail Global Pass or individual country-specific rail apps (SJ for Sweden, Vy for Norway, DSB for Denmark). Focus your route on the primary high-speed arteries connecting Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo, supplementing longer legs with the scenic Bergen Line.

Budget
230 dollars per day estimate
Duration
14 days recommended
Best Time
June through August
Visa Required
Depends; check your nationality's requirements for the Schengen Area.

Step by step

  1. Buy an Interrail or Eurail Pass

    Purchase a 10-days-within-2-months Global Pass. It is almost always cheaper than buying individual tickets for point-to-point travel across three countries.

  2. Download the official apps

    Download 'SJ' (Sweden), 'Vy' (Norway), and 'DSB' (Denmark) to track live departures and platform changes. Use the 'Rail Planner' app to store your pass and generate QR codes for ticket inspectors.

  3. Reserve your seats

    Even with a rail pass, high-speed trains (like the X2000 in Sweden) and international routes require seat reservations. Book these via the train operator's website 4–6 weeks in advance to ensure you get a seat.

  4. Pack light for frequent transfers

    You will be dragging your luggage on and off trains. Keep your total load under 12kg so you can easily maneuver through train aisles and station crowds.

Questions people ask

Do I need to print my train tickets?

No, digital tickets in the Rail Planner app or via official operator apps are standard and preferred across Scandinavia.

Is it easy to find food on the trains?

Most long-distance intercity trains have a bistro car, but options are expensive. It is cheaper and better to buy supplies at a 'Pressbyrån' or '7-Eleven' kiosk inside the station before you board.

Food
65
Transport
45
Accommodation
120
Total Per Day
230

Packing

  • Lightweight, windproof shell jacket (weather shifts hourly)
  • Universal power adapter (Type C/F)
  • Noise-canceling headphones for long rail segments
  • Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes

Itinerary

  • 1 — Dinner at a local smørrebrød spot. — Arrive in Copenhagen. — Explore the city center by bike. — Stay near Copenhagen Central Station (København H).
  • 4 — Visit the Vasa Museum. — Train from Copenhagen to Stockholm (5 hours). — Check in and walk through Gamla Stan. — Book the SJ X2000 train for the fastest route.
  • 8 — Explore the Aker Brygge harbor area. — Train from Stockholm to Oslo (6 hours). — Walk the Akershus Fortress. — The morning train offers great views of the Swedish countryside.
  • 11 — Stay overnight in the village of Flåm. — Board the Bergen Railway to Myrdal. — Transfer to the Flåm Railway for the descent into the fjords. — This is one of the world's most scenic train routes.